Before this product (model MF104), Mayflash used to sell a small rectangular Genesis->USB adapter with the name "MEGADRIVE Controller Adapter for PC USB" (it has no obvious model number that I can find).
I had 2 of those old model adapters. The older version was DirectInput only, but the later version had a physical switch on it to select between DirectInput and XInput mode. That later version was perfect. Everything worked, no driver or firmware intervention needed, and that switch allowed you to easily select whichever mode was needed.
But I lost it.
Eventually I gave up on ever finding it, and bought this new model to take it's place. It was a disappointment. The good news is that in the midst of my frustration a beam of light entered my brain and I remembered where to find the old one. After comparing the old and new models, I've decided to send the new one back. If the new model had worked properly I would have kept it, but it has serious problems (or at least my example does).
Problems with this model
============================
Firstly - it's a bit bulkier than the old design. It also has Turbo and Autofire features that I think are superfluous and will only create possible headaches if they get accidentally enabled, but maybe there's some people out there who actually want that feature. Personally I think the only time I'd want Turbo is in a few old NES games, and emulators will offer that function themselves in software. Autofire? Even less useful.
In addition to DirectInput and XInput mode, this new model now has a 3rd mode of operation to work with Nintendo Switch. That may be useful to someone who owns a Switch, and could be a good reason to prefer this model in that case.
My complaint is the way you switch modes. The old model had a simple mechanical switch on it with labelled positions. It was easy to tell what mode it was in by just looking at the switch, and to change modes by just moving it. On this new model the switch is electronic - you have to hold the "HOME" button for 8 seconds to change modes, and remember what each color of LED represents (it's not labelled on the device). Probably not a big deal as long as you don't forget how it works or what the colors mean, but a simple mechanical switch is simpler IMO. Why is it called the "HOME" button? I have no idea.
OS compatibility:
I'm not a Linux guru, but I couldn't get this device recognized under Linux Mint 19.2 when in XInput mode. It's recognized in DirectInput but not XInput. Not sure why that's happening because the old model works readily in both modes - I just plugged it in and confirmed this. Same system, just plugging in the different adapters to the same USB port - the new model won't detect in XInput mode but the old one works readily in either mode. It's hard not to blame the device with such a simple A-B comparison as that.
Under Windows 7, XInput mode does work with the new model, so it's not necessarily broken, just not as compatible.
Under Windows XP, this unit did not work at all. It seems to want a driver. I wouldn't count on finding an XP driver for something this new, but maybe something generic would work. The old model works in XP without any driver installation required.
Sega "MODE" button problem:
Regardless of whether I use this adapter in XInput(green LED), DInput(blue LED), or Switch(red LED) modes, the "MODE" button on Sega 6-button controllers will not work. This *is* a detectable button on Sega controllers and is supported by the old model.
Supposedly this issue can be fixed by updating the firmware. That did not fix it for me.
The flash software, found at Mayflash's web site, contains the word "SNES" in the filename which is a confusing error on their part - but triple checking will confirm you did download the correct file. It requires Windows to run. It appears to work on WinXP but I didn't figure out how to use the utility correctly until I had rebooted to Win7.
The software doesn't explain a non-obvious step you need to take to make it actually detect and flash the device. This information is listed in the readme file. Anyway, I did update the firmware to version 1.08.13 which explicitly claims to fix the problem with the Sega MODE button. The firmware utility ran a checksum and reported success when finished. Yet the problem remains the same. The button is still not detected in any mode (all other buttons work).
Presuming that my unit is defective, let's go on to how it's *supposed* to work. One of Mayflash's web pages says that even after the firmware update, the Sega MODE button will only be supported in DirectInput mode, not XInput mode. Another reviewer here has reported the opposite - that XInput supports it but DirectInput does not. Either way, it's potentially a big problem depending on what mode is required by the games you want to play. Mayflash's old model Genesis->USB adapter doesn't have this issue - all buttons work in both DInput and XInput - I just now tested that so I'm certain. So this limitation is a regression compared to the old model.
After I found where I had misplaced my old model Mayflash adapter, I plugged it in and found it to do everything perfectly on the first try which had frustrated me with this newer model, so I'll be returning this new one back to Amazon. I just wish the old model was still available for sale. The old Amazon page where I bought it years ago just shows the item as permanently out of stock. I couldn't even find them on eBay. If Mayflash brought back that version, I'd buy another.
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Product Description
LED Indicators and Turbo
LED Indicators for the HOME Button
LED Indicator in Red: Nintendo Switch Mode
LED Indicator in Cyan: Wii U Mode
LED Indicator in Green: PC Xinput Mode
LED Indicator in Blue: PC Dinput Mode
To switch the console modes, press and hold the HOME button on your adapter.
LED Indicators for the TURBO 1 and TURBO 2
Player 1: TURBO 1
Player 2: TURBO 2
Turbo/Auto Fire/Hold Function
You can set the Turbo/Auto Fire/Hold for the player 1 and player 2 separately.
See more instructions on the User Manual.
- The SEGA Genesis & Mega Drive Controller Adapter allows you to connect up to two SEGA Genesis & Mega Drive Controllers to your Nintendo Switch System.
- With two Adapters, up to four SEGA Genesis & Mega Drive controllers can be used at the same time.
