SNES to Parallel Port

The basic steps to modify your SNES controller to connect to your computer via the parallel port.

Step 1: Strip SNES controller cable

Strip the end of the SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System) controller cable (the end that connects to the SNES), and tin the ends of the wires. If you don't want to cut up your controller you can just stick wires in the end that plugs into the SNES according to the diagram in step 3.

Alternatively (what I did), you could replace the SNES cable with one from something else, that way you don't need to chop up the controller. In my case I had a broken NES controller that I borrowed a cord from. It is also recommended that instead of cutting the cable you get a SNES controller extension cable and cut that up. In either case the steps are the same.

Comments

[jitinchigo]

is it possible to just connect the snes wires straight to USB wires

all i noe is that:
Black(USB) = Brown(SNES)
Red(USB) = White(SNES)

where do i connect the other wires that are left on the SNES controller.
If you noe please email me at [e-mail]

please reply ASAP

THNX!

[bike_gye]

hear use this ti warks grate

http://www.retrousb.com/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=44

[Hungry_Myst]

No, you can't just connect the SNES wires to the USB wires. Well, except for the 2 that you listed that only provide power to the controller. The other wires need to be hooked up to the parallel port like I described. If you want to use USB you need to add some more complex circuitry (like a USB chip), which would be a whole other tutorial.

[Mr. Squishy]

I have a guide on how to do a USB one. http://www.instructables.com/id/USB_control_pad_hack/

[BlackAngel999]

I'll do ya one better. They make these things called USB>LPT adapters. Most all of them use the PL-2305H USB>1284 bridge, which supports all of the pins from a parallel port.

[yawgmoth1]

Would there be a memory caching issue with that?

[Harrymatic]

Thank you very much for this great instructable, I made mine with a very cheap aftermarket controller that I got online and a few leftover parts from other projects.

[toogers]

you'd probably be better off using the keypad hack, where you wire controller's buttons to keypad's buttons.

[yawgmoth1]

I'm going to be adding an instructable soon for the original NES pad to printer port.

[zack247]

any way to do this with a ps2/1 controller?
cool instructable though, im gonna make one of these, it'll work the same way fro a nes, right?

[dudeishfish]

Would it be possible to do the wiring straight into a parallel-usb wire?

[santy22]

would this work with a sega genesis 2 controller??

[ultimatesx9]

the sega Genesis\Mega Drive contrrollers use the same firmware in every version of the controller, it really does make a difference if use a Japanese pad in a genesis.

[santy22]

YEAH.... DIDNT ANSWER Will this Wire connection thingy work with a SEga Controller?

[yawgmoth1]

Not sure why people like SANTY here need to cop an attitude with people that are only trying to help. You're obviously not intelligent enough to figure this out on you're own, so at least show a little respect to those who can.

[willrandship]

he means yes. Look on the ppjoy web site for diagrams.

[crrimson]

http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-Sega-Genesis-Controller-Ports-for-your-PC/

[ultimatesx9]

No, you need to find the Sega to parralel schematics to do that. You might find them on here, otherwise, you got google right beside ya

[Capt. Fat]

Would this work with a N64 controller??

[Hungry_Myst]

Not with the same software. There is probably a similar solution for N64 controllers but I don't know of it.

[Capt. Fat]

crap.... Oh well Know a way to power a home made ipod speaker??

[willrandship]

You mean for an amp? Here is a good diagram. Substitue any power you want, and use any power source. Mix and match for good resistors.

[Capt. Fat]

thanks for the diagram and all. but i really can't understand electrical diagrams like tht. and i gave up on the idea anywyays. thanks anyways though

[willrandship]

OK. It was just a common amplifier anyway.

[AlternateLives]

Could you hook the controller up via serial port?

[willrandship]

If you look into PPJoy, which he is using, there is a way to hook them up through serial, but it would require some sort of microcontroller, like arduino. If you go that route you're better off trying to make a modification to this project. That will use key presses, which you set as keys in emulator. Let me guess, you have a laptop that has no parallel?

