Sega Genesis controllers on other systems

[Jess Ragan]

It's my humble opinion that controllers for classic game consoles (those released before 1985) really suck. I prefer to use a six button Sega Genesis controller instead, but the sad reality is that not all classic game consoles work well with them despite sharing a 9-pin D-shell connector. The ColecoVision in particular tends to input a lot of junk data you don't want when using the D-pad, randomly pressing numbers on a phantom keypad.

 

My question is this: could this problem be solved by removing "select," the seventh pin on the controller? That way, the ColecoVision recognizes it as an ordinary Atari controller. You'd lose the extra buttons, but at least there wouldn't be unwanted inputs. Alternately, a switch could be installed on the controller, letting you turn on and off the select wire at will. It'd work like a normal Genesis controller with the switch turned on, and an Atari controller with the switch turned off.

 

I've noticed that when people alter their Sega Genesis game pads to work with the ColecoVision, they take out the control chip and other components. I'm just thinking maybe it doesn't need to go quite that far.

[danm]

I have no idea about Coleco but here's how I rewired an Atari joystick extension cable to use Mega Drive controllers

 

https://www.atari-wiki.com/index.php?title=How_To_rewire_an_Atari_joystick_extension_cable_to_use_Sega_controllers