Can you wire a NES controller to a SNES port for the RetroDuo?

[drunkninja]

I'd like to get one as a gift to someone for Christmas (they have an old NES on the fritz, more than just connector issues), but I know they'd definitely prefer to use an original NES pad with NES games than have to use the SNES pad with the Y-B button setup. I've got extra NES and SNES pads lying around, so I'd be willing to part with them to make one if it could be done.

[jb143]

Looking at pictures of the circuit boards, it looks like you would need to take a chip and few resistors and capacitors (all surface mount parts) and some little board inside the SNES controller and wire them up correctly in a NES controller. It looks like you could remove the chip in the NES controller and wire the parts dirrectly to the solder pads. You could probally get away with gluing the chips down and soldering wires. It shouldn't be too hard to do for someone with the proper tools and know how.

[izarate]

The SNES and NES controllers are compatible. The only thing preveting using NES controllers with the SNES and viceversa are the connectors. If you open the NES connector you'll see 5 wires: yellow, white, black, red and brown. Those wires are the same color in the SNES controller and serve the same purpose.

Pinouts:
http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/4271/snesnesnl0.gif

Instead of taking apart the controllers you could use some extension cables and make an adapter:
http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/9366/extensionud5.jpg


NOTE: Data 2 and Data 3 are used by light guns and other accesories. The regular game pads don't use those connections.

[drunkninja]

Thanks for the suggestion! I picked up a NES and an SNES extension cable, so we'll see how this turns out.

[Tupin]

The SNES and NES controllers are compatible. The only thing preveting using NES controllers with the SNES and viceversa are the connectors. If you open the NES connector you'll see 5 wires: yellow, white, black, red and brown. Those wires are the same color in the SNES controller and serve the same purpose.

Pinouts:
http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/4271/snesnesnl0.gif

Instead of taking apart the controllers you could use some extension cables and make an adapter:
http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/9366/extensionud5.jpg


NOTE: Data 2 and Data 3 are used by light guns and other accesories. The regular game pads don't use those connections.
Using that method, couldn't you just snip the connectors off a SNES controller, snip the end off an NES controller, and match the wires before soldering them together?

[izarate]

Using that method, couldn't you just snip the connectors off a SNES controller, snip the end off an NES controller, and match the wires before soldering them together?


Yeah, but if I did that I would have one less SNES controller. The extension cable pictured has both connectors, so it works as both a SNES extensor and a SNES to NES adapter.

[Tupin]

Yeah, but if I did that I would have one less SNES controller. The extension cable pictured has both connectors, so it works as both a SNES extensor and a SNES to NES adapter.
How exactly did you manage to build that? Did you have to put on new insulation?

I just might do the method I described if I can find both controllers for cheap.

[drunkninja]

Well, I got the RetroDuo and the extension cables in today, got my adapter put together, and it works perfectly! Didn't have the resource to make it a splitter, but that's fine. Again, thanks for the advice!

[Tupin]

Well, I got the RetroDuo and the extension cables in today, got my adapter put together, and it works perfectly! Didn't have the resource to make it a splitter, but that's fine. Again, thanks for the advice!
Very nice man, I'll have to try that someday. 8-)

Did you solder them together or could they just be tied together? I guess it would be a good way to practice my soldering skills if anything...

[drunkninja]

You could tie them together, but soldering would be a much better option. I just used a multimeter to match the cable colors with the appropriate plugs (since the cables I got didn't match the original colors), soldered them together, and then covered each point (and then the whole thing) with electrical tape.

[MarioMania]

Does anyone have pics inside of the SNES & NES Controller..I would like to know if it's easy..I don't know how to solder, I want to make one for Super Game Boy Games & Ninja Gaiden Trilogy

[kedawa]

How do the buttons map out?
I know on the RD the SNES Y button serves as NES B, and SNES B is NES A.

[Distraughtite]

ok so i want to use my light gun with the retro duo and play the original duck hunt, is that possible? and if it was mentioned above, please give a numbered step by step on how to do this :D. much appreciated.

[izarate]

ok so i want to use my light gun with the retro duo and play the original duck hunt, is that possible? and if it was mentioned above, please give a numbered step by step on how to do this :D. much appreciated.

Just connect the Zapper to the SNES connector following the pinouts.

[SnowKitty]

ok so i want to use my light gun with the retro duo and play the original duck hunt, is that possible? and if it was mentioned above, please give a numbered step by step on how to do this :D. much appreciated.

yeah its possible, i made an adapter and played duck hunt on a retro duo and FC twin with it. it also worked on a real snes and was awesome for mario allstars

[Tupin]

So, do the extension cables usually follow the colors of the controller cables so you can just match colors?

How did you use a voltmeter to find which wires to connect?

[Distraughtite]

Just connect the Zapper to the SNES connector following the pinouts.

how? please explain in detail. for those of us who aren't experts in this. :D