Funtendo - A multistick retro controller for your PC

Funtendo is a completely self contained retro gaming & controller system for your PC.

It is capable of using the original Nintendo controller, the N64 controller, and the Wii Classic controller at the same time!

Funtendo is USB powered, and also contains a flash drive which will contain the project drivers, as well as your emulators and rom files.  

If you are looking for a cool gift for the geek in your life, this may be it!  
This is an easy build that can be constructed on a Saturday afternoon.

The video below is a demonstration of the Funtendo in action.

Step 1: Funtendo parts list

You'll need the following parts to build the Funtendo:

• Propeller Platform USB (Source: Gadget Gangster)
• Terminal Module (Source: Gadget Gangster)
• Nintendo controller extension cable
• Nintendo 64 controller extension cable
• Wii Classic controller extension cable
• A USB Flash drive (2gig or better)
• A USB Hub powerable from USB
• A Project Box (Source: Radio Shack)
• Nintendo 64 controller
• Original Nintendo controller
• Wii Classic controller
• A USB cable with an "A" connector

Comments

[DoctorWoo]

I'm planning to addabted something like this for a project I plan to break ground on here soon, but the issue is this [Funtendo] would be used on a linux platform. So two questions:
-Will it work with linux?
-And can you set it up with other controllers? Sega, for example.

[safesearchoff]

how is the analog stick response on this? does it work properly?

is it possible to modify the code to register each controller as a seperate controller? if so, how could i modify the code to make it all n64 controllers?

[abaxta]

Is it possible to have all three controllers of the same type, i.e. 3 n64 controllers.... and have them each dedicated as a different player... player 1 controller, player 2 controller, and player 3 controller? is there enough terminals on the board to add a third controller? i guess what I'm asking is would it be possible to use this device as a 4 player n64 system?

[jeffledger]

The wife and I use two of the controllers to play games against each other.
Because both controllers are active all the time, we try not (or maybe we do) to touch the controller to mess each other up.

I can't see why this project couldn't be adopted to multiple controller use. Adding some logic code to the funtendo.spin could even make it so that the active controller could pass the controls to the next unit.

OBC

[jeffledger]

A discussion regarding adding a SNES controller has been started at: http://www.gadgetgangster.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=21

OBC

[soshimo]

Hey GG, just a quick note - in case you don't want to destroy your wii classic controller cable (they are expensive) you can get a Nunchuck adapter here: http://www.sparkfun.com/products/9281. That might work for your needs since it's the same kind of connector as the nunchuck. Obviously the labels on the adapter will be wrong, but that's something you can work around. At least you save your precious controller or extension cable. They are expensive!

[Gadget Gangster]

Here's an Ebay link to the one I used..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Extension-Cable-Cord-Nintendo-Wii-Remote-Nunchuk-/260601944338?pt=Video_Games_Accessories&hash=item3cad161912#ht_3024wt_860

$1.88 with free shipping out of HK. Hard to go wrong there. :)

[soshimo]

Gadget Gangster, I love you guys (the Christmas present two years ago was the best!), but this seems almost a bit of an advertisement. The fact that you are using two pieces of gear manufactured by you is a bit of a red flag. Kind of like letting the foxes design the hen house. You might do your readers a favor and show them how to do this with a breadboard in the event they can't afford the very affordable modules you provide. Otherwise an outstanding tut!

[Gadget Gangster]

@soshimo:

Thanks for the kind words! I used the Propeller Platform w/Terminal Module in this project to make it as easy as I could for someone to build their own. I could have used a PCB, but the combination of the ready-to-go Propeller Platform and the screw terminals on the plug-in board pretty much guaranty success for other builders. That being said, not providing a schematic was a bit of an oversight on my part, and I'll make sure that all future projects have plenty of additional documentation for those who have Propeller DIPs, breadboards/PCB's.

[soshimo]

Excellent suggestion regarding the documentation! That's a great compromise for those DIY'ers out there (myself included). My confidence and loyalty is restored. You guys really are a class outfit!

[blossom9283]

How much did this cost you?

[Gadget Gangster]

The controllers I already had. (I'm a game system collector, and retro-head)
I also had the USB hub and 2gig flash drive in a box of parts, so my costs for this project were three extension cables from Ebay (around $5.00 a pop), the project box from Radio Shack ($7.00) and the two Gadget Gangster boards ($55.00).
I love to do projects that people can follow behind and replicate, so cost vs value is a figure that I always look at. The value of doing it yourself weighs in heavy, the onboard storage isn't supported by a simple adapter cable, and the Propeller will allow you to modify the code, so all-in-all I'm pretty pleased with the project.

[the_burrito_master]

DEAR SANTA!

[mikeasaurus]

Retro gaming, awesome!