It is n’t only death and tax . you may also be sure the engineering science you crave today will become tomorrow ’s dust collector . Whether it ’s a simple Atari joystick , a orthogonal Nintendo Entertainment System control outfitted with arrow and buttons , or a once - modern Nintendo 64 comptroller , it may be fourth dimension to give them a new use .
After all , you probably knead hard for this geartrain . Doing odd jobs for the parent , mow lawns for the neighbors or borrowing money from your petty sister ( a sign of genuine desperation ) – just to get your hands on the latest cabinet and accessories . If you ’ve keep this classical geared wheel in expert working order , accost it up and play it . At least once in awhile .
If , however , you have an oddball assortment of parts – particularly controllers – it ’s time to put them to good use . From desk accessories to iPod bobtail , we ’ve got plenty of resolution to keep your onetime controllers out of a landfill .
10: Turn Atari 2600 Joystick Into Remote Control
If you ’re look for a clever way to control a few simple actions on your television , assay commute an Atari 2600 joystick into a remote control .
First , you ’ll necessitate to buy a stock miniature remote command and murder its circuit dining table . Then remove the bombardment inside the Atari 2600 joystick . Use a heated soldering accelerator pedal to remove one of the plastic division between the batteries ; this will make way for the circuit board of the mini - remote , which will fit snugly into this space . The mini remote and the joystick use the same character of electrical switch , so making it useable is just a function of replacing the exist wires with the mini remote ’s wires . you may habituate the coin barrage that come with the mini remote and the survive infrared LED Light Within to send the sign out of the remote .
After your modification are complete , you ’ll be able to activate the television set by inserting two AA battery and exhort the joystick ’s " ardour " clitoris . In accession , you could press the joystick to the right to turn the volume up and the left to turn the volume down . The " reset " push will muffle the telecasting , and you’re able to move the joystick up and down to deepen channel . The " audio / video select " button will allow you to toggle between tv set and constituent [ source : Hacked Gadgets ] .
9: Make NES Controller Into Belt Buckle
Ah , the Nintendo Entertainment System . Not only does it ply muckle of fresh fish for which minor can mock their parents , but it ’s so absolutely retro that even hippies conceive it ’s coolheaded . Well , the NES controllers at least . These compact , flat , orthogonal controllers are now seen holding up skinny jeans on the pages of FHM and Wired . You could purchase your own or you could make one out of a repurposed comptroller .
To commence the translation , cut the cord off the restrainer . ( Make certain it ’s not secure in , of course ) . Then bend and solder a stretching of telegram into a second power ( the bottom discussion section of a wire hanger is the ideal length ) , bestow a couple of bracket to the back of the controller with the telegram underneath . stick on the entire affair to one final stage of a whack . Your NES belt crumple is ready to wear . Be sure to tuck your metric ton - shirt in , though . You would n’t want the world to miss out on your awesomeness [ germ : Instructables ] .
8: The Duck Hunt Gun as Accessory
If you ’re a child of the ' fourscore , you probably know your way around a Duck Hunt hitman . This ubiquitous gun was part - and - parcel of the Nintendo Entertainment System ’s Duck Hunt game . It was state - of - the - fine art at the clock time and worked by employing a series of detector in the hitman that could observe light changes on the TV blind during the game [ source : Patent Storm ] . After Duck Hunt became outdated , the gun had few other applications . Until now .
Paint it black or keep it as - is , and pair off it with a Halloween costume . you may also use it as a play prop or donate it to the kids for pretend play . It ’s time the Duck Hunt gas pedal was revived for a 2d round .
7: Sell the Super Scope (and Your Controllers)
The Super Nintendo had a gun for hire called the Super Scope . It was 2.5 feet ( 76 centimeters ) long and mold like a bazooka , and it ’s not potential to be something you expend anymore . So why keep it around ? Gather your erstwhile controllers and make some scratch . You could swop them in at local game retail merchant likeGameStop , but you ’re likely to make more money if you sell them instantly . Try name them on eBay , Craigslist or an on-line gaming forum . Some of the rare ones are deserving a lot : A PlayStation Move movement controller for a Sony PS3 Move was selling for $ 9,000 on eBay .
You could also research Web sites that buy electronic gear likeBuyMyTronics , Cash For GamersorNextworth , which has a brick - and - mortar bearing at retailer like Target . Most company that buy electronic paraphernalia will give you a quote before you make a final decisiveness to send them your gear , and they ’ll pay for shipping .
6: Convert Them to Work With Your Computer
Have an older PS3 or Xbox accountant lying around ? By make some minor adjustments , you may pair outdated controllers with a microcomputer ( and in some illustration , a Mac ) . If you ’re a sports fan of console table - to - PC game ( call back Steam ) , then you could see why this might be a good idea . Using an old controller will lay aside the expense of buying a custom PC controller . Plus you ’ll have full control ( pun intended ) when playing on the personal computer .
