Saturday, September 28, 2024

ZGCS Circuit Board: Commodore 64 4 player board

Project Name: Commodore 64 4 player board
Project Owner: ZGCS
Project Start: 2024
Project Status: Finished

 

Supported models: C64/128

 
DESCRIPTION
 
It expands the existing two joystick ports to 4.
It can be connected to the C64 user port. 

Compared to the completely empty adapter made for the Amiga with only jumpers, the C64 requires somewhat more complicated electronics, since the C64 user port does not have enough connection points. That is why it is necessary to use a multiplexer chip, which the C64 actually switches here and there, so it queries one of the connected joysticks, then switches the multiplexer chip and reads the other one. This does not apply to the fire button, only the 4 directions are multiplexed. The fire buttons are hardwired. (This is the standard hardware solution for C64. The games that can handle 4 players at the same time were all prepared for this logic.)  

Since these are old computers and have not been manufactured for more than 30 years, it is important to use them with due care and take care of them. In addition, compared to today's devices, they are much more sensitive to static electricity/discharges. Therefore, this adapter contains two anti-static chips.

Supported 4 player games:

VERSIONS

First version

 
Three of the of the first five completed version
(all was sold out)


Second version
(released at 29.10.2024)