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Edladdin ColecoVision controllers will serve 2600/7800


edladdin

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Hi Everyone!

 

As most of you know, we are in the middle of a Kickstarter campaign to launch a new line of arcade controllers and a controller adapter that were designed to serve the classic 1982 ColecoVision AND the 2014 ColecoVision Flashback. Albert was very kind to showcase these on the very front of AtariAge, so I will not wear out everyone's patience by repeating the detailed product descriptions in this post.

 

In the last week two folks got in touch asking about compatibility of the new controllers with the Atari 2600 and Atari 7800. I tested the prototype "Super Arcade Controller Plus" with both consoles and was delighted to find that the joystick and first fire button work fine with the Atari 2600. However, with the 7800 only the joystick works - none of the buttons work correctly or do anything at all. Seeing how close we were to having an amazing controller that would serve all four consoles and many 8-bit computers, I went back to our engineer to find out of it was possible to modify the design to do that. The bottom line is that we can do exactly that! Its going to cost me another $1500 for the mod, but I think it will be worth it to have the added functionality going forward.

 

For this reason, I am posting in this forum to announce to the 7800 community that if our Kickstarter campaign makes it to the finish line, the resulting controllers and the "Seagull CV" adapter will be usable with the Atari 2600, Atari 7800, Classic CV, Flashback CV, and many 8-bit computers. Likewise, the "Seagull CV" adapter and the "Super Arcade Controller Plus" have four additional input ports on the front edge that will allow you to play any of the above consoles with these controllers and their compatibles:

 

1. Atari 2600/7800

2. 1982 ColecoVision

3. 2014 Flashback ColecoVision

4. Sega Genesis

 

Part of the fun of this functionality will be the ability to cross-platform the various 3rd party compatibles of all of the above, so you can use your Wico CV stick with your Atari 7800 and your Epyx XJ500 with your CV Flashback, or whatever combination suits you.

 

We are literally at the halfway point today on the Kickstarter campaign and have captured pledges of support totaling $6,093 from 32 backers, which is 63% of the project goal of $9,650. If you want an awesome controller that will support all four consoles I hope you will consider pledging your support so that I can push this project into production.

 

Thank you for your consideration!

 

Ed

 

Here is a link to the Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/edladdin/super-arcade-controllers-and-adapters-for-colecovi

 

Here is a link to the thread in the ColecoVision forum where the project is discussed in detail:

http://atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=248111

 

 

 

 

 

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Slip in Commodore, there's like 30 million users worldwide. Most of the Commodore machine accepts Atari 2600 standard pinout. AFAIK PET doesn't have any controller support, my 9000 doesn't at all. Plus4, 16, and similar model uses different connector design but can work with Atari joysticks with DIN to DE-9 adapter.

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Edladdin that is great news to hear. The 7800 has always been a real pill to get functioning controllers that feel good and use both buttons!

 

In reference to 7800fan's comment about Commodore support. I can tell you this.. that the Sega Master system controllers worked well with Commodore Amiga and used the two buttons on the controller for the few games that utilized it. I used an Epyx 500xj master system controller for my Amiga 500 for years for Street Fighter II and both buttons worked great.. One for kick and one for punch.. quite excellent.

 

Do you know if your controller will work with the Sega Master system since it works for Genesis? I can use a Genny controller on a master system and a C64 or Amiga but only one button like atari will work.

 

Do you know if your bios on your controller is flash able and if this could be something that can be upgraded ?

 

I am really digging your controller campaign and you are very much on the way to making a really compatible controller for many many uses.

 

I think I will go and support your campaign I really like what you are doing..

 

Now if you can somehow map buttons remotely to a device from an external wire or make buttons mappable so we commodore folks can finally get a real "Jump" button instead of just pushing forward on our one button joysticks, or have to hit space to throw a grenade.. haha...

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Slip in Commodore, there's like 30 million users worldwide. Most of the Commodore machine accepts Atari 2600 standard pinout. AFAIK PET doesn't have any controller support, my 9000 doesn't at all. Plus4, 16, and similar model uses different connector design but can work with Atari joysticks with DIN to DE-9 adapter.

 

The new controllers (and our existing line of 2600/7800 controllers) are fully CX-40 compatible and should work with any Commodore that is too! The cords have true DB-9 connectors, just like the vintage hardware.

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So the Seagull CV adapter would enable true two-button 7800 support?

