As an owner of several video game consoles, I like to play wirelessly. I was pretty spoiled by my PS3, and one of the things that keeps me from playing my older systems is that the cords just aren't long enough. Of course I could buy cord extenders, but then there's just more wires. There are also aftermarket wireless controllers, but some of those aren't very well made, and others are really expensive.

So what if I made something like this? It would be an RF transmitter and receiver set with ports for all retro (wire-based) consoles on the front of the transmitter and similar ports on the rear of the receiver, with included male-to-male wires to connect to the consoles. This way, you could use first-party controllers that are built with quality, and still sit up to 50 feet away from your TV screen, thanks to 2.4GHz wireless technology. Consoles where four-player games are common would have four ports (such as the N64, Gamecube, and Playstation).

Of course, I have absolutely no idea how to build something like this and it would probably be more logical for me to sell this idea to an aftermarket video game accessory company like Hyperkin or Retrobit. But is this idea salable? I want some opinions...

Zurenriri : There'd be too many ports.

Like Tails already said, plus I am not sure about the ac. Would it just extend the ac or have its own, because each console needs a different wattage. Not really sure how that would work. You can always get wireless controllers (for the systems that support it). The Genesis has wireless controllers that work pretty well and so does the Atari 2600. You could also get those retro console things that play Nes, Snes, and Genesis games, they have wireless controllers (although I hear they don't emulate Genesis games well).

GenesisJunkie : This would have its own AC adapter, and it wouldn't emulate any console or have any console hardware, this would only serve as an intermediary to transmit the signal to the console. If you squeezed all the ports onto the receiver, it would only be about 6" wide by 4" high, around the same size as three Sega Genesis game cases stacked on top of each other. The transmitter would be about the same size.

Wireless controllers are great, but they're hard to find for some systems, such as the Dreamcast and the N64. Also, some of them aren't built very well. With this device you could use original controllers that are built to last.

Some of the greatest innovations that man has ever seen have happened despite the fact that the inventors/innovators were told by other people that "it can't be done" or "it won't work".

All that really matters is if you think you can do it.

Personally, I think it can be done. I guess it just depends on how knowledgeable you are about circuit boards and how much time you are willing to invest in research and development.

thephantombrain : I wouldn't have a clue how to build something like this and I might lose a limb if I tried. But I sent out an e-mail to Hyperkin this morning, we'll see if they're interested.

I feel as if it is a great idea. If the idea gets accepted, good on you. I have been wanting something like this for a while now, and only wished that someone would have done something like this sooner. I will be honest, it sounds difficult, but I feel like it can be done. I just cannot understand why it had not been thought of before, or been produced before. I am sure a lot of people would be happy if something like this existed.

I suppose this could be possible, but, if possible, you would probably want something a bit more reliable like bluetooth.

Also, instead of having all the connectors on the transmitter box, a universal connector with interchangeable plugs probably would be a better idea.

Personally, I would attempt to make it myself rather than trying to sell it to another company.

This would be a good idea, but it's plagued with the severely horrifying amount of ports there would be. You're best off getting wireless controllers for your systems separately.