Nes Powerpad ==> Atari 2600?

[dustfilledhobo]

I was reading the guide on AA that describes the process of modding an NES controller to be used with an Atari 2600, and it got me thinking about modding my NES power pad to work with the 2600 like the keypad controller.

 

(1) Is this possible?

 

(2) If so, where would I start?

 

Thanks.

 

Dusty

[Video]

It involves getting a new chord and rewiring the inside (removing the chip, since the 2600 can't read it anyways)

 

What, you planning on making a DDR type of game? Or just want to play Decathalon with it (that would be cool)

[skippy]

that would be cool. if it works you gotta tell how you done it

[Jess Ragan]

I suspect that since the pad has twelve buttons, it has to duplex to be able to send all the input to the system. The Genesis controllers were the same way... a chip inside the pad would rapidly alternate between two different voltages, with half the button input sent to the console on the high voltage and the other half sent on the low voltage. It's why Genesis controllers are compatible with the Atari 2600... that system only reads the high voltages and doesn't recognize the other buttons.

 

Anyway, if you were willing to cut up a Power Pad (or just the casing on the top where the electronics lie) you could probably rewire it for the two 2600 controller ports. Assign the top four buttons on one side as directional inputs, then the bottom two as buttons. The 2600 is compatible with a second button on a controller, but it has to be specifically told how, and not many games require a second button. I think the system can even recognize the two different ways a second button can be read on the controller... the Master System/Genesis way, and the Booster Grip/ColecoVision/7800 way.

 

Oh! Here are the specs for the Power Pad in case you wanted them. Yep, it seems to work somewhat similarly to Sega Genesis controllers.

 

http://nesdev.parodius.com/powerpad.txt

Edited August 15, 2010 by Jess Ragan

[the.golden.ax]

n/m

[dustfilledhobo]

It involves getting a new chord and rewiring the inside (removing the chip, since the 2600 can't read it anyways)

 

What, you planning on making a DDR type of game? Or just want to play Decathalon with it (that would be cool)

 

I have a few ideas, but more I was just curious (and this is the first time I've ever owned a powerpad).

 

that would be cool. if it works you gotta tell how you done it

 

Will do.

 

 

I suspect that since the pad has twelve buttons, it has to duplex to be able to send all the input to the system. The Genesis controllers were the same way... a chip inside the pad would rapidly alternate between two different voltages, with half the button input sent to the console on the high voltage and the other half sent on the low voltage. It's why Genesis controllers are compatible with the Atari 2600... that system only reads the high voltages and doesn't recognize the other buttons.

 

Anyway, if you were willing to cut up a Power Pad (or just the casing on the top where the electronics lie) you could probably rewire it for the two 2600 controller ports. Assign the top four buttons on one side as directional inputs, then the bottom two as buttons. The 2600 is compatible with a second button on a controller, but it has to be specifically told how, and not many games require a second button. I think the system can even recognize the two different ways a second button can be read on the controller... the Master System/Genesis way, and the Booster Grip/ColecoVision/7800 way.

 

Oh! Here are the specs for the Power Pad in case you wanted them. Yep, it seems to work somewhat similarly to Sega Genesis controllers.

 

http://nesdev.parodius.com/powerpad.txt

 

Thanks for your ideas, but I wanted to have the powerpad act like the keyboard controller, not like the joystick. Thanks for the link, it was a little over my head.

 

Here is a picture of the keypad controller that I wanted to imitate: