Funny SNES Controller Option for 2600

[mikey.shake]

So, I ordered one of those Retro-Bit Super RetroTRIOs (plays NES, SNES, Genesis games). I knew it came with its own controllers, and that they were SNES-style. Neat, enough buttons to cover any game on those systems. And their inclusion with the console indicates that they'll play all 3 systems.

 

When they arrived, I was surprised to find that they jack into not the SNES ports, but the GENESIS ports. So, they're SNES controllers, but with a 9-pin output.

 

Which meant that I immediately HAD to plug one into my six switcher to see if it would work.

 

And sure enough, I was soon playing Keystone Kapers with an SNES controller. It was weird and felt unnatural. I'm one of those weirdos who prefers the stick, but I know some people like Genesis controllers and the like. They play nice enough, the casing seems to be identical to any other Retro-Bit controller I've used. Good, solid replacements, if nothing exceptional.

 

I point this out because if you want to play with a gamepad-style controller instead of the classic joystick, and if Genesis controllers aren't for you... Retro-Bit makes these 9-pin SNES controllers, so I'm supposing you can probably get them separately (maybe with some digging) if you were so inclined. Maybe I missed a bunch of posts on this, but if not, consider it as just another entry on the controllers list...

[Army Of 2600]

Hmmm...I think I have one of those. I'll have to try it out.

[OldSchoolRetroGamer]

I have a Super Retro Trio so definitely going to give this a go!

[Shawn]

They are genesis controllers, doesn't matter what shape they are and that is why it works on a 2600.

[mikey.shake]

Right... I guess I was commenting more on the feel in one's hand than the electronics... I had little doubt whether or not they'd work. I was less surprised they worked, and more surprised at how confused my hands were trying to manipulate 2600 games with that feeling under the fingertips. The only games I've tried with them that I can really get behind using it for are platformers. To each their own, but I thought it was interesting since that's what I probably played the most on an SNES.

[AW127]

By the way, there exist two good adapters, that allow to use SNES-controllers on 9Pin-Systems like the Atari-VCS, C64, Amiga, Atari-ST and so on.

 

First one is the "SNES to Atari/Commodore" adapter from Raphnet:

http://www.raphnet-tech.com/products/snes_to_db9/index.php

 

And second one is the "64JPX-Adapter", which is available in different versions:

http://www.64hdd.com/64jpx/64jpx.html

 

Both adapters have four different switchable buttonmappings and both allow, for example, to map "up" to a button (for jumping in many games). I have one of both and they both work very good. Very fast reaction, no delay, autofire on board and so on.

 

In my opinion, the Raphnet-Adapter is ideal for shooting-games (6 different autofire-speeds, Fire-2 for Amiga-games, automatic-autofire withoout that the player needs to hold a button).

 

And the 64JPX-Adapter is ideal for games like "Track & Field", "Decathlon" and so on, because he has a "waddle mode" in different speeds, where the adapter emulates left/right-jiggle.

 

For jump and run games they both ideal, because they both have a mapping, where a button can be used for jumping instead of "steering up". When you play with a joystick, then this matters not much, because you can also steer "up" for jumping, but when you play with a gamepad, then a button for jumping is much better then steering "up". Since i have this adapters i play both ways, sometimes with a SNES-gamepad or a SNES-technoplus-joystick and sometimes without the adapter by using my "Competition Pro". Both ways work good for me in jump and rum games, but games where you see yourself from above and you can steer in any direction, i can play best with my Competition Pro Joysticks. Here i have a problem with a gamepad then.

Edited May 27, 2015 by AW127