Credit/Acknowledgement: This opensource item was designed by Sukko Pera.
Listed is a brand new joystick adapter for the Sega Genesis gamepad to the Commodore 64,128,VIC-20, or Amiga. Button assignments are configurable via jumper settings.
NOT SOLD TO INTERNATIONAL BUYERS! PLEASE DO NOT BUY IF YOU'RE NOT WITHIN THE USA!
Terms
- Sorry no returns or refund -- SOLD AS IS.
- NO technical support. I know nothing of TI99/4A technical aspects! Please note that I cannot provide help on how to solder.
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TIPS
Female connector goes to the C64 or Amiga.Male connector goes to the Sega Genesis game pad cable. More Information
Please read the below CAREFULLY before buying!
Summary
Despite being compatible at the physical level (i.e.: they use the same DB-9 connectors), Sega Mega Drive controllers are slightly different from the Atari-style joysticks (which the C64 uses) at the electrical level. These differences usually manifest themselves in the fact that certain keyboard keys are not responsive when a Sega Mega Drive pad is connected to a C64 computer, but the CIA chip may also get harmed as a result.
Button B will work as the normal fire button, but this adapter also allows using Button C as the second fire button, for those games that support two buttons.
While this all works out of the box on Amiga computers, this adapter also allows to customize the button mapping to a certain degree: for instance, replacing UP with C might make some games more comfortable to play. This might be useful on the Amiga as well, so the adapter also supports an Amiga mode.
Configuration
First of all, be sure to move the C64/Amiga jumper to the proper position, before connecting the adapter. For Commdore 64,128, or VIC-20, set the jumper to "C64". Then you have three more configuration jumpers that you can use to customize how the computer interprets button presses on the controller. In fact, since most joysticks back in the day only had a single fire button, it was usually used for firing, whatever that meant. Jumping was usually done with the UP direction of the joystick, which is quite annoying on a joypad.
This adapter allows you to repurpose the B or C key to jumping, leaving the other button for firing, all at your choice.
It also allows to use C as the second fire button, which is only supported by a few titles. You can even swap B and C, if you prefer.
Configuration is done through the jumpers on the board, and should be pretty self-explanatory. There are only two rules which you will have to remember:
ALWAYS TURN YOUR COMPUTER OFF BEFORE MOVING THE CONFIGURATION JUMPERS.
NEVER EVER KEEP MORE THAN ONE JUMPER ON THE SAME HORIZONTAL LINE.
If you don't follow the rules, you will probably cause permanent damage to your computer and/or controller, so please be careful, you have been warned.
The default configuration maps B to button 1, C to button 2 and UP to UP. If you play Giana Sisters, you will probably want to use the C button for jumping, so just do the following:
Turn OFF your computer.
Remove the UP/UP jumper and store it in a safe place.
Move the C column jumper to the UP row.
Turn on your computer, load the game and enjoy!
Compatibility
On the Amiga 600 it might be necessary to use an extension cable, since the adapter will not physically fit into Port 2. An extension cable might also help on some Commodore 64's which have loose ports that will not hold the adapter in place.