Great video... I was always getting weird Atari controllers just to see how they work by hooking them to my Atari 8-bit computer to read any joystick & paddle signals. I had the XL style track ball and enjoyed using it for 2600 games. Even though it's not simulated analog, it still feels nice to play on.
I find it very interesting what other kinds of controllers can be used on one's Atari 2600 VCS and/or one's Atari 7800 Pro System. I usually use either the Atari CX-40 standard joystick controller on my Atari 2600 VCS and the Atari Pro-Line joystick controller on my Atari 7800 Pro System. I do have the Suncom Tac-2 joystick controller and the Atari CX-22 trakball controller as well.
Man oh man I gotta dream up some use cases for that mouse and get me one. Also considering that new Horizon Turbo Chase driving game is going to be free on PlayStation Plus this month I am DEFINITELY intrigued if you can finally get a NeGcon working on a PS4
I have a CX-22. Back in the late 80s, early 90s, I modified it to work as an Amiga mouse, by following an article in a magazine. I didn't want to lose the original functionality, so I installed a switch on the bottom to undo the mod. Actually, two switches, since I didn't have a single switch with four poles on it. I also added two momentary push-button switches to function as the right mouse buttons. My friend had a CX-80 and I showed him my modded trackball, he asked if I could do the same to his. Unfortunately when I opened it up, the internals were completely different. I did plug it in and try it just for the hell of it and to me, the control felt awful. I noticed while I had it open that the notches on the wheels for registering movement were much larger than the ones in the CX-22 model. Also, I swear that I used to have a Missile Command clone for the C64 called Red Alert, which would let me use the trackball in analog mode. However, the magazine article where it was published (Compute!'s Gazette, I think), doesn't mention anything about an analog mode, so maybe I'm mistaken. The Booster Grip - I know they did this to try and replicate the arcade control scheme, but personally, I think it was a bad idea. It increased the cost of the game, it made the game only playable with that accessory (or a Coleco controller, but people didn't know that back then), and it only worked with the standard Atari joysticks. It would have made more sense to make it a one-button game, with the fire button shooting, and forward controlling the thrust. That's how the C64 version was. Fun fact: There was no technical reason that the Atari 2600 couldn't have had a three-button joystick. The joysticks use six of the nine pins (four directions, a fire button, and ground), which leaves the +5v line and the two analog inputs unused. Those analog lines could have easily been used for another two buttons. Actually, you could probably get many more than that, but due to the way the analog signals are read, two buttons would have been the most reliable. This also would have worked on Atari computers, the C64, and anything else that could use paddle input. I think it was a catch-22 though. Nobody wanted to make three-button games if people didn't have three-button joysticks, and nobody wanted to make a three-button joystick if there weren't any three-button games.
Great info. Subbed. Shame the CX-22 appears to be a hard to come by here in the UK. Sounds like the CX-22 could be used to emulate a joystick on a Commodore 64 with simulated analogue too.
I would think that splitter for the paddle joysticks would be pretty cheap and easy to make if you can't find an original, or if it costs an arm and a leg
I got the joysticks working, but not the Trackball. Here's the link that shows the method: ruclips.net/video/HdYESkpAn5E/видео.html Edit: As of April 6, 2020, it works! ruclips.net/video/CGoGuB_Ct1E/видео.html
I had Omega Race with the booster grip as a kid and then the booster grip broke. Could no longer play Omega Race. :( I remember having many issues with Atari controller durability back in the day and I don't think that I was especially rough with them.
I had the one that you call CX80 and the switch was labeled JS or TB no such thing as digital or analog mode so I have no idea what you are talking about there and besides I didnt know that digital existed in the early 80's
Well- the CX80 has the switch labeled "JS" (joystick mode) & "TB" (Trakball mode). Joysticks for all Atari consoles except the 5200 offer digital control while trackballs offer analog control. Hope it all seems clear now.
Question, how can I replace the power button on the ATARI 7800 system to a button that once pressed stays on? As in the ATARI 2600 or ColecoVision system.
Have you heard anything from Bohoki? Hope all is OK? I see several people have tried to reach out to him for a month now on atariage, with no response. Just wondered if you heard anything. Well anyways, thanks for the fun videos to learn a lot of good stuff.
I haven't heard from him unfortunately. Now that there's an Ebay seller trying to make a Genesis to 5200 controller adapter available, bohoki may have decided this was his time to take a break. Don't know for sure, though... Good to hear from you :)
@@wiredupretro Where did you hear about this other device? It would be nice if someone on ebay sold it. Just sometimes easier to do it the ebay-way...Im really enjoying all your videos ;-) just going through them one by one. Your kind of channel is what I love the most about youtube.
@@argniests5357 There's a topic in the Atari 5200 forum on the Atariage website, and it looks like a couple people are working together on completing the project. I'm wondering if it'll be accomplished by October... Glad to have you aboard!
Great video... I was always getting weird Atari controllers just to see how they work by hooking them to my Atari 8-bit computer to read any joystick & paddle signals.
I had the XL style track ball and enjoyed using it for 2600 games. Even though it's not simulated analog, it still feels nice to play on.
2:45 thanks for the shout! :)
That BIG old brown traxball is what made me click I got one for $10 at a fleamarket. ITS SO AWESOME.
Great video, I didn’t know that trick about Omega Race, thanks!
I find it very interesting what other kinds of controllers can be used on one's Atari 2600 VCS and/or one's Atari 7800 Pro System. I usually use either the Atari CX-40 standard joystick controller on my Atari 2600 VCS and the Atari Pro-Line joystick controller on my Atari 7800 Pro System. I do have the Suncom Tac-2 joystick controller and the Atari CX-22 trakball controller as well.
