Why is it that I cant use the genesis controller...

[explosiveegg]

When I plus in my 3 button genesis controller into the colecovision, trying to play 'mr. do', I am unable to use the number pad on the 2nd controller to start the game. Though, if I have the genesis controller unplugged, with nothing else being plugged into player 1. I am able to use the 2nd controllers number pad to start up the game. If the game is started I can use the genesis controller, perfectly fine.

 

Forcing me to unplug it and plug it back in, every time I use controller (which is a huge pain).

 

Yet, on the other hand. I can have my coleco gemini controller plugged in, and use the 2 controllers number pad still.

 

Why does it allow you to use the second controllers number pad, with the gemini controller and not the genesis controller. Shouldnt the console be recieving the same stand by input from both controllers?

 

Is there a way to detach a certain wire or something from the genesis controller, to allow you to use the second controllers number pad?

 

Thanks for the help.

[Raccoon Lad]

I can't test this, but you might want to try cutting the wire that goes to the start button.

Why? Well, on the Sega Master System, there are a couple of games that won't work with a genesis controller (Wonder Boy in Monster Land, Montezuma's revenge, and a few others). I modded a Sega Genesis Arcade power stick a number of years ago with a number of features, and one thing I discovered while screwing around with the joystick was that by cutting the wire to the start button, the controller then worked just fine with ALL master system games. So, my bet is that the start button wire is the culprit on the Colecovision too.

[explosiveegg]

I can't test this, but you might want to try cutting the wire that goes to the start button.

Why? Well, on the Sega Master System, there are a couple of games that won't work with a genesis controller (Wonder Boy in Monster Land, Montezuma's revenge, and a few others). I modded a Sega Genesis Arcade power stick a number of years ago with a number of features, and one thing I discovered while screwing around with the joystick was that by cutting the wire to the start button, the controller then worked just fine with ALL master system games. So, my bet is that the start button wire is the culprit on the Colecovision too.

Alright, ill have to try that with one of the genesis controller I have in the mail. I assumed that it was recieving some kind of voltage or something, that the other controllers dont get, screwing everything up... but I dont know too much =).

 

Thanks for the help!

[SlowCoder]

I would definitely wait for response from one of the more knowledgeable about this before doing anything. Been a while since I cracked open a coleco controller, but I believe there are ICs in them. Simply plugging another controller in could damage your system.

 

In short, just because you can plug something in doesn't mean you should.

[Bruce Tomlin]

You can't because Coleco was both goofy and cheap in designing their controllers to use diodes.

 

Also, the -5 volts is connected to the controllers somehow, apparently to reverse-bias the diodes for faster response when selecting a controller. That could potentially fry the chip(s) inside a Sega controller. It may even be why the Colecovision controller input chips get fried sometimes.

Edited July 9, 2011 by Bruce Tomlin

[explosiveegg]

You can't because Coleco was both goofy and cheap in designing their controllers to use diodes.

 

Also, the -5 volts is connected to the controllers somehow, apparently to reverse-bias the diodes for faster response when selecting a controller. That could potentially fry the chip(s) inside a Sega controller. It may even be why the Colecovision controller input chips get fried sometimes.

... but the gemini controller is so smooth, how could I ever try to top my mr do score without it?

[thegamezmaster]

Here's a mod this guy did on a 3 button sega genesis controller that lets you use it on a colecovision. Plus the left and right fire buttons work. Then plug a cv controller into port 2 for keypad. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSFQ3P-DYVI