[yawgmoth1]

First off, great instructable! I just tried mine with a slight difference. I didnt have a "cap" for the parrelel port cable so I chopped one end off (both ends we're male) and took note of the color coding to the pins. From there I just wired the SNES pad up to it. I used the White wire and Brown wire for usb power. Alas mine does not work....I think I did a shoddy job on the soldering maybe? The wires from the snes pad are AWFUL! They are those fabric type of wires. I'm going to try again tomorrow without those crap wires. I'll just solder better ones to the pad internally.

[Cann0n]

I didn't add the diodes or use the SNES's power wire and it works well with linux.

[ultimatesx9]

like the instrucable, only i dont have an NES or SNES pad, but i have 4 Mega Drive pads, i know the software can handle Genesis pads (so it doesnt matter if i use Mega drive as its the same pad) but is there a way to make a parrel port thing like you made without maodding the acctual end of the controller?

[willrandship]

Actually, I once did a SNES mod where I had both a SNES plug and a Parallel plug on the ends. I did this by popping the shell on the plug and soldering to the exposed wires. As far as I know, it worked perfectly. Just don't plug in both at the same time.

[crrimson]

I just did an instructable for the Genesis controller here: http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-Sega-Genesis-Controller-Ports-for-your-PC/

[Hungry_Myst]

If you found a cable extender (something that goes between the console and controller to make the controller's chord longer) you could mod that. It's also possible to just stick the wires into the end of the connector. I know that paper clips stick very nicely into the holes on the NES and SNES controller connectors, and paper clips are easy to solder to.

[ultimatesx9]

yeah, found that you could buy DB25 male to DB9 male adapters in maplins, put that in, and now it thinks im always pushing button 6, and i cant mod that, cos its got solid platsic around it.

[ultimatesx9]

but i have used your advice and used a 1.5m female serial cable, stick paper clips in that, selotaped it together, but i stuck wires in where the white and brown cables are and i power it from a DC plug set at 4.5 (either that or 6v), havent tested it yet, should work tough

[matstermind]

what kind of diodes are those?

[crrimson]

Get 1N4142 diodes, those were recommended for the other parallel port controller projects, and you can find them at radio shack or online.

[matstermind]

thanks

[mr monoply33]

I believe they are more specifically 3.6 volts zener diodes, if your still wondering.

[Hungry_Myst]

I just used what I had laying around at the time. If your going to buy diodes, don't bother looking for zener diodes as we aren't making any use of there zener characteristics. In fact, it would be better if they weren't zener.

[matstermind]

sort of, thanks

[Derin]

data diodes

[jitinchigo]

umm.. THNX do you know where i can get such chips and how to solder the few wires of an Snes to the chip? if so could you make a tutorial on that it would greatly be appreciated!

[AlternateLives]

I have no idea where you can buy them outright, but I am sure you can buy a cheap controller (or other USB device) and gut the chip out.

[bike_gye]

jitinchigo here is a link to show you what to do to tren it in to usb
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PA8Dgaqkbc&feature=related

[bike_gye]

jitinchigo here is a link to show you what to do to tren it in to usb
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PA8Dgaqkbc&feature=related

[Capt. Fat]

Nice instructable. Do u no any idea if you could use a video camera cable that hooks up to the tv connect ur super nintendo to the tv? My original tv cable is busted and i can't find a replacement :(

[nemesispoi]

can you use the diodes from another electronic thing you have?

[matstermind]

could you do this with a USB plug?

[lmczitz]

I created a SNES to Parallel Port adapter. My problem is that unfortunately the thing simply won't work with WINDOWS XP PRO SP2 with drivers I am utilizing. These drivers are the fallowing:
PPjoy http://www.simtel.net/pub/pd/75176.htmland
Direct Pad Pro http://arcadecontrols.com/Mirrors/www.ziplabel.com/dpadpro/
I will thank you guys greatly if you can find information on how to make this thing work properly with XP SP2.

NOTE: I heard that there are some issues with the drivers for this mod and directX9c....

Thanks you very much for your answer in advance guys.

[rocker9455]

you could try this software:
http://www.psxpad.com/index_e.php

this guy recomends it; http://www.raphnet.net/electronique/snes_adaptor/snes_adaptor_en.php

hope this helps you out :D

[Abidibs]

I did everything and then used the USB to power the thing but when i connected it only detected the B button... everything else didn't work.

[Cloudffvii2696]

would I be able to do this the other way around? i.e. making a usb gamepad compatible with a playstation.

