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DE-9 Connector: Difference between revisions

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'''Legend:'''   
'''Legend:'''   
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0 0 1em 0;"
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0 0 1em 0"
! Colour !! Meaning
! Colour !! Meaning
|-
|-
| style="background:#cfc;" | Green || Common joystick default across most DE-9 implementations (Up, Down, Left, Right, Button 1, +5V, GND)
| style="background:#cfc" | Green || Common joystick default across most DE-9 implementations (Up, Down, Left, Right, Button 1, +5 V, GND)
|-
|-
| style="background:#ffc0c0;" | Red || System-specific, conflicting, or non-standard assignment
| style="background:#ffc0c0" | Red || System-specific, conflicting, or non-standard assignment
|-
| style="background:#e0e0e0" | Grey || Unused / Not connected
|}
|}


Line 44: Line 46:
|-
|-
|1
|1
|style="background:#cfc;"|Up
|style="background:#cfc"|Up
|style="background:#cfc;"|Up
|style="background:#cfc"|Up
|style="background:#cfc;"|Up
|style="background:#cfc"|Up
|style="background:#cfc;"|Up
|style="background:#cfc"|Up
|style="background:#cfc;"|Up
|style="background:#cfc"|Up
|style="background:#cfc;"|Up
|style="background:#cfc"|Up
|style="background:#cfc;"|Up
|style="background:#cfc"|Up
|style="background:#cfc;"|Up
|style="background:#cfc"|Up
|style="background:#cfc;"|Up
|style="background:#cfc"|Up
|style="background:#cfc;"|Up
|style="background:#cfc"|Up
|style="background:#cfc;"|Up
|style="background:#cfc"|Up
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|GND
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|GND
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|Unused
|style="background:#e0e0e0"|Unused
|-
|-
|2
|2
|style="background:#cfc;"|Down
|style="background:#cfc"|Down
|style="background:#cfc;"|Down
|style="background:#cfc"|Down
|style="background:#cfc;"|Down
|style="background:#cfc"|Down
|style="background:#cfc;"|Down
|style="background:#cfc"|Down
|style="background:#cfc;"|Down
|style="background:#cfc"|Down
|style="background:#cfc;"|Down
|style="background:#cfc"|Down
|style="background:#cfc;"|Down
|style="background:#cfc"|Down
|style="background:#cfc;"|Down
|style="background:#cfc"|Down
|style="background:#cfc;"|Down
|style="background:#cfc"|Down
|style="background:#cfc;"|Down
|style="background:#cfc"|Down
|style="background:#cfc;"|Down
|style="background:#cfc"|Down
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|Down
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|Down
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|GND
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|GND
|-
|-
|3
|3
|style="background:#cfc;"|Left
|style="background:#cfc"|Left
|style="background:#cfc;"|Left
|style="background:#cfc"|Left
|style="background:#cfc;"|Left
|style="background:#cfc"|Left
|style="background:#cfc;"|Left
|style="background:#cfc"|Left
|style="background:#cfc;"|Left
|style="background:#cfc"|Left
|style="background:#cfc;"|Left
|style="background:#cfc"|Left
|style="background:#cfc;"|Left
|style="background:#cfc"|Left
|style="background:#cfc;"|Left
|style="background:#cfc"|Left
|style="background:#cfc;"|Left
|style="background:#cfc"|Left
|style="background:#cfc;"|Left
|style="background:#cfc"|Left
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|1Y (-, Left)
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|1Y (-, Left)
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|Up
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|Up
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|Unused
|style="background:#e0e0e0"|Unused
|-
|-
|4
|4
|style="background:#cfc;"|Right
|style="background:#cfc"|Right
|style="background:#cfc;"|Right
|style="background:#cfc"|Right
|style="background:#cfc;"|Right
|style="background:#cfc"|Right
|style="background:#cfc;"|Right
|style="background:#cfc"|Right
|style="background:#cfc;"|Right
|style="background:#cfc"|Right
|style="background:#cfc;"|Right
|style="background:#cfc"|Right
|style="background:#cfc;"|Right
|style="background:#cfc"|Right
|style="background:#cfc;"|Right
|style="background:#cfc"|Right
|style="background:#cfc;"|Right
|style="background:#cfc"|Right
|style="background:#cfc;"|Right
|style="background:#cfc"|Right
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|2Y (-, Right)
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|2Y (-, Right)
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|VCC
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|+5 V
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|Button
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|Button
|-
|-
|5
|5
|Button 3
|Button 3
|Paddle B
|Paddle B
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|Button Right
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|Button Right
|''unused''
|style="background:#e0e0e0"|Unused
|Button 3 (POTY)
|Button 3 (POTY)
|Button 3 (POTX)
|Button 3 (POTX)
