5200 ASTEROIDS Controller

[Voltman3]

Well, I had to play around with a paddle controller and

it came close. The left / right control was still lacking.

 

So, I thought - just use buttons?

 

Didn't the original Asteroids machines just have buttons?

It's been so many years since I've actually seen 1

 

I think this 1 is a winner, everything works and quite well.

 

There is a still a slight control glitch. I don't think I can do

anything about. Those of you who have played 5200

Asteroids know, on a CX52- beginning & after you die- you pretty much

[spin & thrust] out of control before you can recover -

and your Asteroid dust ! Right?

 

It's a little better with a WICO CC - it has the side adjust pots.

Eventually, it can do no more to correct the problem.

I have played Asteroids many, many times trying to get the hang of

it, but it seems there's no solution.

 

This controller is so close, it is definitely playable.

Very much so- I am having a hard time getting the hang

of the button scheme tho'.

 

I'm not saying this is perfect.

There are 4 quick things you gotta do to keep alive !

 

# 1

When your ship appears- barely press Thrust.

The ship will move a bit [1/2 inch], then stop.

# 2

Then press the Shield.

The Shield activates then disengage it.

You will no longer Thrust out of control.

#3

Press the Right button. Your ship will continue to turn

in that direction.

#4

Press the Left button. Your ship will stop turning!

 

That's it - your ready to Blast Asteroids !!!!

The ship stays perfectly centered and you can Thrust,

Shield & Turn around without fear of going nuts [ie.. CX52 style].

 

I know someone is thinking, yeah but, I gotta push 4 buttons

for the stupid thing to work! Yep, but how long does it take

to push 4 buttons? And then- it really does work

 

It seems that the 5200 recalibrates itself- to accept

the new X,Y values. I have no proof of that, and it probably

doesn't- but that's what it appears to do ???

There has to be some little oddity in the L/R control Data line(s)?

 

All I know is that if you push the 4 buttons real quick

in that order this controller REALLY makes 5200 ASTEROIDS FUN

 

Of course what's best here is everyone can pick they're own

Control Button layout. The one pictured is a right hand set-up

and I'm a Lefty- so it's kinda tuff for me to play.

I am hesitant to say that I marked the buttons on the inside of the

lid- so when I turned it over it was bass-akward-

DUH !! Whata Moron, eh? LOL

 

OK- Thats all I got for now- Other than- IT REALLY WORKS ! WaHoo.

 

Sorry for the loooong post !

 

http://personal.riverusers.com/~clghog/520...oids%20Cont.jpg

 

Later-

[MrRetroGamer]

How about a button controller like the Starplex controller hooked up to a Masterplay? I don't have Asteroids on my older version of the Multicart, but I do have the Starplex and Masterplay. Maybe I'll try this combo out with Meteorites and/or Defender and report back.

[PacManPlus]

Hey Charles!

 

Asteroids (Arcade) *did* only use buttons - you are correct. They were laid out like this:

 

----------------------------

(1)---(2)--------(3)---(4)

----------------------------

------------(5)-------------

 

1 - Rotate Left

2 - Rotate Right

3 - Thrust

4 - Fire

5 - Hyperspace / Shields (Asteroids Deluxe)

 

Bob

 

P.S. - I am going to connect the wires using your schematic tonight - I know about connecting resistors in series, but did not know about the parallel connection - thanks for the lesson!

 

[Tempest]

Has anyone seen the real 5200 prototype Asteroids controller that Atari made? Was it int he museum this year? I think Keita owns it.

 

Tempest