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Atari 7800 Controller?


RetroGrafx

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I have the Original controller for the Atari 7800 as well as the Euro style controller, while they both work fine the one sold in the states (the original) cramps my old guy hands, and the Euro Style, the D-pad is stiff and not very responsive at times.

 

I tried using the SMS controller and nothing. guess I need to mod it.

 

Them I tried the Amstrad GX4000 controller and it works great though havent had time to test it to much? my question is could I be damaging anything on my 7800 by using this controller? like damage to controller port pins, or anything else?

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Referencing this post from the Lemon forum (posted below for convenience)...

 

"Just because it uses the same connector does not mean it's compatible.

The Amstrad uses pin 7 for one of the 2 fire buttons and pins 8 and 9 for ground.
Commodore and Atari use pin 7 as +5v, 8 as ground and 9 for the paddle(x-axis):
If you plug this thing into a C64 and press the fire button you'll be shorting the +5 to ground.
It's not a good idea to use that joystick, unless you open it up and rewire it before you plug it in."
...a GX4000 controller may not be a good idea to utilize under the 7800.
The 7800 controller shares the same Pin 7 and Pin 8 utilization as the Commodore/Atari (2600).
Pin 9 for the 7800 (mode) is for button 2, which obviously wont work properly with the GX4000, as its Pin 9 goes to ground.
There is a match with Pin 8, but the Pin 7 and Pin 9 mismatch could cause a problem besides lack of 2nd button functionality. Nonetheless, someone a bit more informed on the matter may chime in with their thoughts.
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You can also build or purchase an arcade style controller.

 

You can see some examples of ones that I have built here:

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/261702-fs-atari-pro-cx-1000-arcade-joysticks-atari-78002600c64sms/

 

If you decide to build your own you can search for my "Schematic for dummy's" to assist with the wiring layout :)

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  • 3 weeks later...

Might I add it's worth every penny.

 

Indeed. It works beautifully swapping out among a Genesis controller, AtariVox, and CPUWIZ's MCPDev cart line feed. It works well with all devices; no need to constantly wear-down the controller port on the console.

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Indeed. It works beautifully swapping out among a Genesis controller, AtariVox, and CPUWIZ's MCPDev cart line feed. It works well with all devices; no need to constantly wear-down the controller port on the console.

 

100% agree. I've had one since they first came out.

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Thanks for all the kind words on the Seagull 78! That really means a lot. :-)

 

Since we are also talking about building our own controllers, a little sneak preview for the thread is that on May 1 we are going to begin selling the "Easy 78", which is a very simple I/O board we designed that makes building your own 2600/7800 controller a snap. There are solder pads for a stick and two pair of buttons, as well as a tap for the +5v line from the console so you can run low amp accessories, like button LEDs. The mounting holes are sized to directly mount on two of the joystick mounting bolts. The two 620 ohm resistors will be pre-installed, so you only have to select your arcade hardware and harvest a DB9 cord from an old device OR a new DB9 extension cord.

 

We have been using them internally for a couple months now and they are SO much easier than building your own harness. Price will be $15 plus $2 for bubble mailer and postage.

 

Here's a snapshot of the board, its application in a Super Twin 78, and another Super Twin with illuminated fire buttons.

post-40253-0-44611400-1491412869_thumb.jpg

post-40253-0-29827000-1491412880_thumb.jpg

post-40253-0-77098600-1491413038_thumb.jpg

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Thanks for all the kind words on the Seagull 78! That really means a lot. :-)

 

Since we are also talking about building our own controllers, a little sneak preview for the thread is that on May 1 we are going to begin selling the "Easy 78", which is a very simple I/O board we designed that makes building your own 2600/7800 controller a snap. There are solder pads for a stick and two pair of buttons, as well as a tap for the +5v line from the console so you can run low amp accessories, like button LEDs. The mounting holes are sized to directly mount on two of the joystick mounting bolts. The two 620 ohm resistors will be pre-installed, so you only have to select your arcade hardware and harvest a DB9 cord from an old device OR a new DB9 extension cord.

