Sega Saturn input library for Arduino.
Many years ago I used saturn controllers and multitaps with a adapter on the parallel port. It's not feasible to connect them this way anymore.
With my great desire to use continue to use the controllers I started to learn C and Arduino.
I hope it's useful to you as it's useful for me. :)
This is an evolution of my previous project.
Now it's written as a class and have customizable arduino pins.
If you see something wrong or something that can be better please let me know.
It's been tested and confirmed to work with:
| Saturn | Notes |
|---|---|
| Digital Pad | |
| 3D Analog Pad | Digital and analog mode |
| Arcade Stick | |
| Twin Stick | |
| Arcade Racer | |
| Multitap |
| MegaDrive | Notes |
|---|---|
| 3-Button Pad | |
| 6-Button Pad | |
| 8bitdo M30 2.4G | Can use extra button |
| Sega Multitap | Model MK-1647 |
MegaDrive controllers can be connected directly to the arduino or through a saturn multitap.
As Saturn input port is not a standard DB9 it will require a simple adapter to connect MegaDrive controllers. See below.
It does not support:
- EA's Multitap
- Saturn/MegaDrive Mouse
Saturn and MegaDrive controllers works with 5V so I recommend to use a 5V Arduino.
Each saturn controller port requires 7 data pins plus VCC and GND.
This library requires DigitalIO.
I recommend the usage of SukkoPera's fork of DigitalIO as it supports a few more platforms.
Sample sketches requires uses ArduinoJoystickLibrary.
Install the library on your Arduino library folder. Also install the required dependencies.
Then open any of the provided sketches.
| Saturn | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | VCC/POWER |
| 2 | D1/DATA 1 |
| 3 | D0/DATA 0 |
| 4 | S0/SEL/TH |
| 5 | S1/REQ/TR |
| 6 | S2/ACK/TL |
| 7 | D3/DATA 3 |
| 8 | D2/DATA 2 |
| 9 | GROUND |
| Saturn | Mega DB9 | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | VCC/POWER |
| 2 | 2 | D1/DATA 1 |
| 3 | 1 | D0/DATA 0 |
| 4 | 7 | S0/SEL/TH |
| 5 | 9 | S1/REQ/TR |
| 6 | 6 | S2/ACK/TL |
| 7 | 4 | D3/DATA 3 |
| 8 | 3 | D2/DATA 2 |
| 9 | 8 | GROUND |
My father for helping with the electronics stuff.
Inspired by raphnet's saturn_usb.
Darthcloud's Evolution of SEGA's IO Interface article was an essential read to understand the protocol.
It uses the DigitalIO from greiman.
I recommend the usage of SukkoPera's fork of DigitalIO as it supports a few more platforms.
Code and wiring directions are provided to you 'as is' and without any warranties. Use at your own risk.