How many ways could you upgrade / mod a 4/6 switch Atari 2600?

[Dr Manhattan]

I recently purchased a used Atari 2600 Light Sixer. It was in pretty good shape but it needed one small repair. While searching for advice on Atari system repair I started to wonder what upgrades or mods are available for the system. Here's what I've come up with so far. Let me know what you think.

 

Atari 2600a and 2600 Upgrade Switch Static Foil Strips

 

RF Shieled TV Out Cable

 

Gold Plated Co-Axial TV Adapter

 

AC Adapter (From Atari Guide)

 

Atari 2600 Pause Kit

 

Controller Extension Cords

 

Replacement Circular Foam Switch Dust Covers

 

Harmony Cart (Ok, I know its not a system upgrade but its still probably the best 2600 accessory and it greatly improves your gameplay experience.)

 

Is there anything else? Also, could someone recommend a place to buy a replacement RF cable for my Light Sixer? I see a bunch on ebay but I'm not sure which one is right for my system. (For the two that I found it seems like the plug is too big to fit through the 2600 casing.)

[Lendorien]

I recently purchased a used Atari 2600 Light Sixer. It was in pretty good shape but it needed one small repair. While searching for advice on Atari system repair I started to wonder what upgrades or mods are available for the system.

 

Is there anything else?

 

<snip>

 

There's the Reset/Select switch controller mod I did. Allows you to hit those switches with an Atari joystick. Controller extension cords are nice, but you still have to get up from the couch to reset your game. My solution was this.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nbpq5pEri_Q&feature=player_embedded

Edited August 25, 2010 by Lendorien

[Dr Manhattan]

 

There's the Reset/Select switch controller mod I did. Allows you to hit those switches with an Atari joystick. Controller extension cords are nice, but you still have to get up from the couch to reset your game. My solution was this.

 

 

That mod is brilliant! I may have to try something like that myself.

[tetrode kink]

Composite and/or S-Video A/V mod.

[bah]

1Add a power indicating LED.

2Modify a std Atari joystick by soldering on tac switches in place of the disc contacts then cut the white plastic inner handle shorter by about 1/2 and shorten the black outer cover to match. My favorite stick now because I can use my thumb on the top of the stick and the tac switches give a "clicky" positive feel.

[Dr Manhattan]

Composite and/or S-Video A/V mod.

 

I've seen those Composite A/V mods and they're pretty damn cool. But I didn't even know S-Video mods were possible until now. That's especially good news for me because of the way my entertainment system is rigged.

 

1Add a power indicating LED.

 

2Modify a std Atari joystick by soldering on tac switches in place of the disc contacts then cut the white plastic inner handle shorter by about 1/2 and shorten the black outer cover to match. My favorite stick now because I can use my thumb on the top of the stick and the tac switches give a "clicky" positive feel.

 

I'd like to see pictures of the first mod but I'd really like to try that second mod. The joystick idea intrigues me.

 

I imagine tac switches are more responsive but what are they exactly?

 

BTW, now you've got me interested in controller mods.

[nightglider1]

 

There's the Reset/Select switch controller mod I did. Allows you to hit those switches with an Atari joystick. Controller extension cords are nice, but you still have to get up from the couch to reset your game. My solution was this.

 

 

That mod is brilliant! I may have to try something like that myself.

I watched the video, but I'm slightly confused. Wouldn't using the up/down directions during games trigger the switches? Or am I missing something?

[A.J. Franzman]

You missed that he added an extra DE-9 port (the off-white one on a very short cable going through the same hole as the RF cable) to the back of the console as part of the mod. It is not connected the same as either of the regular controller ports. Only the extra port operates the Select and Reset functions. The original controller ports work the same as they always did.

Edited August 27, 2010 by A.J. Franzman

[nightglider1]

You missed that he added an extra DE-9 port (the off-white one on a very short cable going through the same hole as the RF cable) to the back of the console as part of the mod. It is not connected the same as either of the regular controller ports. Only the extra port operates the Select and Reset functions. The original controller ports work the same as they always did.

Oh, OK -- a separate joystick for the Select and Reset functions. That's what I get for multitasking. I was watching the video with one eye, an episode of "Dexter" with the other, and listening to something my wife was trying to tell me.

 

Thanks, AJ!

[Pioneer4x4]

I am working on an enhanced version of that.

Keyboard Remote Console Switches

[nightglider1]

I am working on an enhanced version of that.

Keyboard Remote Console Switches

That looks very cool!

 

When I was a kid, my remote controls were my feet. With the console on the floor, I'd simply trigger the switches with my big toes (well, all but "Difficulty" -- we had a 4-switcher, and it was too tough to work those with the toes).

Edited August 29, 2010 by nightglider1

[Lendorien]

 

There's the Reset/Select switch controller mod I did. Allows you to hit those switches with an Atari joystick. Controller extension cords are nice, but you still have to get up from the couch to reset your game. My solution was this.

 

 

That mod is brilliant! I may have to try something like that myself.

 

Thank you. I intend to put up a tutorial video on what exactly I did. It's not very complex really, and useful indeed.

[toymailman]

Here is the list of upgrades I know about

 

Internal Upgrades

• S-Video Mod
  
• Atari 2600 Pause Kit
  
• MIDI2600 Kit
  
• Power indicating LED
  
• Keyboard Remote Console Switches
  
• Atari 2600a and 2600 Upgrade Switch Static Foil Strips
  

 

External "Upgrades"

• AtariVox
  
• Harmony Cart
  
• Controller Extension Cords