- The SEGA Genesis & Mega Drive Controller Adapter allows you to connect up to two SEGA Genesis & Mega Drive Controllers to your PC Windows.
- With two Adapters, up to four SEGA Genesis & Mega Drive controllers can be used at the same time.
Compare with similar items
 | TOTALCONSOLE PC053 Super NES/Super Famicom/NES/Famicom Controller Adapter for PC & PS3 USB | Retro-Bit Official Sega Genesis Controller 6-Button Arcade Pad for Sega Genesis - Original Port (Black) | 8Bitdo M30 Bluetooth Gamepad for Switch, PC, macOS and Android with Sega Genesis & Mega Drive Style | Retro-Bit Sega Genesis 2.4 GHz Wireless Controller 8-Button Arcade Pad for Sega Genesis Original/Mini, Switch, PC, Mac – Includes 2 Receivers & Storage Case (Clear Blue) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Rating | (52) | (109) | (1313) | (2143) | (413) |
| Price | $23.99 | $15.99 | $14.99 | $27.59 | $34.99 |
| Sold By | MAYFLASH LIMITED | flashbackltd | Fandom Brands Inc. | 8Bitdo Official US | Fandom Brands Inc. |
| Platform | GameCube, Sega Genesis | Super Nintendo | Sega Genesis | Windows, Android, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch | No Operating System |
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Customer reviews
It’s great for PC but don’t buy this for switch.
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2021
This adapter works as you would expect on PC. There is a small learning curve to set it to the proper mode. More importantly this adapter doesn’t work great on Switch. A and B are assigned as you would expect but C is mapped to L for some Bizarre reason. Because of this you cannot use the the Genesis controller in either the Megadrive Classics or the Genesis Online without missing the C button. For me it is uncomfortable to play Sonic Mania with as in normal Sonic games I press C to jump.This would be solved easily if Mayflash released a firmware update to allow it to act like a switch pro controller so you can just remap buttons as you see fit using the normal Switch remap stuff. I would happily give this adapter 5 stars if they did this.
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2021
Images in this review
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 9, 2021
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 16, 2021
This would be solved easily if Mayflash released a firmware update to allow it to act like a switch pro controller so you can just remap buttons as you see fit using the normal Switch remap stuff. I would happily give this adapter 5 stars if they did this.
It’s great for PC but don’t buy this for switch.
By Alexander Joye on December 15, 2021
This adapter works as you would expect on PC. There is a small learning curve to set it to the proper mode. More importantly this adapter doesn’t work great on Switch. A and B are assigned as you would expect but C is mapped to L for some Bizarre reason. Because of this you cannot use the the Genesis controller in either the Megadrive Classics or the Genesis Online without missing the C button. For me it is uncomfortable to play Sonic Mania with as in normal Sonic games I press C to jump.By Alexander Joye on December 15, 2021
This would be solved easily if Mayflash released a firmware update to allow it to act like a switch pro controller so you can just remap buttons as you see fit using the normal Switch remap stuff. I would happily give this adapter 5 stars if they did this.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 27, 2021
Top reviews from other countries
Mr Booja Booja
Useless for 3-button controller in many games
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on February 26, 2022SteveC
Nice adapter
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on October 3, 2020
Nice adapter
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on October 3, 2020
It looks good and seems well made with a generous 2 metre long USB cable.Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on October 3, 2020
Out of the box this device may not also support atari-style joysticks, a great feature of the previous mayflash megadrive model (PC054), but with a quick firmware update (V1.08.13) downloaded from the mayflash website it gets fixed. Switch to XINPUT mode (green LED) for this to function correctly.
Images in this review
Hammerin' Harry
100% Compatible MSX / MSX Mini Replica
Reviewed in Spain 🇪🇸 on September 18, 2021
100% Compatible MSX / MSX Mini Replica
Reviewed in Spain 🇪🇸 on September 18, 2021
He utilizado este producto para conectar a un ordenador MSX Mini Replica de 2019 mandos de juego originales de MSX de los años 80.Reviewed in Spain 🇪🇸 on September 18, 2021
El MAYFLASH ha superado todas mis expectativas. He podido conectar joysticks, joypads y pistolas opticas (Gunstick) originales de MSX en cualquiera de los dos puertos USB del MSX Mini Replica, y todos han funcionado perfectamente. He disfrutado mucho jugando con los mismos joysticks de los 80 a los juegos clasicos de Konami o Compile
Sabia que los mandos de SEGA son compatibles con la norma MSX, pero no sabia si esta compatibilidad habia sido trasladada al adaptador de MAYFLASH. La respuesta es que si, y lo recomiendo al 100%
I used this product to connect original MSX game controllers from the 80s to a 2019 MSX Mini Replica computer.
The MAYFLASH has exceeded all my expectations. I have been able to connect original MSX joysticks, joypads and optical guns (Gunstick) in any of the two USB ports of the MSX Mini Replica, and they all worked perfectly. I really enjoyed playing with the same joysticks from the 80s to classic Konami or Compile games
I knew that SEGA controllers are compatible with the MSX standard, but I did not know if this compatibility had been transferred to the MAYFLASH adapter. The answer is yes, and I recommend it 100%.
Images in this review
Graeme
Must have for Sega Genesis / Mega Drive style 9 pin D connector plug.
Reviewed in Australia 🇦🇺 on July 18, 2021
