Sega Saturn Controller to XBOX 360 Adapter Prototype!

[Alpha]

Anyone who's been playing the recently released Street Fighter II on XBLA has undoubtedly noticed the Xbox 360's D-pad seriously cramps your combos. Fear not DIY-friendly gamers, there is a solution: Don't use the Xbox 360 gamepad. Remember the Sega Saturn, geared for 2D in a world of 3D consoles? The good news is the Saturn's gamepad has a well respected D-pad and, with some soldering skills, you can start rocking it on Xbox Live.Here's how it works: Saturn controller gets plugged into a breadboard connected to a gutted Xbox 360 controller, so the whole thing is wireless (sort of). Fine, so this isn't the most attractive hack, but it illustrates a demand for an alternative gamepad. How long before some enterprising peripheral company makes a wireless Xbox Live Arcade pad?

 

Thanks to JoyStiq for the news as we have found this to be especially important for the emulation community as well. Many of us emulation fans enjoy purchasing products like the X-Arcade, Hori Fighting Stick for PS2, and even a Super JoyBox 9. All these products have reverse compatiblity to other gaming consoles (XBOX, PS2, DREAMCAST, etc.) or even a PC. Unfortunately, you won't be seeing any of these products working with an XBOX 360 any time soon. The reason for this is because "Only accessory makers that get Microsoft's blessing and fork over a slice of their sales to the software maker will be able to produce Xbox 360 game pads, steering wheels, joysticks and other controllers. In addition, in order to ensure that only authorized products connect to the new console, Microsoft is adding a security mechanism that will be available exclusively to those who sign a deal with the company, according to documents from a peripheral company filed with the SEC." (CNET News)Lastly, the only reason why this guy was able to get his Sega Saturn controller working on the XBOX was because he used parts from the XBOX 360 controller. If he were to sell his "adapter", he would be sued immediately for reverse engineering the XBOX 360 controller and reselling Microsoft parts in the adapter. Even if he makes his own adapter, he still needs to get it approved by Microsoft first.

 

Good ol' Billy Gates and his money hunger.

 

EDIT: Thanks to ShibaTheDog, there is already a tutorial on how to create your own Sega Saturn to XBOX360 adapter (as in the video). However, be prepared to tear apart a few controllers in the process! [Click Here]

[Wizard]

It isn't a prototype, it's a hackjob using 2 controllers.

[Alpha]

It isn't a prototype, it's a hackjob using 2 controllers.

It's the first of its kind, so I'd call it a prototype. There will always be better hackjobs which may be a real product someday (if okay with M$).