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Thread: Will a Sega Genesis RetroZone USB adapter work for Atari 2600/5200/7800 games too?

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    Pac-Man (Level 10) treismac's Avatar
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    Default Will a Sega Genesis RetroZone USB adapter work for Atari 2600/5200/7800 games too?



    http://www.retrousb.com/product_info...products_id=69

    I can't see any reason why any 9-pin male connector controller would not work for a Genesis USB controller adapter, but I thought I'd tap into the collective knowledge and wisdom of Digital Press before making an uninformed purchase. Likewise, would an Atari 2600 USB adapter be compatible with a Genesis, Master System, MSX, whatever 9-pin controller as well?

    As always, thanks!
    Last edited by treismac; 11-14-2012 at 05:19 PM.

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    I don't own one so don't take this as gospel, but those USB adapters typically read as basic human interface joystick devices in Windows, and yes I believe that a 2600 controller will send the correct signals to the correct pins.

    All emulators allow for button re-mapping anyway, so even if UP = DOWN via the adapter you can address that in the emulator, or you can use something like JOY-TO-KEY.

    I assume that you want the benefit of being able to use Atari AND Genesis controllers but you can also use this if your goal is JUST 2600 controllers:

    http://www.stelladaptor.com/
    Last edited by Frankie_Says_Relax; 11-14-2012 at 05:36 PM.
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    Cherry (Level 1) Jack_Burton_BYOAC's Avatar
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    Atari 2600 controllers will work on the Sega Genesis, so it will likely work as well as that.

    Be aware that these are usually not just pass-through adapters. There is likely a little chip inside that DB9 connector that is necessary for the adapter to work. It's set up for a genesis controller. Who knows what will happen when you try something else?

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    Pac-Man (Level 10) Rickstilwell1's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jack_Burton_BYOAC View Post
    Atari 2600 controllers will work on the Sega Genesis, so it will likely work as well as that.

    Be aware that these are usually not just pass-through adapters. There is likely a little chip inside that DB9 connector that is necessary for the adapter to work. It's set up for a genesis controller. Who knows what will happen when you try something else?
    The only controllers I know of that behave differently are 3DO, Vectrex and Intellivision controllers.

    Genesis, Master System, Atari 2600, Atari 7800, and ColecoVision controllers are the main ones that are compatible with most buttons. The one button that usually is mapped differently is button 2 on Atari 7800.
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    Peach (Level 3) dgdgagdae's Avatar
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    When I asked that question to RetroZone in March, here was the answer:

    The different number of buttons means they have different pinouts. If you plug a Genesis controller into the Atari RetroPort then a few of the Genesis buttons will trigger the same button on the RetroPort. Or if you plug an Atari controller into the Genesis RetroPort then the Atari fire button will trigger multiple buttons on the RetroPort. Hope that made sense and just wasn't more confusing!

    I just plugged a Genesis controller into a RetroUSB Atari adapter. Here's what registers:
    Left - left and button 5
    Right - right and button 6
    Down - down and button 4
    Up - up and button 3
    A - nothing
    B - button 1
    C - button 2
    Start - nothing

    The A and Start not being detected kills it.

    I'd love to get a Stelladaptor, but they were always sold out. I don't even see it on AtariAge anymore.
    Last edited by dgdgagdae; 11-14-2012 at 10:31 PM.

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