I'm almost certain that the Touch Pad isn't going to work on the 2600+ even if the port isn't broken. The Touch Pad requires bi-directional joystick ports (meaning, they can output as well as input) and while a real 2600 can do this, I think the 2600+ doesn't support this feature. I've been meaning to cover this in a video soon. I know the compatibility chart says the 2600+ supports Star Raiders but I think they only tested that it started, not that it was actually fully working with both controllers :)
This is correct. From what I've been told the touch pad controllers aren't likely to be able to made to work on this current version of the hardware. It is also why other devices like the SaveKey and Atari Vox won't work either.
@@IvoryTowerCollections I'm always amazed that for all the advances in technology, modern devices have trouble doing things that simpler tech from half a century ago was able to do.
@@lurkerrekrul I think in this particular case with the 2600+, it was more of an oversight and perhaps the current Atari not realizing or thinking about the other peripheral controllers. I don't believe the Trackballs will work either.
Atari 2600 Donkey Kong was coded by Garry Kitchen who is a legend. From his account he had a 3 month deadline and worked non-stop on it to deliver it on time. I really don't think he deliberately made it "bad", it was just the best he could do with the ROM and time limits he had.
Still, the Coleco releases on the Atari 2600 could have been better. I am sure I read somewhere that Coleco deliberately made the games so that the ColecoVision versions looked much better.
@@CanadianRetroThings People have said they were deliberately bad, but I've never seen it from a credible source; it's just unfounded conspiracy talk as far as I can tell. There's no doubt the games could have been better given more development time and ROM space but that's just the nature of game development. The ColecoVision simply has more ROM, RAM, and more advanced graphics hardware and it was just naturally easier to better match the arcade game.
I see so many copies of Atari Star Raiders for sale, but never with the touch pad. I remember buying mine for $1 on clearance from Zellers at the height of the console game crash. I got two, but some how only managed to keep one Star Raiders Overlay. BTW I much preferred Starmaster by Activison. It used the Select & B/W-Colour switches instead requiring a special controller.
In my top 20 Atari 2600 games I put in my Christmas video I chose Phoenix over Demon Attack too. Demon Attack seems very derivative of levels 3 and 4 of Phoenix.
Thank you for this test, I just bought 3 lots of Atari 2600 with around 70 cartridges and Venture is there, very excited to try it! I am now waiting for everything by post (Ebay) and my next purchase is the 2600+!!! Long live Atari, I'm redoing my collection that I sold 10 years ago. Could you test Attack of the Petsii robots on Atari 7800 (because the 2600+ reads 7800 cartridges)? I wonder if it will work because I just ordered it from AtariAge. Good video like always! Do you repair your 2600+?
@@maniaque37 They never have charged me, I just make sure I'm honest about what I buy. For 40 year old games, they generally don't think they are worth anything.
I have had USB ports break, granted it was on super cheap knock off stuff. Unfortunately most of the modern USB stuff just doesn't have that feel of the original. That said I do use modern stuff a lot mostly because it is SO MUCH easier to set up and play!
I'm almost certain that the Touch Pad isn't going to work on the 2600+ even if the port isn't broken. The Touch Pad requires bi-directional joystick ports (meaning, they can output as well as input) and while a real 2600 can do this, I think the 2600+ doesn't support this feature. I've been meaning to cover this in a video soon. I know the compatibility chart says the 2600+ supports Star Raiders but I think they only tested that it started, not that it was actually fully working with both controllers :)
That is what I wanted to test, if the touch pad would work. I will be interested to see you cover it!
This is correct. From what I've been told the touch pad controllers aren't likely to be able to made to work on this current version of the hardware. It is also why other devices like the SaveKey and Atari Vox won't work either.
@@IvoryTowerCollections At least I have my original Atari 2600s for the extra bits!
@@IvoryTowerCollections I'm always amazed that for all the advances in technology, modern devices have trouble doing things that simpler tech from half a century ago was able to do.
@@lurkerrekrul I think in this particular case with the 2600+, it was more of an oversight and perhaps the current Atari not realizing or thinking about the other peripheral controllers. I don't believe the Trackballs will work either.
Atari 2600 Donkey Kong was coded by Garry Kitchen who is a legend. From his account he had a 3 month deadline and worked non-stop on it to deliver it on time. I really don't think he deliberately made it "bad", it was just the best he could do with the ROM and time limits he had.
Still, the Coleco releases on the Atari 2600 could have been better. I am sure I read somewhere that Coleco deliberately made the games so that the ColecoVision versions looked much better.
@@CanadianRetroThings People have said they were deliberately bad, but I've never seen it from a credible source; it's just unfounded conspiracy talk as far as I can tell. There's no doubt the games could have been better given more development time and ROM space but that's just the nature of game development. The ColecoVision simply has more ROM, RAM, and more advanced graphics hardware and it was just naturally easier to better match the arcade game.
I see so many copies of Atari Star Raiders for sale, but never with the touch pad. I remember buying mine for $1 on clearance from Zellers at the height of the console game crash. I got two, but some how only managed to keep one Star Raiders Overlay. BTW I much preferred Starmaster by Activison. It used the Select & B/W-Colour switches instead requiring a special controller.
I have played a lot of Starmaster and do very much like it. That is the main reason I have always wanted to try Star Raiders on the 2600.
In my top 20 Atari 2600 games I put in my Christmas video I chose Phoenix over Demon Attack too. Demon Attack seems very derivative of levels 3 and 4 of Phoenix.
Agreed.
Thank you for this test, I just bought 3 lots of Atari 2600 with around 70 cartridges and Venture is there, very excited to try it! I am now waiting for everything by post (Ebay) and my next purchase is the 2600+!!! Long live Atari, I'm redoing my collection that I sold 10 years ago. Could you test Attack of the Petsii robots on Atari 7800 (because the 2600+ reads 7800 cartridges)? I wonder if it will work because I just ordered it from AtariAge. Good video like always! Do you repair your 2600+?
I have not tried Petski Robots on it and I have not yet repaired the 2600+, it is on my to do list (that seems to keep growing and growing!)
Bummer about the broken pin! Glad the controller turned out ok though!
It should be an easy fix, I already peeked and the port is soldered directly on a satellite board.
@@CanadianRetroThings ah good deal!
you went from canada to usa to buy games ? how about custom fees ? there are stores in canada too.
@maniaque37 I only live a few minutes from the boarder so the odd trip South is not much further than visiting the stores in the Vancouver area.
@@CanadianRetroThings ok but dont they charge you custom fees for what you buy in usa ?
@@maniaque37 They never have charged me, I just make sure I'm honest about what I buy. For 40 year old games, they generally don't think they are worth anything.
Gotta love cats lol
They are always so helpful!
Never buy a retro gizmo that doesnt have usb joystick ports. Those never break.
I have had USB ports break, granted it was on super cheap knock off stuff. Unfortunately most of the modern USB stuff just doesn't have that feel of the original. That said I do use modern stuff a lot mostly because it is SO MUCH easier to set up and play!