Simple Power Glove hack

Discuss emulation of the Nintendo Entertainment System and Famicom.

Moderator: Moderators

Post Reply
localgrr
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Nov 17, 2017 4:32 pm

Simple Power Glove hack

Post by localgrr »

Hi there,

I just bought a Famicom Power Glove and I wanted to do a simple no VR sensor hack for it so I can use just the buttons in a retro comedy show I do (just to look cool) most of the games we play are NES & SNES.

I was a bit taken aback by how complicated all the power glove hacks seem to be. I've never seen a hack that just takes the 9 pin connector and converts it to USB, there seems to be a lot more electronics than I was expecting. I'm not an electronics expert, you might have gathered.

I was hoping just to be able to take the pins and map them on to a USB arcade controller I have then use it to control the emulator in RasperryPi - I assume now this won't work. Why is that, is there a voltage difference? I can't seem to find any schematics just for the 9 Pin plug.

Sorry if this is way off topic but I've been Googling all night and a few threads lead me to this board.

Thanks very much,

Cliff
lidnariq
Posts: 11429
Joined: Sun Apr 13, 2008 11:12 am

Re: Simple Power Glove hack

Post by lidnariq »

By default, the power glove can behave like an ordinary NES controller, but that's not the same trivial protocol as is used in the controllers from contemporary and older consoles where each button connects the pin to ground.

Instead, the NES controller looks like a simple clocked serial device. You can use the raspberry pi's "gamecon_gpio_rpi" module to interface to it without needing a USB thing.
localgrr
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Nov 17, 2017 4:32 pm

Re: Simple Power Glove hack

Post by localgrr »

that is terrific news, thankyou!
localgrr
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Nov 17, 2017 4:32 pm

Re: Simple Power Glove hack

Post by localgrr »

lidnariq wrote:You can use the raspberry pi's "gamecon_gpio_rpi" module to interface to it without needing a USB thing.
If I am using the DB9 plug of the glove and bypassing the receiver, then wouldn't I use "db9_gpio_rpi" module

Thanks!
lidnariq
Posts: 11429
Joined: Sun Apr 13, 2008 11:12 am

Re: Simple Power Glove hack

Post by lidnariq »

No, because the DB9 connector on the glove is still not the same as one of the old digital controllers like on the Atari 2600 or Sega's Master System.
tepples
Posts: 22705
Joined: Sun Sep 19, 2004 11:12 pm
Location: NE Indiana, USA (NTSC)
Contact:

Re: Simple Power Glove hack

Post by tepples »

Would this work?
  1. Solder up an extension cord with a DA15 receptacle (male) and an NES 7-pin plug. Connect power, ground, clock, and out0 straight through, and connect D1 on the DA15 to D0 on the 7-pin.
  2. Plug the Power Glove into its receiver.
  3. Plug the receiver into the extension cord.
  4. Plug the extension cord into a RetroPort adapter.
  5. Plug the RetroPort into your computer.
Post Reply