Announcing: 64JPX - JoyPad eXpander

[Andrew Wiskow]

--------------Forwarded---------------------
Nick (at) 64HDD
Aug 12, 10:42 am

Hi All,
I've been quietly working on a small interface to
adapt joypads and enhance their functionality
for Commodore and Atari users. Currently
support is for Sega Genesis/Megadrive and
PC analog controllers, and am finalising support
for SNES joypads. For details visit
http://www.64hdd.com/64jpx/

The enhancement modes I've included allow
you to "cheat" or enhance your experience in
a range of games such as racing, sport, platform
and blasters. I'm not so familiar with "beat'em
up" type games where you have combination
moves that may be simulated by 64JPX - any
info/help/suggestions appreciated

Whether the interface becomes a "product"
depends on interest and feedback over the
next couple weeks.

Cheers,
Nick

[Andrew Wiskow]

I'm so happy that Nick is working on this!  I've been wanting to use my old Sega Genisis controllers on my Commodores for quite some time now, but I didn't want to risk damaging my Commodores by using them "as-is", and I didn't want to modify my controllers internally.  Now, thanks to him, I won't have to! 

I've already placed my pre-order request. 

-Andrew

[Andrew Sutton]

I've used  a Sega Genesis controller on my Commodore DTV hack with no problems. The controllers are "digital" like the Commodore ones if I'm not mistaken.

[Andrew Sutton]

Oh, here's a pic of my DTV. The LCD is going into my SX-64 when I get around to doing it!
http://public.fotki.com/moparram/dtv/mydtv.html

[Andrew Sutton]

My favorite Commodore joystick is the Wico BOSS, by the way:)

[RobertB]

The LCD is going into my SX-64 when I get around to doing it!

It seems too big to fit the SX-64.  What brand of monitor is it?

          Truly,
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group
          http://videocam.net.au/fcug
          The Other Group of Amigoids
          http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/

[Andrew Sutton]

It's a Coby 5.6" LCD tv. I have a 5.5" crt tv in the SX-64 right now, so it should fit. There's a remote, and I can switch it between the tv and the SX. On the back I put a connector to hook it up to cable.

[RobertB]

It's a Coby 5.6" LCD tv. I have a 5.5" crt tv in the SX-64 right now, so it should fit.

How exact is the match?  Did you have to do any trimming/cutting of the SX-64 to make it fit?

            Truly,
            Robert Bernardo
            Fresno Commodore User Group
            http://videocam.net.au/fcug
            The Other Group of Amigoids
            http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/

[RobertB]

--------------Forwarded---------------------
From:     Nick(at)64HDD
Date:     Tue, August 26, 2008 1:12 pm

Hi All,

The PCB has gone out for manufacture. The final PCB ended up being very similar in size to the prototype shown.

Now I need to finalise orders for the parts; the micro being the most expensive - and so I am hoping to avoid ending up with a huge stockpile of them!

Plans are to support a variety of versions based on feedback. Currently on the list to offer are:

Sega only
Sega/PCanalog combo
Sega/SNES/NES combo
SNES/NES enhanced combo
I was surprised by the interest in the older NES controller since it doesn't have many extra buttons, but due to the interest I have decided to support.

Note: SNES/NES controllers have a specialised connector. The cheapest hack is to splice a DB9 connector into the original controller cable. Instructions will be supplied for this, but will require some soldering skills. eBay has SNES/NES extension cables for sale. I have a limited number which I can also provide as pre-made pin-adaptors on a first-come-first-served basis.

I will be working on finalising the software whilst I await the components from suppliers. Last chance for some brainstorming if people want extra enhancement functions!

A dual-ported version worked out to be more expensive than two individual interfaces, so has been dropped.

Website has been updated with some extra pictures.
http://www.64hdd.com/64jpx/

Discount pricing will be given to those that pre-order by 28Aug2008. The early pre-order information you supply will help me estimate and budget for the parts that need to be purchased.

Cheers,
Nick

[RobertB]

My favorite Commodore joystick is the Wico BOSS...

