controller project

[+grips03]

Last year I made a Neo Geo to Colecovision adapter. This converts the original Neo Geo AES controller to Colecovision with a keypad. I did this using a Colecovision PCB. I've since made my own PCB with a Grayhill keypad. I'm working on making it smaller with rev2, but it would still require a custom case. I'm now thinking of making rev3 even smaller to fit in a Colecovision cartridge case and use a lower cost keypad. I might have to switch to SMT to do this. The PCB can also natively fit inside the Neo Geo AES controller, but one would have to cut the case to fit the keypad.

 

Any interest in this?

If yes, would you like the external adapter or internal (inside of AES controller)?

 

Internal would require you to cut the AES controller case, very hard to do and still have controller look good. There might be someone who could custom cut the AES case.

 

Is there a source for new CV cartridge cases?

 

Are there any CV cart cases that snap along the edges as the keypad means no screws to hold together as the center would be cutout for the keypad. Perhaps if there are none, then I could glue the cart case edges, but not sure how well this holds up overtime.

 

How important is it to maintain Neo Geo compatibility? This requires an SPDT switch on the AES controller.

 

Would an adapter that supports Atari 2600/7800, Colecovision, SMS, Genesis, Vectrex, C64 be preferred?

 

Right now the adapter supports keypad and the 4 buttons (like SAC controller). Keypad does not fit any of the overlays.

 

I also have a 4-way gate for AES controlller for games like PMC and Princess Quest.

[ColecoDan]

I only care about colecovision so I wouldn't care about neo compatability.

 

All carts have a screw that I know of.

 

I guess internal keypad would be good for games that use keypad but if it is not going to fit the overlays anyway then i do not see how it matters and therefore all the extra work would be a waste.

I guess you just don't use this controller for games that would need the keypad.

[+grips03]

I might buy case from these guys, as then I could make the PCB fit their 1553 case. Is there another one that's better?

 

http://www.hammondmfg.com

 

Do you have an original Neo Geo controller already?

 

The lower cost keypad has raised buttons, but the buttons are bigger than the holes used for SAC overlays.

 

Since Neo Geo controller has select I've mapped to 1 and start is mapped to *

[+grips03]

or this case

 

http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/sick-of-beige-basic-case-v1-60mm-square-dp6060-p-1329.html?cPath=178

[+grips03]

Here are some pics of the rev 1 PCB

 

http://www.flickr.co.../in/photostream

 

this one was too big and I messed up some traces and used the Grayhill keypad (expensive).

 

http://www.flickr.co.../in/photostream

 

In rev 2 I fixed the traces and made PCB smaller, but stil uses Grayhill kaypad

 

Here is a pic compairing them

http://www.flickr.co.../in/photostream

 

Rev 2 is also built to do pad hack for going inside AES controller

http://www.flickr.co.../in/photostream

 

 

Rev 3 will improve by using cheaper keypad, making PCB even smaller (might switch to SMT). For NG to CV adapter I was thinking of using DB9 port, so any DB9 extension cable could be used to connect to CV side, rather the the Coleco cable seen in the pics.

Edited April 4, 2013 by grips03

[nanochess]

I might buy case from these guys, as then I could make the PCB fit their 1553 case. Is there another one that's better?

 

http://www.hammondmfg.com

 

Do you have an original Neo Geo controller already?

 

The lower cost keypad has raised buttons, but the buttons are bigger than the holes used for SAC overlays.

 

Since Neo Geo controller has select I've mapped to 1 and start is mapped to *

I've managed to found the page http://www.hammondmfg.com/1553colors.htm

 

I think Pixelboy or retroillucid can help you to get cartridge cases at a reasonable price.

[+grips03]

I think Pixelboy or retroillucid can help you to get cartridge cases at a reasonable price.

 

If I could find a CV cart case that secured or snaped together via the sides that would be ideal. I would cut out the center of the cart for the keypad.

 

I might be able to make my own holes in the cart, and then cover with sticker. Would make it hard to take apart, i.e. ruin sticker, but then it might not look ugly from the front. Back would still be ugly with 4 screws showing. I can make flush / flat with back however.

 

Nanochess do you have NeoGeo AES stick?

Edited April 4, 2013 by grips03

[Pixelboy]

Okay now I just have to ask: Why do you want to use CV cartridge casings to house a keypad? Polycase.com has lots of standard plastic enclosures, some of which should fit your needs nicely.

[+grips03]

good = cv cart case is right size, hopefully cheap, color is right, is Coleco related

bad = screws in center, would require sticker to make look pretty, manual hacking needed to make pcb fit

 

btw - I would not sac CV carts to obtain cart shell, so getting cart shells might be too hard

 

Polycase KT-40 might be good too.

Edited April 4, 2013 by grips03

[nanochess]

Nanochess do you have NeoGeo AES stick?

No, first time ever I've heard of it.

[+grips03]

No, first time ever I've heard of it.

 

ok, I didn't know if you had other console video game systems like SNK Neo Geo. This is a very nice controller, has 4 buttons like Coleco's super action controller, hence the reason I made this adapter and 3d printed a 4-way joystick gate (made for your game Princess Quest and Opcode's PMC).

Edited April 4, 2013 by grips03

[nanochess]

 

 

ok, I didn't know if you had other console video game systems like SNK Neo Geo. This is a very nice controller, has 4 buttons like Coleco's super action controller, hence the reason I made this adapter and 3d printed a 4-way joystick gate (made for your game Princess Quest and Opcode's PMC).

I find interesting the 3d printing part! and more than you thought it for homebrews

 

I know controllers for Atari, Colecovision, Intellivision, MSX, SMS and NES, but I never heard before or seen SNK Neo Geo.

 

I'll see if I find one at least to feel it, many consoles didn't made it to Mexico.

[+grips03]

Okay now I just have to ask: Why do you want to use CV cartridge casings to house a keypad? Polycase.com has lots of standard plastic enclosures, some of which should fit your needs nicely.

 

Thanks for the info on Polycase. They also custom cut / CNC cases for a fee. Looks to be a good service.

[+grips03]

Picture of rev2 PCB inside of Neo Geo AES controller. KP-12 keypad and Grayhill as mostly same pinout so ribbon cable is soldered order. Hot glue is there to prevent wires from moving. Hot glue also holds keypad to front of controller.

 

http://www.flickr.co.../in/photostream

 

I've test PCB on Atari 2600, C64 (single fire button) and Coleco (4 buttons + keypad). I'm now going to work on adding in Atari 7800 (two button). Then add Vectrex and SMS.

Edited April 7, 2013 by grips03