D.I.Y. Switch Adapted Nintendo NES Controller
This guide explains how to adapt a "Quickshot Maverick 2" arcade stick controller for use with disability standard switches on a European Nintendo Entertainment System. This will enable switch users to play classic 8-bit games such as Super Mario Bros.
If you're an absolute beginner, we strongly recommend that you follow "The Basic Soldering Guide" - by Alan Winstanley.
SAFETY: Adapting equipment voids the manufacturer's guarantee, and the attempt may cause irreparable damage. Always use adapted equipment under supervision, and disconnect power when not in use. These adaptations are at your own risk. Good luck!
Most of the components used here are commonly available from Electronics stores such as Maplin Electronics, apart from the "Quickshot Maverick 2" controller. These are fairly rare, but can be found on eBay, retro-gaming stores and at car boot sales with a bit of perseverance.
Nintendo Entertainment System links:
Giant Nintendo Controller - With PCB guide for standard joy-pads.
Video Game Critic - Nintendo game reviews.
1. What you will need:
- 1x Quickshot "Maverick 2" Arcade Stick
- 6x 3.5mm mono 'headphone' sockets
- Shrink Wrap (optional)
- Soldering iron (15 to 30 Watt power); thin solder; soldering flux; de soldering braid; thin wire (e.g. 16 strand 0.2mm).
- Cordless drill with 1 drill bits (1x 1/4"); Knife or wire strippers; small screwdriver set; helping hands (optional) needle-nose pliers (optional).
2. Remove Casing
Prise off the two blue selecter switches (player 1/2 and Autofire on/off). Remove the 4 screws at the back, then carefully pull the controller apart.
3. Drill holes
Drill your holes as pictured. Ensure that the sockets will not touch one another, and that there is room to put everything back togehter neatly.
This adaptation does not include sockets for START and SELECT. Drill two more sockets if this is something you wish to add.
4. Unscrew PCB
Unscrew the PCB from the joystick housing.
5. Solder wires to PCB
Click on the top image to enlarge the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) guide.
Wires can be threaded through pre-drilled holes in the circuit board to assist you in soldering to the joystick contacts.
Be very careful when soldering to the PCB not to spill over onto any other contacts to avoid shorting out problems.
6. Connect sockets
Not all sockets are connected alike, so you will need to find which 2 of the 3 contacts you need to solder to.
Attach a test lamp or multi-meter to any 2 contacts. Plug in your switch, then press it. If the lamp comes on when pressed you have the right connections, otherwise try a different combination. There's only 3 possibilities.
Solder two 14cm lengths of wire to each socket. Melt shrink wrap around the solder points to help prevent shorts.
GROUND LOOM: As the joystick sockets will all share the same ground point, wire them together as pictured left. It may help to halve the number of exposed wire strands when doing this.
7. Fix sockets in place
Tighten all your sockets in place as pictured.
8. Test
The fun part (hopefully): Test your switches in a game that uses all the functions you have connected to switch sockets.
If there are any problems, check the quality of your soldering, looking out for any shorts, or incomplete connections.
D.I.Y. Text and images PUBLIC DOMAIN 2005 - www.OneSwitch.org.uk
"Quickshot Maverick 2" Nintendo Arcade Stick (c) 1991 Bondwell Global Ltd.