Vladio Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 Hello all, I'm new here so hello. That said, I did a search and didn't come up with anything so I guess I'll ask. I'm older (45) so I grew up in what, in my opinion, was the most dynamic period of computing. I started out programming in '80, '81 writing code for my TI99 at the age of 13. I kept all my old stuff and recently decided to make a Nerd Cave with tons of vintage tech that will be usable. I'd like to find a good joystick for the TI. I see a bunch online but would rather get some feedback from ppl that have experience. I really like game pads similar to newer xbox/PS controllers but will use whatever works. Any suggestions for a couple controller that me and the kids can play some games? I figured I'd have to use some type of adapter so if you have some experience with those feel free to throw in your opinion on those as well. This room will be really cool and I'm looking forward to getting it done. I have a full C64 system too. I'm going to have it setup also. Will the controllers work on both? I haven't looked at the C64 port yet. I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts and thanks in advance for your help Joe 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+thegoldenband Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 Welcome to the site! As you may know the TI-99 joystick port is nonstandard, and to use 9-pin joysticks from any other system you'll need an adapter. I recently acquired an Atari 2600 to TI-99/4A joystick adapter from another forum member, and it works brilliantly. It's unbranded so I can't tell you which one it is, but I get the impression that while there are quite a few different models out there, it's a relatively simple item that shouldn't vary too much from maker to maker. My TAC-2 stick feels perfect on games like Alpiner and Parsec. If you'd like to play with a gamepad, I've read that these adapters will also work with Sega Genesis gamepads. I haven't tried one yet on the TI, though I do know that Genesis pads work perfectly with my Atari 2600. A Sega Master System gamepad would be another option, but most folks prefer the Genesis controller. Personally speaking, the six-button Genesis controller (not the one with built-in turbo) has the best gamepad I've ever used. As for the Commodore 64, its joystick port is Atari-compatible. However, don't ever use Genesis gamepads with a Commodore, as there's a known problem that can damage one of the chips in the C64. I don't remember if the Master System pads cause the same issue, or if either one can be modded to avoid the problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaybird3rd Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 Welcome to AtariAge! There is a great 99/4A community here in the "99/4A Programming" subforum (don't be intimidated by the title if you're not a programmer; there's lots of talk about the 99/4A in general). The 99/4A was my first computer, so it has a special place in my heart, too. As for joysticks, I would second thegoldenband's recommendation to look for an Atari joystick adapter. If you look around online, you'll find schematic diagrams for building your own if you wish, and if you can't find any on eBay, I'm sure one of the members here can supply you with one. This gives you many more options than TI's own joysticks, which were unfortunately rather poor. I've never tried a Genesis gamepad with mine, either, but unless the Genesis controller requires power from the joystick interface (which the 99/4A doesn't provide), I don't see why it shouldn't work. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serious Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 I believe that Wico is one of the companies that made an adapter for using 2600 joysticks on the 99/4a. I have an adapter from them for the Odyssey 2, and it makes mention of a TI99/4a version on the box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dripfree Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 (edited) Do you have any soldering skills? Making your own atari stick compatible adapter is pretty cheap and easy enough for a novice. I made one boxed up my ti sticks and never looked back. http://atariage.com/forums/topic/211445-ms-pacman-was-an-organ-doner/ Edited October 4, 2013 by Dripfree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladio Posted October 4, 2013 Author Share Posted October 4, 2013 Do they make a 2-1 adapter for two players? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+thegoldenband Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Do they make a 2-1 adapter for two players? That's what I have -- two inputs, one out -- and it wouldn't surprise me if most or all of the commercial adapters are 2-into-1 adapters. Some homemade ones might just have one hookup, I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yell0w_lantern Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Not sure what you mean. There are boxes and Y-cables so you have one controller for each player. TI-99/4a joystick just splits the wires for the 4 directions and fire. Each player has a unique ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladio Posted October 4, 2013 Author Share Posted October 4, 2013 Sorry if I didn't word that right. The golden band figured it out... Two joystick into one port. I really have to take the TI out and look at it. I thought there was only one port for joysticks and the TI controllers split into two joysticks from the one port on the side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladio Posted October 4, 2013 Author Share Posted October 4, 2013 I was just looking at an adapter schematic and it looks like it's a male/female issue, right?. All the connectors are DB9 in the schematic I was looking at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dripfree Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 (edited) It's not really a male female issue. Its just that the TI uses 1 rs232 port for 2 joysticks. This was fairly uncommon and it forces you to use TI's crappy joysticks. Check out this image its what I used to make my splitter and it should give you a good idea of how the stock TI joysticks work. Here is another image. It is the same as the other one but it also tells you the function of each connection. Edited October 4, 2013 by Dripfree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlsson Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Please note that on the C64, pins 5, 7 and 9 really are