USB atari compatible joystick adapter

[Nitz76]

Hello there!

First, let me introduce myself. I'm a 36 years old engineer from Canada. I'm specialized in networking and electronic design.

Since i'm 8 years old, i'm a Commodre fan. :great: The fan grew up but still, the passion is alive.

Trying my best to keep this platform running, even more and more away from the original hardware. I still own the real thing, but it's like getting my super 8 projector out of the closet to watch a movie. It's delicate and I don't want to break it. ;) This is why I turned to emulation.

Doing my part for the retro community, I decided to build a full production of USB joystick adapter for Atari / Commodore / Sega compatible joysticks.

This adapter is recognized right a way by Windows and OSX and can be use with any emulator or game.

If you're interested, you can visit my website at http://www.retronicdesign.com/

Cheers!

Nitz76

http://retronicdesign.com/ebay/usbjoystick/usbplain.jpg

[Nitz76]

http://www.hellasmultimedia.com/webimages/christ-htm/lines/other/ani-lights-bar-120x29.gifhttp://www.hellasmultimedia.com/webimages/christ-htm/lines/other/ani-lights-bar-120x29.gifhttp://www.hellasmultimedia.com/webimages/christ-htm/lines/other/ani-lights-bar-120x29.gifhttp://www.hellasmultimedia.com/webimages/christ-htm/lines/other/ani-lights-bar-120x29.gifhttp://www.hellasmultimedia.com/webimages/christ-htm/lines/other/ani-lights-bar-120x29.gif
Hey retro gamers!

This USB adapter makes a great gift for all your retro gaming friends on your list!

We want to wish a very happy retro Christmas to all Emulator Zone members!

Nitz

[ulaoulao]

There are a lot of usb retro adapters out there. Thx for the info but lets keep the pricing out of the forums as they are not for selling merchandise.

[Nitz76]

Happy new year!!!

I had some spare time during my christmas vacation. I built a 2.0 version of the software. It now supports USB reflashing so you can reprogram it with a new software as you wish. It could be to support a new version or different hardware. You can build your own if you want!

For example, I built a version that support the Amiga Mouse and is detected by Windows like a standard mouse. Possibilities are now wider opened, keeping the same hardware.

I'm working on a firmware that will support CD32 controllers (6 buttons). If there is beta testers or developpers out there, I'd be happy to assist.

Ciao! Nitz

[ulaoulao]

Yeah cd32 is a odd ball though why not support all buttons? red, blue, green, yellow, L, R, play?

[Nitz76]

Yeah cd32 is a odd ball though why not support all buttons? red, blue, green, yellow, L, R, play?

Ya actually it's not that odd. Every buttons can be read through a shift register. If you leave the controller in normal mode, only red and blue button will work. When you switch it to serial mode (pin5), you can cycle the button through pin 9 while using pin 6 as a clock.

Did you saw the Atari 7800 joystick? this one is odd! Two buttons but can work in 1 button mode. Can be reversed and used in 2 button mode but in active high! (yuk!)

[Nitz76]

Great news!

Confirmed today, the adapter with firmware 2.0 now support Amiga NG under Amiga OS4.1! :my_specoo

This means you can use your old joysticks on your new Amiga.

Cheers!

Nitz

[ulaoulao]

odd as in the controller. The 7800 agreed strange the way the interfaced with it as is the intellivision.

[Nitz76]

True that.

odd as in the controller. The 7800 agreed strange the way the interfaced with it as is the intellivision.

Another odd thing is that Atari and Sega decided to place their +5v pin in a different position. It's either pin 7 or 5 respectively. The same ting happens with CPC controllers and their second button. Plugged into a commodore 64 can make unreversible damage to the joystick port. :P

[ulaoulao]

yes, I think there was a reason for it, mostly on the sega side. In my set up I use the chip to power the controller not the +5 from the usb, that way I control what pins are what. The 3d0 had yet anther set up for power as I recall and coleaco is set up to reverse polarity.

[Nitz76]

Since I've started june 2012, I shipped a bit more than 500 USB joystick adapters!!!

