Making your own 5200 Controller or Adapter

[Dr Manhattan]

Making your own 5200 controller. Is it possible? What are my options? Have any of you created your own custom joystick or controller? Can it be done with off the shelf parts? (like arcade machine parts or parts from an existing video game controller.)

 

I know certain 15 Pin PC controllers can be adapted for use on the 5200. Unfortunately I really don't like 'flight stick' style controllers. (They seem to be the only kind I can find.) I did find a few joypads, but I'm not sure they would work on the 5200.

 

Also, what about making your own controller adapter? Basically something like the 5200 redemption. I know the Redepmtion has been out or production for a while, so what options are available to the ambitious hobbyist?

 

Thanks in advance for your input.

[BigO]

Is it possible?

 

From scratch? Yep.

http://www.atariage....album&album=282

 

Customized existing controller? Yep.

http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?app=gallery&module=user&user=12370&do=view_album&album=281

Edited November 18, 2010 by BigO

[bohoki]

ive made a few pc adapters

 

and they work with many gamepads

 

here is a pic of all the gamepads i have that work with the capacitance adapter

 

 

the flightsticks are worthy their main problem is the mass and throw length of the stick the exact thing that makes them work for precision movement flying planes and spaceships are the thing that makes them less than optimal playing digdug and jungle hunt analog flight sticks are excellent for the what i call the analog 5(superbreakout,kaboom,gorf,starwars,missilecommand) those games are impossible to play with a digital stick or gamepad

 

the flight sticks also work well for pole position and choplifter and river raid ,galaxian as analog controls help out

 

if you post a pic of the gamepad i can tell you if it would work generally it will work as long as it doesnt require a special windows driver

 

ive also built my own from arcade parts and even an altoid tin

 

http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/135469-my-new-home-made-controller/

 

 

http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/133097-altoids-5200-controller/page__p__1604373__fromsearch__1#entry1604373

 

http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/148700-scratchbuilt-controller-mark-4/page__p__1812638__fromsearch__1#entry1812638

 

http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/151282-controller-mark-5-powertroller/page__p__1848433__fromsearch__1#entry1848433

Edited November 18, 2010 by bohoki

[OldAtarian]

I bought a Y-adapter from a local guy recently that has two 9 pin plugs going into a single 5200 connector. The idea, at least I think, is to use a 2600 compatible joystick in one of the 9 pin connectors and a keypad controller of some kind in the other. I've been too busy to try it out.

[Rex Dart]

Do those Y-adapters accept any sort of 2600 keypad, or does it have to be one designed with the 5200 in mind?

[bohoki]

Do those Y-adapters accept any sort of 2600 keypad, or does it have to be one designed with the 5200 in mind?

 

 

generally the keypad that goes with the 2600 is incompatable with the 5200 until you cut one of the resistors that couple the columns once cut then it will work

 

i was thinking about making a pc to 5200 adapter that uses the 2600 touchpad/keypad/kids controller but that would require them to unscrew open and use a fingernail clipper to nip one resistor leg and that to many requires alot of technical skill

 

also the keypad does not have start,pause,reset even though they are a top row electrically they are a fourth column so you can wire one to use one of the columns as (s,p,r) but i cant have that as i need the full keypad to hit leo,123 for coutermeasure and the teleporter for miner 2049er

 

i love how simple atari made the controller its very user friendly for a tinkerer

[Pbrook67]

Is it possible?

 

From scratch? Yep.

http://www.atariage....album&album=282

 

Customized existing controller? Yep.

http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?app=gallery&module=user&user=12370&do=view_album&album=281

Would you be willing to make me one?? Preferably the trak ball controller and if so, how much??