coleco controllers for my INTV2?

[Schmead55]

i'm sure everyone will jump down my throat, but i'm new to INTV, and am having issues getting used to the disks. granted coleco controllers aren't too much better, but will a coleco controller function with the INTV2? as in, keypad etc.

 

any input would be greatly appreciated. have a decent catalog of games already, would love to enjoy playing them.

[jaybird3rd]

I seem to recall trying a ColecoVision controller with the Intellivision II at one point, but it didn't work. They may look similar, but they're probably totally different internally.

 

The best advice I can give about the Intellivision hand controller is to try not to treat it like a gamepad. Instead of pushing it up/down/left/right with your thumb, "spin" the disc along its edge when you transition from one direction to another adjacent direction (from "right" to "up," from "up" to "left," etc). You might find it more comfortable to use your index or middle finger instead of your thumb; hold the controller in your left hand and use your right fingers on the disc (or the opposite if you're left-handed, I suppose). For games that require lots of side-to-side motion, like Astrosmash, "rock" the disc back and forth with your index and middle fingers.

[BassGuitari]

Like Jay said, Colecovision controllers will not work with an Intellivision II (and vice versa). With substantial modification/rewiring they might (that would be interesting, actually), but for all intents and purposes, they do not.

 

Colecovision controllers WILL work with Atari VCS and controller-compatible systems, though. In fact, you can use them with Omega Race and have the second fire button functionality if you don't have/can't find a Booster Grip.

[Schmead55]

thanks guys, i appreciate the input. i think it's really just a matter of getting some time logged on to the INTV and getting the hang of the controllers.

[+save2600]

I wonder if there are any younger players new to the INTV that can deal with the controllers. Having grown up with 'em, they're not a big deal and for some games - the "feel" of them work quite well in a funky kind of nostalgic way. lol

Edited October 30, 2010 by save2600

[Hitachi]

I must comment. I am definitely a new INTV owner and I LOVE the controllers. I think it offers a really unique style of controller and i really enjoy playing snafu with them.

 

I ususally use my thumb and roll it one way or the other like my sansa fuze's scroll wheel. Again, I love them. I feel that the control is very precise.

[BassGuitari]

I wonder if there are any younger players new to the INTV that can deal with the controllers. Having grown up with 'em, they're not a big deal and for some games - the "feel" of them work quite well in a funky kind of nostalgic way. lol

 

For what it's worth:

 

In 1998, I got an Intellivision. I was 13 and new to collecting, but despite growing up in the "post-joystick era", I had no trouble with the Intellivision controller. Even upon first picking up an Intelly controller, I figured it would handle differently than a traditional D-Pad. Since the disc rotated, I assumed that it was meant to be "slid" and not pressed like a D-Pad. It felt right, and as always worked for me. It's kind of like an iPod or something in that regard.

 

In fact, it was actually the fire buttons that I found slightly puzzling, but I sorted that out pretty quickly.

[jaybird3rd]

I wonder if there are any younger players new to the INTV that can deal with the controllers. Having grown up with 'em, they're not a big deal and for some games - the "feel" of them work quite well in a funky kind of nostalgic way. lol

Well, I'm not sure I would qualify as a "younger player," since I didn't get my first Intellivision until I was in my early thirties, but I didn't have any trouble getting used to the hand controllers at all; in fact, in certain ways, I prefer them to Atari-style joystick controllers. They work much better for four-direction games than their reputation might suggest, and the fact that they spin around and can provide sixteen discrete directions allows for some interesting possibilities that a joystick wouldn't give you.

[marcfrick2112]

I'd agree, with a little practice, and time, the Intv controllers will be no sweat to use... but, I actually like the disc on the Aquarius controller better ...

 

Hitachi: you have a Sansa Fuze too? Cool... (just got a 16GB card for mine...)

[jaybird3rd]

I'd agree, with a little practice, and time, the Intv controllers will be no sweat to use... but, I actually like the disc on the Aquarius controller better ...

The Aquarius hand controller has become my favorite version of all. It seems to have a reputation for being "cheap," but I now own eleven of them, and I have yet to receive a broken one; even the used ones I've gotten from eBay are all in excellent condition. The disc is very smooth and feels more like the original Intellivision's hand controller disc, and I think the rubber keys are a considerable improvement over the side buttons of either of the Intellivision controllers. The only thing they're missing is the keypad, but the full keyboard on the Aquarius really made the keypad unnecessary, and leaving it out might have helped to make the controllers more durable. The keypad is a frequent point of failure on the Intellivision controllers because of the warping and cracking that can occur with the thin plastic/Mylar over time.

[OldAtarian]

I just picked up two Intellivisions and am still trying to find the perfect way to grip them and play without causing discomfort. I honestly don't see how people used to use those things back in the day.

[edintv]

My soon to be six years old daughter was playing Shark Shark today and she has no problem with the control, Imagine is an Ipod, just hold it straigth and without release pressure, just go the direction you want. I´m rigth handed and use the rigth thumb for the disc and the left hand for the side buttons, never felt disconfort..

 

In the manual of some games they recommended to use both crontrollers, one for running and the other for shooting. I think was Tron Deadly discs and Nigth Stalker.

 

Btw, my girl loves Shark Shark, she´s more outdoors kinda girl, so is easily bored with video games, but that was a hit, i take some pictures y that maybe will go to my profile..

[OldAtarian]

My soon to be six years old daughter was playing Shark Shark today and she has no problem with the control, Imagine is an Ipod, just hold it straigth and without release pressure, just go the direction you want. I´m rigth handed and use the rigth thumb for the disc and the left hand for the side buttons, never felt disconfort..

 

In the manual of some games they recommended to use both crontrollers, one for running and the other for shooting. I think was Tron Deadly discs and Nigth Stalker.

 

Btw, my girl loves Shark Shark, she´s more outdoors kinda girl, so is easily bored with video games, but that was a hit, i take some pictures y that maybe will go to my profile..

 

My best effort so was to hold the controller with both hands, manipulating the disc with my left thumb and curling the fingertips of my right hand up into the hollow space on the back of the controller and using my right thumb on the right side fire buttons. It's still a little hard for games that assign the left and right side buttons differently or that require fast action on the keypad.

Edited November 1, 2010 by OldAtarian