Since wiring an NES Controller for use on an Xbox is a fairly complex mod, I’ve decided to break this article into 3 parts to simplify the process and give you time to shop for the tools/parts you’ll need. Part I of How To: NES Controller to Xbox Mod will show you how to prepare the NES Controller for use on the Xbox. This article includes complete descriptions, an easy to follow wiring diagram, and a break down of all the tools you will need (for the entire mod).

Disclaimer

The owners of AltHack.com, its affliates, hosting company, or members cannot be held liable for any damages to persons or equipment caused by performing this mod. All information provided in this tutorial is as accurate as possible, but that doesn’t mean we don’t make mistakes. Please double check all information provided, and report errors if needed. This article (all or in part, including images) is copyrighted by AltHack.com and may not be used on any website or in any publication without written permission by an AltHack Administrator. Thanks!

Parts Needed

• Mad Catz Gamepad Pro 400 Series - Pro Series
• NES Classic Controller
• Playstation 2 Controller Extension Cable (Buy From LikSang )
• 6″x8″x3″ - Electronics Project Box - (Available at all Radio Shacks)
• (6) - Push Button Switches (NOT the Power On/Off type)
• (1) - 2 Way Switch w/ Center Off
• (2) - 12 Position Terminal Strips
• Superglue
• Small Gauge Wire (24 Gauge is Okay)

 

Tools Needed

• Soldering Iron w/ Fine Tip (Adjustable Heat Recommended)
• Fine Solder
• Desoldering Braid
• Multimeter
• Dremel w/ Cutting Bit or High Speed Drill with 1/2″ Drill Bit
• Small Phillips Head Screwdriver
• Flathead Screwdriver
• Wire Strippers
• Wire Cutters
• Electrical Tape (Black Tape)
• Pencil and Paper
• “Helping Hands” - The kind with alligator clips to hold circuit boards for soldering, and Human Hands help as well!!

 

The Completed Mod

What you will have after Part III of this Guide

Hopefully you have some experience soldering. If you don’t, find someone who does. All the soldering credit goes to my brother Ryan, who helped out above and beyond on this mod. Thanks man, we all appreciate it highly!!

 

1.0 - Preparing Playstation 2 Controller Extension

TIP: This is good time to begin heating up your soldering iron. Use wire cutters and snip the extension cable so there’s about 7″ of wire left on the Male Connector. Strip the insulation off of the smaller cable (the 7″ one) almost all the way to the base using a utility blade, and strip about 5″ of the insulation off the longer portion of the controller extension. Becareful not to cut the wires! Strip 1/8″ off the end of each of the 9 individual wires on both cables. Tin the ends of all 18 wires with a little bit of solder. Now the connectors are ready to be installed

 

2.0 - Modding the NES Controller

 

2.1) Opening the NES Controller
There are six screws located on the back of the controller. Using a small phillips head screwdriver, remove each screw and place them in a bowl or a ziploc bag so you won’t lose them. Gently pry the back off the controller.

Remove the PCB (Printed Circuit Board) from the controller shell. Snip the wires off the back of the PCB and disgard the original NES controller wire (you won’t need it for the rest of this mod).

2.2) Desoldering the Chip and Wires
Flip the board over to the frontside. Using the desoldering braid you must cover the solder points of the chip with the braid and desolder each point of the chip (16 points in all). Repeat this process with the 5 wiring solder points in the upper right hand corner of the PCB. (Highlighted in Figure 1.0).

Figure 1

 

Desoldering the Chip Points

Once you are finished desoldering the points, flip the board over to its backside. Using a flathead screwdriver, gently pry the chip of the PCB. You are finally left with the following:

Front view of PCB

Back view of PCB

 

2.3) Wiring the NES Controller
This part may seem a bit confusing at first, but really study the circuit diagram and you’ll understand perfectly. You must now solder the 9 wires from the longer end of the PS2 Extension Cable, that you cut and stripped in the first step, to 9 of the 16 holes where the chip was removed from the NES PCB.

 

The 9 holes on the PCB diagramed below represent controls on the NES Controller and the Ground (Up, Down, Left, Right, Select, Start, A, B, Ground). Use the following diagram: (Note: The diagram shows the FRONT of the PCB [where the buttons are located])

The colors used in the above diagram DO NOT represent wire colors. Please document on a piece of paper what color wire you solder to each of the 9 points.

 

Steps for Wiring

1. Take one wire from the the PS2 Connector (it doesn’t matter which wire), and push it through one of the 9 holes on the back of the PCB that represents a button or ground.

2. Solder the wire to the front of the board. Becareful not to cross circuits thus making a short!

3. Document the color of the wire you used, and which NES control it corresponds to. For example, if you used the RED wire from the PS2 Connector and soldered it the 3rd hole from the left on the bottom row (The LEFT Button on the NES), write RED = LEFT on a piece of paper. This is VERY IMPORTANT for Part III of this mod.

4. Repeat Steps 1 through 3 until all 9 wires are soldered in place and properly documented.

 

5. Use a multimeter to make sure that you have no shorts.

 

You should now have something that looks like this:

Back of the PCB

Front of the PCB

 

The hard part is done. Place the PCB back into the NES Controller, wrap the wire around the plastic placeholders (screenshot below in case you’re confused), and screw the plastic backing on.

 

Part II of this mod will cover the Xbox Controller portion of this mod. Go out and buy the Mad Catz Official Gamepad Pro 400 Series - Pro Series if you don’t already own one! Please comment if you are confused!