 

Yes! Although I feel obligated to point out that for $24.99 you can currently order the Seagull 78, which allows use of any Sega Genesis controller with any Atari 7800. The "B" and "C" buttons match the left and right buttons on the original Pro Line controllers. We've sold over 100 of these since 2014.

 

www.edladdin.com

 

For the 7800, the upcoming Seagull CV adapter will expand the usable controllers to Sega Genesis, classic ColecoVision, and Flashback Colecovision. Both of the latter are as awful as the Pro Lines, so really the benefit would be if you have a Wico or other 3rd party stick for the Coleco, which could then be used with the 2600 and 7800.

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Edladdin that is great news to hear. The 7800 has always been a real pill to get functioning controllers that feel good and use both buttons!

 

In reference to 7800fan's comment about Commodore support. I can tell you this.. that the Sega Master system controllers worked well with Commodore Amiga and used the two buttons on the controller for the few games that utilized it. I used an Epyx 500xj master system controller for my Amiga 500 for years for Street Fighter II and both buttons worked great.. One for kick and one for punch.. quite excellent.

 

Do you know if your controller will work with the Sega Master system since it works for Genesis? I can use a Genny controller on a master system and a C64 or Amiga but only one button like atari will work.

 

Do you know if your bios on your controller is flash able and if this could be something that can be upgraded ?

 

I am really digging your controller campaign and you are very much on the way to making a really compatible controller for many many uses.

 

I think I will go and support your campaign I really like what you are doing..

 

Now if you can somehow map buttons remotely to a device from an external wire or make buttons mappable so we commodore folks can finally get a real "Jump" button instead of just pushing forward on our one button joysticks, or have to hit space to throw a grenade.. haha...

 

 

At present neither the existing Seagull 78 nor the upcoming Seagull CV are compatible with the Master System controllers. I had some Seagull 78 buyers try

that and the Master System pads did not work.

 

I need to relay your question about flashing the bios to our engineer to find out if that is how the programming is delivered to the microprocessor on the controller board. I can tell you there is an RJ45 jack on the board for that purpose, but I confess I am not certain about the details.

 

THANK YOU for considering supporting the campaign! We are SO close to the finish line and I would be grateful for any help to get the fuse lit on this rocket! :-)

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The new controllers (and our existing line of 2600/7800 controllers) are fully CX-40 compatible and should work with any Commodore that is too! The cords have true DB-9 connectors, just like the vintage hardware.

Atari 7800 controllers work on the Atari 2600, and 2600 controllers work on the Commodore 64. But for some reason 7800 controllers don't work on the Commodore 64.

 

The resistors a standard 7800 controller uses on the fire buttons works with the 2600 hardware, but does not work on a Commodore 64.

 

 

Edited by Hannacek
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Atari 7800 controllers work on the Atari 2600, and 2600 controllers work on the Commodore 64. But for some reason 7800 controllers don't work on the Commodore 64.

 

The resistors a standard 7800 controller uses on the fire buttons works with the 2600 hardware, but does not work on a Commodore 64.

 

 

 

Ugh! Never have tried a 7800 controller with a C64, so this is surprising news. Our current lineup of "78" controllers are wired exactly like Pro Lines, so with this new info I can say those will not work.

 

But its possible the upcoming Coleco/Atari controllers MAY work. Because of all the conversion between the four possible incoming controllers and for possible outgoing consoles, all of the translation takes place through a microprocessor. Need to find someone with a C64 to test... I'm local to Brad Arnold from the ANTIC podcast and have participated in a meeting of the Atlanta Historical Computing Club. I'll find out if one of those fellows will let us give it a try after the controller board is modded to serve the Atari 2600 and 7800. It will be too late for the Kickstarter, but useful for approaching that community going forward.

 

Thanks for the info!

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The Master System controllers can be made to work with the Seagull 78 adapter by adding in a Sega Master System Auto fire adapter. See it here: http://www.ecrater.com/p/19918192/rapid-fire-control-stick-sega?gps=1&id=80959801219

 

Maybe this can allow the MS controllers to also work with the new product as well.

 

Thank you! That's good to know!

 

It tickles me to think people are finding ways to use our little adapter in ways unplanned and unimagined. :-)

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Slip in Commodore, there's like 30 million users worldwide. Most of the Commodore machine accepts Atari 2600 standard pinout. AFAIK PET doesn't have any controller support, my 9000 doesn't at all. Plus4, 16, and similar model uses different connector design but can work with Atari joysticks with DIN to DE-9 adapter.