[Hungry_Myst]

No, it only works to the computer.

[Cloudffvii2696]

I'll try it anyways. But instead of using a usb gamepad, I'm using my rockband guitar (it plugs into the ps2 usb port), and a ps2 controller. that way, if it works, I'll be able to play guitar hero with my rockband controller.

[Someguy_0069]

for this... can you hook all the wires onto the usb cable and it still work?

[Hungry_Myst]

If you use the USB cable, you don't need this. You use one or the other to get 5V (this or the USB cable).

[Someguy_0069]

I meant to ask where the rest of the wires would need to go in order for the controller to fully function, and I think this is being asked in the wrong step, not sure though.
I deleted my previous comment and just replied to this post so I'd avoid double posting :)

[Hungry_Myst]

The USB cable is just to provide power, the only wires from the controller that hook up to it are the white and brown ones. The rest of the wires need to connect to the parallel port.

[Someguy_0069]

OK, I've found a page that I can infer the usages of the DB25 to DB15, and I will proceed. I really hope this doesn't take any soldering @_@

[Someguy_0069]

Ah... Thanks very much! One question... does it have to be DB25 or can it be a DB15? If the latter: Would you explain how it would go with all the pins on the 15-connector?

[Hungry_Myst]

As far as I know, it has to be DB25. I've never tried DB15, tough it might be possible.

[Tomcat94]

Oh, by the way, do you think that simultaneous button presses(such as up&down and left&right) work? You know, kinda like in ddr?

[Hungry_Myst]

Simultaneous button presses work. If the software is written badly it might get confused, but I've never had a problem with is.

[Tomcat94]

K, thanks!

[wildsurfer]

Hey could you make an instructable on how to do this with a usb drive instend of the parallel port?

[ultimatesx9]

this site well give you the stuff and info to go USB

http:\\www.raphnet.net - it's in french but there is an english option

[thealleyratz]

could you use a paralel to usb cable ? or anyway to do this for a 15 pin for laptop use?

[ultimatesx9]

you could use a DB-25 to USB, but unless you made you own driver, you cant plug it into a 15-pin port

[jfar_22]

Whats kind of diode is that and its rating?

[Tomcat94]

Do you think that this same principle might work with a ps1 controller? If it does, Stepmania, here I come!!!

[Tomcat94]

http://www.rbmods.com/Guides/Psxmod/1.php

I think this might do. :D

[Dsage]

Sweet! Nice mod. Mine uses the NES controller ;-)

[deathknell]

what might happen if the diodes where left out entierly?

[Hungry_Myst]

I doubt the controller would work at all, but at the very least you risk damaging your parallel port/motherboard. These pins are not designed to provide power to devices, they are intended to transfer data. (From what I understand) the driver is fudging things a little by sending a constant stream of 1's out these pin's, which we are using to provide power. The diodes prevent the power from one pin feeding back into another pin that might (at least at that moment) not be sending out a '1'. This not only prevents damage to your computer, but it helps keep the voltage supply to the controller as steady as possible. For the sake of your computer and controller, just use the diodes if you want power from the parallel port. However, there are plenty of 5V power sources on a computer that you can use instead. If you have a spare USB cable/connector, you can get power from the USB port. Cut off the end of the usb cable (you want the end that plugs into the computer), leaving lots of wire to work with. Solder the white wire from the SNES controller to the red wire in the USB cable, and the brown wire from the SNES controller to the black wire in the USB cable. This way you can get power from the USB port, and you won't need the diodes at all.

[deathknell]

Soooooo, um, I'm like a really super cheapo, so could you just rout all the pins mentioned above through the same diode?

[Hungry_Myst]

No, the idea is to protect the individual pin's. Routing trough a single diode would defeat the point.

[abun1991]

This is a bit off-topic, but how do people get the game files off of the cartridges? As far as i Know, there is no console-to-PC adapter.

[Hungry_Myst]

I'm not positive, but I think it's likely that they just take the ROM chip from the game cartridge and read it directly.

[ultimatesx9]

true, they get a ROM reader and use the software to get the ROM off the chip.

