boatofcar
11-28-2007, 10:47 PM
http://pnmedia.gamespy.com/classicgaming.gamespy.com/images/features/retroport/retroports.png
From Classicgaming.com (http://www.classicgaming.com)
Remember to read to the bottom of this for details of a special offer for all Classicgaming.com readers!
Ever since emulation brought the games of the past back to the consoles (and computers) of today, it's been a disappointing reality that we just can't play them how they were intended. Sure, a keyboard or 27-button gamepad words fairly well, but for the pure tactile pleasure of playing an old game, there's nothing like the original thing.
In fact, at this point, many people playing NES and SNES games may have never even actually experienced them in the original manner - using the controllers the consoles came with. The original NES and SNES controllers have become, in the public consciousness, less the tools they were designed to be, and something more akin to sacred iconography.
However, Retroport have decided to challenge that mentality directly. Their new adaptors allow you to plug the original controllers into your PC or Wii and play the classic games available in the most authentic way possible. As a way of seeing just how well it worked, we road tested the Wii/Gamecube versions of the adaptors using the virtual console emulation.
The setup for both items is virtually non-existant. It's plug-and-play in a quite literal sense. Unpack the adaptors and plug them into the gameports on the top of the Wii. They have a standard gamecube port on one end, and either a NES or SNES controller on the other end. They just slot right into the Wii without any trouble, and have a nice long cable attached so that you can position them in such a way that you're not likely to cause any stress on the ports. Finally, take the old controller and plug it into the other end of the adapter, start your game and you're instantly ready to play.
There was some slight wiggling necessary to line up the NES controller port, but we're talking a very minor amount, it just seems that the pins didn't line up correctly at the first attempt (however, this is likely due to the wear on my controllers - they are 20 years old, after all!) besides that, there's not a single issue you could take with the setup process - it's so easy your grandparents could do it.
Now, it's well known that US SNES controllers and UK SNES controllers are, oddly enough, NOT cross-compatible. Despite being developed with the US SNES colour scheme in mind, I tested the adaptor with a UK SNES controller and it worked fine, which is good news for all potential importers - these adaptors should work with your gamepads regardless of any region concerns - they are fair game for UK and European gamers, as well as Americans.
NES Adaptor NES Adaptor SNES Adaptor SNES Adaptor
While the packaging does make explicit that the retroport adaptors do not support the NES Zapper, Power Pak, or the SNES Super-scope, I tested them with a large variety of my third party controllers, and the NES Advantage, and they all worked perfectly. All compatibility was replicated perfectly and instantaneously with a variety of SNES and NES Virtual Console games. On the PC, you can install the controllers as standard 4 and 8-button gamepads for use with any emulators, using the adapters plugged into any USB port.
So, any downsides? Well, admittedly it is possible to do this kind of stuff yourself, but frankly not everyone has the time and patience to sit around with a soldering chart and some diagrams, especially when buying the adaptors is such ridiculously good value - in fact, I'd wager than any DIY job is going to cost substantially more, especially considering my final point...
You can buy the adapters from Cliff Racer and at the same time, pick up a reclaimed joypad to go with it. In a special offer for all classicgaming readers, Cliff Racer have given us all 10% off! Use the code "CLASSICGAMING" (all caps) at the checkout and receive a 10% discount off ANY order costing $10 or more!
From Classicgaming.com (http://www.classicgaming.com)
Remember to read to the bottom of this for details of a special offer for all Classicgaming.com readers!
Ever since emulation brought the games of the past back to the consoles (and computers) of today, it's been a disappointing reality that we just can't play them how they were intended. Sure, a keyboard or 27-button gamepad words fairly well, but for the pure tactile pleasure of playing an old game, there's nothing like the original thing.
In fact, at this point, many people playing NES and SNES games may have never even actually experienced them in the original manner - using the controllers the consoles came with. The original NES and SNES controllers have become, in the public consciousness, less the tools they were designed to be, and something more akin to sacred iconography.
However, Retroport have decided to challenge that mentality directly. Their new adaptors allow you to plug the original controllers into your PC or Wii and play the classic games available in the most authentic way possible. As a way of seeing just how well it worked, we road tested the Wii/Gamecube versions of the adaptors using the virtual console emulation.
The setup for both items is virtually non-existant. It's plug-and-play in a quite literal sense. Unpack the adaptors and plug them into the gameports on the top of the Wii. They have a standard gamecube port on one end, and either a NES or SNES controller on the other end. They just slot right into the Wii without any trouble, and have a nice long cable attached so that you can position them in such a way that you're not likely to cause any stress on the ports. Finally, take the old controller and plug it into the other end of the adapter, start your game and you're instantly ready to play.
There was some slight wiggling necessary to line up the NES controller port, but we're talking a very minor amount, it just seems that the pins didn't line up correctly at the first attempt (however, this is likely due to the wear on my controllers - they are 20 years old, after all!) besides that, there's not a single issue you could take with the setup process - it's so easy your grandparents could do it.
Now, it's well known that US SNES controllers and UK SNES controllers are, oddly enough, NOT cross-compatible. Despite being developed with the US SNES colour scheme in mind, I tested the adaptor with a UK SNES controller and it worked fine, which is good news for all potential importers - these adaptors should work with your gamepads regardless of any region concerns - they are fair game for UK and European gamers, as well as Americans.
NES Adaptor NES Adaptor SNES Adaptor SNES Adaptor
While the packaging does make explicit that the retroport adaptors do not support the NES Zapper, Power Pak, or the SNES Super-scope, I tested them with a large variety of my third party controllers, and the NES Advantage, and they all worked perfectly. All compatibility was replicated perfectly and instantaneously with a variety of SNES and NES Virtual Console games. On the PC, you can install the controllers as standard 4 and 8-button gamepads for use with any emulators, using the adapters plugged into any USB port.
So, any downsides? Well, admittedly it is possible to do this kind of stuff yourself, but frankly not everyone has the time and patience to sit around with a soldering chart and some diagrams, especially when buying the adaptors is such ridiculously good value - in fact, I'd wager than any DIY job is going to cost substantially more, especially considering my final point...
You can buy the adapters from Cliff Racer and at the same time, pick up a reclaimed joypad to go with it. In a special offer for all classicgaming readers, Cliff Racer have given us all 10% off! Use the code "CLASSICGAMING" (all caps) at the checkout and receive a 10% discount off ANY order costing $10 or more!