bsas / triplecontroller

Triple Controller to USB

Based on DaemonBite Retro Controllers by combining the NES/SNES and Genesis projects together for a specific wiring layout to support 3 different controllers with a single Arduino Pro Micro.

PCB Kits + Assembled units available on Tindie

3D Case files were designed by Dinierto Designs and are available on Thingiverse

3D Case Size Reference:

• 33mm - Most Micro USB Pro Micro / Sparkfun USB-C Pro Micro boards
• 35-36mm - Most AliExpress USB-C Pro Micro boards
• 36-37mm - Some AliExpress USB-C Pro Micro boards (typically with empty hole next to USB-C port)

Included Controller Map File should be placed in /media/fat/config/inputs

V2 Wiring Diagram

V2 Current Draw Readings from DIO Pin 16:

• Arduino Rated Max: 40mA
• Krikzz Joyzz: 38mA
• 8BitDo M30: 29mA
• SEGA 3-Button: 3mA
• SEGA 6-Button: 3mA
• Retrobit 6-Button: 2mA

Tested Controllers

The following controllers have been personally tested and are supported with the Triple Controller. All listed devices also fit when using the 3D Case as well.

NES:

• OEM NES Controller
• OEM NES PowerPad
• 8BitDo N30 2.4G Receiver
• 8BitDo NES Retro Receiver

SEGA / Genesis:

• OEM SEGA Master System 2-Button Controller
• OEM Genesis 3-Button Controller
• OEM Genesis 6-Button Controller
• 8BitDo M30 2.4G Receiver
• 8BitDo Genesis Retro Receiver
• Krikzz Joyzz

SNES:

• OEM SNES Controller
• OEM SFC Controller
• OEM SNES NTT Controller
• 8BitDo SN30 2.4G Receiver
• 8BitDo SNES Retro Receiver

MiSTer mode on 8bitdo M30 controller

The Triple Controller exposes three "players" on one USB device. Unfortunately MiSTer does not support setting keymaps per "player", MiSTer mode works around this by making sure the positional mapping is the same between all controllers.

MiSTer mode can be toggled on and off with "HOME + Z" (you have to press HOME first, Z second). This setting is saved to EEPROM and preserved across power cycles. The default is "normal mode".

When the Genesis controller is in MiSTer mode:

• The HOME button sends "DOWN + MODE" (This is because no equivalent of the HOME button exists on the other controller ports)

• Buttons are swapped: A with B and X with Y. This is such that the position of the buttons is consistent between SNES and Genesis.

V2 Controller Button Mapping

Button   NES        SNES       GENESIS (normal)    GENESIS (MiSTer)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
01       B          B          B                   A 
02       A          A          A                   B
03       N/A        Y          Y                   X
04       N/A        X          X                   Y
05       N/A        L          Z                   Z
06       N/A        R          C                   C
07       SELECT     SELECT     MODE                MODE
08       START      START      START               START
09       N/A        N/A        HOME (8BitDo)       (N/A but HOME will send MODE + DOWN)

MiSTer Home Menu Suggestion

• NES: SELECT + DOWN
• SNES: SELECT + DOWN
• GENESIS: MODE + DOWN

Note: SELECT + DOWN = HOME on 8BitDo N30

Tested Parts

• SNES (90 degree model): AliExpress (Min Qty of 2)
• NES: AliExpress (Min Qty of 2)
• SEGA / GENESIS: AliExpress (Min Qty of 1)
• Micro USB Arduino Pro Micro (3-18v model, reinforced): AliExpress
• Micro USB Arduino Pro Micro (reinforced): Amazon (Pack of 3)
• USB C Arduino Pro Micro (Type C model, reinforced): AliExpress, Sparkfun
• 1x12 Female Header: Digi-Key

PCB + Assembled Examples