What is it?

The SNES Macropad is a 12 key (3x4) macro keyboard that features a SNES controller connector. The buttons on the SNES controller are mapped as regular keyboard keys and treated as an extension to the existing macro 12 keys. It uses QMK for its firmware, which allows you to do all kinds of interesting things with different layers, mouse keys, midi, only your imagination is the limit!

The microcontroller is an RP2040 (RPi Pico Lite), which is programmable with C/C++ or Micropython. I have only played around with running QMK, but you should be able to use anything you'd normally use to program a Rpi Pico.

Additionally the SNES Macropad features:

• 12 RGB LEDs (SK6812)
• A 128x32 pixel .91" OLED display
• A QWIIC connector
• A 3.5mm TRRS jack that also carries I2C (NOT FOR AUDIO)

Why did you make it?

I've always loved the NES and SNES and wanted to use their controllers for playing on the computer. I also wanted a macropad, and to learn how to build my own mechanical keyboard and so this seemed like the perfect project for me.

What makes it special?

It's a programmable macropad with a SNES connector! Plug-and-play, and since it's a keyboard (as far as your computer knows) you can bind any key to the buttons on the controller, allowing you access to things you can't normally map to a gamepad in many emulators or video games (save states with a button press for example).