The NES controller laser mouse

Old school is new school, fool. It's time to take that retired NES controller of yours that you broke so mercilessly smashing it on the carpet in frustration at never ever ever being able to beat Ikari Warriors, and recycle that biz. Be good to the environment and turn that thing into a laser mouse, why don't you? And yes, the A button is left click, and the B is your right, and your raging case of carpal tunnel is about to get a whole lot more fun.

[Via Joystiq]

[SIKES @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Everytime I look at an NES controller, its hard for me to believe that they didn't destroy the muscles and bones in my hands when I was a kid.
I wonder if these controllers can be used as USB controllers for NES ROMS. That would definately make them worth the money.

[memodude @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

It's an optical (LED) mouse, not a "laser mouse".

[Chu Chu @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

"Akari Warriors" is that like the sequel to "Super Nario Bros"?

[m @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

#1:
HOW-TO: Make a Nintendo controller into a PC Joystick
http://www.engadget.com/entry/4181188331132855/

[james hare @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

but can you use the dpad as a scroll "d-pad?" otherwise, i dunno if i'm going to dig in the basement for my nintendo controllers. i think there's something unholy living in the basement.

[Joe @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Yes #5, I have been living there for 2 years. It's a bit damp and dark.....but it's not bad.

[dfu23 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Just curious:

What would UP UP DOWN DOWN LEFT RIGHT LEFT RIGHT B A do?

[mordecai @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

come on now, i beat Ikari warriors in like an hour when i was 10. i broke my controller on some Street Fighter 2010 shit

[Ben @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

#1, consider yourself lucky. I'm typing with wristbraces on and pain in my wrists and elbows. Thanks Nintendo! (and Sony and Microsoft).

[euio @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

I reiterate #2's comment. It is an optical mouse, not a "laser" mouse.

[Socialvegetable @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

#7 ----> That game is hard as all hell. SO hard that I can't get through the first fight.

[Colin Loretz @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Also, check out premade usb nintendo and other retro controllers for use with USB.

http://www.sealiecomputing.com/retrozone/

A bit pricy, but if you're clumsy with reworking circuit boards, its a good alternative.

I've also seen usb hubs online that allow you to plug in any regular PS2/Xbox/NES/GC/etc controllers into the computer.

[Sonic the Hedgehog @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Sega bitches!

[Ed @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

I am a spammer, please spam me: [e-mail]

[Huey2k2 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

I would imagine that would be one of the most awkward mouses to use EVAR.

[richard @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

dont forget ikari warriors infinate life trick ABBA! god i loved that game.

[David Crowe @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

not as cool as my friend's NES controller belt buckle.

[mehool @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

#16, David Crowe, let's see a pic of that belt, it sounds cool. jetman8000ATnetscapeDOTnet or if you have it posted on flickr.com

[Phil @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

this is such a waste--how about using nintendo controllers to, well, play nintendo?! i am still rocking the RC Pro-Am and my carpal tunnel has nevah felt bettah.

[Samuel McConnell @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

I'm so going to make one of these from a Super NES controller when I get home (SNES controller would be more comfortable, plus I don't have a spare NES controller laying around)

[newave @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

How could you not beat Ikari Warriors?

A, B, B, A whenever you get game over....

[Rhys @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

so where's the bluetooth version?

[Digital Games @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

What an amazing machine !

[chris @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

wasnt the B button on the left and the A button on the right?

[Zieak @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

#23 - yes that's right about the button placement. But i hold the controller under my hand with the A and B buttons under my fingertips and the 4 way pad under my palm so it isn't too unnatural - instead of using your middle finger to right click i just drop my index finger down a little. I miss the scroll wheel though so there might be more modding.

[MS @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

You people suck: this idea is awesome!

[Gavin S @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

#9 - Way to take some personal responsibility for your actions :)

[Aaron @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

"What would UP UP DOWN DOWN LEFT RIGHT LEFT RIGHT B A do?"

Nothing without SELECT START, doy.

[wickedsteve @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Roots!
Anybody remember the name of that third party palm shaped NES controller with the buttons on the side?

[forsh @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

#29: I contest that SELECT START isn't an intrinsic part of the code because that's just what starts a two player game after the rest of it is entered. If you want to play one player, you don't hit select at all.

[Yauch @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

#30 the quickshot or the ASCII Stick L5

[keeneo70 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

you could never beat ikari warriors because at the end the game would glitch or something and in order to literally stop playing you had to turn off the machine...no "the end", just game over.

[I hate dumbasses @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Hey #2, #10 and who ever else was born premature, let me fill you in on some "insider" info; there is such a thing as a "laser" mouse, and no it's not the same as an optical mouse. Logitech makes one. Pull your head out of your ASS and you'll probably find all sorts that you didn't know existed. Like the knowledge to LOOK THINGS UP BEFORE YOU TRY TO CORRECT PEOPLE. Good day.

[i love correcting dumbasses @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

^#34
What number 2 and 10 were saying is it's not a laser mouse. If I'm correct it's not, it's an optical mouse. A laser mouse is different but they didnt say one never existed, they just said it wasn't one. BTW dont freak out on people, it just makes the internet even more ruined. (I wonder if anyone inlcluding you, will ever read this.)

[z3uS @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Bleh Bleh Bleh....

GREAT little project!

You people bitch more then /.

*sigh*

[LMT @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

True, #34, it isn't a laser mouse, as it does not contain a laser. There is a significant difference between lasers and LEDs, although diode lasers are based on LEDs. Unfortunately, few people even care, right up to the point where I demonstrate the eye-damaging effects of a 5mw laser at 50 feet. >:-D

If I ever get one of those controllers (for free; I limit my controller-buying to at least slightly-ergonomic ones) I'm sure it'd make a great wireless remote for listening to my .mod collection with Foobar2000 (http://www.foobar2000.org/).

Maybe the lightgun could be modded to work on a non-interlaced monitor... hmm...

[LMT @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Oops, meant #35...

[Phentermine @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Quite controversy site but very interesting :)! I'm really excited!
--------------------------
Signature, Jeff */* phentermine (http://www.phentermineeffect.com) */*

[Phentermine @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Your site is a mark 'a' one. Thnkx! :)
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Doldon Smith from */* phentermine (http://www.phentermine-hcl.org) */*