arcade-style colecovision controller

[chromesphere]

Hi all,

I used to have a colecovision when i was younger (my first console) and i recently decided to buy one off ebay to take a trip down memory lane. Well, to say i was extremely disspointed in the orginal controllers was an understatement. They are pretty old, and just uncomfortable to use.

 

I decicded to undertake a bit of a project and build an arcade style controller from scratch. Heres the end result:

 

http://www.chromesphere.com/coleco/IMGP2881a.jpg

 

http://www.chromesphere.com/coleco/IMGP2896a.jpg

 

Theres just no way i can go back to the old one now. This controller is so much fun to use and considering that a large majority of colecovision games were arcade ports, the arcade controller really fits the bill.

 

There's a HUGE amount of assembly involved as I've made the PCB from scratch, however that said, I'm considering possibly making a few of these to sell, but just don't know the demand for it. If your interested in something like this, drop me a line: Paul at chromesphere dot com.

[SRGilbert]

Hey, that's awesome! Did you make the case too or was that from something else?

 

Wouldn't it be easier to use the PCB from a Coleco controller? There must be some broken ones out there that could be doners?

 

Maybe you could try to incorporate the keypad as well?

 

Let's see some pics of the inside!

 

A few of us on here have been using modded Radica Space Invaders plug and play joysticks on their CV's and 7800's. Am I right that yours should work on a 7800 as well?

 

Edited November 29, 2007 by SRGilbert

[+RangerG]

That looks really good. I like when mods look finished in a sturdy, clean case.

[chromesphere]

Hey thanks for the nice comments!

 

It definitely is easier to use a hacked coleco PCB. I actually, initially had it hooked up that way, but the circuit is pretty simple, and i wanted a challenge; to make the entire thing from scratch so i ditched the orginal PCB and assembled it from scratch. I can also make as many as i like without the need to source old CV controllers. I also wanted a new DB9 cable too because the standard, twirly type (apart from being annoying haha) would mean the system would have to be right next to the arcade controller. So i've replaced that as well with a straight one so the system can be across the room.

 

(ill post some photos of the guts of it soon)

 

Yeah i was thinking of maybe making a revision B, to have 4 buttons for the 1 to 4 buttons on the number pad across the top of the "arm" and "fire" buttons. I'd have to work out the circuit, but i think i should be able to do it without any trouble. That covers 99% of the games out there, and also would save having to hit buttons on controller 2 to start the game.

 

I'm not sure if it would work with the 7800 but the connector is the same as a standard CV controller (screwless db9) and also the circuit is the same as that found in a standard CV controller too, so, i'd assume if a standard CV controller works in a 7800, this should work as well.

Edited November 29, 2007 by chromesphere

[SRGilbert]

I can't help but think that the hardest part was making the enclosure! I'd considered picking up one of those X-arcade Solo sticks to use like this just so I didn't have to make one. Again, nice job!

 

Also, maybe consider using a stick that offers a switchable 4-way restrictor plate for the multitude of 4-way games out there? That would be pretty cool!

 

 

Hey thanks for the nice comments!

 

It definitely is easier to use a hacked coleco PCB. I actually, initially had it hooked up that way, but the circuit is pretty simple, and i wanted a challenge; to make the entire thing from scratch so i ditched the orginal PCB and assembled it from scratch. I can also make as many as i like without the need to source old CV controllers. I also wanted a new DB9 cable too because the standard, twirly type (apart from being annoying haha) would mean the system would have to be right next to the arcade controller. So i've replaced that as well with a straight one so the system can be across the room.

 

(ill post some photos of the guts of it soon)

 

Yeah i was thinking of maybe making a revision B, to have 4 buttons for the 1 to 4 buttons on the number pad across the top of the "arm" and "fire" buttons. I'd have to work out the circuit, but i think i should be able to do it without any trouble. That covers 99% of the games out there, and also would save having to hit buttons on controller 2 to start the game.

 

I'm not sure if it would work with the 7800 but the connector is the same as a standard CV controller (screwless db9) and also the circuit is the same as that found in a standard CV controller too, so, i'd assume if a standard CV controller works in a 7800, this should work as well.

