Overview

This project contains software for using a Teensy++ 2.0 as a programmable Gamecube controller that is controlled through USB. Currently only the buttons of the controller are supported, not joysticks or shoulder button sliders.

See a demo in Youtube.

This project needs Linux for compiling and running the client. It should not be too difficult to support Windows and OSX -- pull requests are welcome. ;)

The software is divided in two parts:

1. Software for Teensy++ 2.0 microcontroller board. This makes the Teensy act as though it was a Gamecube controller. It listens to button state commands through Teensy's USB interface.
2. Client software that sends button state commands to Teensy through USB. Supports direct keyboard input (poorly) and macros.

Required hardware:

1. A Teensy++ 2.0 microcontroller board with header pins soldered
2. A breadboard for easy connections.
3. A Mini-USB cable for connecting the Teensy++ to a host computer
4. A Gamecube controller cable (eg. from a extension cable or a controller)

Setting up the Teensy++ 2.0 board

1. Install pre-requisities: make, avr-gcc and teensy_loader_cli
2. Plug the Teensy++ 2.0 to a USB port and press the on-board reset button.
3. Run make upload in the top-level directory of the project. This will compile gc_control.hex and try to upload it to the connected Teensy.
4. Connect the Gamecube controller cable's data line to the D0 pin of Teensy. See this article for pinout of the connector.
5. Connect the Gamecube controller cable's ground line to the ground of the Teensy through a small resistor, eg. 1 Ohm. You can also try to connect the ground directly, but this might blow something due to a possibly large potential difference between the ground of Gamecube/Wii and the ground of Teensy/host-computer.

That's it, the Teensy should now be talking to Gamecube/Wii and pretending to be a controller with no buttons pressed and joysticks in neutral position.

Setting up the client software

1. Install pre-requisities: gcc and libusb-dev
2. Compile the client by running make in the client directory.
3. See client/example_macro.gcmacro and write your macro.
4. Plug the Teensy++ 2.0 to a USB port
5. Run gc_control_client path/to/your_macro to start controlling the Gamecube/Wii.

USB protocol description

If you want to write your own client, the USB protocol is really simple. Just open up the USB device by vendorid:productid and find the HID OUT endpoint whose usage page and usage can be found in usb_rawhid_settings.h. Then send two-byte HID reports with button states like this:

• Byte 0: always_zero always_zero always_zero start Y X B A
• Byte 1: always_one L R Z D-Up D-Down D-Right D-Left

To represent a pressed state, set the corresponding bit (to one).