What Do You Want in a Vectrex Controller Adapter?

[Computer Nerd Kev]

I'm working on a new Vectrex accessory to help the controllerless. The
"VecAdapt" will allow Sega "Mega Drive"/"Genesis" controllers to be used
with the Vectrex without modification (just plug and, well... play).

I have the circuit designed, about to build the first prototype (luckily
I already have a bucket load of Mega Drive controllers to test it with).
As it is, there are a few added features, but I'm not sure of their
usefullness to the average Vectrex gamer. I can guess myself, but I thought
it best at this stage to try to get some input from the community as well.

So that we're on the same page, the VecAdapt will use the A, B, C and Start
buttons on the standard Mega Drive/Genesis controller. The extra three
buttons on the later controllers won't be used. The standard button
assignment will be A=4 B=3 C=2 Start=1. Features on 3rd party controllers
such as auto-fire and "Turbo" modes should work as they would on the console,
but no guarantees.

The controllers will plug into the VecAdapt, which will have a lead to plug
into the Vectrex.

Here are the potential features that I'm going to try in the prototype:

*Analogue mode
-Obviously Mega Drive controllers are digital, with the usual problem
arising with analogue games. I have designed a circuit to simulate an
analogue joystick with digital buttons such that it would behave similarly
to Star Hawk Game 1 (compared to Game 2), where the control moves
progressively in one direction as the direction button is held down. The
speed of this motion will be adjustable, and the mode can be switched off
for use with digital games.

I have a couple of questions to anwser regarding this. Firstly, whether it
is worthwhile considering the only game I know to be Analogue only is
Hyperchase. Also, considering that Hyperchase only uses the Left and Right
directions, is there any point in adding analogue function to the up/down
directions?

I estimate this feature would add $5 to $10 to the purchase cost (though
less without the speed adjustments), and I wouldn't want to make a second
version including it.

*Button Swap
-To allow you to swap the order of the button assignment with a switch. So
you could select between the standard A=4 B=3 C=2 Start=1 and the alternative
A=1 B=2 C=3 Start=4. As it is, I only know of Pole Position as a game where
one may want easier access to button 1 than button 4. The Mega Drive/Genesis
controller makes it easier to reach all four buttons anyway.

I won't estimate cost for this, but less than adding analogue mode.

*Auto-Fire
-Should be simple to implement (if the prototype works as it should),
except it's still a switch to mount (I don't personally like the idea
of looking at a pile of plastic cases knowing I'll need to make awkward
switch holes in all of them). Some 3rd party controllers had Auto-Fire
modes built into them which should work as well.

So there you are, all feedback welcome.

As it is I'm leaning towards dropping Analogue mode, keeping Auto-Fire, and
Button Swap keeps me awake at night.

I won't estimate a price for the basic VecAdapt at this point, but you can be
sure it'll be a _lot_ less that the standard Ebay price for an original
controller.

Also, when I start selling these I'll put the schematics up on the Web so that
any other electronics savvy Vectrexers can have a go at making their own
(though of course I'd prefer it if they bought one of mine).

[akator]

Count me in for at least 2. I don't need auto-fire, analog and button swap appeal to me more. However, I would still happily buy them without any of those features, just an adapter to use unmodified Genesis controllers would be excellent.

[gauze]

would purchase if they are reasonable.

[Rapetou33]

I am interested too

[VECTREXER]

Interested in two

[TrekMD]

Oh, I'd be interested in this as well!

[Computer Nerd Kev]

Great to see the interest, but remember I'm still interested to know whether you think the features I mentioned would add anything worthwhile to the VecAdapt.

I'm aiming to keep the cost below the Recycled Gamer modded controllers (how much below depends partly on these features).

At the moment I'm building a Vectrex controller input test device to save me destroying my Vectrex if the (now built) prototype doesn't work well first time.

[fmml]

I dont think analogue is worth implementing considering time and money needed per unit.
I personally dont need an autofire option.
Button swap would be nice though.

