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Table of Contents
Compatible hardware
Please note that the hardware results listed below are based on user experiences shared via theC64 community forum (also see old forum posts) and theC64 facebook discussion group. As such, no one can officially confirm the accuracy of all reports, so please use your own caution, research and consideration when deciding on what hardware you plan on buying. If something listed here doesn't work out for you as hoped, please share those experiences via the forums and let others learn from your experiences too. We can update this page over time as we become aware of any incorrect/inaccurate entries.
Joysticks/Gamepads
Reports from users
The c64 mini FAQ states that it requires a gamepad with at least 8 buttons in order to work, although there have been reports from some people of getting gamepads with fewer buttons to work.
Some people have also made mention that you should use a USB power adapter of 2A or higher (maybe even up to 2.5A?)
Even for working controllers listed, there have been comments that some buttons haven't been mapped ideally, and it would be preferable if a future firmware update permitted the user to re-map buttons to suit their controllers. NOTE: Firmware 1.1.4 now permits you to specify controller button mappings per game via CJM files. See here for more info:.
Referenced threads:
C64 - Mini joystick-test programs
Collection of legacy joystick testers for C64 - Mini is here.
| WORKING | NOT WORKING | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Wired | Wireless | Wired | Wireless |
| PS controller with USB adapter | Logitech Wireless Gamepad F710 | Xbox One Pro controller | 8bitdo pad |
| PS2 controller with USB adapter | OIVO PS2 wireless controller (with PS2 USB adapter) | Xbox One & 360 | Afterglow PS3 2.4 GHz Wireless |
| PS2 controller with USB dual adapter | PDP Xbox One Wired Gamepad | ShanWan PC/PS3/Android wireless USB Controller | |
| PS3 controller (erratic/buggy) | madcatz usb xbox360 sf4 gamepad | ||
| PS4 controller (erratic/buggy) | Microsoft Sidewinder usb gamepad | ||
| Lioncast joystick arcade | Logitech Gamepad | ||
| INNEXT Game Controller | Logitech F310 Gamepad | ||
| Generic PS2 style Speedlink pad | Logitech Attack 3 Joystick | ||
| Marvo Scorpion GT-006 | Logic 3: 3-in-1 arcade stick | ||
| Buffalo SNES USB pad* | Speedlink USB controller | ||
| TPFOON Wired Controller | Thrustmaster USB | ||
| SNES USB Controller | Esperanza PS3 Wired Gamepad | ||
| Defender GAME MASTER G2 USB pad | PS3 Fighting Stick | ||
| Retro-Bit Wired USB Controller | PS4 Fight Stick (Hori) | ||
| Retro-Link Sega Genesis Classic USB Controller | Hori USB PS4 Controller | ||
| SEGA Saturn SLS 5001 USB pad | Nintendo Switch Wired Controller | ||
| SpeedLink Competition Pro USB* | Arduino Joystick | ||
| Fight Joystick TP-U670A by Topway/Tongwei | Mayflash USB adaptor with 360 wired controller | ||
| Data Frog for SEGA USB Classic Gamepad 6 Buttons | Homebrew USB adapter for Cheetah125+ and Sega Megadrive Pad | ||
| Logitech Dual Action Game Pad USB | Zero delay USB Joystick Encoder (works only partially) | ||
| Logitech Rumblepad 2 Vibration Feedback Gamepad | |||
| Skorpion Joystick with USB adapter | |||
| Joystick AFF Black with USB adapter | |||
| Competition Pro Retro-DB9 with USB adapter | |||
| Combat Arcade Stick - Intec | |||
| Gasky Arcade Joystick** | |||
* since firmware v1.1.4 since firmware v1.2.0 ==== Joystick list from firmware's config file ==== User fatgit found a config file within the firmware and shared a list of controllers that could *potentially* work with the hardware. I've received feedback from readers that some found this list a bit misleading, as some entries on it are for controllers that have been found not to work with the mini. Considering that, I'll move this list into this sub-page. * Joystick list from firmware's config file ==== USB-to-DB9 converters ==== * https://gurce.net/oldforum/153-which-joysticks-work-with-the-c64-mini-my-list.txt ^ <html><span style=“background-color: lime”>WORKING</span></html> ^ <html><span style=“background-color: red”>NOT WORKING</span></html> ^ <html><span style=“background-color: grey”>NOT TESTED</span></html> ^ | Universal DB9 to USB joystick adapter module by Retronic Design | Atari to PC USB Cable by Retro-Link | USB RetroPad Adapter by Bruno Feitas | | RetroFun! USB-to-DB9 adapter by E4U | Mayflash Md Mega Drive Genesis Controller Adapter for PC USB | Single/Dual 9 way D USB joystick adapter by Tynemouth Software | | RetroFun! Twin (dual adapter) by E4U | JoyDivision by OnyxSoft | Genesis/SMS/Atari controller to USB adapter (v2) by Raphnet-tech | | DB9 to USB adapter by Arananet | aJoy USB Retro Joystick Adapter by tsb | USB Atari RetroPort by retroUSB | | Open Source DIY DB9-2-USB Arduino Leonardo adaptor by tsb | USB adapter for Commodore/Amiga joystick New version (despegatop) | 2 Spieler Controller OTG USB Adapter by fernwehdeals | | | | ZOGA 2 Players Controller OTG USB Adaptor | ==== Joystick-To-DB9 modding ==== Thomas Senoner from the fb group has has some success modding the joystick: * https://www.facebook.com/groups/209280506324242/permalink/216226672296292/ Jonas Pettersson and others have shared their successful methods modding the joystick in this fb thread: * https://m.facebook.com/groups/209280506324242?view=permalink&id=309478842971074 * https://youtu.be/38j8SSikZkI - video that explain whole procedure Paul Everitt also succeded to add DB9 connector to the C64 Mini joystick: * https://crashedfiesta.