Sega Did WHAT???
Relax, it's not that mind blasting...
Paddles You Say?
I made an Atari one recently, but this time I’m making one for a Sega console.
Wait, what? Sega made a paddle controller?
Indeed they did, the snazzily named HPD-200
Brief History - Back in 1987, Sega released a paddle controller for the Sega Mark III (the same console I tinkered with HERE and also HERE)
There were only (ever) seven official compatible games.
Alex ‘the’ Kidd BMX Trial (paddle reqd.)
Galactic Protector (paddle reqd.)
Megumi Rescue (paddle reqd.)
Woody Pop (paddle reqd.)
Outrun (paddle optional)
Outrun 3D (paddle optional)
Super Racing (paddle optional)
The paddle only games were not released in any other territories.
However, the controller will work on a regular (outside of Japan) Sega Master System, but the code is handled differently on those machines. This is overcome with a smart PCB from raphnet.net in the form of an optional switch for ‘export’ consoles.
A reader named John S. contacted me and told me about the above wizardry. He asked if I fancied making a paddle controller, as the originals are heaps of money. Circa $130 for an unboxed one and $200 for a boxed one with the pack in game Woody Pop.
Er, hefty no thank you at that price. I told John S. if he sent me a PCB as well as one for himself, I’d give it a good solid tinkering.
I obviously ‘ghetto’d out’ the circuit first - wired everything up bare minimum to test the PCB, wiring and components before committing to a case and dial for the controller.
To build this, you just chop the plug end (pins end) off of a nine pin mega drive extension cable and solder the nine individual wires to the PCB. Three wires go from the PCB to a potentiometer. The ohms value can be anything from 4.7k ohms to 20k ohms. A push button also needs wiring to pin six and ground (pin eight). You also need to wire in a latching switch to enable or disable ‘export’ mode.
Spoiler - it worked just fine on the few games I played, via Everdrive. I gave Mr Kidd on his stunt bicycle a go and then I played a tree like fellow in Woody Pop (a cute Arkanoid clone)
I then went to work making a Master System controller shaped enclosure for the heeee - lectronic guts to sit inside. Here is the prototype (the SEGA logo is bleeding into itself, a no no for me.)
The thickness of the two halves had to be increased by one millimetre to get the push button to fit inside properly. I have also redone the SEGA logo and changed the ‘EXPORT’ switch on the bottom to a better position.
Here is the finished article. Niiiiice. Works much better than the crappy Atari 2600 ones. Harumph.
I really must get some Sega blue 3D print filament…