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electronicsibley

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Posts posted by electronicsibley

  2. Posted

    On 11/12/2020 at 10:36 PM, Lynxpro said:

     

    Well, as I've said plenty of times in other threads, Atari Corp was really bad in getting a lot of controllers onto shelves here in the States. You couldn't find the Europads and you couldn't find the XG-1 Light Gun separate from the XE Game System. At least I sure couldn't in my part of NorCal. It really annoyed me that I wasn't able to buy one to play Crossbow, especially since the Commodore dealers were selling an OEM version of the XG-1 in plain cardboard boxes for use with light gun games that were available for the C64. For the record, these OEM light guns were still painted the same color as the XEGS but had the labels removed from the sides. The sculpted Atari Fuji logo was still present on the DB9 connector molding.

     

    This annoyance continued with the ST Power Pads which were released in Europe in 1989/1990 for the Atari STe computers. These later became the Jaguar's JagPads but they came out for the STe first although they were gray [to match the STe] and had shorter cables [since the person would be sitting directly in front of the STe and not playing games from the couch]. But the point was, you couldn't find them here in the States from Atari's own dealers.

    I remember reading that about the light guns now. It was probably something you wrote! It truly is crazy the way Atari ran their business during these years. I love the 7800, but it’s really a comedy of errors. And not just in hindsight. This stuff didn’t make sense *at the time*. 
     

    I had no idea that the JagPads evolved from a ST controller. That’s fascinating! Just when you think you heard it all...

    • Like 1

  4. Posted

    7 hours ago, ApolloBoy said:

    From what I've seen, Atari seemed to have every intention of releasing them in the US around 1989 (they're shown in the Atari Advantage catalog/poster) but for some reason didn't go through with it. 

    Interesting. I actually have that poster somewhere, but I just Googled it, and sure enough, there they are. Atari seemed to be so haphazard about things in hindsight. New controllers would’ve been kind of a big deal, and they just put them in a poster with no special mention of any kind. And they had every interest in drumming up interest in the console. It was going to be years before they discontinued it, and even more before the Jaguar came along. Maybe the thought the Panther was just around the corner?

    • Like 1

  5. Posted

    8 hours ago, -^CrossBow^- said:

    Just remember that the lock-on adapter is only for 2600 games and does not act as a passthrough for 7800 games. If I were to guess on where your carts are getting snagged up, it might be the actual holes to the sides of the actual pin connector slot for the dust cover pegs. Those holes on the cart sleeve might not be quite wide enough would be my guess.

     

    Yup, I’d just be getting it for a few Activision carts. I’m going to take a closer look and see if I can pinpoint the problem. I’ll share whatever I find out. Thanks!

  6. Posted

    11 hours ago, -^CrossBow^- said:

    Is Karateka really the only one giving you issues or do other 7800 games also cause problems? 

    I went back to check and it’s actually all of my 7800 games *except* Centipede. They all work, but they’re  snug, and I have to be careful removing them. I also checked my 2600 collection and all carts fit fine except the Activision titles, which is what I would’ve expected. 
     

    It is a bit weird. I bought the console recently off eBay, so who knows if it had been worked on in the past and something is misaligned internally. I’d be more bummed if it prevented me from playing the games, but it’s still disappointing. 
     

    BTW, thanks for the tip about the Lock-On adapter. I may look into that!

    7D4D7255-1686-491E-B357-B2EAF8CAEB4E.jpeg

  7. Posted

    So, I’m having a possible issue with getting 7800 cartridges *out* of my console. I’m aware of some 2600 carts not easily fitting at all, but this isn’t that. Is it normal to have to really work at a 7800 cart to get it out? For me Karateka seems to be the worst offender. Karateka also makes a bit of a “crunching” sound when the circuit board makes its connection. Pretty sure that can’t be good.

     

    If this is all par for the course, I can certainly live with it, but I’d definitely like to speak to the manager at some point!

     

    While we’re on the topic, can anyone share details on work being done to solve these issues?

  8. Posted

    Well’p, to bring this thing full circle, I just received two Best-modified CX78 joypads, and tested them out this evening.

     

    Long story short, I’m a fan!
     

    The work done by Best seems to be top notch. All buttons and the d-pad are clicky and precise. The cord is a good length, and seems very durable. 
     

    As for the design, I like it. The thumb-stick works better than it has any right to, and is a neat engineering flourish that really sets the controller apart. If you’re not into it, it can easily be unscrewed. I also like the diagonal offset of the Atari logo and the recessed space below the 1&2 buttons. I suspect this is related to similar features on the XEGS case. There’s also a textured grip on the backside of the controller behind the buttons that can be helpful depending on how you hold the controller itself. 
     

    YMMV, but I have no significant complaints about this pad vs. those for the NES and SMS, both of which I owned during their release. I have to wonder what effect packing in these controllers would’ve had on US 7800 sales. It certainly couldn’t have hurt. 


    Finally, my experience with Best was great. You do have to email or call them directly, which is odd in this day and age, but once I placed my order the package arrived via USPS in about 3 days (CA to VA). 
     

    I do plan to purchase a Ed Laddin controller at some point for a true arcade experience, but I’m more than happy with these controllers in the meantime. 

