What is this thing I bought?? (PICS!!)

[omnedon]

Snagged this at a local thrift today:


http://members.arstechnica.com/subscriptors/x/omnedon/What%20is%20it%20001.jpg

http://members.arstechnica.com/subscriptors/x/omnedon/What%20is%20it%20002.jpg

http://members.arstechnica.com/subscriptors/x/omnedon/What%20is%20it%20003.jpg

One end looks like a pair of NES controller connectors, and yes, they fit perfectly into an NES's controller ports. The other end looks like a printer port on a computer, complete with screw holes on the sides for the screw posts.

I have no clue what the hell this is. It was cheap ($3 bux), but I couldn't leave it there, now could I?

Here's a wild ass guess or two: It's part of some weird piracy device, or part of a diagnostic tool of some sort. OR, it is some NES PC connector, or NES printer connector? Maybe part of a peripheral I am unfamilair with like a Miracle Piano, or NES exercise system peripheral?

Help!

[crashdummycow01]

i'd guess its a connector that allows you to use NES controllers on the PC

[Griking]

Maybe part of the Miracle Piano kit since it works on PCs

[Dangerboy]

The Miracle Piano cord is different looking....I'd actually place the bets on that being from the Exercise LifeCycle thingie (was that even NES based? Thought it was only SNES?)

The plug angles on the NES Side are molded so they would go into the NES...so it's not the PC connection...plus..they are missing some pinds O_o

[Ze_ro]

I see these all the time too... I think I was told once that they were cords for some NES wireless controller (the cord going between the NES and the IR receiver I suppose).

--Zero

[Jorpho]

Remember that wildly ineffective peripheral for the NES, the "G-Force" or something? In theory, it would let you control the NES just by moving one's body in front of a panel. Perhaps that is what it is from?

Anyway, NESWorld has a nice little list of controllers here (http://nesworld.parodius.com/acc-info.htm). Perhaps something in the list will look familiar.

[FABombjoy]

I tell ya, what you got there is the ultra rare interface to Polybius 2, the even-lesser known NES version sequel to the mind-altering mysterious arcade game. That PC plug end connected to some kind of vulcan mind interface that searches the inner reaches of your brain and causes you to hallucinate and tell stories about 'the way back when' and that data is then taken and systematically analyzed for psychic patterns that reveal the secret Russian plans for UFO blueprints and that whole thing details the true nature of the Tonguska blast that was in fact a giant conspiracy filled with wonderous whatnots but anyway it's super rare and you could geta lot of money on ebay that is if the mysterious 'men in black suits' don't show up in their sleek heeelio-copters and take it back to the depths of Area 51/Majestic 12 psuedofarmhouse 'bunker-things' right after brainwashing you into thinking that you bought some combat carts and a bread maker.

It's the woodchuck, I swear.

[omnedon]

:above me: LOL LOL LOL

[AlanD]

Ze_ro is right. They are the hookups for a wireless controller. I'm at work right now and cannot check who makes it (Camerica maybe?) but that is definitely what it is. I have a few of the controllers floating around. I believe it was done so they could manufacture one type of receiver and just adapt it to the different systems. It does make a nice project part if you are building a custom controller too. Hope that helps

[Anotherfluke]

I had a similar thing once (not sure where it is now, or if I have it), but at one end it had like a 9 or 11 pin male serial port, and on the other end it split to a battery of SNES ports; one male controller connector (for plugging into a SNES), one female controller connector (for plugging a controller into), a male A/V connector (for plugging into the back of a SNES), and a metal female port that didn't look like any of the plugs I've seen to date. I could only assume that at one point it was for a game genie type device, or perhaps for one of the 'backup' units you could buy for the SNES.

[Ze_ro]

I believe it was done so they could manufacture one type of receiver and just adapt it to the different systems.

I've seen similar cables with 9-pin ends that I assumed were meant for the Genesis. Seems to make sense.

--Zero

[atomicthumbs]

I've got one of those too. I think it goes to one of my wireless joysticks (one of those 99cent Funcoland kinds... I call 'em "uglies").