8bitdo Wireless Megadrive Reciever

[PJM]

8bitdo have launched or are about to launch (dependent on where you are) a wireless dongle for the 9 pin d-sub Megadrive/Genesis. Now I have seen adapters in the past for conventional Megadrive controllers, so I am curious as to what may be possible with this dongle and a suitable adapter. If it can be made to work it could really open up the world of semi decent and priced controllers for our AMIGAs. I started looking as I quickly remembered how awful the CD32 controller after 30 minutes of using one again. Thoughts, opinions?

Amazon 8bitdo 9 Pin Retro Reciever

 

[PJM]

Well I've pre-ordered and purchased a CY8C4245AXI-483 and some D-Sub connectors so I'll find out soon enough. I've also just seen someone else has used this board before for this purpose so there's a good chance this will work.

 

[timmie]

Looks cool. Would even be a better solution if 8bitdo builds in CD32 support in their wireless dongle...

 

[PJM]

Would be nice but the market must be too small. However at the very least general AMIGA/Atari compatibility would be good, even if it was just two button.

 

[Drgonzo]

I can confirm it works if you put an Ebay Genesis -> CD32 adapter in line. The 8bitdo Genesis dongle arrived from Amazon today, plugged it in via the aforementioned adapter, and I'm now gaming with multiple buttons on my SNES style 8bitdo controller. Interestingly enough, without the adaptor it didn't work at all, not even with one button. Just a dim light on the dongle.

Later,
G

 

[timmie]

Cool, full CD32 button set supported?

It will be quite a daisy chain in my case though, I don't have room next to mt CD32 to put all these adapters in the DB9. SO that will be short DB9 cable, CD32-Megadriver adaper, 8BitDO wireless adapter. I already have 2 nice 8BitDo wireless controllers.

 

[Drgonzo]

Can't say with absolute certainty as I only played a bit of AB2 and I don't know that it uses all the buttons even if mapped. However, I was able to shoot, walk backwards, and bring up the mission info (or whatever it is) so at least three buttons of the ABXY worked great. I'll have to dig a bit to see if I have a game that uses them all. On a side note, I did have a couple instances last night of the 32 not booting right up directly. Once it just hung and the other time it had a green screen. I'm not sure if it's the console acting up or if it's related to the dongles. After a quick power cycled in both instances it did come up and worked well though.

-G

 

[PJM]

Just to co firm, you are using the separately sold 8bitdo Bluetooth adapter not the one bundled with the mega drive controller which seems to be non Bluetooth right?

- - - Updated - - -

Agree about the mass of dongles sticking out the side, I plan to use mine as an in-line cable so it can tucked to the rear of the console hopefully.

 

[Drgonzo]

Yup, not sure if it's ok to link to Amazon here, but the site says the manufacture # is 6922621500827. If you paste that in it should take you right to the unit I bought. The only other thing I did was flash the latest firmware on it before using. 1.2 I think? Hope that helps.

-G

 

[Tempus2]

This controller looks perfect for MISTer.
It remains to see imput lag.