     

    • Like 2

  12. Posted

    3 hours ago, juansolo said:

    We've put tac switches in for the buttons, and we've taken the joysticks out and filled the hole with epoxy resin. Do that and it feels like a proper gamepad with proper resposive fire buttons.

    Glad to hear. I love to tinker, but this time I’m going to take advantage of someone else’s ingenuity. If you’ve never seen it, Best’s write up of their modified controller is something else. After reading, I basically feel obligated to experience it.  

    http://www.best-electronics-ca.com/Best CX78 Upgrade kit 2.htm#CX78

    • Haha 1

  13. Posted

    43 minutes ago, x=usr(1536) said:

     

    I'd say grab one and see what you think.  There's pretty much always someone out there who wants one, so if you don't like it it should be relatively easy to unload.

    That’s about where I’m landing on it. Even if I’m not crazy about it, it’ll make a good conversation piece as long as it’s around.

    • Like 1

  14. Posted

    7 minutes ago, desiv said:

    My 7800 didn't come with controllers, so I used single button ones for a while before I found some Europads for a good price.

    I like them OK.  Not a huge joypad fan, but they are OK.

    Then I got some Prolines, and...  I put them away..  I'm a joystick fan, but I prefer the Europads to the Proline.

    At some time, I'll probably get/make a 2 button real joystick.. ;-)

    That’s good to hear. The general consensus seems to be that they’re fine for what they are. 

  15. Posted

    7 minutes ago, BydoEmpire said:

    IMHO it's terrible.  I never use mine.  Maybe good for one or two game, but mostly they were designed for a joystick and that works better.  I hate to say it, but I'd rather use a ProLine than the pad.  It's not that the pad itself is that terrible, it *does* work, the games just weren't (mostly) designed for it.  There might be some exceptions like Tower Toppler.  If you want to play 7800 games on a NES/SMS-style pad it does that fairly well.

    I see what you’re saying. That’s definitely something to consider. FWIW, I see an Ed Laddin controller in my future at some point, so I’m definitely not giving up on joysticks!

    • Like 1

  16. Posted

    8 minutes ago, -^CrossBow^- said:

    Well if you are stuck on only wanting to use an official Atari released controller than the Euro pads are your only option pretty much. If you want really good controller for the NES like usage then I would suggest getting one of the controller from Retrogameboyz. I've now purchased about 3 of his controllers for different systems and been impressed with all of them. I use one of his NES style 7800 controllers as my main 7800 controller in fact.

     

    https://www.etsy.com/shop/RetroGameBoyz?ref=usf_2020

    Thanks, I forgot about those. I’ll check them out!

  17. Posted

    So I’m thinking about taking the plunge and picking up a euro-style Joypad for the 7800. I’ll probably order a modded one from Best Electronics if they have any left in stock. I’m not expecting it to work wonders, but I am looking for more of a NES/SMS-like experience vs. the Proline. Also, one of my Proline controllers is out of commission, so it’s now or never! 
     

    I’m just looking opinions of the controller, good and bad, to inform my purchase. FWIW, I know Sega controllers are an option, but I’d rather pick up the Atari product for authenticities sake, unless it’s a total dud. 

  19. Posted

    This is a subject I’m really interested in. Of the prototypes known, which are the farthest along, and could potentially be released? I think that was done with Klax. Have there been others?
     

    I’d love to see Rampart get over the hump, especially with trackball and Atarivox support. I think Tengen released it for NES and SMS, so maybe some of that work is transferable?  That’s not to mention the port on the Lynx! 

    If we’re talking Atari Games, ‘System 1 & 2’ games probably have the most potential to make good ports without watering them down. And they’d basically all bring something new to the platform. 
     

     

  20. Posted

    6 hours ago, Albert said:

    I do not want to replicate Atari's cartridges as the original shells they produced for the 2600 are too complex (four plastic pieces, and a unique spring you'd also need to reproduce).  Third-parties created simpler shells without any moving parts (except in some cases springs for the pegs, such as what Coleco did).  And the later shells they produced (such as the 7800 shell with the holes under the main label, also used for later 2600 games) are not ideal, either.  That's why we're producing a new design that will likely use two separate, fixed pegs, and without the large holes under the label surface.

     

     ..Al

    Really looking forward to this! It’s like the video game equivalent of a resto-mod vehicle. I love finding ways to optimize and make things more efficient. You guys may also be able to produce shells in different colors as well, a la Rikki & Vikki. Do you have a dedicated thread in the forums for this project?

  22. Posted

    Hear, hear! The 7800 is getting at least as much *quality* programming, and potentially hardware attention now as it ever did during its release.

     

    I’m just a collector myself, but I’ve been thinking about how to find a niche in the 7800/2600 homebrew scene. It’s too much fun not to get involved somehow!

    • Like 5

  25. Posted

    On 9/30/2020 at 7:27 PM, mksmith said:

    I'm pleased to announce that Millie and Molly 7800 has gone gold and the game is fully tested and complete 😁

     

    Huge thanks again to Mike, Bobby, Robert and Steve for their dedication to help complete Millie and Molly 7800 and to Carleton Handley and his team for allowing us to bring their game to our platform.  It's a great joy to do this stuff with you guys.

    happy new year smiling GIF

     

     

    Congrats! Someone should move this one into the ‘completed’ section in the 7800 2020 games tracker post. 

    • Like 1
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