USB Extension Unit for Sega 3D Control Pad
Where to Buy
Available at:
Kaden Ken-chan and BOOTH
Product Overview
This is an extension unit for converting Sega Saturn's 3D Control Pad (a.k.a. Multi-Controller in Japan) into a USB gamepad.
By replacing the standard unit with this product, 3D Control Pad can be used as a USB gamepad.
The USB connector uses Type-C.
Note: A USB cable is not included with the product. Please prepare it yourself.
The firmware is open-source, allowing users to edit it freely. You can write the edited firmware via USB.
Demo
Product Features
One-Touch Conversion to USB
By swapping the standard unit with this product, 3D Control Pad can be used as a USB gamepad.
Insert the USB cable while this product is attached to 3D Control Pad.
When you connect this product to a PC or similar device via a USB cable without attaching it to 3D Control Pad, it will boot in firmware writing mode.
Editable Firmware
The source code for the firmware is open-source.
https://github.com/takusan213/usb-ss3d-gamepad
You can write the firmware via USB.
When the extension unit is not inserted into 3D Control Pad and you plug the USB into a PC, the product will boot in firmware writing mode.
Mode Switching Support
Supports the mode toggle switch on the 3D Control Pad unit. Button assignments for + Mode / 〇 Mode are as follows (in the case of standard firmware):
| 3D Control Pad Buttons | + Mode | 〇 Mode |
|---|---|---|
| A | 1 | 1 |
| B | 2 | 2 |
| C | 3 | 3 |
| X | 4 | 4 |
| Y | 5 | 5 |
| Z | 6 | 6 |
| L | 7 | Z-axis |
| R | 8 | Z-rotation |
| Start | 9 | 9 |
| Analog Stick | N/A | X-axis/Y-axis |
| D-pad | Hat Switch | Hat Switch |
Tested OS / Game Consoles
- Retro Freak
- Windows10
- Windows11
- Raspberry PI 3
- Raspberry Pi OS
- Recalbox for RASPBERRY PI 3
- RetroPi 4.7.1 for RASPBERRY PI 2/3
- Raspberry PI 4
- Raspberry Pi OS
- Recalbox for RASPBERRY PI 4/400
- RetroPi 4.7.1 for RASPBERRY PI 4/400
Game Consoles with Confirmed Operation
The following game consoles have been confirmed to work based on user reports:
- POLYMEGA
- Requires firmware to be switched to the Xinput version (firmware details are at the end of this article)
- Enabling the analog setting in the game controller settings will make the analog stick operational
マルコンUSB拡張ユニットのポリメガ対応について、rukaさん( @ruka_riker )の調査で下記わかりました。
— たくさん 🐦 GEEKY Fab. (@takusanToIssho) September 1, 2023
- xinput版ファームウェアを使用すると認識する
- ゲーム中のコントローラー設定のアナログ設定をONにするとアナログスティックが動作する https://t.co/AZ4Q1jd7gS
Additional Specifications
USB Connector: Type-C
Microcontroller Used: PIC Microcontroller (PIC16F1459)
Product Photos
Operation Verification
The method for operation verification is the same as that for the SFC Controller USB Gamepad board.
Please check here for more details.
Controller Settings in Steam
If you are using the standard firmware in Steam, please configure from Big Picture Mode. This page can be a reference.
Steamのコントローラー設定！ゲームパッド画面からのカスタマイズ方法 - Apple Geek LABO
If the controller is not recognized in Big Picture Mode, go to Steam Settings → Controller → General Controller Settings, and select "SS3D Gamepad" to assign buttons.
No need for the above settings if you are using the xinput version of the firmware.
Firmware Writing
Installing the Firmware Writing Software
You will need the writing software provided by Microchip's MLA (Microchip Libraries for Applications) for firmware writing.
You can download the MLA installer from here.
Upon installing MLA, the writing software will be located in the following folder:
<Installation Folder>\mla\v2018_11_26\apps\usb\device\bootloaders\utilities\bin\win\HIDBootloader.exe
Firmware Writing
Follow the steps below to write the firmware:
- Launch the writing software.
- Remove the extension unit from the Marcon body and insert the USB into the PC. This will boot the product in firmware writing mode.
Once booted in firmware writing mode, the writing software will connect.
- Click the folder icon (Import Firmware Image) at the top left and select the pre-built firmware (.hex file) to load.
- The second icon from the left (Erase/Program/Verify Device) will become active. Click it to write.
This completes the firmware writing process.
After that, unplug the USB cable once, attach the extension unit to Marcon, and reinsert the USB cable. You can then play with the firmware you've written.
Firmware Collection
The firmware is publicly available on GitHub.
https://github.com/takusan213/usb-ss3d-gamepad
To download from GitHub, click "Raw" at the top right to display the raw data, then right-click to save with the extension .hex.
Original Firmware
v.1.0.0
The firmware that is written at the time of purchase.
Operates as a Direct input gamepad.
Xinput version
v.xin.1.0.0.hex
This version supports Xinput.
Please use this version if you are using it with POLYMEGA.
