The paddle controllers were simple, but brilliant. Much better than the cheap joysticks manufactured by Atari, these were a lot of fun to use, especially with Breakout. There should be a paddle controller made for the Wii that attaches to the Wii remote, like the nunchuck does.
For those interested in the technical difference, an Atari paddle controller has a 330-degree of motion. It uses an analog potentiometer to detect the position of the wheel from two fixed points on the left and right side of its range of motion. Without moving the wheel, the controller "knows" where it is within its range of motion in an absolute sense (such as being 1/3 of the way from the left-hand side of the screen). Joysticks and driving controllers are digital. Only when the control is touched does the controller send updated information to the game console. This allows a driving controller 360 degrees of motion, and a joystick has unlimited range through repeated motion of the stick. In short, paddles are analog and have an absolute relation to an object position on screen, while joysticks and driving controllers are digital and send only relative positional information. The console treats a driving controller as a joystick with only the ability to move left and right.
You have an early pair that came with the "heavy sixer" model 2600. Actually those are slightly rarer and might fetch a slightly higher price then the later ones.
@pbloo574 Whoops read your question wrong. No I don't believe the driving controller is compatible with paddle games. So far as I know the only game that uses the driving controller(s) is Indy 500
Circus Atari is one of my top 5 favorite 2600 games - the main reason - the paddle controllers. This game is a great example of the precise control needed to play. Its easy to see why. Try playing circus atari on the Atari Anthology for the playstation or xbox and controlling the teetertotter with the thumb stick. You don't get that precise control and as a result, the game is just frustrating. Paddle games rule the 2600!
My paddle controllers have the same sticker on 'em with the tennis rackets and all, except where Mark's say "paddle" mine just have Atari logos instead. Why is that?
The paddle controllers always have had some kind of friction, they were potentiometers, the others probably are spinners, less friction, due to optical sensors. Paddles are good for games where you have a movement limit, but bad for games where you can have a full 360 degrees rotation (driving games or, tempest for instance)
has paddle controllers any incompatibility with generic atari 2600 (the plastics ones)? I try to play warlord, but the controllers that I have just don't work. I don't know if there is any incompatibility :(
There's actually a paddle control on the Arcade stick for the XBOX 360 ...... ya know those controllers that collect dust in Gamestop stores and are now less than $10.
I know two third party games Atari games that used paddles: Activision's KABOOM, and M Networks' (Mattel Electronics) version of ASTRO SMASH called ASTRO BLAST. Interestingly, ASTRO BLAST can also be played with the Joystick, but I used the paddles for better played, until I got bored.
@pbloo574 Well, Kaboom! says to use the paddle controllers on the front of the cartridge so yeah. Check out atariguide(.)com to see scans of carts and manuals if you want. Or atariage(.)com for transcriptions of manuals and scans of Atari magazines.
I guess using paddles in Space Invaders would've made it too easy. It'd be easier to dodge enemy fire, and it'd be easier to move quickly from one side of the screen to the opposite side. You could even be faster than the last invader.
Have to say that this was a pretty informative video. I've never owned an Atari 2600 and never knew that it had so many specific controllers for each game. They were clever when they designed that paddle controller. 4 people playing together must be fun! Love the dog at the end!
You'd think the driving controllers would stop to mimic a sterring wheel... Tempest just isn't the same without a paddle, not any brick breaking games.
ok that answered the problem i had. i bought a controller that had an indy car on it thinking it was a paddle controller. lol it was only $2 so now i know y it didnt play breakout.
Of course, it should be noted that only 2600 games made by Atari themselves, as seen in this video, consistently tell you what controllers to use right on the cartridge. Not all Atari 2600 games tell you that. Activision games do, I think. Imagic games do not.
On OEM 2600 paddles, a careful cleaning of potentiometer with Contact cleaner /TV tuner cleaner can reduce , " jitters ". You can also swap out the old potentiometer with a new one with some tools. Part number Potentiometer CO10464 1MEH
when you said it was bullet proof, where you serious? i just cant think of a situation where someone shot a gun at your atary 2600 controller. not a realistic one, anyway.
