Dreamcast Controller to Naomi Adapter In The Works By Mister Addons

A couple weeks ago, the owner of Mister Addons, known for their various configurations and addons related to the MiSTer FPGA platform, teased a new adapter board which would allow for Dreamcast Controller and VMU support on the Naomi 1 and 2 arcade platforms:

🚨New Product Announcement!🚨

Use your Dreamcast controller/VMU/keyboard on Naomi hardware. Does not rely on original ports! See product listing for compatibility.

ETA May 2023https://t.co/6sNWFRbInl

— Porkshop Express (@MisterAddons) April 18, 2023

While you might be thinking, “Wouldn’t the control panel be enough for most of the games for Naomi?” You’d be partially right.

Many games have support for not only a digital control option, but also analog controls as well. Some which require analog inputs exclusively, such as Monkey Ball.

Another good use for this, would be to support the arcade version Typing of the Dead. Instead of hunting down a control panel and potentially needing to refurbish and clean the keyboard, you can simply plug in a Dreamcast Keyboard, or a supported keyboard adapter, and put it on the side of the machine. Allowing for less panel swapping when wanting to switch games.

I know what you're thinking, and yes, it does work with Typing of the Dead! pic.twitter.com/DKtlQ30Kvo

— Porkshop Express (@MisterAddons) April 18, 2023

In Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 for example, not only can you plug in your Dreamcast controller and play in arcades, but you can also connect your VMU and use your saves in arcades. In Japan though, it was required for unlocking several characters, a change thankfully made in the International release. (They also removed the need to play online to unlock characters, which would have been even more problematic if not removed.)

The compatibility for the adapter is listed below:

Controller:
Alien Front (calibrate analog controls in the system menu)Akatsuki Blitz kampf Auf Asche
Border Down
Capcom vs SNK 2000 (must set “C-Panel use” to “on” in Game Test Mode **must set jumper to position “A”)
Capcom vs SNK 2000 Pro (must set “VM-KIT TYPE” to “CAPCOM” and “VM WRITE” to “ON” in Game Test Mode)
Capcom vs SNK 2001 (must set “VM-KIT TYPE” to “CAPCOM” in Game Test Mode)
Chaos Field
GunSpike (must set “VM-Kit” to “CAPCOM” in Game Test Mode)
Heavy Metal Geomatrix (must set “VM-Kit” to “CAPCOM” in Game Test Mode)
IllveloKarous
Marvel vs Capcom 2 
Mobile Suit Gundam Fed. Vs Zeon (wont boot unless cabinet is set to 1 player in service menu)
Mobile Suit Gundam Fed. Vs Zeon DX

(wont boot unless cabinet is set to 1 player in service menu)
Musapeys Choco Marker (coin meters must be connected or will boot to test menu)
Power Stone 2 (must set “VM-Kit” to “CAPCOM” in Game Test Mode)
Project Justice Rival Schools 2 (must set “VM-Kit” to “CAPCOM” in Game Test Mode)
Radirgy
Senko no Ronde
Senko no Ronde SP
Shooting Love 2007: Exzeal
SlashOut
Spawn (freezes on Capcom logo in Multi Bios, push start before then to play) 
Street Fighter Zero 3 Upper (must set “VM-KIT” to “CAPCOM” in Game Test Mode)

Keyboard Only:
La Keyboard
Lupin The Typing
Typing of the Dead

VMU Only:
Giant Gram 2
Giant Gram 3

While Monkey Ball is not listed, it has yet to be tested, but sadly looks like it’s unlikely to work:

The listing has the known working games. Monkeyball probably won't work.

— Porkshop Express (@MisterAddons) April 18, 2023

While it’s a bummer an easier way to play Monkey Ball is still out of reach, the support it gives to the Naomi library is immense, and will allow more accessibility instead of hunting down old adapters, or needing to build your own via butchering Dreamcast Controllers.

If you’d like get your hands on one, orders should begin in May of 2023 here:
https://misteraddons.com/products/naomi-dreamcast-controller-adapter

Let us know if you have any interest in picking this up!