Topic: NES/SNES pads on your Wii

[UncleBob]

http://www.retrousb.com/wii.html

They're expensive as heck and I really wanted to buy two of each, but I'm going to pass until something cheaper shows up.

[JonLeung]

If only the Wii had at least 4 USB ports (maybe more for other things too, like the LAN adapter and whatever else they're planning) and if any USB controller could be used, then we'd have a huge slew of gamepad options.  I use a convertor for N64 and PSX pads on my PC, and there are adapters for pretty much every major console controller, even the older ones.

(I'd like wireless versions of the original VC controllers that don't require the Wii Remote to function, actually, but maybe that's asking too much.)

Getting back on topic, I would imagine that if these adapters convert input into proper GameCube input, it should work.  Input is input.  Though I recall that someone in another topic was saying they couldn't use a particular controller for a TG16 game, so I guess the input signal isn't as simple as just sending the letter "A" to the system when you press what should be the A button or whatever.  It really should be, but things are never as simple as I imagine.

[UncleBob]

Quote
Originally posted by: Pale
What makes you think those will work? Do you know something I don't?

You'd be surprised what I know that you don't.

[JonLeung]

Pale deleted his post.  Something's up!

Maybe there will be first-party alternatives, but somehow that seems unlikely, but it would be nice if they actually released the so-called replica controllers for the hardcore retrogamers.

[UncleBob]

Pale was confused and thought they plugged into the USB ports.  When I asked him about it, he deleted his post.

I have high hopes for an "official" way to use real/replica controllers on my Wii.  But I'm crazy like that...

[Shecky]

I can see Nintendo maybe releasing official 'replicas' of older controllers that plug into the Wii remote or Gamecube ports.  That would likely be more profitable than selling adapters... maybe.

I want an adapter that I can program to remap buttons... just so I can fix any broken games that don't let me map controls.

My ideal setup would be:
 Legacy Controller -> USB adapter
 USB input hub (>=4 ports) + control block (with ability to create profiles) -> Wii

[nitsu niflheim]

Nintendo or someone else should just release USB version of SNES, NES, N64, GEN, and TG16 controllers, that way people can actually play a game with the controller it was meant to be played with.  They should also be relatively cheap.

[JonLeung]

Quote
Originally posted by: nitsu niflheim
Nintendo or someone else should just release USB version of SNES, NES, N64, GEN, and TG16 controllers, that way people can actually play a game with the controller it was meant to be played with.  They should also be relatively cheap.

As I mentioned earlier, there are USB adapters for many console controllers, which would be better if you already have the old controllers or want to use peripherals or non-standard controllers.  Though standard controllers in USB form would be nice too for people that don't have the originals and should be sufficient for most games.

But again, the problem is whether or not the Wii accepts gamepad input through the USB ports, which it probably doesn't, and even if an update allowed so, you'd only have two spots.  Unless there's a such thing as a USB "multitap"...is there?

[shrapnel09]

i would rather buy a perfect remake of a NES/SNES with a gamecube jack in the end then using my older controllers... mainly because i dont think my older NES controllers are going to last too much longer. i dont have one where all the buttons and d-pads work the best.

[JonLeung]

Actually, that might be true.  Nintendo Power once put out these controller stickers that go over the whole NES gamepad, and so I put them on.  Unlike skins, they weren't very easy to remove.  Ick.

[Ian Sane]

I think an ideal setup would be USB slots that connect to the remote and then you can plug any USB controller contverter into it.  It should come with software to let you customize what button corresponds to each button on the classic controller.  That SHOULD allow you to customize any game.  So Game 1 maps A on the classic controller to jump.  I can think take my N64 controller, plugging through all the extra adapters and map C-up to the classic controller's A.  The game then reads C-up as jump.  How the controls are mapped on the classic controller isn't universal BUT the VC itself probably still recognizes what button on the classic controller is being pushed.  Basically you have a whole bunch of layers programmed to interpret different button pushes.  You just map the top layer and allow all the Nintendo controlled lower layers to sort themselves out.

[Shecky]

Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
I think an ideal setup would be USB slots that connect to the remote and then you can plug any USB controller contverter into it.  It should come with software to let you customize what button corresponds to each button on the classic controller.  That SHOULD allow you to customize any game.  So Game 1 maps A on the classic controller to jump.  I can think take my N64 controller, plugging through all the extra adapters and map C-up to the classic controller's A.  The game then reads C-up as jump.  How the controls are mapped on the classic controller isn't universal BUT the VC itself probably still recognizes what button on the classic controller is being pushed.  Basically you have a whole bunch of layers programmed to interpret different button pushes.  You just map the top layer and allow all the Nintendo controlled lower layers to sort themselves out.

What?

[BranDonk Kong]

USB multitap? It's called a USB hub. You can potentially connected 127 USB devices to one USB controller (I'm sure the Wii uses 1 controller for both ports together).  I've never seen more than 4 ports on one hub, so 25% of the spots would be taken by USB hubs, still you could add about 95 USB controllers to the Wii, if Nintendo allowed USB controllers.

[UncleBob]

Quote
Originally posted by: Brandogg
USB multitap? It's called a USB hub. You can potentially connected 127 USB devices to one USB controller (I'm sure the Wii uses 1 controller for both ports together).  I've never seen more than 4 ports on one hub, so 25% of the spots would be taken by USB hubs, still you could add about 95 USB controllers to the Wii, if Nintendo allowed USB controllers.

95 Player Bomberman?  Cool.

[Strell]

Someone needs to explain to me why these guys can't find a way to plug the VC controller into the Gamecube port, and thus allow it to be playable for all VC games.  

I mean, it has the digital click and everything.  It seems possible but I imagine there's a lot of technical mumbo jumbo that I don't understand that will lead to the inevitable "it is not possible Strell, so please shut up."

[UncleBob]

Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if it did work.  In fact, there are those who believe that the pin configuation for the Wii-Controller port is the same as the GCN controller port... however, I don't know if anyone's actually figured this out for certian yet, or if it's just theory.

[BiLdItUp1]

hmph...still waiting on someone to hack out Wii drivers for the Super SmartJoy SNES-USB dongle I have.