# darthcloud/BlueRetro

Multiplayer Bluetooth controllers adapter for retro video game consoles & computers

Repository: https://github.com/darthcloud/BlueRetro
Canonical: https://ross.abutalabs.com/products/blueretro
Homepage: https://blueretro.io
Language: C
License: Apache-2.0
License Family: permissive
Topics: bluetooth, dreamcast, nintendo-64, gamecube, adapter, hid, adaptor, game-controller, adaptive, esp32, atari, nintendo, sega, playstation, pc-engine, turbografx-16, 3do, snes, saturn, esp-idf
Archived: true
Last push: 2025-12-14T18:39:16+00:00

## Health v2 (maintenance only)
Score: 10/100 (v2, computed 2026-09-03T02:20:16.233290+00:00)
- activity 57, release rhythm 16, longevity 100
- inputs: {"age_days": 2596, "days_push": 262, "days_rel": 493, "gap_med": 101.0, "n_releases_24m": 3}
- flags: archived
- formula: round(0.45*activity + 0.35*rhythm + 0.20*longevity); archived -> min(score, 10)

## Adoption (not part of the score)
Stars 1832, forks 235 (observed 2026-08-28T04:05:42.282376+00:00)

## What it is
BlueRetro is an open-source multiplayer Bluetooth controller adapter firmware for ESP32 that lets modern Bluetooth gamepads (Wii, Switch, PS3-PS5, Xbox, generic HID) connect to retro game consoles and computers. It supports many console ports (NES, SNES, N64, Dreamcast, Saturn, PSX, GameCube, etc.) with 4+ simultaneous players on a single adapter.

## Use cases
- use modern Bluetooth controllers on a Nintendo 64
- replace lost or broken original console controllers with Bluetooth gamepads
- connect a PS5 or Xbox controller to a Dreamcast
- add multiplayer support to retro consoles with one adapter
- build a DIY Bluetooth adapter for a Sega Saturn or PC Engine
- use generic HID Bluetooth controllers on a JAMMA arcade cabinet
- configure BlueRetro adapter mappings via a web interface

## When to choose
- you want to use modern Bluetooth gamepads on retro consoles instead of rare or expensive original controllers
- you need multiplayer (4+ players) support on a single adapter across many console types
- you want open-source hardware and firmware you can build or fork yourself

## When to avoid
- you need active development, bug fixes, or new features - the project is archived and unmaintained
- you want wireless controllers on modern consoles or PC natively rather than retro hardware
- you prefer plug-and-play commercial adapters without DIY ESP32 flashing and wiring

## Facets
- artifact type: application
- maturity: maintenance
- function: embedded, game, sdk
- domain: gaming-tools, embedded-systems, hardware
- platform: embedded, iot, cross-platform
- tags: bluetooth, controller-adapter, esp32, retro-consoles, hid, open-source-hardware, multiplayer, archived-project, hardware, retro-gaming

## Member repositories
- darthcloud/BlueRetro (main) score 10

## Provenance
- Observed fields: from GitHub, fetched 2026-08-28T04:05:42.282376+00:00.
- Health v2: computed from the inputs above; adoption is never an input.
- Inferred fields (summary, facets, guidance): AI-extracted, prompt v1, taxonomy v1, on 2026-08-30T03:19:09.204032+00:00, confidence not recorded.
  - readme: https://github.com/darthcloud/BlueRetro (fetched 2026-08-28T04:05:42.282376+00:00, sha 5fbe6f0b1f7f)
  - homepage: https://blueretro.io (fetched 2026-08-29T10:57:53.655048+00:00, sha f8c8bcf02d62)
- Data as of 2026-08-30T08:39:29.467469+00:00.