Project Update NeoColeco Adapter
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2021 5:08 pm
As promised I am going to begin updating the community on my current projects. I would like to begin with a project I am quite excited about, if for no other reason than it is nearly done.
What is the NeoColeco Adapter: The NeoColeco Adapter is an adapter that will allow you to use a 6 button NeoGeo AES joystick or equivalent on a Colecovision or Adam.
Why: When I first started playing with the Adam I picked up a few games and quickly learned that the stock Colecovision joystick killed my aged hands. I started looking for a way to use modern more ergonomic controllers on the Colecovision. While attempting to design a Bluetooth controller adapter for the Colecovision I came across IntecGaming a company that was already making Bluetooth to joystick adapters for many of the older gaming systems. Rather than re-inventing the wheel I decided to build an adapter that would convert one of their modules to the Colecovision. After making a list of all of their modules and researching the pinouts for each the NeoGeo was the only one that could be readily designed without a microcontroller, i.e. with only discreet components. And thus the NeoColeco adapter was born.
Functionality: The NeoColeco Adapter has a static map for the up, down, left, right, fire, and trigger buttons. There are 4 dip switches that will allow you to map the C, D, Start, and Select buttons to anything on the number pad. There is a pass through port so you can plug in you current controller for more accessibility. The unit requires 5v DC to function, it will come with a MicroSD connector, but can also be equipped with any 5v DC source you find convenient.
Current State of Project: The final prototype has been built and is working perfectly. I had to fix a couple of minor issues and adjust the form factor to fit into the project boxes I decided to use. What I hope are the production boards are being fabricated in China as I type this. I hope to be selling these units late August early September for $75.00 a piece plus shipping.
Related Projects: As I was finishing the project I noticed that intecGaming was not currently selling the Bluetooth adapter. I am hoping this is simply due to the current chip shortage I wanted to come up with plan B, so I decided to begin designing daughter boards for the NeoColeco. I am getting ready to breadboard the NeoMouse board to connect a PS2 mouse to the Colecovision and the NeoGameport board to connect a Gameport joystick to the system. I am hoping I can figure out force feedback, I would love to see a version of Buck Rogers that included force feedback. I am also potentially looking at the 6 button Sega genesis and SNES (non NTT) for the future.
Bluetooth Adapter:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FFS9BMP/re ... M3V7QZKJHT
If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions please leave a comment. And look here for all future updates on this and all of my Colecovision/Adam projects.
What is the NeoColeco Adapter: The NeoColeco Adapter is an adapter that will allow you to use a 6 button NeoGeo AES joystick or equivalent on a Colecovision or Adam.
Why: When I first started playing with the Adam I picked up a few games and quickly learned that the stock Colecovision joystick killed my aged hands. I started looking for a way to use modern more ergonomic controllers on the Colecovision. While attempting to design a Bluetooth controller adapter for the Colecovision I came across IntecGaming a company that was already making Bluetooth to joystick adapters for many of the older gaming systems. Rather than re-inventing the wheel I decided to build an adapter that would convert one of their modules to the Colecovision. After making a list of all of their modules and researching the pinouts for each the NeoGeo was the only one that could be readily designed without a microcontroller, i.e. with only discreet components. And thus the NeoColeco adapter was born.
Functionality: The NeoColeco Adapter has a static map for the up, down, left, right, fire, and trigger buttons. There are 4 dip switches that will allow you to map the C, D, Start, and Select buttons to anything on the number pad. There is a pass through port so you can plug in you current controller for more accessibility. The unit requires 5v DC to function, it will come with a MicroSD connector, but can also be equipped with any 5v DC source you find convenient.
Current State of Project: The final prototype has been built and is working perfectly. I had to fix a couple of minor issues and adjust the form factor to fit into the project boxes I decided to use. What I hope are the production boards are being fabricated in China as I type this. I hope to be selling these units late August early September for $75.00 a piece plus shipping.
Related Projects: As I was finishing the project I noticed that intecGaming was not currently selling the Bluetooth adapter. I am hoping this is simply due to the current chip shortage I wanted to come up with plan B, so I decided to begin designing daughter boards for the NeoColeco. I am getting ready to breadboard the NeoMouse board to connect a PS2 mouse to the Colecovision and the NeoGameport board to connect a Gameport joystick to the system. I am hoping I can figure out force feedback, I would love to see a version of Buck Rogers that included force feedback. I am also potentially looking at the 6 button Sega genesis and SNES (non NTT) for the future.
Bluetooth Adapter:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FFS9BMP/re ... M3V7QZKJHT
If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions please leave a comment. And look here for all future updates on this and all of my Colecovision/Adam projects.