I want to thank everyone out there that encouraged my project!!!:happy:

I'm now working on several other projects;

- RGB to YPbPr adapter (Amiga DB-23 video adapter for modern TV)
- PlipBox spinoff (Parallel Amiga Network adapter)
- NES/SNES controller USB adapter
- Arcade USB joystick adapter (for MAME cabinet integration)
- Paddles USB adapter

Anyone interested?:o

[Mupen64 Man]

Congrats on the numbers! 500 adapters is nothing to sneeze at, Im sure. ;D

[Nitz76]

Congrats on the numbers! 500 adapters is nothing to sneeze at, Im sure. ;D

Yup... Just enough that the solder fumes get you a bit dizzy!!! :p

[Nitz76]

:my_specoo For those of you who bought this adapter, a new firmware has been released This new firmware correct the "unrecognized device on reboot" with Windows XP, 7 and 8.

This release is also compatible with new Amiga OS 4.1, Mac OS X and Raspberry PI.

Just download the files and follow instructions on the download page (http://www.retronicdesign.com/en/download/):

See ya! :happy:

[Nitz76]

http://www.retronicdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/xmastree-200x300.jpg

The Retronic Design team whish you happy holidays!

http://www.retronicdesign.com/en/home/

[ulaoulao]

As much as I appreciate your efforts as many other members here do, we do not condone selling and price talk on this board. Price info has been removed feel free to edit that post without promotional gain.

[Nitz76]

As much as I appreciate your efforts as many other members here do, we do not condone selling and price talk on this board. Price info has been removed feel free to edit that post without promotional gain.

Oh. No problem. Sorry about that.

[Nitz76]

Hi there,
I'm just doing a little poll here.

I've been ask by a growing number of members that if I could build an opposite device; USB Joystick to DB9 compatible adapter.
That would enable current gaming joysticks/pads to work with original hardware like ATARI, C64, COMMODORE machines.

Just write in this tread if you would be in or out for a product like this.

Thanks!! :msn_wink:

[Nitz76]

Greetings,

I started a prototype. I'm having weird issues generating a valid USB signal recognized by my Saitek pads.

Good thing I have this 100MHz oscilloscope with 32 logic channels!

I'll post my schematic soon so experts out there can appreciate! :)



Ciao!



Nitz

[Nitz76]

Hey Guys! This is it.

I just received the first batch of USB Joystick adapters, PCB version 3.0.
This new version is supporting virtually any DB9 joystick ever made!
Just use the flash utility to reprogram as desired.

Here is the compatibility list:


•Atari 2600 Joystick
•Atari 7800 Joystick (2 buttons)
•Atari analog Paddle (2 controllers)
•Atari video touch pad Keyboard
•Amstrad Joystick
•Amiga Joystick (up to 3 buttons)
•Amiga Mouse (up to 3 buttons)
•Commodore 64 Joystick
•Commodore CD32 Joypad (7 buttons)
•Coleco Vision Controller
•Intellivision Touch pad (16 buttons)
•MSX Joystick
•Sega Genesis Joypad (3 and 6 buttons)
•Sega Master System Joypad (2 buttons)
•3DO Joypad

This new hardware version was designed with compatibility in mind. Every pin is reconfigurable so new firmware can be built to support much more devices.
Design will stay open source so anybody out there can contribute to this quest for retro gaming pleasure!

Cheers! :my_specoo

Nitz

[ulaoulao]

Ah so you finally took that advise ;)


In my set up I use the chip to power the controller not the +5 from the usb, that way I control what pins are what. The 3d0 had yet anther set up for power as I recall and coleaco is set up to reverse polarity.


Are you planning on supporting vecterx, SAC, and Bally? SAC is a lot of fun, especially the dial. Vectrex deepening on the your analogs pins would be possible, and Bally is just an oldie but goodie.

Glad to see your progressing.

[Nitz76]

Ah so you finally took that advise ;)


Are you planning on supporting vecterx, SAC, and Bally? SAC is a lot of fun, especially the dial. Vectrex deepening on the your analogs pins would be possible, and Bally is just an oldie but goodie.

