The Wolf

[Danjovic]

Driven by the discussions about the PETSCII robots game control using with both a Proline Joystick and a Keypad Controller and a question on the forum about an adapter for the Jaguar Controller (which looks to be available for purchase even today), I have started to design one adapter with the following in mind

• Easy to DIY and to reproduce
• Built around an ordinary plastic enclosure
• Open Source Software and Hardware

The adapter is named after 2 of the robots on PETSCII game: HOver and roLLER -> HOLLER -> To Howl -> Wolf

 

At the present moment:

 

• Circuit was designed around an Arduino Nano and a shift register, plus some resistors, capacitors and connectors. I have added also the capability to connect an SNES controller borrowed from a previous concept (for the 5200).
• The PCB design is mostly complete, single sided with 5 wire jumpers. Worth to mention that the pin-out arrangement is heavily influenced by the design of a single sided PCB. Sometimes you have to scramble the signal order to allow the tracks to be as straight as possible.  I should get my hands on a right angled SNES connector and of course try out the box to say it is complete.
• The PCB was designed around a Hammond RL6015 box
• The firmware is completely coded, and should provide four operation modes (buttons.pdf)
  • Atari 2600 with Omega Booster Grip (fire button active to groud, thumb and trigger active to Vcc)
  • Atari 7800 Proline with buttons 1 and 2 active to Vcc and third button mapped as button 1 and 2 at the same time
  • Atari 7800 Joy2B+, with all buttons active to ground (fire, button1, button 2).
  • The last mode is PETSCII mode which makes more sense when you use the SNES controller. It is equivalent to 7800 Proline with a different button layout.

 

Notice the emphasis on CODED. I will only be able to get my hands on a real console at the middle of February and it will be a system 2600. I hope that up to there I would have learned to code 2600 enough to produce a simple test cart. If somebody wish to help with that, I will appreciate.

 

The files will be available at Github and documentation on my Hackaday.io page.

 

PS: I will NOT produce and sell the hardware, that is why I am releasing the whole project using an open license.

[+evg2000]

Will the shift registers electronically isolate the voltages of the arduino and the console?  I used optocouplers on my CV/INTV paddle controller design.  Shift registers would be easier if they protect the console.
TIA

[Danjovic]

1 hour ago, evg2000 said:

Shift registers would be easier if they protect the console

This adapter is standalone. After programmed there is no need to have it connected to a computer.

Nevertheless it is a good recommendation to include in the documentation: Never  use the adapter with the arduino connected to a computer, specially to a desktop. 

 

If you want  protection against bus contention, a resistor in series will provide enough (protection), though dry contact have been used for decades without any issue.

 

[Gunther]

The Jaguar-controller adaptor that's already available doesn't give full functionality on the 7800.

It doesn't allow use of the keypad.

As far as I'm aware only the D-pad, button-c, and -b are functional. using the exsisting Jag pad>7800 adaptor.

Edited January 16, 2022 by Gunther

[Danjovic]

Worked a little more on the PCB. 

[Danjovic]

There was some spare space on the board under the Arduino, perfect to add an EEPROM (savekey).

 

[Gunther]

A Jaguar version of this would be great for new 7800 games, allowing complex control schemes.

The 7800 could also recieve ports from 8-bit micros that require a keyboard to play them too.

Developers could add game-specific keypad overlays with their 7800 titles.

 

 

Edited February 14, 2022 by Gunther

[PacManPlus]

This is actually an AWESOME idea!  I already have an idea for a game that would use this.  Once they are complete, I need to pick this up + a Jaguar controller...  After I finish with Defender and Adventure III, there's a game I'd like to continue with...

[+Stephen]

4 minutes ago, PacManPlus said:

After I finish with Defender

YES - was hoping you'd come back to it!

[+evg2000]

So the arduino is powered by the 7800?

[Danjovic]

Working on the prototype, starting with the PCB.

[Danjovic]

On 2/14/2022 at 6:06 PM, evg2000 said:

So the arduino is powered by the 7800?

Yes.

[ZylonBane]

On 2/14/2022 at 12:08 PM, Gunther said:

A Jaguar version of this would be great for new 7800 games, allowing complex control schemes.

A game that's only playable by people who own a 7800, and a Jaguar controller, and this adapter? So a subset of a subset of an already tiny potential audience? That sounds like a dreadful idea.

[+Stephen]

1 hour ago, ZylonBane said:

A game that's only playable by people who own a 7800, and a Jaguar controller, and this adapter? So a subset of a subset of an already tiny potential audience? That sounds like a dreadful idea.

Positive and upbeat as always!  You do realize, the coolest groups are often groups of one.

[Danjovic]

Waiting for the SNES connector

[Danjovic]

Finally got the SNES connector.

 

In the meanwhile I have developed a test application cart for the Adapter.

 

That shall be able to test other combinations of Joysticks and keyboards SNES controllers but also should allow to test an SNES controller

 

[Danjovic]

Two options for connecting to the console

- Build a cable from a replacement cord and a DB-9 connector

- Use a cable extension plus a "socket saver" adapter

 

 

[Danjovic]

After a bit more of debugging the keyboard emulation is working fine.

 

 

 

 

So far I have only tested the adapter with a SNES controller (and a custom ROM)

 

I don't have a Jaguar controller but it should not be difficult to build one.

 

 

 

 

[Danjovic]

Oh, I am also working on an alternative design, with DB-9 cables soldered directly to the board (same for optional SNES extension cord). It should use a smaller and cheaper case ( Hammond 1593j). The circuit is the same.

 

[mutterminder]

This looks like a fun little project.  What's the estimated cost for the BOM? It would be cool to see this become a standard supported in many future games.

[gambler172]

I hope, this will be available for sale?

[Danjovic]

On 3/28/2022 at 3:34 PM, gambler172 said:

I hope, this will be available for sale?

I don't have plans to produce it now, that's why the project was born with a full open source license (software and hardware).

 

 

[Danjovic]

On 3/28/2022 at 9:38 AM, mutterminder said:

This looks like a fun little project.  What's the estimated cost for the BOM? It would be cool to see this become a standard supported in many future games.

I haven't done this calculation yet, but the main cost items are

•  The PCB (prices vary with the supplier - oshpark , jlcpcb, pcbway, etc)
•  The Box (can be found for ease in Digikey)
•  The Arduino Nano ( the cheaper version with mega168 will do)
•  The extension cords (or replacement cables)

 

The remaining components can be found for cheap in digikey, mouser, newark, etc...

 

[Danjovic]

As mentioned before I am doing my own Jaguar controller equivalent, because the real ones are very expensive in local prices ($146,00).

 

I may never build a case for it, but it was designed to fit under a (broken) dualshock controller case.

 

Out of curiosity, the board is single sided and it was necessary to workaround the limits of free version of eagle cad, by severing the right side of the board and placing the components on the free area under the left side (below the directional buttons). I have built a cable to interconnect the wolf to this board.

 

 

BTW here's the schematic

 

Edited April 3, 2022 by Danjovic

[Danjovic]

On 2/14/2022 at 6:06 PM, evg2000 said:

So the arduino is powered by the 7800?

Forgot to mention. I have measured the current consumption with the SNES controller plugged in: 20mA!

The Jaguar controller should add something between 20mA to 40mA.