My favorite is the little Kraft joystick -- not very heavy-duty but very precise because of its 8 directions.

             Truly,
             Robert Bernardo
             Fresno Commodore User Group
             http://videocam.net.au/fcug
             The Other Group of Amigoids
             http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/

[airship]

I've got two of the Wico boss joysticks. I'm going to put one of them in a MAME cabinet with a C64 and 1702 someday, along with a switchable expansion box and 4-5 old Atari game carts. I might even throw a 1541 in there.

When I have time, of course.

I also liked the old Epyx joystick. Very ergonomic, and it had those cool red racing stripes.

[Golan Klinger]

I also liked the old Epyx joystick. Very ergonomic, and it had those cool red racing stripes.

Joe Palumbo (yeah, the JP in JPPBM) has cartons of those new in the box. He also has ones with yellow racing stripes which indicate that the joystick has an auto-fire feature. I never knew such a thing existed until I was almost crushed to death by several hundred of them.

[RobertB]

From: Nick @ 64HDD
Date: Sep 23, 10:29 am

Hi all,

64JPX is now available for sale from the www.64hdd.com website. For those who haven't been following developments, 64JPX is a micro based interface which allows connection of Sega, SNES, NES and/or PCanalog controllers to be used with Commodore and Atari compatible systems. In addition to doing the signal conversion, the interface offers a number of "enhancement" modes tailored to various game genre. http://www.64hdd.com/64jpx/ has all the info.

Enjoy,
Nick

[RobertB]

     Hooray!  My order of 2 came in on Saturday!  Both with the basic 64JPX Sega and the added PC option.  Time to try out the Commodore with that Sega steering wheel that I picked up at Vintage Computer Festival 2 years ago!

                    C= driving in style,
                    Robert Bernardo
                    Fresno Commodore User Group
                    http://videocam.net.au/fcug
                    The Other Group of Amigoids
                    http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/

[nathanallan]

I'm so happy that Nick is working on this!  I've been wanting to use my old Sega Genisis controllers on my Commodores for quite some time now, but I didn't want to risk damaging my Commodores by using them "as-is", and I didn't want to modify my controllers internally.  Now, thanks to him, I won't have to! 

I've already placed my pre-order request. 

-Andrew

This is great! I'm the same nathanallan from the vintage-computer forum, nice running into you here! I think I'm gonna get one of these for my many spare genesis controllers. A great pad hooked up to a great system! Now all we have to do is port Sonic over...

[RobertB]

Now all we have to do is port Sonic over...

That would be good!

              Truly,
              Robert Bernardo
              Fresno Commodore User Group
              http://videocam.net.au/fcug
              The Other Group of Amigoids
              http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
              Southern California Commodore/Amiga Network
              http://www.sccaners.org/

[airship]

Now all we have to do is port Sonic over...

Which begs the question... had anyone ever created a list of arcade games on other machines (including coin-op) along with the best look-alike/play-alike for the C64?

For example, Atari made conversions of many of their games - Centipede, Pacman, Ms. Pacman, etc. - that were practically pixel-for-pixel conversions of their coin-op machines. But what's the most Sonic-like game for the C64? Is there anything that even remotely looks and/or plays like it?

I think such a list would be really useful for retro gaming fans. I'm not a gamer, but I'd still find it interesting.

[Golan Klinger]

I remember a few threads like that at Lemon...

[RobertB]

...had anyone ever created a list of arcade games on other machines (including coin-op) along with the best look-alike/play-alike for the C64?

Well, not a list but in the many years that Retrogaming Times Monthly has been around, this Web magazine has cross-compared the ports of many games on many platforms, both consoles and computers.  Go to  http://my.stratos.net/~hewston95/RTM/RTM_Home.htm

           Truly,
           Robert Bernardo
           Fresno Commodore User Group
           http://videocam.net.au/fcug
           The Other Group of Amigoids
           http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
           Southern California Commodore/Amiga Network
           http://www.sccaners.org/