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|Shift Load OUT
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|Shift Load OUT
|Button 3
|Button 3
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|VCC
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|+5 V
|style="background:#cfc;"|+5V
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|+5 V
|style="background:#cfc;"|+5V
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|+5 V
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|Select OUT 1
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|Select OUT 1
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|Up
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|Up
|-
|-
|6
|6
|style="background:#cfc;"|Button 1
|style="background:#cfc"|Button 1
|style="background:#cfc;"|Button
|style="background:#cfc"|Button
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|Button common
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|Button common
|style="background:#cfc;"|Button 1
|style="background:#cfc"|Button 1
|style="background:#cfc;"|Button 1
|style="background:#cfc"|Button 1
|style="background:#cfc;"|Button 1
|style="background:#cfc"|Button 1
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|Fire, Clock OUT
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|Fire, Clock OUT
|Button 2
|Button 2
|style="background:#cfc;"|Button 1
|style="background:#cfc"|Button 1
|TL (A)
|TL (A)
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|TL (A, B)
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|TL (A, B)
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|Select OUT 2
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|Select OUT 2
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|Right
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|Right
|-
|-
|7
|7
|style="background:#cfc;"|+5V
|style="background:#cfc"|+5 V
|style="background:#cfc;"|+5V
|style="background:#cfc"|+5 V
|style="background:#cfc;"|+5V
|style="background:#cfc"|+5 V
|style="background:#cfc;"|+5V
|style="background:#cfc"|+5 V
|style="background:#cfc;"|+5V
|style="background:#cfc"|+5 V
|style="background:#cfc;"|+5V
|style="background:#cfc"|+5 V
|style="background:#cfc;"|+5V
|style="background:#cfc"|+5 V
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|Button 1
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|Button 1
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|Button 2
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|Button 2
|TH (''unused'')
|style="background:#e0e0e0"|TH (Unused)
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|TH (Select OUT)
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|TH (Select OUT)
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|Right
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|Right
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|Left
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|Left
|-
|-
|8
|8
|style="background:#cfc;"|GND
|style="background:#cfc"|GND
|style="background:#cfc;"|GND
|style="background:#cfc"|GND
|style="background:#cfc;"|GND
|style="background:#cfc"|GND
|style="background:#cfc;"|GND
|style="background:#cfc"|GND
|style="background:#cfc;"|GND
|style="background:#cfc"|GND
|style="background:#cfc;"|GND
|style="background:#cfc"|GND
|style="background:#cfc;"|GND
|style="background:#cfc"|GND
|GND (Row 9) (*5)
|GND (Row 9) (*5)
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|Strobe OUT
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|Strobe OUT
|style="background:#cfc;"|GND
|style="background:#cfc"|GND
|style="background:#cfc;"|GND
|style="background:#cfc"|GND
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|Left
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|Left
|style="background:#cfc;"|GND
|style="background:#cfc"|GND
|-
|-
|9
|9
|Button 2
|Button 2
|Paddle A
|Paddle A
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|Button Left
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|Button Left
|Button 2
|Button 2
|Button 2 (POTX)
|Button 2 (POTX)
|Button 2 (POTY)
|Button 2 (POTY)
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|Serial Data IN
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|Serial Data IN
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|GND (Row 6) (*5)
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|GND (Row 6) (*5)
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|GND
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|GND
|TR (B)
|TR (B)
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|TR (Start, C)
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|TR (Start, C)
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|VCC
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|+5 V
|style="background-color: #ffc0c0"|Down
|style="background:#ffc0c0"|Down
|}
|}


(*1) The Atari 7800 uses independent button wiring not compatible with the standard Atari joystick pinout. Adapters or rewiring are required for full button functionality.