Glad to see your progressing.
Hi Ulaoulao!

Vectrex are a bit too odd for the hardware. I did not planned to have analog on every pins!
For SAC and Bally, do you have the pinout for this? There are so many DB9 joysticks out there with so many different pinouts. I never imagine there was that much! Good thing is that the hardware can support most of them (with some exceptions!) :happy:

What about your Blissbox? Any new version coming?

Cheers! :thumb_up:

[ulaoulao]

Vectrex are a bit too odd for the hardware. I did not planned to have analog on every pins! that is why I asked I did the same thing so a patch cable was required. SAC is the same pinout as coleco but just does extra work. Bally I think is a normal atari but makes a few additional reads I'd have to look at my code.

Bliss-box has split up, I could not handle the up keep on making them. So there is a product called Four-Play that will enter production this year. Its sort of a 4 player hub like device that serves as 4 Bliss-Boxes. Instead of mounting the ports on the box it uses cables. Hopping this will free up my time to work on more code. KickStarter to launch this month.

[Nitz76]

that is why I asked I did the same thing so a patch cable was required. SAC is the same pinout as coleco but just does extra work. Bally I think is a normal atari but makes a few additional reads I'd have to look at my code.

Bliss-box has split up, I could not handle the up keep on making them. So there is a product called Four-Play that will enter production this year. Its sort of a 4 player hub like device that serves as 4 Bliss-Boxes. Instead of mounting the ports on the box it uses cables. Hopping this will free up my time to work on more code. KickStarter to launch this month.

Nice! :thumb_up:

[ulaoulao]

Looks like bally just needs to read a button for up direction, other then that it fits the atari pinout. Maybe they did that for some type of atari detection I don't know. Its weird though.

[Nitz76]

Humm... I might take a look into this.
I just finished implementing ColecoVision Super Action Controller; http://www.retronicdesign.com/en/colecovision-controllers-now-supported/
Phew! What a controller it is! Using Grey code to read 3x4keyboard. There is also a quadrature for reading a spinner on the front. That was fun! ;)

[ulaoulao]

yup, I knew you'd enjoy that one.

[Nitz76]

I've added some more items in the compatibility list:
◾TI99/4/4a Joystick
◾FM Towns/Marty Joypad
◾Odyssey2 controller
◾Fairchild channel F controller

I also built a new firmware for the Atari / Commodore paddles that is more precise in analog reading.
:happy:

[Nitz76]

http://www.retronicdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/xmastree-200x300.jpg
From Cyber Monday, December 1st to December 25th, we offer a price drop on the USB joystick adapter!

Seasons greetings from the Retronic Design team!


www.retronicdesign.com

[ulaoulao]

As much as I appreciate your efforts as many other members here do, we do not condone selling and price talk on this board. Price info has been removed feel free to edit that post without promotional gain. Second reminder... Linking to your site is ok, not price talk. Your post has been edited.

[Nitz76]

Most compatible joystick adapter on the market and still adding new devices!

Actual compatibility list is as follow:

Atari 2600 Joystick
Atari 7800 Joystick (2 buttons)
Atari analog Paddle (2 players)
Atari driving controller
Atari video touch pad Keyboard
Amstrad Joystick (3 buttons)
Amiga Joystick
Amiga Mouse / Trackball (2 and 3 buttons)
Atari ST Mouse / Trackball (2 buttons)
Commodore 64 Joystick
Commodore CD32 Joypad (7 buttons)
Intellivision Touch pad (16 direction disc and 15 buttons)
Intellivision Flashback Touch pad (16 direction disc and 15 buttons)
ColecoVision Touch pad and Super Action Controller (16 buttons + spinner)
Coleco Gemini Joystick & Paddle (Hybrid controller, also compatible with Sears console)
MSX Joystick (2 buttons)
Sega Genesis Joypad (3 and 6 buttons)
Sega Master System Joypad
Sega Multi-Tap Adapter (4 players)
3DO (Panasonic) Joypad
TI99/4/4a Joystick
FM Towns/Marty Joypad
Famiclone (NES clone) Joypad
Odyssey2 controller
Fairchild channel F controller
Bally/Astrocade controller
RedOctane Dance pads (6 buttons DB9 version)

Happy St-Paddys day! :laugh:

[dungdn93]

Congrats on the numbers! 500 adapters is nothing to sneeze at, Im sure. ;D

[ulaoulao]

Most compatible joystick adapter on the market Wow that is pretty good. but the most?