Very informative. Good to see someone on youtube that know's what they are talking about when it comes to the 2600. New subscriber here :)
Welcome aboard. Feel free to share the video if you'd like.
Thanks for an in depth education.
Man oh man I gotta dream up some use cases for that mouse and get me one. Also considering that new Horizon Turbo Chase driving game is going to be free on PlayStation Plus this month I am DEFINITELY intrigued if you can finally get a NeGcon working on a PS4
I have a CX-22. Back in the late 80s, early 90s, I modified it to work as an Amiga mouse, by following an article in a magazine. I didn't want to lose the original functionality, so I installed a switch on the bottom to undo the mod. Actually, two switches, since I didn't have a single switch with four poles on it. I also added two momentary push-button switches to function as the right mouse buttons. My friend had a CX-80 and I showed him my modded trackball, he asked if I could do the same to his. Unfortunately when I opened it up, the internals were completely different. I did plug it in and try it just for the hell of it and to me, the control felt awful. I noticed while I had it open that the notches on the wheels for registering movement were much larger than the ones in the CX-22 model. Also, I swear that I used to have a Missile Command clone for the C64 called Red Alert, which would let me use the trackball in analog mode. However, the magazine article where it was published (Compute!'s Gazette, I think), doesn't mention anything about an analog mode, so maybe I'm mistaken.
The Booster Grip - I know they did this to try and replicate the arcade control scheme, but personally, I think it was a bad idea. It increased the cost of the game, it made the game only playable with that accessory (or a Coleco controller, but people didn't know that back then), and it only worked with the standard Atari joysticks. It would have made more sense to make it a one-button game, with the fire button shooting, and forward controlling the thrust. That's how the C64 version was.
Fun fact: There was no technical reason that the Atari 2600 couldn't have had a three-button joystick. The joysticks use six of the nine pins (four directions, a fire button, and ground), which leaves the +5v line and the two analog inputs unused. Those analog lines could have easily been used for another two buttons. Actually, you could probably get many more than that, but due to the way the analog signals are read, two buttons would have been the most reliable. This also would have worked on Atari computers, the C64, and anything else that could use paddle input. I think it was a catch-22 though. Nobody wanted to make three-button games if people didn't have three-button joysticks, and nobody wanted to make a three-button joystick if there weren't any three-button games.
All of your insights are definitely interesting- Thanks for sharing :)
Great info. Subbed.
Shame the CX-22 appears to be a hard to come by here in the UK. Sounds like the CX-22 could be used to emulate a joystick on a Commodore 64 with simulated analogue too.
great video. i have all those controllers and didn't know any of that. subsribed.
I would think that splitter for the paddle joysticks would be pretty cheap and easy to make if you can't find an original, or if it costs an arm and a leg
Awesome! The Commodore 1351 was a surprise! What was that last game you were playing? Never tried it all these years.
That was Cosmic Swarm by CommaVid. I found the mouse control to be challenging, but still fun. Glad I got you some new info today :)
can't remember, did you get the Tank Stick working on these consoles?
I got the joysticks working, but not the Trackball. Here's the link that shows the method: ruclips.net/video/HdYESkpAn5E/видео.html
Edit: As of April 6, 2020, it works!
ruclips.net/video/CGoGuB_Ct1E/видео.html
Wow, that's all fascinating stuff, and all new to me.
Great Video, thanks!😀
I had Omega Race with the booster grip as a kid and then the booster grip broke. Could no longer play Omega Race. :( I remember having many issues with Atari controller durability back in the day and I don't think that I was especially rough with them.
If only you had a Colecovision controller back then... Well, now you know so you can get back to playing it again!
I had the one that you call CX80 and the switch was labeled JS or TB no such thing as digital or analog mode so I have no idea what you are talking about there and besides I didnt know that digital existed in the early 80's
Well- the CX80 has the switch labeled "JS" (joystick mode) & "TB" (Trakball mode). Joysticks for all Atari consoles except the 5200 offer digital control while trackballs offer analog control. Hope it all seems clear now.
Question, how can I replace the power button on the ATARI 7800 system to a button that once pressed stays on? As in the ATARI 2600 or ColecoVision system.
Sorry- I can't say I know how to do that. Try the forums at Atariage.
Have you heard anything from Bohoki? Hope all is OK? I see several people have tried to reach out to him for a month now on atariage, with no response. Just wondered if you heard anything.
Well anyways, thanks for the fun videos to learn a lot of good stuff.
I haven't heard from him unfortunately. Now that there's an Ebay seller trying to make a Genesis to 5200 controller adapter available, bohoki may have decided this was his time to take a break. Don't know for sure, though... Good to hear from you :)
@@wiredupretro Where did you hear about this other device? It would be nice if someone on ebay sold it. Just sometimes easier to do it the ebay-way...Im really enjoying all your videos ;-) just going through them one by one. Your kind of channel is what I love the most about youtube.
@@argniests5357 There's a topic in the Atari 5200 forum on the Atariage website, and it looks like a couple people are working together on completing the project. I'm wondering if it'll be accomplished by October...
Glad to have you aboard!
Does the Sega Genesis Mega Mouse work on the Atari 2600 the same way the Commodore 64 mouse works?
It unfortunately does not.
@@wiredupretro Okay thanks.
Would the Atari st. Mouse work with the 2600?? 🤔?
I don't know for sure, but I think it's unlikely.
What was that last game played with the mouse?
Cosmic Swarm by Commavid.
You forgot the accuball again .. lol