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View Full Version : Can you make a NES controller work for a SNES?


50TBRD
10-12-2006, 06:27 PM
I've heard a lot about how the SNES controllers and the NES controllers are very similar. Infact, I've heard one guy say that you can simply cut of the SNES plug and put a NES plug on it and use a SNES controller on a NES. So, my question is can it work the other way around? Can you make a NES controller work for a SNES (without the use of the L, R, and 2 additional button? What would be the procedure if you could?

Obvisously, this is in lieu on the new SNES/NES hybrid systems coming out. What about using an extension cable to make an adapter to use any NES controller instead of having a dedicated controller?
Coleman
10-12-2006, 06:29 PM
What exactly is this so called hybrid system coming out?
Cauterize
10-12-2006, 06:29 PM
im sure its possible, youll need to speak to someone experienced in controllers though...

But may i ask why you would want to?
50TBRD
10-12-2006, 06:43 PM
SNES Model 3 (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=93012&highlight=)

SC Twin (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=93166&highlight=)

So you can use the Zapper, and Track Pad.
InsaneDavid
10-12-2006, 08:36 PM
Obvisously, this is in lieu on the new SNES/NES hybrid systems coming out. What about using an extension cable to make an adapter to use any NES controller instead of having a dedicated controller?

How about we see what the controller ports and controller interface on this "combo" system look like before we start trying to engineer adapters for it. I mean right now there are pretty much no details concerning it. My money is still on it being an SNES clone with an NoaC stuffed inside the case with an extra set of connectors for it.

What I'm saying is even if you swap the pins over to use an NES controller in an SNES, it doesn't mean that it'll work with this hybrid unit or that accessories such as the Zapper and Power Pad would work at all.

Chasing phantoms you are, wait for the hardware to be released first. ;)
XYXZYZ
10-13-2006, 05:28 AM
A padhack wouldn't work outright because the board wouldn't fit... what you'd have to do is desolder the chip and cord on the SNES pad and run wires from each NES button signal to it's respective lead on the SNES chip.

I imagine it'd be tough to find a good position for the cord connector, and placing the chip may be tough too.

Also I imagine they'd just use SNES controllers for the NES games. Making new NES ports would probably cost alot.
50TBRD
10-13-2006, 07:33 AM
The Model 3 at least says that it uses SNES accessories. It would be nice if it had ports for both systems but I doubt it. Or if they sold an adapter separately.

I will be doing a lot of experiment with the system comes out at anyrate. I have the Super Scope, Justifier w/ 2 Player Gun, Mouse, a couple of multi-taps, arcade pads, and about a dozen different controllers. I have only one NES game left over from a NPB from when I sold all of my NES games over the summer. However, when my Model 3 arrive I'll hit a couple of stores and stock up.
cyberfluxor
10-13-2006, 10:17 AM
It's a bit funny when you think about it. Here's Nintendo releasing the Wii with VM in it and will be playing downloaded ROMs of these old games but most older gamers will just continue buying these clones or older consules and purchasing used NES, SNES, even N64 games at independant game shops. But with all the different options out there I don't know why they'd want to bring an NES controller over to a SNES. It's similar to why would you play a fighting game on the Genesis with a 3-button controller when you have 6-button controllers at your disposial.
blue lander
10-13-2006, 11:27 AM
I think the NES controller just sends the button data through a shift register and the SNES sends it through two (more buttons), so they probably would be compatible if you just rewired the connector. As long as the data, power, ground, and clock signals were in the right place, it should work.
cyberfluxor
10-13-2006, 11:58 AM
I think the NES controller just sends the button data through a shift register and the SNES sends it through two (more buttons), so they probably would be compatible if you just rewired the connector. As long as the data, power, ground, and clock signals were in the right place, it should work.
That just made me think, what if you made it so there's 1 button that mashes all 6 at the same time, so you could jump, fire, spin, and do some special all at once. Would be funny to see.
smokehouse
10-15-2006, 12:09 AM
To the best of my knowledge there should be no reason why it would not work except for the fact that you’d be missing the X, Y, L and R buttons. That would be a problem as most games require X and Y (less require L & R). I wired my SNES controller to work on my NES and it works fine. I had to get a pin out on-line but I simply cut the cord off of a NES controller (a garbage one), the head off of a good SNES controller and put inline splices in the appropriate wires.

The same should work in reverse.
MarioMania
10-16-2006, 01:12 AM
Some games would work with NES Controller like

Super R-Type
Super Castlevania 4
Ninja Gaiden Trilogy
Super Mario All Stars
smokehouse
10-16-2006, 06:53 AM
Some games would work with NES Controller like

Super R-Type
Super Castlevania 4
Ninja Gaiden Trilogy
Super Mario All Stars

All-in-all it still seem like a lot of trouble for little payout. Converting a SNES controller to work on the NES is great dues to it being a far better controller, the other way around seems like a pain.
50TBRD
10-16-2006, 07:20 AM
It's not just for the controller, it's more for the Zapper and Track Pad, that I ask the question. I'd hate to slice a Zapper but that's why I would probubly make an adapter using an extension cable. That way I could use any NES accessory.
MarioMania
10-18-2006, 02:12 AM
Some games only have 2 Buttons..Make sure if anyone does the Mod to pplay the NES Controller on th SNES..Map the Buttons B>B A>A, In Castlevania 4 it going to be hard the game uses 3 Buttons...
smokehouse
10-18-2006, 07:24 AM
It's not just for the controller, it's more for the Zapper and Track Pad, that I ask the question. I'd hate to slice a Zapper but that's why I would probubly make an adapter using an extension cable. That way I could use any NES accessory.


You won’t be able to use a Zapper on a SNES game. The game has to be designed for a zapper in order to work properly.

Now the Power Pad on the other hand….
50TBRD
10-18-2006, 07:36 AM
I would want to use it on Duck Hunt, etc. I've got the Justifier for Lethal Enforcers and the Super Scope for my compete SS collection. But it would be cool to find out that it did work on one of those games, saying that it works at all.
MarioMania
10-22-2006, 01:13 PM
Will it fry my Controller Port if I try the SNES on a NES System & the other way around