Board scan Prototype GameCube Controller

[jefflongo]

I came across a prototype GameCube controller at my local retro game store donated by an developers' ex-wife. I had to have it, so I bought it. It uses an RJ-11 jack instead of a normal GC plug, so I made an adapter and the controller works great. Here's a mini "worklog" of the adapter and some pics of the internals of the controller.

 

[Stitches]

Nice adapter, almost looks bought.

 

[trevor403]

This is very cool!

 

[jefflongo]

Took this controller apart again and took some better pictures. Was trying to figure out with @loopj how the analog A/B inputs work.

Here's some better images of the mainboard

The daughter board carries the rumble, shoulders and c-stick signals

There is a second microchip IC on the back side of the board, which likely handles the analog A/B. Here I've traced out the connections to the main ASIC. The analog A/B input comes in through the vias near pin 5 and pin 1 respectively, get processed by this IC, then come out on the blue and pink pins traces to the main ASIC.
The other labeled colors:
Light green: pull-up to 3.3v
Dark purple: 3.3v supply
Orange: ground
Lavender: maybe enable pin?

The salmon colored pin connects to the unpopulated D2 footprint, but it's unclear what it's purpose is. It is potentially related to the pin above D-Pad Down, which is not hard-connected to 3.3v, but seems to be configurable by PCB jumper.

If anyone has more info feel free to share!

 

[cy]

Just looking at the original post here, I had no idea there was something like this in the community! This is such a cool find, and super interesting to look at! It's especially interesting looking at the boards and the layout of the PCBs, seeing the C-Stick/rumble daughter board, etc. Such a very cool find overall!

 

[Kamp]

Thanks for sharing some teardown pictures, they're really interesting!
Any chance of shell 3D scans and/or board measurements?
It'd be cool to preserve something like this!

 

[GreaterMichiganModding]

Took this controller apart again and took some better pictures. Was trying to figure out with @loopj how the analog A/B inputs work.

Here's some better images of the mainboard
View attachment 40221View attachment 40222

The daughter board carries the rumble, shoulders and c-stick signalsView attachment 40223

There is a second microchip IC on the back side of the board, which likely handles the analog A/B. Here I've traced out the connections to the main ASIC. The analog A/B input comes in through the vias near pin 5 and pin 1 respectively, get processed by this IC, then come out on the blue and pink pins traces to the main ASIC.
The other labeled colors:
Light green: pull-up to 3.3v
Dark purple: 3.3v supply
Orange: ground
Lavender: maybe enable pin?
View attachment 40224View attachment 40226

The salmon colored pin connects to the unpopulated D2 footprint, but it's unclear what it's purpose is. It is potentially related to the pin above D-Pad Down, which is not hard-connected to 3.3v, but seems to be configurable by PCB jumper.

If anyone has more info feel free to share!

This looks really interesting compared to a standard controller, like the c daughter is pretty normal but it also carries the rumble?! what were they thinking lol

 

[IAMKINGOFKEYBOARDS]

I agree with kamp, we need a 3d scan of this! Great find man, nice to have the pcb design, not sure it was documented before.