 

We have been using them internally for a couple months now and they are SO much easier than building your own harness. Price will be $15 plus $2 for bubble mailer and postage.

 

Here's a snapshot of the board, its application in a Super Twin 78, and another Super Twin with illuminated fire buttons.

 

I really wish you had built something on there for turbos! I continue to want to build a 7800 controller with turbo capability, even if that means installing four buttons in an over/under turbo/regular config. Any chance?

 

Also, I am very lucky Atari controllers are so simple...I think saying you need to build a "harness" is kinda overblowing it, you just like your work to look pro! I can wire them up and I am...not good. But what that board certainly does do is eliminate having to deal with the resistors at all. That's nice!

 

BTW, another thing about Edladdin....some of us had a small issue with a Coleco controller converter, a problem which would have been very hard to find without testing every game in every way.....he paid for shipping and designed a fix which cost him time and money. Cost to customer? Zippo. Dude stands behind his stuff.

 

Now go build a turbo board!!!!! :-D

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I really wish you had built something on there for turbos! I continue to want to build a 7800 controller with turbo capability, even if that means installing four buttons in an over/under turbo/regular config. Any chance?

 

Also, I am very lucky Atari controllers are so simple...I think saying you need to build a "harness" is kinda overblowing it, you just like your work to look pro! I can wire them up and I am...not good. But what that board certainly does do is eliminate having to deal with the resistors at all. That's nice!

 

BTW, another thing about Edladdin....some of us had a small issue with a Coleco controller converter, a problem which would have been very hard to find without testing every game in every way.....he paid for shipping and designed a fix which cost him time and money. Cost to customer? Zippo. Dude stands behind his stuff.

 

Now go build a turbo board!!!!! :-D

 

Building the 7800 harness ("wire bundle"?) is definitely not rocket science, but I guarantee its a much bigger hassle without the Easy 78! Ask me how I know. :-D

 

Definitely not a necessity if someone is technically minded or can work their way through the drawing in the 7800 FAQ. Even still, every so often a thread is opened up in these forums by someone who wants to build a controller but they are intimidated OR they've made a mistake with wiring the resistors in-line and/or the fact the signal pulls from the low side/common rather than the positive side. That little board makes the whole process EASY, so we figured someone out there might want to use them too.

 

And yeah, I love that it makes that $hit look TIGHT! LOL Seriously, people pay a lot for our stuff and I want it to look great up top and also under the hood.

 

----

 

Changing gears, I have no idea what you mean by "Turbo Capability". What does that do?

 

post-40253-0-38016700-1491442126_thumb.jpgpost-40253-0-16212200-1491442127_thumb.jpg

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Changing gears, I have no idea what you mean by "Turbo Capability". What does that do?

 

Ideally I mean something like a NES advantage controller...some form of adjustable turbo fire added to the buttons. Twisty knob to adjust, etc.

 

In this case I was thinking a second set of connectors on the board for the buttons, so you'd hook up four buttons...two stock, the other two with autofire when held down, somehow accomplished on the board.

 

I don't know how to do it...if I did I would have already! ;-)

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The kid in me loves the illuminated fire buttons. Heck, the adult in me loves them too!

 

Yeah, they look pretty cool, don't they??? Those were for a custom order, where the client sourced the buttons and we figured out how to use the LED kits. They come from Paradise Arcade supply.

 

Check these out:

https://paradisearcadeshop.com/505-buttons

 

The LEDs went out of stock right after this project and have remained so ever since:

https://paradisearcadeshop.com/button-leds/100-il-lumination-rgb-5vdc-led-.html

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Ideally I mean something like a NES advantage controller...some form of adjustable turbo fire added to the buttons. Twisty knob to adjust, etc.

 

In this case I was thinking a second set of connectors on the board for the buttons, so you'd hook up four buttons...two stock, the other two with autofire when held down, somehow accomplished on the board.

 

I don't know how to do it...if I did I would have already! ;-)

 

 

I just went googling that (never had an NES) and yeah... That's going to take more of a board than an Easy 78! You're going to need a logic circuit to feed control outputs to the 7800 console based on your turbo settings.