 

Frak Commode.

 

No, but seriously…you shouldn't plug in a Sega Genesis controller into a C64. It can short the C64 out. It's a known issue. There's no such issue with plugging in a Genesis controller into a 2600, 7800, or Atari 8-bit computer/XE Game System.

 

As for these awesome controllers, I'd think an arcade stick with a keypad would sell best if it were compatible with all of the major keypad sporting game consoles… those would be the Intellivision, the Colecovision, the Atari 5200, and the Atari Jaguar [and STE & Falcon computers]. Of course, if you could get them to work as a joystick and separate keypad controller for a 2600 & 7800, that would be an added bonus.

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Ugh! Never have tried a 7800 controller with a C64, so this is surprising news. Our current lineup of "78" controllers are wired exactly like Pro Lines, so with this new info I can say those will not work.

 

 

When Commodore made the VIC-20 and C64, they made the joystick ports compatible with Atari 2600 controllers, so that people could use the joysticks and paddles they already had. When Atari made the 7800 controller, they made it work with the 2600. This allows 7800 controllers to be used on 2600 consoles, and also when playing 2600 games on the 7800. But, for some reason the stock Atari 7800 controllers don't work on the Commodore 64. The joystick works, but both buttons do nothing.

 

FYI: Atari 7800 controllers work with both buttons on a ColecoVision, but ColecoVision controllers don't work with either button on an Atari 7800. Also, the ColecoVision controller works on an Atari 2600 and Commodore 64 with the left as the fire button, and the right button doesn't do anything. However, on some Commodore 64 games a ColecoVision controller works with both buttons. But, most games only the left button works.

 

Hopefully you will find a way to make your controllers work with as many consoles as possible. I have only been able to make a controller that has 2600 with 7800 with ColecoVision compatibility, or 2600 with Commodore 64 with ColecoVision compatibility. I have not found a way to get 2 button 7800 with Commodore 64 compatibility.

 

The important thing is to test your controllers on real hardware, because you never really know if something will work until you try it on the real hardware.

Edited by Hannacek
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Hey Edladdin, if you need any help on exploring controllers and modding them, I have done a whole bunch over the last few years. I have modded Genesis 3 buttons to work with both buttons with Colecovision as well as Sega Master system... believe it or not originally to play Bank Panic.. haha..

 

I have also modded the single button supported Champ adapters to use both buttons and posted that info here on Atariage.

 

If you open an investigation I will be happy to share any data I have so you can have an even more awesome product that has a wider appeal.

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Hey Edladdin, if you need any help on exploring controllers and modding them, I have done a whole bunch over the last few years. I have modded Genesis 3 buttons to work with both buttons with Colecovision as well as Sega Master system... believe it or not originally to play Bank Panic.. haha..

 

I have also modded the single button supported Champ adapters to use both buttons and posted that info here on Atariage.

 

If you open an investigation I will be happy to share any data I have so you can have an even more awesome product that has a wider appeal.

 

Thank you very much! I appreciate the offer to call on you as we move forward.

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Yes it is the Supertwin and it works great !

 

Thanks AtariBrian!

 

Yes, I am very happy to send any controller "naked" so that you can decorate them to your own tastes! But at this point I can't get away with going for a true Atari or ColecoVision color/logo scheme since they are both live brands.

 

Maybe in the future! We could really have some fun with all the Edladdin products if we could capture actual licenses for those brands. The other day I was just looking at the Seagull CV controller adapter side-by-side with the CV Flashback and realized that the plastic case for the Flashback is almost a perfect match for the Seagull controller board. It would be awfully cool to rebrand the Seagull CV as "ColecoVision: Expansion Module #6"! :-)

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  • 2 months later...

Atari 7800 controllers work on the Atari 2600, and 2600 controllers work on the Commodore 64. But for some reason 7800 controllers don't work on the Commodore 64.

 

The resistors a standard 7800 controller uses on the fire buttons works with the 2600 hardware, but does not work on a Commodore 64.

 

 

 

 

Exciting news!

 

I finally had an opportunity to test our controllers with a vintage Commodore 64 and everything worked great! My chance arose at the 2016 Vintage Computer Festival SE, hosted by the Atlanta Historical Computing Society in April. One of the members allowed me to pair a Supreme 78 with a C64 that he had set up for play/display for most of the two-day event and we never had any problems.

 

Here's link to a short video:

 

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