With the C64 JoyKEY I wanted to build a simple joystick, but given how well it worked I wanted it to work with more than a handful of systems. You could certainly use it directly as a three-button joystick for the Commodore 64, this module is however not really about the Commodore 64 - it's all about not wanting to make a cable (for the most part).

It might seem strange, at least at first, to make an extra adapter that doesn't actually change any of the signals - it's very purpose is going from a common 2x5 pin flat cable (often listed as 2x5 pin JTAG AVR cable) to a standard DB9 plug. The primary reason for making it is that all of the connectors I've seen are rather bulky and would not fit into a few computers, like the Amiga 600, without taking a hacksaw to the plug. The ones used with my adapters, on the other hand do actually fit those systems. Also, as I mentioned, making it this way means modifying no cables or creating any cables for use with the C64 JoyKEY. The jumper pad on the bottom can be shorted to allow the system to power the JoyKEY, but it's just there as an option (an old power supply might not like having to power something with that many LEDs).

If it wasn't already clear, this is only an adapter for the system and not the joystick itself - for the main PCBs as well as other adapters you might be interested in, check out my other shared projects relating to this project. For BOM and build instructions, have a look at my github-repository.