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A game port is a legacy 15-pin connector, often orange, used to connect analog devices like joysticks, gamepads, and steering wheels to a computer. Also known as a joystick port or game control adapter, it provides four analog inputs and four switch inputs for these controllers. Integrated into sound cards or motherboards, the game port was largely replaced by USB in the late 1990s and is now considered an obsolete port due to lack of operating system support in newer systems like Windows Vista.

Function and Features

Analog Input: The game port was designed to handle analog input from game controllers, allowing for nuanced control.

Multiple Inputs: It offered multiple analog inputs and switch inputs, supporting up to four potentiometers (for axes) and four buttons.

MIDI Capability: Many game ports also included a MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) interface, allowing for the connection of other musical devices.

Physical Appearance

DB-15 Connector: It typically uses a 15-pin D-subminiature (DB-15) connector.

Color: On older PCs, the port was often a distinct orange color.