SNES controller

The Super NES Controller (SHVC-005, SNS-005, SNS-102) is very similar to the NES's standard controller, with a collection of digital inputs that are latched and read in series. With a suitable adapter, reading the SNES controller is like reading an NES controller with 4 extra buttons.

The 16 bit report will read, in order:

 0 - B
 1 - Y
 2 - Select
 3 - Start
 4 - Up
 5 - Down
 6 - Left
 7 - Right

 8 - A
 9 - X
10 - L
11 - R
12 - 0
13 - 0
14 - 0
15 - 0

Note that the first 8 values map directly to the original NES controller's 8 inputs (SNES B = NES A, and SNES Y = NES B). The Virtual Boy controller likewise returns button states in nearly the same order, with the right Control Pad corresponding to ABXY on the Super NES.

The last 4 bits will always read 0 from a standard SNES controller. Other values here may indicate other devices, such as a mouse or a Virtual Boy controller.

After the 16 bit report, subsequent bits will read as 1.

Games

An incomplete list of NES games with special support for SNES controllers:

• Spook-O-Tron
• Nova the Squirrel

See also

• Controller port pinout
• Controller reading