Edited November 29, 2007 by SRGilbert

[chromesphere]

The joystick is a Sanwa, and can be swapped between 8-way and true 4-way mode by rotating the restrictor plate at the bottom of the assembly. So thats covered as well :-)

 

Thats not a bad idea actually (x-arcade). You could probably rip out the interface PCB inside it and insert a colecovision one in its place. Its definitely a more expensive option though, but if you werent keen on attempting your on enclosure it might be the only choice.

[ninermaniac]

Nice. Comfortable and ergonomically designed. I say go into business.

[Pixelboy]

Want to see what kind of demand there is for an ergonomical CV controller? Look here, and here too.

[jboypacman]

Ok that is a sweet stick i would love something like this for my Colecovision good job on making this.

[doubledown]

I started making one of those about a year or more ago. I used all HAPP controls. It has the joystick, 4 fire buttons (representing and color coded to match the Super Action Controller buttons) and a keypad. And again just like a few of my other projects, it works perfectly, I just need to get off my ass and finish the cosmetics on it.

[chromesphere]

Thanks for your interest guys.

 

I might put another one together and put it on ebay. Unfortunately i live in Australia so if someone wins it in america postage is going to be expensive, probably around 50aud approx, as the enclosure weights around 2.5kg. But still, there seems to be a bit of interest in it so its probably worth the while. I'm also open to private sale so if you want more info send me an email, and ill let you know.

[SRGilbert]

The joystick is a Sanwa, and can be swapped between 8-way and true 4-way mode by rotating the restrictor plate at the bottom of the assembly. So thats covered as well :-)

 

Thats not a bad idea actually (x-arcade). You could probably rip out the interface PCB inside it and insert a colecovision one in its place. Its definitely a more expensive option though, but if you werent keen on attempting your on enclosure it might be the only choice.

Sweet, I can see you know what you are doing then.

 

If I did convert an X-arcade, at least I could recycle the internals as an i-pac alternative in a Mame cab!

[Jess Ragan]

So... uh, does anyone know the pinout for the ColecoVision joystick port? The numeric keypad in particular confuses the hell outta me.

[chromesphere]

So... uh, does anyone know the pinout for the ColecoVision joystick port? The numeric keypad in particular confuses the hell outta me.

 

Hey Jess,

 

I followed this circuit diagram to build my controller (which, obviously, worked)

 

http://www.atarihq.com/danb/files/ColecoController.pdf

 

I haven't implemented anything from the numberpad in practice, but i'm pretty sure i've worked out how it works in theory. Don't ask me to explain it though, because its pretty confusing

 

Hope that helps you!

 

CS

[Jess Ragan]

Good gravy, that thing is ridiculous. Looks like the developers had to jump through a lot of hoops to get a joystick, two buttons, and a keypad to work with a 9-pin port. Thanks for the information, though!

[BuddyBuddies]

@ CHROMESPHERE,VERY NICE CONTROLLER,I LIKE IT.

[chromesphere]

Last bump.

 

After much deliberation I've decided to sell this controller (the prototype). I will be listing it on ebay in a few days time, so keep an eye out for it! I just need to tie down the db9 cable inside the controller box and its pretty much ready to go. I dont know if i will be making anymore, so this might be the first and last available.

 

Thank you all for your positive feedback.

 

CS

[Jess Ragan]

You got another copy of that schematic handy? The link no longer seems to work...

[chromesphere]

You got another copy of that schematic handy? The link no longer seems to work...

 

Hi Jess,

 

heh...yeah, seems like its been moved or something...Lucky i kept a printoff of it! I'll scan it at work tomorrow and host it on my site for ya. Link to come.

 

CS

[Colecovision]

I know a lot people don’t like the original controller but for me it’s part of the colecovision experience. If you don’t play with the original controller you could just play the games on an emulator. I don’t really see the point to play on a console and not using the original controller. The real problem with the original controller it’s the durability. It’s getting harder to get good working controllers for this system.

[chromesphere]

Hi Jess,

 

It seems like that link has probably been removed, so I've scanned my hardcopy of the colecovision standard controller schematic and put it on my webserver for you.

 

www.chromesphere.com/coleco/

 

Hope that helps!

 

CS

Edited December 13, 2007 by chromesphere

[Jess Ragan]

Thanks! I'll save this on my computer so I'll have it available to me later.