connected: Pin 5: C64 Pot AY (paddle) - Genesis +5V Pin 7: C64 +5V - Genesis Select Pin 9: C64 Pot AX - Genesis Start/Button C While it might not matter with a 2600 or the Atari - TI adapter, I'd recommend not using an unmodified Genesis, or for that matter SMS and I also believe MSX branded joystick with a C64, might apply to more systems based on the Atari 2600 joystick port but with own additions. Perhaps it doesn't matter feeding 5V directly to GND for a short while of playing, but I don't think the SID chip (isn't it?) will be all that happy to get 5V into its paddle inputs every now and then you push buttons "B" or "C" on the joypad. Then again, I might be wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+thegoldenband Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 While it might not matter with a 2600 or the Atari - TI adapter, I'd recommend not using an unmodified Genesis, or for that matter SMS and I also believe MSX branded joystick with a C64, might apply to more systems based on the Atari 2600 joystick port but with own additions. Perhaps it doesn't matter feeding 5V directly to GND for a short while of playing, but I don't think the SID chip (isn't it?) will be all that happy to get 5V into its paddle inputs every now and then you push buttons "B" or "C" on the joypad. Then again, I might be wrong. I think the consensus is that a Genesis controller really can damage the C64. We talked about it a couple years ago here, and this link says it's the CIA chip that's at risk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yell0w_lantern Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Don't bother with the diodes in that first picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladio Posted October 5, 2013 Author Share Posted October 5, 2013 Don't bother with the diodes in that first picture. Really, they're not needed? Can I play games, in the mean time, using the keyboard? I loaded up donkey kong and tried all the key with no luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yell0w_lantern Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 I've never found any diodes in the TI joysticks and the 2 adapters I made worked fine without them even in 2 player games. The individual game would have to have key controls. Do make sure that your alpha lock is not on when you get some sticks working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickR Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Does anyone have a similar wiring diagram for the Odyssey 2 that has detachable joysticks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dripfree Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 I've never found any diodes in the TI joysticks and the 2 adapters I made worked fine without them even in 2 player games. The individual game would have to have key controls. Do make sure that your alpha lock is not on when you get some sticks working. Well I never tried it without diodes but mine does have them. I can assure you the ti sticks do in fact have diodes. I would put them in there if I were you they are cheap and they really don't make the project that much harder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seob Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 (edited) Does anyone have a similar wiring diagram for the Odyssey 2 that has detachable joysticks? If you want to use a standard atari joystick on a odyssey2, you need to rewire a few leads:Pinouts for the Odyssey2 joystick port: ___________ ( 1 2 3 4 5 ) \ 6 7 8 9 / \_______/ 1 - Ground 2 - Fire 3 - Left 4 - Down 5 - Right 6 - Up 7,8,9 - not connected Pinouts for the Atari 2600 (etc) port, just for reference: ___________ ( 1 2 3 4 5 ) \ 6 7 8 9 / \_______/ 1 - Up 2 - Down 3 - Left 4 - Right 6 - Fire8 - Ground 5,7,9 - not connected Picked up these modules today, can't test them since i don't own a ti99, but if one is intrested let me know. 1 ti99 mini memory 1 ti99 mechatronic extended basic II plus Edited October 5, 2013 by Seob 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaybird3rd Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 My 99/4a sticks have the diodes as well, as does the third-party 99/4a joystick adapter that I use, so I'd recommend putting them in. They're fairly cheap and easy to find (a few bucks at Radio Shack and even cheaper online), and as others have said, they don't make the adapter much more difficult to build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickR Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 If you want to use a standard atari joystick on a odyssey2, you need to rewire a few leads: Pinouts for the Odyssey2 joystick port: ___________ ( 1 2 3 4 5 ) \ 6 7 8 9 / \_______/ 1 - Ground 2 - Fire 3 - Left 4 - Down 5 - Right 6 - Up 7,8,9 - not connected Pinouts for the Atari 2600 (etc) port, just for reference: ___________ ( 1 2 3 4 5 ) \ 6 7 8 9 / \_______/ 1 - Up 2 - Down 3 - Left 4 - Right 6 - Fire8 - Ground 5,7,9 - not connected THANK YOU for this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zylon Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 I have the Wico joystick adaptor for TI99 and it does work just fine with SMS pads, Atari-style sticks, but haven't tried Genesis pads yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Torrax Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 Install the diodes if you want to use two joysticks at the same time. This will solve any issues with programs/games that scan for both at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladio Posted October 8, 2013 Author Share Posted October 8, 2013 I not having much luck sourcing a Y adapter. If anyone knows where to find one let me know. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dripfree Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 They show up on ebay from time to time, but there doesn't seem to be one now. There is this http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574883395&toolid=10001&campid=5336500554&customid=&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fitm%2FNOS-TI-TI99-4A-ATARI-to-TI-Cable-Innovative-electronics-CBL-2142-Joystick-1-%2F221264836081%3Fpt%3DLH_DefaultDomain_0%26hash%3Ditem33846975f1 First time I've seen one like this it would only be good for one player. If I were you I'd hold out for a Y splitter. Not sure where else too look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
AtariAge on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Chat on Discord
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.