Cables & connectors

Connectivity brings together everything that links a console to its screen, its power supply and its controllers. You will find the composite and component AV cables for Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft consoles, controller extension leads, charging cords for handhelds, and also the FFC ribbon cables and wiring used in repair work.

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Câbles & connectique 33 Câbles HDMI 26 Câbles vidéo rétro 16 Câbles USB-C & charge 23

Spotting the right length, the right connector and the right ribbon pitch

The exact reference matters more than the connector type

Two AV cables can look alike and still be incompatible: the one for a first-generation Xbox does not plug into an Xbox 360 Slim. On length, AV cables are generally 1.8 m and the controller extensions for the Wii, NES and SNES Classic Mini come in 1.8 m or 3 m. For flat ribbons, it is the pitch and the pin count that decide: a 0.5 mm FFC/FPC model with 24 pins ranges from 25 to 600 mm.

An FFC ribbon is also chosen by which side the contacts are on

  • Pitch: 0.5 mm is common on handheld consoles, but 1.0 mm also exists; the two are not interchangeable.
  • Pins: the count must match the connector exactly, from 6 to 40 depending on the pack.
  • Contacts: a ribbon comes with contacts on the same side or on opposite sides, which changes how it is fitted.

What it doesn't do

A cable converts no signal: it carries what the console already produces. An extension lead adds neither a wireless function nor compatibility with another console. And FFC connectors and silicone wire often call for soldering.

Connecting your console · USB-C cables · Retro video cables · Spare parts · Workshop & modding · Docks & hubs

Questions fréquentes

How do you know which FFC ribbon to order for a repair?
Take three values from the original ribbon: the pitch between contacts, often 0.5 mm, the pin count and the length in millimetres. Then check whether the contacts are on the same side or on opposite sides. The 0.5 mm 24-pin ribbons on offer run from 25 to 600 mm, which covers most internal needs.
Does a controller extension lead degrade the signal?
On the wired controllers of the Wii, NES and SNES Classic Mini, a 1.8 m or 3 m extension works with no perceptible loss because the signal is digital and the data rate very low. Just avoid chaining several extensions end to end, which adds as many contact points liable to go intermittent.
Does the Game Boy Advance Link cable work with a Game Boy Color?
The Link cable on offer connects two Game Boy Advance units for two-player play. The Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance connectors are not the same shape, so a Game Boy Color game needs a specific cable or adapter. Check the multiplayer mode the game requires before buying.