gbadev.org forum archive

This is a read-only mirror of the content originally found on forum.gbadev.org (now offline), salvaged from Wayback machine copies. A new forum can be found here.

OffTopic > Changing my N64 controller into a standard USB input device?

#61672 - Stu L Tissimus - Tue Nov 22, 2005 3:32 pm

Out of curiosity, I decided to open up one of my broken N64 controllers and see what's inside. (It's broken because the main wire was cut somewhere or another.) I've been playing around with the idea of turning it into a standard USB input device (Or, god forbid, wiring it into my DS!) for a while... But I have no idea how.

What would be easiest for me to do, "hijack" the signals from the buttons and things before they get to the central CMOS chip, or take the Adaptoid route?

Ummm... Here's a pic. http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/n64-joystick-inside.jpg

#61680 - thegamefreak0134 - Tue Nov 22, 2005 5:01 pm

Why not check the inside of the n64 to see how the controller connects to the main console? It's possible that it uses a standard USB or serial connection and converts that to the controller plugin (like the Xbox does.). If so, you can pop that off, stick it into your compoter, and search the net for a driver for it. If not, I dunno. Sounds awesome though.
_________________
What if the hokey-pokey really is what it's all about?

[url=http:/www.darknovagames.com/index.php?action=recruit&clanid=1]Support Zeta on DarkNova![/url]

#61700 - tepples - Tue Nov 22, 2005 8:08 pm

The Apple IIGS, old Macintosh computers use Apple Desktop Bus. The N64 and GameCube use Nintendo Joybus. Both are pulse-width-modulated bidirectional serial protocols:
Code:
Pulse width modulation

"_________"""_________"""_________""  <- part of a series of "0" bits
"___"""""""""___"""""""""___""""""""  <- part of a series of "1" bits

_________________
-- Where is he?
-- Who?
-- You know, the human.
-- I think he moved to Tilwick.

#61704 - Stu L Tissimus - Tue Nov 22, 2005 8:21 pm

Thanks for the feedback. I'll look into the Joybus connection (any documentation on the N64's registers and such?)

Also, I would've looked at how the controller connects to the main console, except that I knew for a fact that it wasn't similar anything I've seen before. Why? Because it only has three pins/slots. One for data, one for grounding, and one for power.

Actually, I should ask around and see if somebody could open up their Adaptoid...

#61732 - Stu L Tissimus - Tue Nov 22, 2005 10:39 pm

Okay, guys, nevermind. I found what I was looking for, with a little help from the Wayback machine. :D

http://www.stnield.com/