Press Start

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Also use up,up down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, Start, Select
This is my first ever blog but, I hope to really use this as a way to keep track and interest in my projects. I'll be posting pictures and update this as often as I can. Here's a little information  on me in the mean time before I can actually post any pictures/information of current projects I'm working on. I currently work full time in IT but I have a real passion for Electrical Engineering. I love hacking and modding things and while I may not be the best at it right now every project I do increases my knowledge and skill in EE. One reason I wish to keep a log of information is not only to get people interested but I would also like it if anyone had any ideas for projects they would like to have built for a fee then please, send me an email with the contact me section.

As my first post I would not only like to give you some information about myself I want everyone to know a project I will soon be posting more blogs about, I'm building a one handed NES controller. Why? Because, I grew up playing an NES. It's one of my favourite consoles and even to this day, I love playing my NES. Breaking out Super Mario Bros. 3 is always a treat. This is also true for other older video games and video game consoles. I enjoy the history behind and machinery of these consoles. So as someone who thuroughly enjoys playing retro games, why not let someone with the use of only one arm not enjoy these games too. Especially children who only have the use of one arm. The NES is a perfect console for children, the cartridges are heavy duty, the games are simple in controls (this doesn't mean that their objectives are) and the games are meant for all ages (mostly). So I decided to build a one handed NES controller which, is obviously inspired by Benjamin Heckendorn from the Ben Heck Show (@benheck) and even contains a custom 3D printed part from him. (thank you Ben for that part).

I certainly don't mean to copy him but, I deeply care about retro gaming and there aren't many viable options for accessibility controllers for these older consoles which means that people with the use of one limb or partial use of one limb might not have a chance to experience them. For now that'll have to do but, there's much more to come. To the bat cave!

Comments

  1. Unknown18 January 2014 at 17:49

    "why not let someone with the use of only one arm not enjoy these games too."

    Dude, this is a great idea. I may not be an EE, by I am a tinkerer. Lights bells and whisltes. I can repair just about anything and have enjoyed building "things" all of my life. So, you start posting th eproject and I will see if there is anything I can help with.

    And, this is a really cool idea. Let somebody with one hand enjoy too. So, with that in mind, my first comment would be "It needs to be ambidextrous." That way it works for either handedness. Or you just make one, then mirror it, since it is kind of a custom made.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ElectroRetroNerd18 January 2014 at 18:04

      Oh it will be ambidextrous. My design, since the NES controller is fairly simple, will be able to be used with either hand. I'm going to be using a Wii Nunchuck controller as a shell and the two buttons, the trigger and the R1 or bumper(for lack of a better word) for the B and A buttons. I'll be replacing the analog stick with something else to be act as a d-pad for the NES controller.

      If you have any other ideas though just let me know. I don't have all the creative ideas in the world so it helps to have outside resources. I could always use help too so I might have to recruit your services for something!

      Delete
  2. Unknown18 January 2014 at 18:51

    Good idea.

    ReplyDelete

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