After scouring the second-hand retailers and the infinite pages of eBay for unique online game {hardware}, a sample emerges. The dimensions of the accent issues. If a comparatively large controller initially got here with a tiny wi-fi dongle, after twenty years, solely the controller will survive. It’s virtually as if these recreation controllers was once owned by a bunch of irresponsible youngsters who lose issues (wink). Such is the case in the present day when trying to find a Nintendo Wavebird controller, and [James] printed a wi-fi receiver design to be sure that the unique {hardware} could be resurrected.
The undertaking bears the title Wave Phoenix. The purpose was to deliver new life to a legendary controller by using cheap, available elements. Central to the design is the RF-BM-BG22C3 Bluetooth module. Its low energy draw and diminutive footprint made it an excellent match for the restricted controller port area of a Nintendo GameCube. The module itself is smaller than the GameCube’s proprietary controller connector. Fortunately for tasks like this, there are many third-party connector choices out there.
In the case of meeting, [James] insists it’s attainable to wire all the pieces up by hand. He included an optionally available customized PCB design for these of us who aren’t point-to-point soldering masters. The PCB nestles cleanly into the 3D-printed outer casing seen within the picture above within the iconic GameCube purple. As soon as the customized firmware for the Bluetooth module is flashed, pairing is so simple as urgent the Wave Phoenix adapter pairing button, adopted by urgent X and Y concurrently on the Wavebird controller. The 2 gadgets ought to keep paired so long as the controller’s wi-fi channel dial stays on the identical channel. Higher but, any future firmware updates could be transferred wirelessly over Bluetooth.
Those that have chosen to construct their very own Wave Phoenix adapter have been happy with the efficiency. The video under from Retrostalgia on YouTube reveals that enter responsiveness appears to be on par with the unique Nintendo adapter. Combine in a wide range of 3D printed shell coloration choices, and this undertaking goes an extended option to upcycle Wavebird controllers that will have been doomed to finish up in a dumpster. So it is likely to be time to fireplace up a spherical of Kirby Air Journey and mash the A button unencumbered by a ten-foot twine.
There are much more open supply online game controller designs on the market like this earlier put up concerning the Alpakka controller by Dave.