[ultimatesx9]

could i ask you guys a qeustion? when i took the screws out the mega drive controller, i found the wires that connected to the DB9 port and what pin they connected to, but found these wires which i wasnt sure about what they do. so what do these wires do in a conntroller? green light brown black blue

[thepsymaster]

This is godlike! For a while I had a SNES Pad clone for the PC, and when I moved I lost it. So next time I'm at a car boot sale I can pick one of these up for like 2 pounds and play all the old games on the new laptop!

This + ZSNES = Win. Thanks for this Instructable :)

[chanfle]

...what? I think this step needs actual pictures in progress..

[NES MAN]

alright, nice instructable but what about the ORIGINAL NES controller???

[Hungry_Myst]

The original NES controller works the exact same way and uses the same wiring (the wires are colored the same) and the software I mentioned also works with the NES controller. So if you just substitute a NES controller for the SNES controller everything else in this instructable will work the same.

[abun1991]

Very nice, but can it work with an N64 controller?

[mcflyalright]

theres a parallel port adapter for the n64 controller write-up here

[Hungry_Myst]

The N64 controller communicates with the N64 differently then the SNES controller communicates with the SNES. That, plus PPJoy (the software used) does not know how to handle the N64 controller.

[abun1991]

I tried to install PPJoy, but it told me to connect to the 'net. I did, and it started going crazy, bringing the "not responding" message, bringing the window back up when i stopped the installation, and freezing every other program i was running. Eventually, i freaked out & turned the power off. any idea what i did wrong?

[Hungry_Myst]

I'm sorry, but I've never heard of such a thing happening before. My best guess would be to just try and re-install.

[turtleman]

well I did this and I did everything as they said....and it's still not working. Is their somthing I'm doing wrong? whenever I try to map the buttons it doesn't read my button presses. pleaee help!

[halfofagarrett]

the point of this ios lol

[turtleman]

what kind of diodes do I use? It doesn't exactly specify....

[wstabosz]

This is a very cool project. It really helps emulator play up for any of the non-3D consoles. My dad and I made (really my dad made it while I watched) something similar to this mod using the SNESKEY plans. It was a Super Multitap wired up similar to the plans found here http://www.tolaris.com/snes-to-parallel/ . I could use it to plug in 4 SNES controllers to the parallel port. It worked great. It was a little better because we didn't have to destroy the SNES controllers, only the Mutlitap.

[Brandin365]

I used the diagram in your link but I made it a little easier and got the power from a usb connection, I didn't have to connect as many wires and didn't need any diodes

[Hungry_Myst]

Thanks ^_. I didn't ruin this controller because I swapped the controller’s cable with one from a broken NES controller. It is pretty easy adding more controllers, simply by changing the data pin from 10 to 12, 13, 15, and 11 on each additional controller. Ideally I would like to use a Four-Score or extension cable, but unfortunately I don’t have one readily available.

[mrbob1000]

what happenes if i dont uses diodes

[Sharingan Silk]

You won't be able to draw power from the parallel port. That being said, even with diodes, some controllers won't work because they need more power. And it's particularly true if you're planning to use several controllers at once (multiplayer games). I suggest putting both the diodes and the "USB power plug" (which I actually did on mine). That way, you're almost sure that it'll work on any pc.

[Sharingan Silk]

I've made a similar mod with my 2 snes controllers. I didn't have any extension cords so I had to "sacrifice" them. But fortunately nothing is really destroyed. The cord is just a little shorter than the original. I guess a little schematics works better than words, here it is as attachment. You can use it to "save" a multitap also. That way you can still use your good old snes completely

[Silas]

I've added this instructable to my new group, NES mod's: http://www.instructables.com/group/nesmods/
I hope you will join.

[DeadHex]

Would it be possible to make the controller USB instead of parallell port? It would be easier for me, as I don't really have access to any of these materials for a parallell port. I would think maybe you should be able to... I stripped an old SNES controller and connected the white (power) wire to the red wire on my USB cable, and then the brown (ground) wire in the SNES controller to the black in the USB cable, and my laptop read the device, but I couldn't do much after that. I obviously am not a master of electronics or wiring, but could it work to maybe connect the data wires to other wires on the USB cable? It seems like it could work, but I don't know which wires would go where and I don't know if it would be safe to guess, if you can help it would be appreciated. Thank you.

