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Does not look likely.
Serial Pinout : http://pinouts.ru/SerialPorts/Serial9_pinout.shtml
SMS pinout : http://www.allpinouts.org/index.php/SegaMaster_System_(SMS)_and_MegaDrive_joystick
Looks like you would need a parallel port for this, or you need to build your own hardware to make it work.
Lucky for you, there are lots of DIY control panel projects that use the Arduino family of products. You load a 'USB-Keyboard' template and modify pins and other options. Wire the pins from the SMS game-pad to the microcontroller and plug the microcontroller into the PC. If done right, you won't need drivers because the PC should detect it as a generic game-pad, joystick, or keyboard. (Depending on how you want to configure it)
https://www.arduino.cc/en/Reference/MouseKeyboard
You can also look at 'Vusb' based keyboards and do the same thing.
Okay, thanks. The Arduino looks really cool and I'd like to use it for a project, but I don't think it's necessary for this.
I can wire a DE-9 up to a parallel to USB connector, to make a SMS/Mega Drive/Atari 2600 port can't I? My motherboard has no parallel port or internal connector for one.
I discovered the pinouts for the SMS and SMD are the same, so this article should apply, correct? I would just use a parallel to USB adapter.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-Sega-Genesis-Controller-Ports-for-your-PC/
I can wire a DE-9 up to a parallel to USB connector, to make a SMS/Mega Drive/Atari 2600 port can't I? My motherboard has no parallel port or internal connector for one.
I discovered the pinouts for the SMS and SMD are the same, so this article should apply, correct? I would just use a parallel to USB adapter.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-Sega-Genesis-Controller-Ports-for-your-PC/
I hate instructables...
It 'may' work, the Sega controllers are compatible with the Parallel port, but require a basic form of 'multi-plexing' to be able to check all the buttons... as long as the drivers and the pinout accommodate this then it will work.
Give it a try and see what you find, but I strongly suggest looking for another tutorial or source online to verify what you are reading. Please keep the 'Arduino' thing in mind. You can do this with PIC, AVR, or Arduino... pretty much ANY micro-controller that can do Vusb will be incredibly easy and won't require any drivers on the host computer which means you can use it on the Raspberry Pi, Linux, Windows of any version, and Apple. I sure hope the drivers for the PPJoy program and Parallel port are supported in the windows OS you are using. (I see drivers for XP and 2000 floating around on the net for this, but I admit to not looking very hard)
Okay, I found this article
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/adapting-a-sega-genesis-joystick-to-a-pc/
It uses diodes as well as wiring. This looks more promising. The PC I plan on connecting this to will eventually triple-boot Win98, XP and 7, so that should be fine. Can I map the buttons to keyboard controls? I can't check the driver websites because they are blocked here at school.
The methods I've seen require a custom driver, and PPJoy at a minimum... As-is, you CANNOT map buttons to keyboard strokes. You *can* download third party software to do this for you though... take a look at 'GlovePIE' . This application will allow you to map inputs and outputs to/from joysticks/gamepads/mouse/keyboards . I've used it often to make adjustments to the deadzone of my controllers, as well as mapping buttons to keyboard keystrokes so I can use my gamepads for anything from Minecraft (before there was support) to those online flash games that use 'WASD' .
Okay, so I'll order a DE-9 port (I'll use a mini gender changer http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/9-Pin-RS...379919?hash=item25ac696b8f:g:pVkAAOSwHnFV3fnH) and a parallel to USB adapter.