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-joystickiest-situation-since.html * whole procedure described here, at blog post * https://www.facebook.com/groups/209280506324242/permalink/352935628625395/ * announcement at Facebook TheC64 Mini Group Some people have tried modding the given Competition Pro Joystick to try add a DB9 connector to it, to permit the connection of old atari/commodore-era joysticks. Not much luck has been reported so far. I'll add links to those discussions and attempts: * https://gurce.net/oldforum/146-power-mini-from-powered-usb-hub.txt * https://gurce.net/oldforum/237-tried-to-solder-a-db9-to-thec64-joystick-today.txt ===== Keyboards ===== There was some mention of keyboards failing due to using a low-powered USB adapter (< 1A). For best results, use a USB power adapter rated above 2A. * https://gurce.net/oldforum/144-keyboard-working-for-anyone.txt * https://gurce.net/oldforum/168-keyboard-stickers.txt Reported by Tomxp411 on the community forum via private message: > A quick note on keyboards: basically all PC USB keyboards should work, but you have to plug the keyboard in before turning on the Mini. You can't connect the keyboard after the Mini has started up; it won't work. ^ <html><span style=“background-color: lime”>WORKING</span></html> ^^ <html><span style=“background-color: red”>NOT WORKING</span></html> ^^ ^ Wired ^ Wireless ^ Wired ^ Wireless ^ | Logitech K120 | MX3 2.4GHz Air Mouse Wireless Keyboard | | Logitech K400 | | Coolermaster QuickFire TK | Microsoft 850 | | | | Corsair Vengence K65 | QConnect Wireless | | | | Hama Slimline SL720 | Be Wireless LV-6500 | | | | HiPoint Premium Slim | Jelly Comb | | | | Periboard-409H (keyboard+hub) | | | | ===== USB memory sticks ===== My personal conviction is that all USB sticks can work with the system if formatted correctly and various other common fail-cases are considered. Please take a read of the following pages to see if you can make your existing USB sticks work this way: * Correctly formatting your USB sticks * USB Memory Stick Problems In the table below, we can perhaps just focus on whether a newly bought pre-formatted USB stick works with the system then… ^ <html><span style=“background-color: lime”>WORKING</span></html> ^ <html><span style=“background-color: red”>NOT WORKING</span></html> ^ | PNY 16GB USB Stick | | | SanDisk Ultra Flair 64GB USB3.0 | | ===== USB SD-card readers ===== Some people finds more convenient to use SD-card or MicroSD readers instead USB memory sticks. Same applies as for USB sticks, all should probably work under same conditions (correctly formatted). Again, table below contains just a newly bought pre-formatted USB stick works with the system then… ^ <html><span style=“background-color: lime”>WORKING</span></html> ^ <html><span style=“background-color: red”>NOT WORKING</span></html> ^ | Binmer MINI Super Speed USB 2.0 MicroSD-SDXC Card Reader, blue led | | | Binmer High Speed Mini USB 2.0 MINI MicroSD Card Reader | | ===== Powered USB hubs ===== People have mostly reported successes with powered USB hubs, it doesn't seem to matter if you get a USB2.0 or USB3.0 hub. Some even say USB1.0 is fine. ^ <html><span style=“background-color: lime”>WORKING</span></html> ^ <html><span style=“background-color: red”>NOT WORKING</span></html> ^ | Atolla powered 4 port hub | | | Dell Venue 8 7840 Charging Adapter | | | Aukru USB3.0 4 port hub | | | PI Hut powered 7 port USB hub | | | Pluscom USB2.0 Powered 4 Port | | | D-Link Powered 7 port USB hub | | | Tendak USB3.0 powered 4 port hub | | ===== Un-powered USB hubs ===== Some people have had some success with unpowered** USB hubs, others have had issues, so your results may vary with what is shown in the table below. The results may also vary in relation to the max-current of your power-supply to the mini.
Adapters for VGA|DVI|HDMI|AV display
Some people are using Mini with PC-monitor instead TV. The common problem is sound, because monitors often do not support sound source from video cable. Common solution is adapter with sound splitter. Here are various solutions, tested with Mini. Adaptors for RCA Composite AV (cinch jack) are also in use.
| WORKING | NOT WORKING |
|---|---|
| Wiistar MINI HDMI audio splitter | |
| HDMI TO HDMI+AUDIO | |
| Rovtop HDMI to VGA+Audio | |
| HDMI to VGA adapter (w/o audio) | |
| HDMI to AV adapter (video+audio) |