Archaic peripheral Hunt: SNES to PS1

[Flake]

I've never actually seen one in person but I remember when I was in middle school, seeing an ad for an adapter that would allow you to use the SNES controller on the original Playstation. I believe the ad was in EGM #100.

Has anyone ever seen such a thing? And if so, are there still any around to be had?

My hopes are not high as I also recall it was on the same page as a screenshot labeled 'Secret of Mana 2'. And we all know how that turned out.

[Hobie-wan]

If not, you could scrounge up one of these:

http://gear.ign.com/articles/433/433778p1.html

[Troglodyte]

an adapter that would allow you to use the SNES controller on the original Playstation

I think that you memory may be failing you a bit. It has happened to me several times before, where I think I am remembering something clearly, and I am not remembering it as it actually was. I'm not doubting you, I just don't recall an adapter like that ever existing.

Another reason that I don't believe it outright even exists, is that I am 99% sure you would have to create and write your own assembly language program onto an EEPROM to decode the SNES controller signals into PlayStation controller signals and back again. This is obviously no easy task.

In my opinion, I agree that your best option might be to get an original PlayStation controller (non DualShock), and take it apart and put the electronics in the case of an SNES controller. Also, Ben Heck's site would also be a great place to ask about this. Though, if you find out anything, report back and let us know, as I'm curious about this myself.

Though, I did just find this:
http://boardsus.playstation.com/playsta ... 8#M3732338

Ive gotten somewhere since I last posted. Ive gotten things to work but still getting it all together. I did get a SNES to USB adapter that was meant for the PC, got it before PS3 even came out and though it does work with the PC, it isnt working on the PS3 . So this is what I did...

I bought a PS2 controller from a flea market for like 3 bucks, bought a PS2 to PS3 adapter from ebay for like 8 bucks. You could probably do the same thing with buying a PS3 controller but those things are still like 50 bucks so this was the cheaper route to me

I took the PS2 controller apart and just follow the circuits to see what contacts are needed to do what. For the most part, there is one contact that goes to just about every function probably the negative, and a unique contact for each function whic his probably the positive...or something like that. You will probably be able to figure it out.

The plan is to solder wires to each of the function but the problem i was having is that there is little to no exposed areas. I had to scrape off the green overlay gently to expose some metal area to solder to. The easiest way I found was to drill a hole on each part. Put the wire through the back side and solder it to the exposed area. Right after, use hot glue on both sides to help stabilize the wire. The slightest tug on movement on that wire will probably pull it off.

The SNES joystick I'm using uses click switches for each of the buttons and stick. The wire was connected to them with a slip-on kind of connector. I bought a bunch from radio shack and put one on each of the wires that i soldered to the PS2 controller.

It works!! I got every button on the joystick to work except one so i had to re-solder it. In the process, i must have moved things too much because now i have 3 buttons that don't work. I was burnt out so going to fix it later but it does work and will totally work when I get back to it! Still looking for any easier methods of doing this though if anyone knows anything!

If not, you could scrounge up one of these

I have never seen one of these or heard of these Mad Catz RetroCON controllers before. I may have to pick up one or two for myself.

Also, I have seen SmartJoy PlayStation to GameCube adapters, but not the other way around. I rather like the GameCube controllers, so if anyone knows of a way to use them on the PlayStation, I'd be interesting in hearing about that as well.

[Flake]

@troglodyte

I'd be tempted to believe you EXCEPT that I just found the EGM in question on retromags (EGM #100) and found the advertisement for the thing. It's on the 3rd to last page. It says that it allows the use of both SNES and Saturn controllers on the PS1....

...so I know that it DID exist. But where?

[Troglodyte]

so I know that it DID exist. But where?

Wow... that sounds awesome. Do you mind scanning that in?
EDIT: Hold off on that scan; I may have finally found it
for download.

You appear to be able to purchase custom converters here:
http://keio.dk
There is also more information here:
http://forums.shoryuken.com/showthread.php?t=220530

Also, I have attached a partial scan of page 255 of EGM #100.
showing the original ps converter, as described by the OP,
as well as the custom converter made by Keio.

The full .cbz scan is available from http://www.Retromags.com here:
http://www.retromags.com/forums/index.p ... wfile=1547

I have converted the full .cbz to .pdf format and individual .png image files for my own purposes, but if anyone would like me to upload them; I will see what I can do.

In addition, I'd be interested to see if there is a way to use SNES controllers on the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive.

[Flake]

THAT's what I'm talking about! So many times I've been playing MMX on a sony console, hating my life for the controller. While twin analogs are great for a 3dish game, they make for clumsy times in a side scroller.

[Troglodyte]

THAT's what I'm talking about!

Let me know if you successfully order or find one,
I'm curious how well it actually works.

[jmanx81]

Thats sweet. Id like to pick one of those up. Id much rather play with a SNES controller!

[Troglodyte]

I'd much rather play with a SNES controller!

Amen, to that