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Yeah, they look pretty cool, don't they??? Those were for a custom order, where the client sourced the buttons and we figured out how to use the LED kits. They come from Paradise Arcade supply.

 

Check these out:

https://paradisearcadeshop.com/505-buttons

 

The LEDs went out of stock right after this project and have remained so ever since:

https://paradisearcadeshop.com/button-leds/100-il-lumination-rgb-5vdc-led-.html

This means there's a true, one of a kind Edladdin Super Twin 78 out there. Hmm.
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I think the Atari 7800 proline Joystick gets TOO MUCH hate from a number of folks on Atariage. Yes, I know its not perfect, but COME ON! Be thankful that it does not have the severely fragile nature of the Atari 5200 stock controller fire and number keypad buttons. Also, it surely deserves credit for having a joystick that doesn't use rubber for its base, though it could have been a little less long.

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I think the Atari 7800 proline Joystick gets TOO MUCH hate from a number of folks on Atariage. Yes, I know its not perfect, but COME ON! Be thankful that it does not have the severely fragile nature of the Atari 5200 stock controller fire and number keypad buttons. Also, it surely deserves credit for having a joystick that doesn't use rubber for its base, though it could have been a little less long.

Maybe, but when the best thing you can say is it's not as bad as the 5200 stick...that's damning it with very faint praise!

 

I think the ProLine is pretty bad and deserving of its' rep, myself. Uncomfortable to use for extended periods in virtually every way. But it is durable.

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Maybe, but when the best thing you can say is it's not as bad as the 5200 stick...that's damning it with very faint praise!

 

I think the ProLine is pretty bad and deserving of its' rep, myself. Uncomfortable to use for extended periods in virtually every way. But it is durable.

It sure is durable.

 

>Uncomfortable to use in nearly every way for long periods of time.

I hear you, but how big are your hands? I know age likely isn't the case for most users. but the size of person's hands can play a role of some sort in how much they can tolerate a controller Example: the stock NA and European NES Model-001 controllers and how some people say they are not that good of a fit for the hands of most adults and later teens.

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It sure is durable.

 

>Uncomfortable to use in nearly every way for long periods of time.

I hear you, but how big are your hands? I know age likely isn't the case for most users. but the size of person's hands can play a role of some sort in how much they can tolerate a controller Example: the stock NA and European NES Model-001 controllers and how some people say they are not that good of a fit for the hands of most adults and later teens.

 

Well, I have had no problems with any other controllers due to hand size. Be my hands too big, or too small...I'm always able to adjust. Coleco, 5200, 2600, NES, Genesis, etc. The Pro Line is simply uncomfortable period past 10-20 minutes or so for me, if the game is at all fast paced.

 

Whether it's the hard plastic sides providing near zero grip once your hands are a bit sweaty, the side buttons being split between thumb and index, the stick being set between the buttons making simultaneous directionals+button mashing hard...sorry man, I LOVE the 7800 system, but I think it has a pretty awful stock controller designed primarily to turn young Americans into crab people!

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This means there's a true, one of a kind Edladdin Super Twin 78 out there. Hmm.

That there is, and I totally love it. :D

 

KBuqHg8.jpg

 

 

Ed's work is absolutely gorgeous, built with top quality arcade parts, and he's an extremely professional guy to do business with. I would recommend one of his controllers to anyone who wants to get the best gameplay experience out of their Atari systems.

 

Before I got my Super Twin 78 my highest score in Robotron 2084 was just over 1,500,000 but after just a couple days of practice with my new controller from Ed I was able to roll the score at 10,000,000, and I've been placing consistently in the Top 5 of the Atari 2600 High Score Club every round since I switched from playing with a Best Electronics gold upgraded CX-40 joystick to the Super Twin 78. No matter how good you might be at video games you're still only as good as your controller allows, and Ed's controllers are built with the best quality real arcade parts for the fastest response timing and minimum muscle fatigue. :)

 

/endorsement

Edited by Jin
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