Bliss-Box 4-play (http://skunx7.wix.com/bliss-box#!home/mainPage) compatibility (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oMFpFBTok4IsV2DBt48HlUafx2qMWoTxGjpKMFjfSDM/edit#gid=0)list.

[vayvon24h]

Sega Genesis Joypad (3 and 6 buttons)
Sega Master System Joypad

[ulaoulao]

Sega Genesis Joypad (3 and 6 buttons)
Sega Master System Joypad

Again he said "Most compatible joystick adapter on the market" not "Most compatible db9 style joystick adapter on the market"

Also, your controller knowledge is really bad... All of the following below work from the list I linked work on the db9 port and very possibly many from the list Nitz76 mentioned.

gen 3
gen 6
sms
Amiga Joystick
sega Justifier gun
At_ri paddles ( and clones )
At_ri driving paddles
At_ri Number pad
At_ri track ball
At_ri 7800
At_ri Zircon Video Command
At_ri Un-Roller Controller
At_ri Gemstick
At_ri Video Controller Joystick
Commodore 64
vecterx
intellivision
colecovision pad
Coleco Gemini
supper action controller (SAC)
3d0 flight stick
3d0 all 3 companies and knockoffs)
Commodore cd32
ZX Sinclair
MSX Joystick
gx4000
FM Towns

[Nitz76]

Hey!
A new batch of adapters just came out of the factory!

See my website at: http://www.retronicdesign.com/en/

;)

[Nitz76]

Actually we did update the compatibility list and recently corrected the Bally Astrocade firmware for supporting the top paddle correctly.

Current joystick and adapter support list:
Atari 2600 Joystick -TESTED!
Atari 7800 Joystick (2 buttons) -TESTED!
Atari analog Paddles (2 players) -TESTED!
Atari driving controller -need feedback
Atari video touch pad Keyboard -need feedback
Amstrad Joystick (3 buttons) -TESTED!
Amiga Joystick -TESTED!
Amiga Mouse / Trackball (2 and 3 buttons) -TESTED!
Atari ST Mouse / Trackball (2 buttons) -TESTED!
Commodore 64 Joystick -TESTED!
Commodore CD32 Joypad (7 buttons) -TESTED!
Commodore Analog Paddles (2 players) -TESTED!
Intellivision Touch pad (16 direction disc and 15 buttons) -TESTED!
Intellivision Flashback Touch pad (16 direction disc and 15 buttons) -TESTED!
ColecoVision Touch pad and Super Action Controller (16 buttons + spinner) -TESTED!
Coleco Gemini Joystick & Paddle (Hybrid controller, also compatible with Sears console) -need feedback
MSX Joystick (2 buttons) -TESTED!
Sega Genesis Joypad (3 and 6 buttons) -TESTED!
Sega Master System Joypad -TESTED!
Sega Multi-Tap Adapter (4 players) -need feedback
3DO (Panasonic) Joypad -TESTED!
TI99/4/4a Joystick -TESTED!
FM Towns/Marty Joypad -need feedback
Famiclone (NES clone) Joypad -need feedback
Odyssey2 controller -need feedback
Fairchild channel F controller -need feedback
Bally/Astrocade controller -TESTED!
RedOctane Dance pads (6 buttons DB9 version) -TESTED!
ZX Spectrum Interface 2 Joysticks -TESTED!

So if it exists and have a DB-9 port, it should be supported! :thumb_up:

[ctthuhuong]

I just finished implementing ColecoVision Super Action Controller;
Phew! What a controller it is! Using Grey code to read 3x4keyboard. There is also a quadrature for reading a spinner on the front. That was fun!

[ulaoulao]

Yes that magnet wheel was an interesting one. Interesting the designs back then.