(*2) On the Atari ST, pin 9 of port 1 (right mouse button) is shared with pin 6 of port 2 (fire). This means only port 1 supports two mouse buttons, and only if port 2 is unused. 
The Atari STe and Falcon have DE-15 Extended Joystick Ports, which can accept two DE-9 joysticks with a passive adapter (see [http://info-coach.fr/atari/hardware/interfaces.php info-coach.fr]). 
The Atari Jaguar also uses DE-15 connectors, but with a completely different button matrix pinout (see [https://www.gamesx.com/controldata/ejp_faq.htm GameSX]).


(*1) The Atari 7800 buttons require special wiring.
(*3) On Commodore machines, the second button (right mouse button) is wired to the POT X line, and the third button (middle mouse button) to POT Y. Unlike the other lines, these must be pulled to +5 V through the button.
 
(*2) Pin9 (RMB) of the first port is shared with Pin6 (Fire) of the second port to be able to use a mouse with two buttons (in the first port). On the second port, Pin9 is not connected. That means only the first port supports two buttons, and only when the second port is not used at the same time. Atari STe and Atari Falcon have two DE-15 Extended Joystick Ports, which could with a passive adapter be connected to two DE-9 joysticks (see [http://info-coach.fr/atari/hardware/interfaces.php here]). Atari Jaguar Controllers also have DE-15 connectors, but with different pinout which exposes a button matrix (see [https://www.gamesx.com/controldata/ejp_faq.htm here]).
 
(*3) For the second button/right mouse button the POT X line is used (and for 3rd button/middle mouse button POTY), which - different to the other lines - must be pulled to VCC via the button.
 
(*4) The CD32 supports "gamepad mode" and uses pin 5 to switch to it (it is pulled to active high by the CD32). Actual CD32 controllers have active components. Regular "Atari" joysticks will work at the CD32, but CD32 controllers will not work on, for example, a C-64 (see [http://gerdkautzmann.de/cd32gamepad/cd32gamepad.html here] and [http://www.hardwarebook.info/Joypad_%28Amiga_CD32%29 here])
 
(*5) The respective GND lines are pulled low to select the respective "row". Regular Joystick uses row 9.
 
(*6) Sega controllers cannot be converted into Atari controllers simply by rewiring them. Unlike regular Atari sticks, they contain pull-up resistors for each signal line (which might interfere with scanning the keyboard on C64) and some controllers may contain active circuits and will not work without the VCC. The Mega Drive controllers use an active circuit. (see [http://gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=controls:megadrive_genesis_controller_3 here] or [http://segaretro.org/Control_Pad_%28Mega_Drive%29 here]). The Saturn controllers also contain an active circuit and are wired up completely non-standard. Mega Drive controllers can be used as Atari controllers with a simple adapter, see [https://blog.hpz.pw/c64-sega-genesis-joystick-adapter/ here].


(*7) Pinout refers to Interface Two (Sinclair aka +3)
(*4) The Amiga CD32 supports a “gamepad mode”, activated by pulling pin 5 high. CD32 controllers include active circuitry. Standard Atari-style joysticks work on the CD32, but CD32 pads are not compatible with older machines such as the C64 (see [https://www.mrdictionary.net/PSCD32/diary/2019_08_09.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com mirror of gerdkautzmann.de] and [https://web.archive.org/web/20250716023820/http://www.hardwarebook.info/Joypad_(Amiga_CD32) HarwareBook.info]).


