NES 7-pin > FC 15-pin adaptor

[Preki]

Are there any adaptors that allow to connect NES controllers to classic Famicom's 15-pin expansion port? I don't own an AV Famicom at the moment and I don't think I'm gonna get one anytime soon, so an accessory like this would come in handy for me.  

[P]

Some people sells it I think. Otherwise you can build your own. The diagram is viewing the ports from the front, so the DA-15 pins will be inverted when you look at the plug end.

The required connectors are proprietary, but can be sourced from NES and Neo Geo extension cables. Neo Geo controllers uses the same type of DA-15 connector as the Famicom expansion port (a standard female DA-15 connector isn't deep enough).


Building this will make NES controllers work like normal Famicom external controllers (so not all games read them). A NES Zapper should also work in the second port, meaning you don't need a Famicom lightgun. Some other peripherals such as the NES Vaus paddle should also work in the second port for games that supports it.

[krzy]

Those made by me:
https://allegro.pl/oferta/pegasus-adapter-joystick-pistolet-nes-famicom-9886731791

[Preki]

Neat idea, although it looks kinda makeshift, if you could 3D print some casing for this device or something, bare PCB doesn't look good.

[FAMICOM_87]

krzy is a man of practicality  he have fantastic ideas and designs and he do not care for aesthetic visuals very much     

[krzy]

I just don't have any way of making shell (not owning 3D printer).. If you don't like how it looks I can cover it all with black hot glue so the PCB will be invissible.

[gorgyrip]

I just don't have any way of making shell (not owning 3D printer).. If you don't like how it looks I can cover it all with black hot glue so the PCB will be invissible.

I have exactly the same db15 connector. I see you didn't use it's top part. If you pull the plastic, does it come off leaving the bare pins? I glued that thin piece of plastic that holds the pins inside, but sadly superglue got also inside the holes, making the connector hard to insert/remove.

[krzy]

I did not glue it. If all the 15 pins are soldered, then the friction between metal contacts and plastic hold it together well.
If you want to remove all the useless connectors and leave just 5 of all (less connector = less force needed to insert the connector into console), you probably shoul glue it with some hot glue.

[Sho]

Kinda late, but there are two adapters known as the "FamiCoun" and the "TwinDiamond" that exists now:

FamiCoun:





TwinDiamond:





Both adapters not only allow for two player & zapper support, but will also allow for SNES controller support in tandem.  The 3D printable parts have been released to Thingiverse along with the PCB files which you can send to a fab.  3D print producer Laser Bear Industries has expressed interest in having the Twin Diamonds ready-made if there is enough general interest.

FamiCoun: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4667173
TwinDiamond: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4882800

A friend here and I had a number of them put together and they work fantastic!

[FAMICOM_87]

this is so cool 

[P]

It is!
Some homebrew uses the extra buttons on SFC controllers and the SFC mouse. I want something like this.

[wilykat]

I'd love to build one but finding a PCB mounted 15 pin connector has proved to be elusive.  Most of the 15 pin dsub connector have only 6 to 7 mm mating length, the socket on Famicom is about half an inch, or 12.7mm deep.  The few 15 pins female connector I have all didn't work, if I cut off the metal shroud, the plug falls apart as they usually had 2 pieces plastic, thin front for the guide, and thin back to hold the pins on both sides.

Using 15 blank pins like Digikey 89SE-ND can work but I don't have 3D printer.

PS NES connector can be found on Aliexpress like https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32827585164.html for straight and https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32827549549.html for angled if you're making custom PCB. SNES connectors also comes on but for angled connector, it seems like finding one side is easy but for other side (rotated 180) is hard.

[P]

Yeah the DA-15 is not the normal standard, it is the same as used by Neo Geo controllers though. Usually we source them from extension cables, but I'm not sure how well it would work in this case.

[Sho]

Small update!  It looks like Laser Bear is hard at work getting his own prints (TwinDiamond) done!  He mentions they can come fully assembled or in pieces to slap together:

https://twitter.com/collingall/status/1486428382057439238

At this point in time I'd say stay tuned to this man's Twitter and buy from him directly when he releases it.