RetroZone intros NES, SNES controller adapters

You know, most of us here at Engadget couldn't help but get a bit misty eyed when we saw that new Wii Classic Controller and recalled our fond memories of many a' night spent with the SNES' Ol' Roundy. Of course, there's always that original rectangular classic NES controller that we saved the Princess with in "Super Mario Bros.", which will always have a fond place in our hearts. Whichever you prefer (or perhaps both), RetroUSB has just released SNES and NES controller adapters for the Nintendo Wii, letting your relive your mid-1980s and early 1990s memories of button-pushing in the 21st century; when you download the original Super Mario Bros. or the very first StarFox via Nintendo's Virtual Console service, you can now play them as they were meant to be played. These controller adapters will make the perfect addition for our F-Zero party this weekend -- Captain Falcon FTW!

[Jared @ Nov 30th 2006 4:06PM]

I know it says Wii, but can I use it in conjunction with a PC-based NES emulator?

[sam1729 @ Nov 30th 2006 4:11PM]

Umm.. they sell USB ones as well, but the wii version plugs into NGC ports

[Ben Nolen @ Nov 30th 2006 4:16PM]

Correct. The Wii version plugs into the the Gamecube ports. The also sell a USB version, but the two are not interchangeable.

[Michael @ Nov 30th 2006 4:22PM]

How many people will actually buy old games? I know a lot of people already have them on emulation. But it would be cool to use the original controllers if you care that much.

Hey guys how do you get engadget to remember your password? Or how do you change your password to something I can remember?

[Farris @ Nov 30th 2006 4:38PM]

@ Mike: Personally, I use Firefox, and when it asked me whether or not to remember the password, I just said "Remember." I don't think there is a way to change the settings.

@ Everyone Else: Is there anyone that makes NEW controllers for the old systems? I know I can pick up a used one, but it would be nice to have that new plastic smell.

[Tech^Cellfish @ Nov 30th 2006 5:08PM]

I want to buy the Zelda series (been playing on SNES emu on my PSP until I upgraded FW), I also want the English Final Fantasy games, Gunsmoke and ofcourse the old Mario games. I also want to do the SNES Chrono Trigger series and possibly the PSX version for PSP (PS3 downloadable if it gets available).

Gameplay over graphics anyday!

[SBGamesCone @ Nov 30th 2006 4:33PM]

There were some guys out of Austin, TX that used to run Black Chopper and put out a USB based adapter that had dongles for all the classic consoles. They were priced up over the $50 mark and I guess that is why they folded.

[Tech^Cellfish @ Nov 30th 2006 5:12PM]

I want a remake controller too. But I guess Nint�ndo wouldn't like that.

Anyways, the Xbox1 S controller works fine on my PC and Xbox for emulation. Old controller would be a plus, but not a must. Emulation is better because 10 to 15 year old hardware is not that stable anymore.

[Stephen Shores @ Nov 30th 2006 5:12PM]

That's amazing! Now I just need a Wii to plug them into... :)

[Farris @ Nov 30th 2006 6:07PM]

Yeah, I use a PS2 controller for my computer gaming needs (not FPS, though!). Radioshack actually sells an adapter for about 15 USD that allows you to plug it straight to USB.

[Frodo @ Nov 30th 2006 6:12PM]

These aren't actually released yet, the website says preorders are being taken and they will be shipping Jan 07.

[Jim @ Nov 30th 2006 6:22PM]

Any way to make the old controllers wireless? Ben Heck, are you listening?!?!? I want everything wireless!

Let me get this straight though. You plug the old controller into this dongle and then plug the USB side into the Wiimote?

[Taylor @ Nov 30th 2006 8:53PM]

I actually have a pair of original wireless nintendo controllers still in the box (but used). They are infrared and take like 4 AA batteries, but as far as i know they work. :)
-Taylor

[mitch @ Nov 30th 2006 6:47PM]

Wait--Ben Nolen said that the wii version plugs into the gamecube ports, and that there was an alternate usb version available. But, correct me if I'm wrong, that's a usb port on the pictured adapter. The website also has the same picture, why would they photograph a different product?

[aws910 @ Nov 30th 2006 7:25PM]

From retrozone, I bought a REAL NES controller that plugs into a USB port. It works perfectly with Windows and all NES emulators. That's where it's at.

[Tavis Veighey @ Nov 30th 2006 7:30PM]

I have a couple of the USB ones for NES controllers. And it works GREAT with ANY PC Game. (Doom with an NES controller. WAY FUN!)

However the USB version does NOT work with the NES Advantage. I wonder if the Wii version will work with the NES or SNES Advantage (With the SNES adapter). (I have both)

[tapehands @ Nov 30th 2006 8:06PM]

That's cool and all..but..I've got a classic remote for that. What I'd kill to see is a connector for the Genesis and N64 controllers...you just can't replace a six-button Genesis remote, or that weird-ass trident of an N64 remote.

[010111 @ Dec 1st 2006 6:47AM]

i wouldn't mind an N64 one... it would be better for playing N64 VC games than a GC controller... and since it has the D-pad in a normal place it would also be applicable for NES and SNES vs. the GC controller as well.

actually what i really want is something just like this that has NES / SNES / N64 ports on it... then plugs into the Wii Remote expansion port like the Classic Controller / Nunchuk do. thus the appropriate controller per VC system... AND wireless magicalness.

[Tynan @ Dec 1st 2006 6:49AM]

Could you imagine how much Nintendo would make if it made usb-based versions of its classic console controllers? It's true they would be used to emulate the classic games of theirs, but the majority of people who would do it already know about it and do it anyway. I've been doing it for probably eight years now, and I'd buy them. It'd get them some extra money from the people who don't (won't) pay $5/$8 for a classic game.

[WraithLord @ Dec 1st 2006 9:04AM]

I whipped up my own Usb to Nes for a project I was working on during Thanksgiving break. Let me know what you think.
Pics/Walkthru here(cycle thru manually for hidden embedded tooltips): http://flickr.com/photos/66652920@N00/309458876/in/set-72157594397639279/
Full instructional video here:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2644968889169102652&q=jnesi&hl=en

[sam1729 @ Dec 1st 2006 12:04PM]

I think I'll buy the NES one... Classic controller's already so much like a SNES Pad... I play all my retro games on the original consoles, but that goddamned ZIF Connector in my NES is playing up... so Virtual Console Downloads are less.. perishable. And pretty awesome to play them with the original pads. Besides, you can rewire SNES Pads to use the same connection as the NES ones, so in a pinch, I can still use my SNES Pads.

[FooBar @ Apr 26th 2007 6:15AM]

DO NOT ORDER FROM RETROZONE! This is a scam site!
They will take your money, and deliver nothing.
They will not reply to your emails.
They did that to me.

[chris mischler @ Apr 20th 2008 6:53PM]

I bought their USB-converted 4-score a few years ago. It worked like crap. You'd click a button on the NES controller, and sometimes it would register 2 presses, other times you'd have to mash the button just to get 1 button press. I sincerely hope these new single-adapters work much better!!

[FooBar @ Dec 21st 2007 1:49AM]

I am sincerly sorry about my previous post. The items arrived, really really late, because the post office had made a mistake. RetroZone could have replied to my emails quite a bit faster though (It took a few weeks before they replied. But the reply that I got after some weeks was very very nice).

THE ITEMS WORK JUST FINE!