Synthead

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I'm thinking of making a little business to get some cash together, but I'm wondering what you guys think first. I had the idea to construct professionally-made Atari 2600/7800 Parallel port interfaces and sell them for $10/ea or so. The interfaces would allow you to connect your Atari controllers to your PC for use as a standard joystick. The interfaces would have a male DB9 end to them so you can plug your joystick right into the plug without modification. I would probably sell variations if it took off, like short and long wire models, multiple button support, and maaaybe two player support (two DB9 plugs for each joystick). The interfaces would work under Linux, Windows 95/98/98SE/2K/Me/XP, and probably other OSes if you know what you're doing. I got mine to work with a 25Mhz laptop on Win95, a PIII 450 on Win98SE, and an overclocer @ 2.6 Ghz on WinXP, and I'm sure it'll work on other platforms. It will have full functionality as a standard joystick and could be used in all games and emulators (with the limitation of only DirectX joystick support in Windows 95). I have 10 years of expertise in soldering and I guarantee quality craftsmanship, which will be backed by a warranty. Would you be interested in something like this? If you are, please post and let me know! If enough people are interested, I'll buy a bunch of parts and start going at it!

Heheh, that's neat. Nice story

I've had this lil problem for jsut a short while, but I thought I'd finally post about it So after having horrible RF interference, I decided to build this mod: http://www.classicgaming.com/vcsp/Question2.htm However, now the bright yellow is orange and grey is black on all of my games. I don't know if there are more color problems too, but these are the two that I remember for sure. And no, tuning the pots don't help as far as the colors go. Thanks all!

About a week ago I found two Atari games at a thrift store, in the box with manuals! They're in excellent condition except for the boxes, which are a bit smashed, but still! They were Berserk and Air-Sea Battle. The games aren't the best, but I found them at the thrift store!! I'm going back more often, yeah!

I like TAC-2 and Genesis controllers. I've heard great things about Wico Command Control sticks too.

I went down the street and picked like eight of those campaign signs off the sidewalk, and I'm building a container out of the wood. It's turning out really nice! It's going to hold 3 x 10 carts and will have a lid and everything to it.

TAC-2 and Genesis controllers are my faves.

Whoa, that's really neat. #71 ... booyah! Never thought of ranking VCSs that way, although every Atari has a place on my hear for me

Start swearing maliciously and they'll remove this thread!

Yeah, it sucks that it went down. I really liked that site.

that spoon owns

I have a Sunnyvale Atari too, it's a 4-switch ... now I'm starting to wonder if mine's special too ... anyone got word on this?

We're illegal pirates that take 26 year old games, modify them, and sell them!! AAAHHHHH!

I have a gut feeling that if you break connection to a certian pin of a chip off either the TIA or the 6502, it'll malfunction in a way that it would "pause". Perhaps even messing with the frequency crystals would do it. But I'm not about to try that stuff until I know more or someone else does

Haha ... I've messed around with frying games ditto - heavy sixer. Although I own a 4 and I'm very happy with it

You know, since you're new to all this, I thought I'd also suggest Chopper Command and Defender. Although they're side scrollers, both those games are played in my house when we're in a "River Raid mood" after we're done with River Raid. Already got it! Still in the mail though http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...me=STRK:MEWN:IT

Yeah! Do I smell a hack coming?

Your title looks like an ebay auction ...

I can solder that! You have PM!

The pattern of the interference in your capture makes it look like it's construction paper ... that looks neat My RF interference makes my images look like a tin can

Ooohhh, wow that looks very nice for a random box!

Old thread - new news ... I made a DB25 (parallel) to DB9 (serial) interface for my Atari and it works perfect! I'm using PPJoy drivers with TheMaze interface. And I have to admit - this is the best soldering job I have ever done on any project - PERIOD! That rules big time!! Highly reccomended to build for anyone with will and skill!

So I went some of the suggestions from this thread and ended up buying a TAC-2! I got the joystick in the mail just the other day and so far I LOVE it! This controller is so much better than the stock imo ... wow! I mean, wow. This controller is great! I love the metal-to-metal feel to it. What a great idea they had. Genesis controllers are great too! My friend has a Genesis with like, three games ... one that is cool, the other ones, sucky. So he let me borrow his controllers and I've been using them on and off before I got my TAC-2. I also have this Archer controller that has really loud buttons in them ... heh ... I get a kick out of that. It's a great controller too. And the grip fits your hand. THAT ... I like. Have you had something like a lawn mower, a pair of scissors, a box with a handle on it, or something with a grip have grooves for your fingers that are way off?? That sucks. And this controller is right on with the grooves, and that is very cool. Out of all controllers, I really like the paddles. It's so nice to move something to just the right spot really really fast. It's like a mouse. It rules. And Circus Atari is really fun to play on them (a great big thanks to Voch for this game!!).