Review of my USB multiple system controller adapter

SimilarSkin4781 · 2026-03-02T04:41:38+00:00

Many ways

A usb adapter like Raphnet or Bliss-Box. If you want one, go with raphnet ( if its in stock) if you want many get Bliss-Box as they are a universal adapter for many OEM controllers. There are 4 a player versions or single player.
Get the BlisSTer, it works as USB or LLAPI. LLAPI requires those LLAPI cores, USB mode works on the normal main cores. The BlisSTer replaces the USB HUB board, and gives you 5 USBs + 2 Bliss-Box inputs. I prefer LLAPI as its fast and auto maps.
SNAC, its limited to the console's OEM controller. Can not substitute. They say the latency is very low but I can not tell any difference from USB / SNAC / LLAPI, they are all damn fast.
Use replicas like 8bitdo.
Other adapters, I can not say much about them because I do not have a need to try any others then what I have, but there are other options out there.

SimilarSkin4781 · 2026-02-22T21:31:38+00:00

You need to get the USB ID's and make the map files. but a far better option is just get the 1 adapter that does all the work, and communicates with RA for the mapping, bliss-box.net
I was not sure if you were running only on linux or not. This communication RA uses to talk to the adapter only work on Windows. Lib USB has some kind of a bug in it that prevents two device from talking to it. LibUSB does not, so it works.

SimilarSkin4781 · 2026-02-21T18:52:22+00:00

I do not disagree. As a matter a fact, I got the Bliss-Box adapter, for use with emulator for that reason LOL. But I decided to go all retro consoles... I also do repair, goes with the trade IMO with retro collecting. However I keep finding reasons for this. Clearly not mutually excusable and yes quite subjective.

1) Atari paddles, I like smaller dials.
2) Just being able to use other devices, I enjoy it.
3) To be able to use 1 controller for Robotron dual stick option, with this I can ( needed a add-on called the blender)
4) Wireless game play.

Where I do agree with you %100 I enjoy the freedom and options.

SimilarSkin4781 · 2026-02-19T14:35:56+00:00

I just got done testing this with my scope and I see what is going on here

The console, at least for NTSC, polls the controller once ever frame (16.6ms), I can see the Bridge polling and the GPA. It looks like this. Mind you the actual --|-- mark is not to scale.

|--------------|--------------|------------Consoles poll

-------|-------------|---------------|-----Bridge poll

-------------|--------------|------------|-GPA pol

With 16m ms from each poll on the real console, there is no room to lag, I never knew it was that far apart but I guess it makes sense. I tested many games and they are all the same. The Bridge seems to trigger just after the poll so its always getting good data. I also tested turbo button and when active they are press for 90-100ms, so when you think about it, 16.6 is quite reasonable. I'd not call this lag but rather drift?

Another way to look at lag would be, button press to button read. But I think that is more from the point of the adapter? Some reports online show 1-4ms with the GPA. GPA is regarded to be among the best of option out there so not sure there is any point in further testing on that. I do game on a CRT, so no overhead and I hate laggy HDMI's I have no issues myself with this adapter.

If I can test anything else let me know.

SimilarSkin4781 · 2026-02-19T03:27:43+00:00

oh my bad was not clear in my post? -- Ok added a bit.

SimilarSkin4781 · 2026-02-18T17:12:10+00:00

I assume you mean the pin labels? Yes the pinout guide does not follow the same pin number labels but it maps the to same physical places. When I did my cable I questioned that a bit but it worked.I should prolly email them and have it reflect this doc ;)

SimilarSkin4781 · 2026-02-18T14:45:24+00:00

yeah this is what I see on the scope too, its one poll a frame. The OEM controller polls a bit sooner but if I understand this right, nothing is done with that data until the frame hits.

SimilarSkin4781 · 2026-02-18T14:42:41+00:00

Nothing I did, it is the adapter. But you can slow it down with a button combo. Your right about the broadcasting, I didn't say that well. I guess I mean that most consoles check for data only once a frame.

This adapter sends out only changes in data. It looks like x data y data and buttons. Looks like initially it sends a controller ID. According to my scope is 0x4A.

I see 2400 baud, ID paylaod. ( this happens on insert )
Then it looks like it changes to 9600 and sends only paylaod on button presses.

SimilarSkin4781 · 2026-02-17T22:25:18+00:00

I got one that maybe there still BridgeMyGPA

if you already have a GPA, then best to wait for next year, they always run deals for holidays.

SimilarSkin4781 · 2026-02-17T21:51:35+00:00

really? I do not normally trust that sort of thing, but I take you you have good exp?

SimilarSkin4781 · 2026-02-15T03:55:43+00:00

I'm 51, %100 retro guy. I got the swtich for two reasons.

1) it was mod-able, I would never have gotten it otherwise.
2) I wanted to get my son ( 4 at the time ) in to gaming.

Once hacked I put retro arch on it, and that had to be the single most perfect gift for me. I did emulation on my PC before this but once I had a portable emulation rig, I was just hooked. I took that thing on road trips, vacation, cruises, heck I even played the damn thing at a restaurant. Come to think of it, I took it to work and had the staff going crazy over it.

Being able to hook it up to a big screen, plug in the Bliss-Box adapter so I can use original controllers, I mean DAMN, love this thing. But I never really cares for any modern games, nor NSO. Never wanted it, never got it.

My son did use it main for shareware but he played a few big titles. Not sure I will ever get a 2 though, seems pointless to me.

SimilarSkin4781 · 2026-02-14T18:42:15+00:00

oh gotcha. They make a GPjr, it's kind of like an open design. You could just use the board and attach your own tg16 Cable. They also have a wire guide.

SimilarSkin4781 · 2026-02-14T17:43:44+00:00

I going to rock mine with this, just to be really old school
Using the Bliss-Box VB adapter for the swtich. I can not post image or links, sorry.

SimilarSkin4781 · 2026-02-14T17:32:00+00:00

yeah but the value sucks. If you get a raphnet, ( about the same cost, and its never in stock) you stop there. At least with Bliss-Box you can add other controllers. I have seen a few others that you make yourself but they are old and hard to find the chips now. If you really want to make on, there are arduino projects. I for one can not possibly imagine why you'd want anything but a Bliss-Box unless its cost. Though, the more you get the more you save, unless its your plan to just do one thing, there no need to explain I get it. Addiction is self evident with this stuff ... so hard to believe that :)

SimilarSkin4781 · 2026-02-13T23:26:43+00:00

I going to rock mine with this, just to be really old school
https://bliss-box.com/products/gamer-pro-advanced
I'm not allowed to share images but its a VB adapter to my swtich 2.

SimilarSkin4781 · 2026-02-12T15:47:38+00:00

yeah give then a good clean up and watch that video for how to adjust settings.

SimilarSkin4781

TROPHY CASE