It’s possible to make a simple video game controller for pennies on the dollar. This DIY controller utilizes the electronic seat control mechanism found on most cars built in the 1990s or later. All you need is the seat control mechanism, a test light/LED, and old/broken video game controller and some solder or electrical tape.

This tutorial comes courtesy of Jason Torchinsky at Jalopnik.com. The homemade video game controller is best used with older game consoles, such as Atari, although electrically inclined individuals may be able to adapt these instructions to create a crude Playstation 3 or Xbox 360 controller (We’d love to hear about it if you do manage to build a homemade PS3 or Xbox 360 controller).

Step 1:

Start by visiting your local junk yard and obtaining an electronic seat control mechanism. Make sure it has a toggle control as well as other buttons/switches. You can purchase this part from a junk yard for next to nothing.

Step 2:

Next, figure out what each of the wires on the back of the seat control mechanism do. Use a battery and test light to determine the ground, power and function of each wire. Make sure to write this information down so you don’t forget it.

Step 3:

Take apart an old or broken game controller and wire the seat control mechanism wires to the proper location on the controller’s main panel. Just match up the toggle controls, fire button, etc.

Step 4:

Solder it all together or simply secure it with electrical tape. Next, test it out with your favorite retro video game!

The controls may be a little crude, but you’ll have one of the coolest custom controllers around.

Thanks to Jalopnik.com for the great tutorial! We love repurposing junk into usable stuff.

Check out the video below to see that the game controller actually does work.