Philips CD-I controller/alternatives

[Sonicwolf]

I just got a Philips CDI-220 for 10 bucks and it did not come with a game controller. I was wondering if there is an easy alternative or any other controller which would work with this abomination without having to resort to paying extremely inflated eBay prices for it.

[Superman]

Sorry to say, I don't think there is a cheap alternative.

Unless you have some technical knowledge and want to wire your own controller, you have the following choices.

1. Find the presentation controller.
2. Buy a converter wire that converts a Sega Genesis controller to work on the CDi.

The presentation controller is the cheapest option. The problem is, it is for presentations (or otherwise using the video features of the CDi). You have the control pad in the middle and the buttons right around the control pad. It works but it isn't conducive to gaming.

The converter allows you to use a Genesis controller, but its problem is the price. Last I checked it would cost around the same amount as the CDi controller itself.

[Sonicwolf]

Thanks for the info. Im not brave enough to wire my own controller and I found some guy on the net who made these Genesis converters but he quit some time ago.

Why oh why did Philips have to use some random mini-DIN connector? I hate it when companies use obscure connecters for their products. Its going to be very hard to get this controller.

[Sonicwolf]

Has anyone had any experience with this controller? Is it worth it as a last resort?
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Philips-CD-i-Infrared-Controller-Commander-Recon_W0QQitemZ8261155060QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVideo_ Games_Accessories?hash=item8261155060&_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

[c0ldb33r]

The AVGN had a video about the cdi not long ago, he showed a few different controllers. He hated the remote control style one (I would to). You should check his vids.

[Sonicwolf]

I did. Im looking at it from the standpoint of having a controller or none at all right now so Im a little more lienent on crap controllers.

[Ed Oscuro]

My portable Philips-built CD-i has a pretty decent controller built right in.

Using an infrared controller for gaming? Are we serious?

Get a wired controller, accept no substitutes.

I should look into that Genesis-to-CD-i controller adapter...that'd be nice to have for the Zelda games in particular.

[tubeway]

My portable Philips-built CD-i has a pretty decent controller built right in.

Using an infrared controller for gaming? Are we serious?

Get a wired controller, accept no substitutes.

I should look into that Genesis-to-CD-i controller adapter...that'd be nice to have for the Zelda games in particular.

I agree -- there are controllers such as arcade sticks, too, that the CD-I simply doesn't have. An adapter seems like the better longterm investment to me.

[Sonicwolf]

I cannot find any such adaptors.. anywhere on the net.

[tubeway]

I cannot find any such adaptors.. anywhere on the net.

I saw one on ebay a few months back. Some guy that bought the inventory of an electronics store was selling a bunch of new old stock CD-I stuff. I don't know how regularly they show up, but I recall the adapter going for around $16.

[Sonicwolf]

I saw one on ebay a few months back. Some guy that bought the inventory of an electronics store was selling a bunch of new old stock CD-I stuff. I don't know how regularly they show up, but I recall the adapter going for around $16.

Damn, I would have bought it in a second. In my view it is better to have an adaptor with an almost endless supply of easily replaceable Genesis controllers and joysticks than one little CD-I pad that could break and leave one with no alternative.

[tubeway]

Damn, I would have bought it in a second. In my view it is better to have an adaptor with an almost endless supply of easily replaceable Genesis controllers and joysticks than one little CD-I pad that could break and leave one with no alternative.

You're gonna have plenty of reasons to break your controller, my friend. ;)

[Ed Oscuro]

The adapter might be more generic than just Genesis, since sticks and pads using that connector were very common in Japan, which probably means you can at least use something from Micomsoft or Hori in Hotel Mario and Link: The Faces of Evil :)

[Sonicwolf]

What if I did this:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/8-Pin-Mini-Din-Female-to-9-Pin-DB9-Serial-Male-Adapter_W0QQitemZ280328494727QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPC A_Cables_Adapters?hash=item280328494727&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1215%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Sun-Microsystems-Keyboard-Cable-Mini-Din-8-Pin-M-M-3M_W0QQitemZ260387599786QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Comp uters_Apple_Parts_Accessories?hash=item26038759978 6&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1215%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318

Connect Genesis controller to the DB9 end, connect the converter to the Male-Male 8mdin and plug it in... I wonder if its worth a try. LOL.

[tubeway]

Hrm, you may want to see if there are any CD-I specific forums online where you could ask this before investing in some cables and the shipping to go with them.

Actually, if the process of hacking these cables is as simple as it seems, there should be someone here willing to make a batch and sell em....

[Sonicwolf]

Im just thinking of buying that infrared controller now. I dont think I will be able to get a normal corded one. Whats the problem with these infrared controllers anyways?

[Ed Oscuro]

Infrared is going to be relatively slow. I wouldn't surprised if there's some noticable lag, but then again, I haven't checked that out. I'll have a look and see if my portable CD-i has a remote, and then playtest if it does.

[Sonicwolf]

Thanks. I am hoping I will be able to find a good controller in the wild if I dont eBay that remote. False hope is fun.

[Ed Oscuro]

You'll probably be looking a long while to find anything CD-i related, unfortunately. I bet you'd find remotes and hybrid moves / edutainment discs first, maybe some game software too.

[Sonicwolf]

*cough cough* ISO's *cough*

I actually got a game for the CDi 2 weeks before I found the system which is pretty good luck I would say. Complete 'Laser Lords' for a buck.

[Steve W]

How many controllers were made for the CD-i, anyway? I've got a Kid's Controller somewhere in storage, an extremely rusty Logitech one (looks like the guy left it out in the rain for a couple years), and finally a decent gaming control pad. There's also two wireless ones that I've seen but don't have. Are there any more?

[Sonicwolf]

How many controllers were made for the CD-i, anyway? I've got a Kid's Controller somewhere in storage, an extremely rusty Logitech one (looks like the guy left it out in the rain for a couple years), and finally a decent gaming control pad. There's also two wireless ones that I've seen but don't have. Are there any more?

There is a couple of those dumb spoon-like ones too.

You know what, you would think you could get a universal remote control to work with the damned thing... I tried several to no effect.