Ataritard

I would speculate that Atari never intended to make a steering wheel controller. They did however plan to officially release a paddle controller but didn't. I and a few people here have done this mod and I think making one of these is your best bet. It's the only way to properly play games like Pole Position and Super Breakout. Thomas3120 made the best video on YouTube on how to do it. The Colecovision steering wheel doesn't have the right internal parts but it could be modified to work on the Atari 5200. Though it wouldn't be my first choice to mod into something for the 5200. I have my eye on one of my kid's driving toys. It has all the buttons and shifters that would be perfect for a 5200 steering wheel controller... as soon as he's done with it.

I did these mods three or four years ago. It's hard to describe how to make the 72 pin connector point up, but I will try. Describe to me from the beginning what you do and where it goes wrong.

I realize it's a month later, but if it's still a project you want to do, check these out. http://www.atariage....ster-toploader/ http://www.atariage....4-the-nes-2600/

Circus Invaders

That would be amazing! http://www.atariage....tal-controller/

You are right. It is especially satisfying to switch games without having to turn the 5200 off and on.

Superman

"A small motor from his Erector set to the CX-40's PCB"... That's pretty clever.

Thank you Stephen, I seriously doubt this will replace my CX-10 or modded NES controller as my go to controller for the Atari, even if I get it going, it's just a fun thing to do. I have considered the problem of how to push three buttons at the same time so my plan was to wire the fire button to a handheld plunger. The resistance is actually on both sides of the switch (if by switch you mean button). From the circuit board at the top there is, let's say 2 or 3k ohms of resistance to the four buttons, and say 2 or 3k ohms back up to the board. What you said about a simple low components count solution is a priority as this is just for fun. As for a buffer chip, My question now is would 5V damage my Atari if it were connected to Ground or any of the directions without a buffer chip?

Omega Race came with the Booster Grip and I believe Track and Field came with it's own controller.

Boardgames, Rubik's puzzles, Plug N Plays, Calvin and Hobbes books, Legos and everything Video games

Thanks Rex, That would work but I'd rather not cut it up to get the wires in it, and I don't know how I could replace the 6 inch diameter "buttons" that it uses. I am using a cord with all 9 wires coming from the Atari so I have access to 5 volts if you think that would help.

I thought it would be cool to modify a NES Power Pad to work on an Atari 2600 (and completely ridiculous at the same time. I really just wanted to see if it could be done). Well I've run into a big roadblock so here we are. If you have never taken a Power Pad apart (and Why would you, for that matter?) here is how it works: There are 12 traces going to the individual buttons and one common ground. The problem is that these are carbon or graphite (I don't know really) traces on plastic and they have an inherent amount of resistance. (Round trip about 5k ohm if I'm measuring right.) BTW I've removed all the chips and resistors. My question is there any way to "power through" this resistance so that the Atari can recognize a connection? Thank you.

I don't have any of these controllers but I read recently that pushing to the right is how to fire on paddle games. I wouldn't put up with that if I were you. You might look into modifying it and putting a switch on it so the button fires properly.

I love the overlays. I recently did this mod and was going to cover the Start and Select buttons. (Maybe put a great big Atari symbol in the middle.) Then I came across this old thread that talked about pushing three directions at the same time to make your tank in Combat go real fast. Does any one know of any other games that do this? If so, it would be worth the effort to wire up and down to the start and select. http://www.atariage....-runs-in-turbo/

It's 16bitghost on YouTube. I happened to catch one of his videos the other day. It's a cool setup. Don't quote me but I think he said something like each console is modified to have HDMI output to hook up to his TV. http://www.youtube.c...eature=g-user-u

Do this... http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/191832-hook-up-console-without-an-adapter/

Get a high quality 4-way coax splitter. (You are essentially using it in reverse.) The "in" goes to the tv and the 4 "outs" go to the 4 devices. Then just have one system on at a time.

No more than 50 bucks. I wouldn't even count it as having the box, it's in such poor shape (but I'm not into boxes). It's also missing the ATARI cap that goes on the power switch. I paid 50 bucks for mine in really good shape a couple years ago. It was one of those situations where I just had to have it and was willing to pay full-on retail.

I wonder if a modern style 10k ohm thumbstick can be built with 500k ohm pots instead.

I would go for it. Do you plan to use a harmony cart or change out carts? Will it be one player or two? What do you mean by drop-in modules for other controllers? How big of a tv do you picture using?

So... How much did it cost.

It's hardly proof but I think the fact that this method doesn't work on any other "one shot at a time" game lends to the idea that it was programed that way.

Interesting work around. The 5200 trackball fire buttons are pretty bad.