Sega Mega Drive controller gets modded up

Just because NES mods get all the love doesn't mean we don't have a special place in our hearts for hot Sega mod action, and this new Sega controller MP3 player seems to fit the bill nicely. For extra cred, the hackers not only used a Sega Mega Drive controller (known as the Sega Genesis here in the States, you might have heard of it and its little blue mascot), but managed to toss in some acetate tape as well. As for controls, the A and B buttons manage volume, the d-pad skips tracks, and the start buttons starts and stops playback. We can't say their USB plug positioning is optimal, but we're also aware of who carries the soldering iron in this relationship, so we have little room to judge.

[Aaron @ Sep 5th 2006 1:30PM]

AKG K26p headphones - nice!

interesting mod, but that usb plug really does need to be longer for it to be of any use.

[AUA @ Sep 5th 2006 1:39PM]

You're right, they put just about zero thought into that USB connection - - it's the hardest place on the gizmo to access.
________
/ ____
_/ _/
^ here would be better.

[LiPPoPeR @ Sep 5th 2006 1:47PM]

You guys obviously don't own any USB extensions. Most of them come free with mp3 players nowadays. I have like 3 laying around useless. This modder was just finding some use for them. :-)

[Joseph Smrekar @ Sep 5th 2006 1:48PM]

AKA Genesis

[Enzo @ Sep 5th 2006 1:56PM]

The usb positioning is fine, since it's more convenient when carrying it around. I'm sure he has a usb extension cable lying on his desk for when he needs to move music onto it.

[Tony Rayo @ Sep 5th 2006 2:11PM]

As previous said, USB extention cables would be perfect here. I got one bundled with a 2GB usb stick I bought (it's about three feet long and has a female and male end so you can still use your stick or any other USB device where it cannot get a direct connection), but I'm sure they can be bought on the cheap as well (or homemade if you really HAD to have your way about it =).

- Tony R.

[ChrisXS @ Sep 5th 2006 2:26PM]

This blows away the walkman bean.

[KaosDG @ Sep 5th 2006 3:02PM]

Now all we need is for someone to mod an NES Max controller into an iPod

[dating service @ Sep 5th 2006 5:00PM]

I'll fork out the extra $15 for a USB extension cable.

Been a while since I've played Sonic... I dunno if it's just me, but I enjoy the old-school games more than MOST games these days. I just played duck hunt y-day with the gun, haha good times.

[Xophonic @ Sep 5th 2006 10:41PM]

Wow, someone put another mp3 player inside a big clunky hunk of molded plastic. Oh well, at least I don't have to scroll past a million webcomic posts like on joystiq.

[Mechagopher @ Sep 7th 2006 12:07PM]

This would be a lot cooler if it wasn't taped together,
and a mega drive pad can't really fit in the average pocket without buttons being accidentally pressed.

still, credit for a mod well done.

[Slugo @ Sep 8th 2006 1:15AM]

This is great for your MP3. Check out how they have turned a game controller into a keyboard/mouse at www.triggerfingersoftware.com

[Dave @ Apr 1st 2007 5:38PM]

What Mp3 player did he use?

Any directions at all on how he accomplished this?