Rpi Pico controller converter for Atari 2600/7800

[flickertail]

I've been experimenting with using a SNES controller with 2600/7800 games using a Raspberry Pi Pico micro controller, with the end goal of using USB controllers instead of SNES controllers. Even though the Pico has support to be a USB host controller, I haven't yet attempted to work with the USB libraries, so USB game controller support will have to wait. For now, using SNES controller is allowing me to move development along of the C code.

 

For those who are curious, the device uses less than $10 in parts.

 

The device is powered off the joystick port, and now has 4 working modes:

1. Standard 2600 Joystick
2. Standard 7800 Joystick
3. 3-fire button 2600 Joystick
4. P0-0 Paddle Controller

 

I'm going to post more video on my blog later today, but since the forums get more discussion, I thought I'd post a video of the Paddle controller mode in action here to generate some discussion. Attached is a video of the device in use with Super Breakout.

 

Edited August 1, 2021 by flickertail

[+batari]

Very cool. Pi Pico Looks perfect for some projects I have in mind, only problem is it’s near impossible to get more than one at a time! I don’t expect that to change for a while, sadly. 

[+SvOlli]

On 8/2/2021 at 1:01 AM, batari said:

Very cool. Pi Pico Looks perfect for some projects I have in mind, only problem is it’s near impossible to get more than one at a time! I don’t expect that to change for a while, sadly. 

I suggest to click you way through the official resellers list of the Foundation product page:
https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/raspberry-pi-pico/

My first try was PiShop.us and I could put 50 in the basket.
Bonus: afaik, you can even get the chip alone for soldering into your own projects, but I'd have to verify that info from the official Rasperry Pi Foundation Blog.

[+batari]

21 hours ago, SvOlli said:

I suggest to click you way through the official resellers list of the Foundation product page:
https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/raspberry-pi-pico/

My first try was PiShop.us and I could put 50 in the basket.
Bonus: afaik, you can even get the chip alone for soldering into your own projects, but I'd have to verify that info from the official Rasperry Pi Foundation Blog.

I looked at some of those sites and I am not sure I believe the inventory is real. I was able to add 1,000,000 of them to a cart on one site so I know some of them don't have actual inventory control. The sites I'd trust to keep actual inventory like Adafruit or Sparkfun are sold out.

 

I don't actually have a huge need for the boards, as I am more looking for a wholesale source for the chip alone. Any project that goes to completion with a board would be redone on my own PCB, so what I would really need before I even try to design something using a Pi is to know I can actually obtain a wholesale quantity of these chips, but I can't. They are currently impossible to find. I already have an order out I placed in April and who knows when (if) I will actually get them.

[+SvOlli]

On 8/4/2021 at 12:13 PM, batari said:

I don't actually have a huge need for the boards, as I am more looking for a wholesale source for the chip alone.

Then you might want to take a look here: https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/raspberry-pi-rp2040-on-sale/

It's the official blog from the Raspberry Pi Foundation. And they point to here: https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/rp2040/

And on the buy button you get five options of which this one looks best to me: https://www.okdo.com/us/p/raspberry-pi-rp2040-microcontroller-pack-of-10/?src=raspberrypi

 

My favourite and trustworthy source for all Raspberry Pi stuff (Berrybase.de) is listed in the Germany sections, and they sell them for 99 Eurocent a piece up to 10 pieces per order.

 

Hope this helps,

SvOlli

[+batari]

10 hours ago, SvOlli said:

Then you might want to take a look here: https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/raspberry-pi-rp2040-on-sale/

It's the official blog from the Raspberry Pi Foundation. And they point to here: https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/rp2040/

And on the buy button you get five options of which this one looks best to me: https://www.okdo.com/us/p/raspberry-pi-rp2040-microcontroller-pack-of-10/?src=raspberrypi

 

My favourite and trustworthy source for all Raspberry Pi stuff (Berrybase.de) is listed in the Germany sections, and they sell them for 99 Eurocent a piece up to 10 pieces per order.

 

Hope this helps,

SvOlli

No dice. They only have 3 sets of 10 in stock. There is no point in buying just 30 chips except for prototyping. I want to have hundreds of chips on hand before I spend significant time with them, to be sure!

[+batari]

I ordered the 30 anyway so I can at least put together a board to play around with them. I don't do prototyping on breadboards anymore. We will see how soon I get them. I really hope they live up to their promises to have large stocks of these someday and I actually get the tray of chips I preordered in April!