How to improve Defender 1000%

[angusjake]

I came across a new joystick I have never seen before - an Epyx 500XJ, that has a switch for autofire on it. Highly recommended for Defender or other games that don't have built-in autofire (especially for the $3 I paid). It also has A & B fire buttons, so I thought it might work on the 7800, but it doesn't.

[+Mitch]

I came across a new joystick I have never seen before - an Epyx 500XJ, that has a switch for autofire on it. Highly recommended for Defender or other games that don't have built-in autofire (especially for the $3 I paid). It also has A & B fire buttons, so I thought it might work on the 7800, but it doesn't.

 

I believe that model is for the Sega Master System. Works great for the 2600 as well, though.

 

Mitch

http://atari7800.atari.org

[Ze_ro]

If you really want Defender to be 1000% better, then just play Stargate. It makes Defender look like crap.

 

--Zero

[trusty]

I still have my Epyx joysticks they were great! Gonna have to dig those out of my storage....

[Nukey Shay]

The arcade-style controller for the Genesis also has autofire switches. And those little plug-in autofire modules can be found at thrifts occasionally.

[Inky]

Take Stargate / Defender II, and

1) Create a variation that REMOVES all the stargate specific stuff

2) Program it to use the Video Touch Pad controller, thus giving that thing a second game to work on.

[King Atari]

Yep, the only thing close enough to the Defender experience on the 2600 is Stargate/Defender II.

[IceCold]

Yeah, Defender II is pretty good, I just received that in a trade a couple days ago.

 

And I agree with you on the Epyx 500XJ joysticks, I used one at Cinciclassic, it was a great joystick.

[Flojomojo]

This is how I played VCS Stargate back in the day:

 

Left controller moves the ship as usual, left fire button is for lasers.

 

Right controller is an Atari trackball, with the nice big buttons.

 

When you get into trouble, whack one of the big trackball buttons (you could even use a foot like I did as a kid).

 

This will fire off Smart Bombs until you run out of them.

 

Then it will activate Inviso until you run out of it.

 

After that, it will put you into Hyperspace.

 

That's the progression I use, even with enough buttons to press. The designer really did a great job on the 2600 version.

[Flojomojo]

I came across a new joystick I have never seen before - an Epyx 500XJ, that has a switch for autofire on it. Highly recommended for Defender or other games that don't have built-in autofire (especially for the $3 I paid). It also has A & B fire buttons, so I thought it might work on the 7800, but it doesn't.

The Empire Strikes Back (with the snow walkers) is GREATLY enhanced by a rapid-fire plug as well.

[Nukey Shay]

You'll never make Jedi with that attitude.

 

But then again, you can't "win" in Empire anyway.

 

Never could stand the clickety-click of the Epyx sticks...any way to shut them up?

[Flojomojo]

You can prolong the wait for the inevitable, though. Always slow down the lead walker by shooting him until he's orange or yellow ... that will buy you time.

 

Callouses, arthritic thumbs, cracking knuckles, tendonitis, repetitive motion syndrome ... a Jedi craves not these things.

[Cupcakus]

So when is a XYPE came going to support an EPYX controller???

 

[Big_Mo]

Hmmm...now if someone hasn't done it already, hacking Stargate to make a passable Defender would be good.

[SS]

This is how I played VCS Stargate back in the day:

 

{snip}

 

you could even use a foot like I did as a kid

 

 

Hey, hey, hey! I never could quite get the hang of the two controller set-up for Stargate. I am, however, awaiting the delivery of a shiny new foot controller any day now. Perhaps this will finally be the answer that I've been searching for!

[Flojomojo]

Hmmm...now if someone hasn't done it already, hacking Stargate to make a passable Defender would be good.

i guess everyone's different, but why would you want to play Defender if you can play Stargate instead? Stargate is great.

 

Even "Defender II" is great.

[IceCold]

Never could stand the clickety-click of the Epyx sticks...any way to shut them up?

 

I'm pretty sure that joystick uses microswitch's(I think that's what they're called?) which can't be quieted. Although I'm not positive