Can a Sega Mega Drive/Genesis Controller be used for 3DO?

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Virtual Audio QSound
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Can a Sega Mega Drive/Genesis Controller be used for 3DO?

Post by Virtual Audio QSound » Sun Apr 17, 2011 6:16 pm

They have about the same lead points. For experimental purposes I plugged the Genesis cable directly into the 3DO and it fits. Only problem is the controls aren't registering, how to make it work? Also, can a Genesis/MD Arcade Stick function on the 3DO by extension? I want to play fighting games in flawless execution dammit.
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Post by bitrate » Mon Apr 18, 2011 1:05 am

You absolutely cannot use Genesis pads with the 3DO (unless you have the converter). Genesis pads use simple contact closure with matrixing to register button presses. 3DO peripherals, including the pads, utilize a serial bus for communication to the console.
You run a high risk of damaging the 3DO console if you try to use a Genesis pad as it will simply short various pins together during button presses.

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Post by Virtual Audio QSound » Mon Apr 18, 2011 1:30 am

Didn't realize the 3DO hardware was so fragile. Looks like it's strickly 3DO pads/Sticks for me. Does Hori produce custom Arcade sticks for 3DO? I recall reading this on a forum some where.
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Post by 3DO Experience » Mon Apr 18, 2011 2:50 am

I'm still looking for those Genesis to CD-i adapters, but that's another story.
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Post by Gir Draxa » Mon Apr 18, 2011 5:46 pm

There is an adapter that allows you to use Genesis/Mega Drive controllers on the 3DO. I've only ever seen them sold in Australia and certain South East Asian countries. Works really well. IMHO it makes the Genesis 6-Button pad the only way to play Way of the Warrior. Even the Sega Activator worked... somewhat... lol.

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Post by Virtual Audio QSound » Mon Apr 18, 2011 10:58 pm

Thank you, Drax. Will look into it.
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Post by Austin » Wed Apr 20, 2011 5:56 pm

Virtual Audio QSound wrote:Didn't realize the 3DO hardware was so fragile. Looks like it's strickly 3DO pads/Sticks for me. Does Hori produce custom Arcade sticks for 3DO? I recall reading this on a forum some where.
I don't think Hori released a stick.. Panasonic did, though. I'm not sure the quality or build of it. Looks like your typical 32-bit gen non-Hori/arcade part stick. Probably decent but not great compared to a Hori, but I'd still love to get my hands on one of these.

Funny thing is, the picture I found of it is from a post 3DOkid did a long time ago on another forum, haha. Where are 3dokiiiid?

http://www.retrogamer.net/forum/viewtop ... 74#p115674

Mobius

Post by Mobius » Thu Apr 21, 2011 3:09 am

No, but you can use them on an Atari 2600! Pitfall with a D-pad is very nice... I've never liked joysticks.

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Post by 3DO Experience » Thu Apr 21, 2011 3:25 am

The Panasonic joystick is rather nice. Not arcade quality, but it's still a good controller.
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Post by Virtual Audio QSound » Thu Apr 21, 2011 3:33 am

Oh cool! I've never seen that Arcade Stick before. Looks heavy and tough to the point where it won't slip away as you're performing special attacks.

Here's one I like: http://videogamecollectors.com/albums/a ... .sized.jpg

I should really look into custom made 3DO sticks at some point. I'm sure it can be modified to take Sanwa parts.
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Post by 3DO Experience » Sat Apr 23, 2011 3:05 am

It's pretty solid, around 3 pounds maybe. Here are some pics.

Image
Image
This pic's a little bigger so the text is clearer.
Image
Image
As you can see you can still daisy chain controllers with it.
(excuse the dust from my hands)
Image
Pic was a little blurry but I zoomed in on the tag.
Image

It's a good buy all in all. Solidly built with a good stick, not too loose not too stiff.
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Post by Virtual Audio QSound » Sat Apr 23, 2011 4:59 am

I will give you my three bedroom town house for that.
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Post by 3DO Experience » Sat Apr 23, 2011 2:50 pm

You got a deal! ;)
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Post by Virtual Audio QSound » Sat Apr 23, 2011 3:23 pm

Great. Now I have to rent out a box to live in, grab me a solar powered generator for electricity, just to enable me power through both TV and 3DO.

Hope the gun store is still open, gonna need a firearm to fend off the thieves from pilfering all 15 of my systems.
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