The paddle controllers were simple, but brilliant. Much better than the cheap joysticks manufactured by Atari, these were a lot of fun to use, especially with Breakout. There should be a paddle controller made for the Wii that attaches to the Wii remote, like the nunchuck does.
For those interested in the technical difference, an Atari paddle controller has a 330-degree of motion. It uses an analog potentiometer to detect the position of the wheel from two fixed points on the left and right side of its range of motion. Without moving the wheel, the controller "knows" where it is within its range of motion in an absolute sense (such as being 1/3 of the way from the left-hand side of the screen). Joysticks and driving controllers are digital. Only when the control is touched does the controller send updated information to the game console. This allows a driving controller 360 degrees of motion, and a joystick has unlimited range through repeated motion of the stick. In short, paddles are analog and have an absolute relation to an object position on screen, while joysticks and driving controllers are digital and send only relative positional information. The console treats a driving controller as a joystick with only the ability to move left and right.
You have an early pair that came with the "heavy sixer" model 2600. Actually those are slightly rarer and might fetch a slightly higher price then the later ones.
You should do a review of the Atari 2600 wireless joysticks. Those are pretty ahead of their time.
Awesome man. The wheel on my right paddle broke off on one of 2 of my current sets of paddles.
@pbloo574 Whoops read your question wrong. No I don't believe the driving controller is compatible with paddle games. So far as I know the only game that uses the driving controller(s) is Indy 500
Did anyone notice Jason Voorhees on the cover of video olympics?
Circus Atari is one of my top 5 favorite 2600 games - the main reason - the paddle controllers. This game is a great example of the precise control needed to play.
Its easy to see why. Try playing circus atari on the Atari Anthology for the playstation or xbox and controlling the teetertotter with the thumb stick. You don't get that precise control and as a result, the game is just frustrating.
Paddle games rule the 2600!
My paddle controllers have the same sticker on 'em with the tennis rackets and all, except where Mark's say "paddle" mine just have Atari logos instead. Why is that?
The paddle controllers always have had some kind of friction, they were potentiometers, the others probably are spinners, less friction, due to optical sensors. Paddles are good for games where you have a movement limit, but bad for games where you can have a full 360 degrees rotation (driving games or, tempest for instance)
Would be able to use the driving controller with a game like Kaboom?
has paddle controllers any incompatibility with generic atari 2600 (the plastics ones)? I try to play warlord, but the controllers that I have just don't work. I don't know if there is any incompatibility :(
There's actually a paddle control on the Arcade stick for the XBOX 360 ...... ya know those controllers that collect dust in Gamestop stores and are now less than $10.
so for Indy 500 you have to actually get yourself DRIVING controllers...?
I know two third party games Atari games that used paddles: Activision's KABOOM, and M Networks' (Mattel Electronics) version of ASTRO SMASH called ASTRO BLAST. Interestingly, ASTRO BLAST can also be played with the Joystick, but I used the paddles for better played, until I got bored.
got a ? on the atari flashback 2 so u need the paddle controllers??
Does anyone know about Canyon bomber for the 2600?
@pbloo574 Well, Kaboom! says to use the paddle controllers on the front of the cartridge so yeah. Check out atariguide(.)com to see scans of carts and manuals if you want. Or atariage(.)com for transcriptions of manuals and scans of Atari magazines.
I always thought a controller like this would help in a game of space invaders or something like that because your going left and right only
I guess using paddles in Space Invaders would've made it too easy. It'd be easier to dodge enemy fire, and it'd be easier to move quickly from one side of the screen to the opposite side. You could even be faster than the last invader.
Have to say that this was a pretty informative video. I've never owned an Atari 2600 and never knew that it had so many specific controllers for each game. They were clever when they designed that paddle controller. 4 people playing together must be fun! Love the dog at the end!