The Apple-II uses analog joysticks and can '''not''' use the common digital joystick with the pinout shown above, see [[DB9-Paddle|here]].
(*5) On Amstrad systems, GND lines are pulled low to select the respective “row”. A regular joystick uses row 9.


Like Sega Saturn controllers, the ColecoVision and Intellivision II controllers work entirely different. (see eg [http://arcarc.xmission.com/Web%20Archives/Deathskull%20%28May-2006%29/games/tech/cvcont.html here] and [http://arcarc.xmission.com/Web%20Archives/Deathskull%20%28May-2006%29/games/tech/intvcont.html here])
(*6) Sega controllers cannot be converted into Atari controllers simply by rewiring them. Unlike regular Atari sticks, they contain pull-up resistors on each signal line (which may interfere with scanning the keyboard on a C64). Some controllers contain active circuits and will not work without the +5 V supply. The Mega Drive controllers use an active circuit (see [http://gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=controls:megadrive_genesis_controller_3 GameSX] or [http://segaretro.org/Control_Pad_%28Mega_Drive%29 SegaRetro]). The Saturn controllers also contain an active circuit and are wired completely non-standard. Mega Drive controllers can be used as Atari controllers with a simple adapter (see [https://blog.hpz.pw/c64-sega-genesis-joystick-adapter/ blog.hpz.pw]). 
Sega’s documentation also refers to certain pins by signal names: '''TL''' (“Trigger Left”) is the main trigger input (commonly Button B), and '''TH''' (“Test Harness”/“Select”) is a console-driven line used to multiplex additional buttons on 3- and 6-button controllers.


The Sinclair-QL has completely different controller ports. (The US and German versions of the QL later made by Samsung both had standard 9 pin serial and joystick ports, meaning that any Atari standard joystick could then be used.)
(*7) Pinout refers to Interface Two (Sinclair +3 compatible models).


The Commodore C16/C116/Plus4 have two mini-DIN ports which are electrically compatible with standard DB9 ports, so they can be used with an adapter.
===Other Systems Using DE-9 Connectors===


The Covox Sound Master is a rare PC Soundcard that has two Atari-compatible DB9 joystick ports.
* The Apple II uses analog joysticks and cannot use the digital DE-9 pinout shown above.
* Like Sega Saturn controllers, the ColecoVision and Intellivision II controllers use completely different wiring (see [http://arcarc.xmission.com/Web%20Archives/Deathskull%20%28May-2006%29/games/tech/cvcont.html DeathSkull Labs] and [http://arcarc.xmission.com/Web%20Archives/Deathskull%20%28May-2006%29/games/tech/intvcont.html DeathSkull Labs]).
* The Sinclair QL originally used non-standard controller ports. Later Samsung-made QLs (US and German models) switched to standard 9-pin joystick/serial ports, allowing Atari-compatible sticks.
* The Commodore C16/C116/Plus/4 have two mini-DIN joystick ports, electrically compatible with DE-9 via a passive adapter.

Latest revision as of 20:56, 31 August 2025

Pinout

Male Connection / Female Solder
Male Connection / Female Solder
Female Connection / Male Solder
Female Connection / Male Solder
Front of Male Connector
Front of Female Connector
Back of Female Connector
Back of Male Connector
The male connector is on the computer/console, whilst the female connector is on the joystick/controller.