[Hungry_Myst]

It's possable, but as far as I know it involves eithor hacking apart an existing USB controller, or buying a chip that will handle the USB stuff for you. It would be cheper to go parallel, as there is a big diffrence between how the parallel port and the USB port handle communications.

[drumstyx]

it is possible to make a USB converter instead, however, it requires programming a microcontroller, which involves a programming device (obviously called a programmer) and of course, a microcontroller, i tried looking to put this through USB...and ended up, of course, with a parallel cos i didnt have a microcontroller handy. an easy (and cheap XD) way to get a parallel male port, is to use an old printer cable, or any other cable with a male DB15 connector on it and cut it in half. the hardest part is getting inside the connector to do your work, you basically half to cut the plastic off. and then inside that, theres a chunk of solid plastic, take a pair of sidecutters and cut it approx. halfway down it....then just use some pliers to wiggle the last bit off, and there you go....a DB25 connector, free of charge :-p. however, before killing the connector casing, check to see if the cable you have HAPPENS to have the right connections already made.....just use a multi-meter on the ohm setting....if you have an extension cable lying around, then use that....it'll have the full 25 wires (probably plus one without insulation that connects from the metal part of the DB25 to the female counterpart's metal outside. again, use a multi-meter to check what wire goes where, record the data in notepad or something, and there you are, diodes are real cheap by the way...got 50 for like 3 bucks....and they're really the only thing that you cant substitute for something thats lying around the house (eg scissors for wire strippers). well, theres my first post ever on this site...and probably gonna be my longest, hope i've helped, any problems gimme a shout at [e-mail]...and have fun XD peace drumstyx

[MattTheMan]

Does anybody have a link on how to convert a SNES controller extension cable to a USB for PC/Laptop use? Can't wait for some 2-player Gradius action =)

Matt

[ultimatesx9]

www.raphnet.net - french but has english options, this will give you the chip you need

[natemc]

This is good but could use a drawing of the complete pin out for the DB 25 connector instead of just the power diagram, especially for people whose connectors aren't numbered they won't have to google to find out which pin is what number.

[Hungry_Myst]

Ask and you shall recive ^_

[natemc]

The box around the pins for the diodes is one too long, threw me off for my pin count. But I did get it all working and calibrated, These are the parts I got at the local radio shack, the pack of 1N914 diodes comes with enough to make two of these. (276-1122) $1.39 The other parts I used were the Universal D Sub connector hood (276-1520) $0.62 on clearance and D Sub Solder Plug Male Connector (276-1547) $1.89 grand total of $3.88 after tax (8.9%) I'm gonna try adding the second controller I have for some two player action.

[natemc]

many thanks :)

[Izuna]

Cool Photos!!!I have one of this plugged on my computer right now,it works great...
Just a little tip,you don't have to actualy make the controler useles for SNES,you can do like they do in this site http://www.raphnet.net/electronique/snes_adaptor/snes_adaptor_en.php and cut the wires and twist than,so you can solder the wires on the DB-25 and still have then conected to the original plug.

[ILAMtitan]

I made a cable very simmilar to this one (the only diffrence was one less power line) several months ago, I just never found good drivers to run it. Using the ppjoy software it now works like a charm. THe only problem is in an emulator, the up button dosent work at all. Can you shed some kind of light on this for me?

[Hungry_Myst]

Yes, the hardest part about this project was finding working drivers. It took a few days of furiously searching Google to find PPJoy. You might want to try calibrating the controller. Go to “Control Panel” – “Game Controllers” – your SNES controller. Click on the settings pad and “Calibrate…”. If that doesn’t work try “Control Panel” – “Parallel port Joysticks”, select your SNES pad, and press the button that says “Mapping…”. Click “Next”, make shore it is stet to 2 axes, axes 1 is X axes and axes 2 is Y axes. Click “Next”. The sides on the directional pad represent an axis, right/left is the X axis, up/down is the Y axis. Right/up is max, left/down is min. On this screen press “Scan” next to each drop down tab and press the corresponding button on the controller. Hit “Next” a few more times and eventually “Finish”. If that doesn’t work the problem might be the controller. Open it up and try cleaning the contacts.

[Hungry_Myst]

Pfft, sorry about the weird text. I typed it in Microsoft Word for the spelling, unfortunetly there seems to be some compatability issues ~_~.