@mexamexo8 But he supposedly traded it in for a blender 10 years ago, I'm afraid. And there's been no sign of it since, so...yeah.
u reviewed the paddless,but;not in action,why?
do you know how to adjust the sensitivity of the paddle? mine is all glitchy and moves too fast.
ok thx
You'd think the driving controllers would stop to mimic a sterring wheel...
Tempest just isn't the same without a paddle, not any brick breaking games.
I'm waiting for an atari jaugar review.
@maiki60fps
yeah, you do, but there isn't no other games for it
ok that answered the problem i had. i bought a controller that had an indy car on it thinking it was a paddle controller. lol it was only $2 so now i know y it didnt play breakout.
just fixed my paddles, no jitters here! fuck yeah!
Super Breakout recently came to 360 on Game Room and is entirely unplayable without the superior paddle control interface.
Love it. . .love your dogg too!! :o)
:o)
There are classic Atari games on Xbox Live Arcade, obviously.
why is it the chicken always wins?
You do have a point, Garfi. Why IS it the chicken always wins?
"why is it the Chicken always wins?" -
LMFAO!!!!!
Classic Stella moment!
Awesome review Mark, keep up the excellent vids!
and long live Atari 2600.
Of course, it should be noted that only 2600 games made by Atari themselves, as seen in this video, consistently tell you what controllers to use right on the cartridge. Not all Atari 2600 games tell you that. Activision games do, I think. Imagic games do not.
I think one of mine was broken because it was WAY to sensitive and overresponsive.
The Classic Game Room Dog
The woodgrain Atari came with paddles,they could have made more cash by selling it by itself
i was thinking the same thing
nintendo should bring that back
@Leishmaniasisably Paddles are supposed to be pretty responsive, to your ever twitch just about.
@wildsmiley This one, I believe, was excesively so.
hahahaha love the ending "or this peace of chi..... why is it the chicken always wins" xD
I wonder what the controllers tastes like. *Bites the sixaxis* Tastes like hard.
Love the paddles - but wish Atari had used better potentiometers. Nothing worse than your paddles getting “the jitters”!
On OEM 2600 paddles, a careful cleaning of potentiometer with Contact cleaner /TV tuner cleaner can reduce , " jitters ".
You can also swap out the old potentiometer with a new one with some tools.
Part number Potentiometer CO10464 1MEH
@@ferndog1461 thank you kindly for the part number!
You just GOTTA love the Classic Gameroom Dog!
"playing warlords? that's a paddlin."
Chicken always wins with dogs.
4:27 lol
Mark: Or is it the chick...
Stellar: CHICKEN!!!
I find it stupid that they had to make customers buy both paddle & racing controllers when they could have made them work the same
he should have replaced indy 500 with night driver
that dog didn't fuck around
Haha. That's one way to stop the "First! 1st!!!111one" comments!
pause at 4.29 ish to see a happy dog
"Paddeling a boat, oh you better believe that's a paddlin'."
But I like chickens Eddy!
Damn chicken :P
4 people missed the like button
hey would you prefer the atari 2600 paddle controller or this piece of chick-------- eats chicken piece lol it makes me crack up
Most obvious is driving controllers saying "driving", paddle controllers say "paddle" haha =)
ditto
4:26
That's just like the time you wanted Stella to choose between the Sega Genesis controller or a Milk-Bone.
4:26
@@productions4452 you get no kudos for stealing the timestamp from the originator.. -1 for you
@InecomCompany That's cheating!
BULLETPROOF QUALITY as expected from atari. *nod
great grammar bro
paddles are sexy
well, i think so, but puddle controllers are VERY rare. I think it's kind of a stupid concept. stepping in a puddle to control a game? stupid.
9999th viewer XD
when you said it was bullet proof, where you serious? i just cant think of a situation where someone shot a gun at your atary 2600 controller. not a realistic one, anyway.