Anyone hack and/or upgrade Jakks Ms.Pac-Man?

[tremoloman2006]

I've bought two different versions of the Ms.Pac-Man release: The regular and the wireless model. Both games are great but the joysticks are TERRIBLE.

 

I was curious if anyone here has successfully hacked or improved the joystick so it can be controlled accurately? Ms.Pac-Man is one of the few games my girlfriend will actually play but neither her nor I can stand using the terribly clumsy control. I took the standard joystick apart and greased it with a light lubricating paste. It helped but the controls still stick and are clunky.

 

I'm going to try taking the guts out and installing them into a 2600 controller but thought I'd ask if someone has already tried this before I go forward.

Edited March 21, 2008 by tremoloman2006

[tkarner]

I did something similar with the Super Pac Man TV Games unit. I took the circuit board out of the joystick and put it into a plastic project box. The box holds the circuit board and batteries. I installed a power and reset switch and a D-9 connector that allows you to plug in any nine-pin Atari joystick. So it looks like a mini console. You plug the box into the TV's AV inputs and you connect a joystick into the box. I'll see if I can post pictures tonight.

This should work with most any TV Games unit. But if I recall, the Ms Pac Man unit uses a twisting joystick to steer in Pole Position. You'd lose that function with the conversion.

[tremoloman2006]

I did something similar with the Super Pac Man TV Games unit. I took the circuit board out of the joystick and put it into a plastic project box. The box holds the circuit board and batteries. I installed a power and reset switch and a D-9 connector that allows you to plug in any nine-pin Atari joystick. So it looks like a mini console. You plug the box into the TV's AV inputs and you connect a joystick into the box. I'll see if I can post pictures tonight.

This should work with most any TV Games unit. But if I recall, the Ms Pac Man unit uses a twisting joystick to steer in Pole Position. You'd lose that function with the conversion.

I'd LOVE to see pictures if you can supply some! I'd give this type of conversion a try.

 

As for Pole Position... I won't miss it.

[tkarner]

Here's the pictures of the finished unit. I don't have any real step by step instructions though. But if I recall, at least with the Super Pac Man unit, that the circuit board is easy to separate from input and power connections. Just cut and keep track of the wires for joystick direction, fire button, reset switch, batteries, and power switch. From Radio Shack, get a project box, battery holder for 4 AA or AAA batteries, a momentary switch for the reset, and a slider or toggle switch for power, and a male D-9 connector. Drill/Dremel the box, connect everything, and put it in the box. You can probably find the joystick pinouts somewhere on this site.

[tkarner]

I'm wondering if you could also wire it to include the twisting joystick function of the Ms Pac Man unit and then use a paddle controller for Pole Position...?

[Electric T V]

Frustrating isn't it?

 

 

But then it helps to add to my new attitude of carefree gaming when I can't play very good. Big time saver