Finding specific controllers to work with your retro system can often rack up expensive bills and mean trawling second hand markets for that one-off special edition joystick. The snappily titled OpenC64MegaDrivePadAdapter is a neat solution for both Amiga computers and Commodore64s, which allows you to safely plug in your Sega Genesis/Megadrive controllers and get gaming!
The differences between the two types of controllers is subtle; at a physical level they use the same DB-9 connectors but both operate at a different electrical level – meaning they don’t ordinarily plug and play. The OpenC64MegaDrivePadAdapter is the saving grace to this problem, ensuring that your control pad operates normally, is responsive, and doesn’t harm the on-board CIA chip.
The Genesis/Megadrive controller is a design classic, with a d-pad for controlling direction of movement, three fire buttons, and one start button. The adapter allows you to customise the buttons configuration too, for more comfortable button bashing!
The OpenC64MegaDrivePadAdapter available to make yourself as a kit, with PCB only or full-kit options. There’s even a Telegram Group to discuss this adapter and other works by the seller. It’s made by SukkoPera’s Retro Works and is available at a very reasonable price, certainly cheaper than sourcing original controllers for the late 1980s!