[Rapetou33]

Aug 9, 2014 2:14:54 GMT -5 fmml said:

I dont think analogue is worth implementing considering time and money needed per unit.
I personally dont need an autofire option.
Button swap would be nice though.

yes I agree with fmml. Yet, would the swap button be really useful as you said the buttons can be easily reached ?

[fmml]

Since one button is the Start button on the pad I would like to switch when that one is needed frequently. Like I said it would be "nice". No question between life and death here.

BTW: will this work with the Sega wireless controllers?

[50tbrd]

There has been a diagram for making a Genesis Controller work on a Vectrex for a long time. I'd like to see how yours differs though. It was never sold.

playvectrex.com/vectech/controller.txt

Personally, I've never been a fan of the Genesis Controller. Never liked the system but then again, I was SNES fan. Adapters are a much better solution than having dedicated controls. Not just because you can use them unaltered and still use them on the system they were originally intended for but also because you can use whatever controllers or accessories were made for that system. This means that there's a possibility that it opens up a number of interesting ways to develop a game. I wonder if the Justifier, TeeV Golf or Batter Up Bat could be designed to work with the Vectrex.

There are really only a few useful configurations for the Genesis Controller but programmable buttons would be a plus. Built in Auto-fire would set it apart though anyone can easily make their own circuit. Not really sure how you could possibly make a digital controller act like an analog one but there a few homebrew games that also utilize analog controls.

Honestly, if you want to make something really different. Make it multi-platform compatible with connectors for SNES, Genesis or Playstation (or a generic end that can accept different connectors which can be purchased individually).

[Computer Nerd Kev]

Thanks for all the feedback, it's a great help. I'll make sure Button Swap stays in the design.

I have seen the 1995 design before. Mine uses a very different approach which should be cheaper to produce (but don't worry, I'll make sure it works just as well).

The analogue mode simulates an analogue control from the Vectrex's point of view, for the player it should appear as if the game were designed for digital control (like Star Hawk game 1 compared to game 2). It's a way to make the game playable despite the limitiation. Therefore there isn't much point using it for a game where a digital version is available, only where it can only be played with an analogue controller. I only know of Hyperchase as a game where analogue is the only option.

fmml
I haven't come across those wireless controllers before. There's no reason why they wouldn't work electronically, but it might be a bit tricky getting the console adapter device to fit. If you have one, I'd appreciate it if you could measure the gap between the plugs that go into the Mega Drive.

Power might be a problem too, if they use a bit. Maybe I'll have to buy some to test with...


For those unfamiliar, here's a picture I found of the two major Mega Drive/Genesis controller designs:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mega_Drive_Controllers.jpg

[fmml]

Im not a Sega guy at all so I dont own those. I would just consider getting a pair when your adapters get available since I always liked the idea of wireless Vectrex playing. The recieving unit doesnt have its own power supply so this really might be an issue.

Here is a video where youcan see what it looks like. Unfortunately there is no gameplay or testing of the quality of the IR connection.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubgAKns75kc&sns

[Computer Nerd Kev]

Other life held back my progress with this a few more weeks than I hoped, but I can now say that I should be able to do a run of 50 in about a month. The price will be $38.00 AUD (Australian Dollars), plus postage from Australia.

Many more details are on my Website:
www.computernerdkev.heliohost.org/vecadapt/vecadapt.htm

But right now I've also got a "Pre-Production" run of three VecAdapts for Auction on Ebay:
www.ebay.com/sch/the-mercuryarcrectifier/m.html

These have all the same features to be included in the production VecAdapts (Auto-Fire and "Button Swap"), though they are packaged in larger wooden cases and attractively painted (well, the best I could do anyway).

Oh, and I never got to trying the Sega Wireless controllers, so they would be use at your own risk.

[FuturePrimitive]

Nice work and concept! I'm definitely into SEGA love for the Vectrex. Might get me one of these adapters to hold me off while trying to build a custom Vectrex controller. Thanks for making these!