News Raspberry Pi Pico Converts Retro Game Controllers To USB

[Admin]

Lee from More Fun Making It has built a vintage joystick converter using the $4 Raspberry Pi Pico.

Raspberry Pi Pico Converts Retro Game Controllers To USB : Read more

 

[Findecanor]

A microcontroller running on 3.3V wouldn't be my first choice for a 9-pin joystick converter, but if I did I would definitely use a logic-level converter and then some external pull-up resistors.

Many vintage joysticks with autofire are not driven by the +5V pin, but actually by the pull-up current.

You might also be tempted to connect a Sega gamepad, but Sega also uses another pin as the +5V pin.

 

[TerryLaze]

You might also be tempted to connect a Sega gamepad, but Sega also uses another pin as the +5V pin.

https://github.com/ryansalerno/raspberry-pico-retro-controller-adapters#readme
Sega, snes and nes version, the pinout used is in the .py for each.

 

[bp_968]

I agree about using a 5v MC. Especially if their programming it with arduino anyway.

If someone wants to build one of these and can print a nice box/case for them ill send you a couple microcontrollers (i have the arduino mini, micro and a handful of other types in my drawer of micro controllers and SBCs. I could even russle up the resistors and stuff too and send that. I just want the printed case you end up using for my own copy i want to make one for SNES controllers and or sega genesis controllers.

One of these days i need to build a arcade emulator machine to play gauntlet or xmen or TMNT on (ooh and golden axe, another epic game of the time).

 

[TerryLaze]

A microcontroller running on 3.3V wouldn't be my first choice for a 9-pin joystick converter, but if I did I would definitely use a logic-level converter and then some external pull-up resistors.

I agree about using a 5v MC. Especially if their programming it with arduino anyway.

But why?!
The only reason 5V is the standard is because that's what the micros had back then, there is nothing in a joystick that needs any "power" (current) at all, let alone a specific amount, you just need any amount of "power" (current) to be able to distinguish if the circuit is open or closed.

Or am I missing something here?