Device Configuration

Legend:

Colour Meaning
Green Common joystick default across most DE-9 implementations (Up, Down, Left, Right, Button 1, +5 V, GND)
Red System-specific, conflicting, or non-standard assignment
Grey Unused / Not connected
Pin Chameleon Atari 800
Atari VCS 		Atari 7800
(*1) 		Atari ST
(*2) 		VIC-20
C-64
C64GS
(*3) 		Amiga CD32
(*4) 		Amstrad
CPC 		MSX
X68000
(J-PC) 		Master System
(*6) 		Mega Drive
(Genesis)
(*6) 		Saturn
(*6) 		Sinclair
(*7)
1 Up Up Up Up Up Up Up Up Up Up Up GND Unused
2 Down Down Down Down Down Down Down Down Down Down Down Down GND
3 Left Left Left Left Left Left Left Left Left Left 1Y (-, Left) Up Unused
4 Right Right Right Right Right Right Right Right Right Right 2Y (-, Right) +5 V Button
5 Button 3 Paddle B Button Right Unused Button 3 (POTY) Button 3 (POTX) Shift Load OUT Button 3 +5 V +5 V +5 V Select OUT 1 Up
6 Button 1 Button Button common Button 1 Button 1 Button 1 Fire, Clock OUT Button 2 Button 1 TL (A) TL (A, B) Select OUT 2 Right
7 +5 V +5 V +5 V +5 V +5 V +5 V +5 V Button 1 Button 2 TH (Unused) TH (Select OUT) Right Left
8 GND GND GND GND GND GND GND GND (Row 9) (*5) Strobe OUT GND GND Left GND
9 Button 2 Paddle A Button Left Button 2 Button 2 (POTX) Button 2 (POTY) Serial Data IN GND (Row 6) (*5) GND TR (B) TR (Start, C) +5 V Down

(*1) The Atari 7800 uses independent button wiring not compatible with the standard Atari joystick pinout. Adapters or rewiring are required for full button functionality.

(*2) On the Atari ST, pin 9 of port 1 (right mouse button) is shared with pin 6 of port 2 (fire). This means only port 1 supports two mouse buttons, and only if port 2 is unused. The Atari STe and Falcon have DE-15 Extended Joystick Ports, which can accept two DE-9 joysticks with a passive adapter (see info-coach.fr). The Atari Jaguar also uses DE-15 connectors, but with a completely different button matrix pinout (see GameSX).

(*3) On Commodore machines, the second button (right mouse button) is wired to the POT X line, and the third button (middle mouse button) to POT Y. Unlike the other lines, these must be pulled to +5 V through the button.

(*4) The Amiga CD32 supports a “gamepad mode”, activated by pulling pin 5 high. CD32 controllers include active circuitry. Standard Atari-style joysticks work on the CD32, but CD32 pads are not compatible with older machines such as the C64 (see mirror of gerdkautzmann.de and HarwareBook.info).

(*5) On Amstrad systems, GND lines are pulled low to select the respective “row”. A regular joystick uses row 9.

(*6) Sega controllers cannot be converted into Atari controllers simply by rewiring them. Unlike regular Atari sticks, they contain pull-up resistors on each signal line (which may interfere with scanning the keyboard on a C64). Some controllers contain active circuits and will not work without the +5 V supply. The Mega Drive controllers use an active circuit (see GameSX or SegaRetro). The Saturn controllers also contain an active circuit and are wired completely non-standard. Mega Drive controllers can be used as Atari controllers with a simple adapter (see blog.hpz.pw). Sega’s documentation also refers to certain pins by signal names: TL (“Trigger Left”) is the main trigger input (commonly Button B), and TH (“Test Harness”/“Select”) is a console-driven line used to multiplex additional buttons on 3- and 6-button controllers.

(*7) Pinout refers to Interface Two (Sinclair +3 compatible models).

Other Systems Using DE-9 Connectors

  • The Apple II uses analog joysticks and cannot use the digital DE-9 pinout shown above.
  • Like Sega Saturn controllers, the ColecoVision and Intellivision II controllers use completely different wiring (see DeathSkull Labs and DeathSkull Labs).
  • The Sinclair QL originally used non-standard controller ports. Later Samsung-made QLs (US and German models) switched to standard 9-pin joystick/serial ports, allowing Atari-compatible sticks.
  • The Commodore C16/C116/Plus/4 have two mini-DIN joystick ports, electrically compatible with DE-9 via a passive adapter.
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