For about $ 20 you’re able to buy a Microsoft connector that will link a wireless Xbox 360 control to a computer ’s USB . You ’ll take this workaround because a PC ca n’t scan this wireless controller ' proprietary technical school . Other wireless controllers , like PS3 , use Bluetooth . This means that if your personal computer is Bluetooth enabled , you should be capable to connect the two . If not , you’re able to purchase a USB Bluetooth arranger [ origin : Plunkett ] .
5: Transform NES Controller Into a Wallet
Why carry around an ordinary wallet when you’re able to put your immediate payment in an icon ? The versatile NES controller can be transform into a wallet . It ’s as easy as splitting the restrainer lengthwise , removing its home working parts and glue a zipper along the length of it .
Start by removing the six screws on the back of the controller ; this should allow the front and back of it to separate . If a screw stick , gently crowbar until it releases . Then , remove the circuit board and use a wire snip to cut its connections to the comptroller case . Dab some wiliness gum or super gum onto the back of the golosh keys so they do n’t flow out . Finally , glue a zipper along three sides of the controller and get in touch the 4th edge by glue in a strip show of typewriter ribbon [ sources : Instructables , Preuss ] .
4. NES Power Pad as Room Decor
The NES Power Pad was a two - sided flooring mat biz controller – circa 1988 – for other generations of the Nintendo Entertainment System . recollect " Dance Dance Revolution , " but without the engaging technology or widespread popularity . One side of the NES Power Pad had 12 button - style detector , while the other side had eight . Gameplay was supposed to happen when you stepped on the buttons with your feet , but it reportedly worked better when slap with your handwriting . Well , at least it was a start in the dance pad category .
If you have one lying around that never really worked , disregard your losings by converting it into a lovely area rug . Do n’t have one , but still want to incorporate it into your " gamer chic " décor ? You may be capable to pick one up on eBay for less than $ 20 [ germ : Retro Gaming Nation ] .
3: From Controller to Desk Caddy
An old Nintendo GameCube accountant can make a hunky-dory desk tea caddy . Start by removing the mini joystick and expend the blank to store paper clip instead . Keep some of the buttons for aesthetic effect , but drill out others to moderate pen and pencils . Retrofit the D - pad slot to become a USB port [ generator : Personal Money connection ] . You ’ll have the cool desk accessory on the cubicle stop .
you could also find them already retrofitted and ready for your desk onEtsy .
2: Create an iPhone Dock From an NES Controller
Here ’s a room to repurpose old technical school for young tech : Use an old NES restrainer to make an iPhone dock . To do so , you ’ll require the control , an iPhone or iPod electric cord , scissors , utility knife , emery paper , a small Phillips screwdriver and wire cutters .
First , remove the six screws and take off the charge plate back of the restrainer . Then , withdraw the circuit circuit board , notch out a space for the iPhone / iPod corduroy and cut back the cord that connects the circuit board to the NES . While you ’re manage your scissors and utility tongue , be sure to prune a muddle in the top of the controller and connect the iPhone / iPod connector through it . Once you ’ve polish off , reassemble the controller and plug the cord into an outlet .
you could nest your iPhone on top of the controller , secure it into the cord that is now emerging from the controller and voilà ! – charge your iPhone [ source : Instructables ] .
1: Fashion the Finest Steampunk Controller of All Time
Steampunk is a science fiction subculture that showcases steam - power technology and Victorian - inspired touches to mod , working engineering science . Think Jules Verne or the 1999 moving picture , " Wild , Wild West . "
well still , Steampunk is prevailing with possibilities when it comes to repurposing old technical school . To execute this , fit your old N64 restrainer in a Natalie Wood veneer , add copper finials to the push button and , literally , put the on / off function under lock and key . rather of simple drive a pro forma charge plate release to power on , you’re able to insert an former - fashioned skeleton key into a brass lock .
Of course , you may make a Steampunk look all your own ; Steampunk caters to the customise . Try layering your restrainer in a governing body refinement . employ Natalie Wood buttons . And , if you may compute out a way to in reality power it using steam , that ’s decidedly extra credit [ source : Kain ] .
Lots More Information
I may not have had an NES controller lying around when I started research this article , but that has n’t stopped me from making a few DIY plans . I like the idea of creating an iPhone wharfage out of a retrofit NES restrainer and have plans to make my own – just as shortly as I can snag a buy controller on eBay . And I probably wo n’t bar there . An Atari 2600 telly remote control is next on my list . Who know ? I may just make a desk caddy while I ’m at it , too .
