GameGirl420 Posted July 22, 2012 Share Posted July 22, 2012 So I've got like 6 Atari 5200 stock controllers and only one of them really works. Except I noticed certain games that I have don't play well with it. All my games work with the controller I use except for Mr.Do's Castle (can't move down) and Zaxxon (can't turn right). Other than that all my other games work great. Fire buttons,the keypad buttons and the start/pause/reset buttons all work good. Just wondering why it wouldn't work fully with those games I mentioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutchman2000 Posted July 22, 2012 Share Posted July 22, 2012 The pots in the controller might need to be adjusted. Some games compensate for this, others don't Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie_ Posted July 22, 2012 Share Posted July 22, 2012 It could also be that the pokey adjustment in the console is off a bit. A good test of system and controller is pitfall. If you can get on and off the ladders your system should be ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metzger130 Posted July 23, 2012 Share Posted July 23, 2012 It could also be that the pokey adjustment in the console is off a bit. A good test of system and controller is pitfall. If you can get on and off the ladders your system should be ok. I don't think I have any issues with my 2 controllers, but was just curious about this pokey adjustment in the console. How do you know if something is wrong and how exactly do you adjust such a thing if it is bad. I don't have pitfall so that's not a good game for me. I also have a 2 port system compared to a 4 port, can't remember if pitfall is one of the games that doesn't work with the 2 port, and am just curious on what exactly goes on and how you fix it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie_ Posted July 23, 2012 Share Posted July 23, 2012 (edited) It could also be that the pokey adjustment in the console is off a bit. A good test of system and controller is pitfall. If you can get on and off the ladders your system should be ok. I don't think I have any issues with my 2 controllers, but was just curious about this pokey adjustment in the console. How do you know if something is wrong and how exactly do you adjust such a thing if it is bad. I don't have pitfall so that's not a good game for me. I also have a 2 port system compared to a 4 port, can't remember if pitfall is one of the games that doesn't work with the 2 port, and am just curious on what exactly goes on and how you fix it. You would need an Atari Diagnostic cart and a loop back plug. A masterplay interface also works and I would imagine any such digital controller converter would work also. The Diagnostic cart can be run from the AtariMax USB or SD carts. There are a few threads here in the forum about it. Once everything is set up and your in the pokey adjustment screen, you turn the adjustment knob until it reads the proper values. **Also, I don't think Pitfall works with the two port. Edited July 23, 2012 by Official Ninja Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simbalion Posted July 23, 2012 Share Posted July 23, 2012 I've been lucky enough to have two 5200 consoles that seem to be alright on the adjustments for the controllers. That said, I should still probably look into getting the equipment and knowledge to adjust them at some date here soon. Maybe this fall when I'll be sitting inside alot because of the weather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S1500 Posted July 23, 2012 Share Posted July 23, 2012 I now have a 3rd 5200 controller. Only the joystick works. Ugh. Tried opening 'er up to see if anything was out, and it looked fine. Previous 5200 controller i swapped out had a bunched-up board strip for the start/reset buttons. At least I still have 1 that works, thanks to a refurbishing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Dart Posted July 23, 2012 Share Posted July 23, 2012 These controllers are such a crap shoot, I've given up on the system. I bought one controller where the Start/Reset strip had been chewed off or something; another where a close look revealed that somebody had been stabbing the buttons with a screwdriver to activate them. Holes through the circuit. I don't need to play Space Dungeon bad enough to put up with this mess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bohoki Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 guess i should offer some pc gamepads with adapters they work good but for a few games 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simbalion Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 I don't know. I know that the 5200 controllers have thier issues, but I would rather hold them in my hands compared to Intellivision and Coleco controllers. I like those systems, but thier controllers are so uncomfortable to hold unless you have a pair of the super action controllers for the Colecovision. Or course, even the side buttons on the 5200 controller can cramp you up after awhile, but that seemed to be the state of the art for firing buttons during that era. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaybird3rd Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 Anyone who's interested in the 5200 at all should really invest in a set of refurbished CX-52 joysticks from Best Electronics and spare themselves the trouble of dealing with the old ones. I've always been very comfortable servicing my own controllers—I've rebuilt several Intellivision hand controllers, and more Atari joysticks and paddles than I can remember—but in the case of the CX-52, it's so much better to just buy them already assembled, tested, and in their best possible state. Yes, it's more expensive, but in my opinion, the money you'll save by trying to fix them yourself and dealing with interim solutions (like the "aluminum foil dot fix") isn't worth the aggravation. I own four of Best's rebuilt joysticks, and I'm very happy with them. I do have joystick issues with certain games (Pole Position only registers a hard left from the joystick, for example, and the cursor in Necromancer goes directly to the lower-right corner of the screen), but I think these are due to the console itself being out of adjustment. I'll have to find out more about that diagnostic loopback board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DamonicFury Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 Opinions always differ on this, but it comes down to whether you like the feel of the cx-52 and just have problems with its reliability, or if you just feel it's a bad design (due to the side mounted firebuttons and non-self-centering stick) and would prefer something else altogether. Of course, if you're new to the system, and stuck with a non-functioning cx-52, it may be hard to know to know which way you come down on this (unless you've already used Colecovision and/or Intellivision sticks and know you hate side-mounted fire buttons on principle.) Here's my suggestion to new 5200 owners... start with the "aluminum foil dot fix" It's cheap and fairly easy to do. Plenty of threads on this forum go into detail on how to do it. Once done, play some games and decide how you feel about these sticks. If you like them, consider getting them rebuilt by Best... it should be a more permanent fix than the foil dots, and some users have reported a better "feel" to the firebuttons. But if you just don't like the cx-52's (and even a number of us 5200 fans do not), consider one of the alternatives. I personally prefer the Wico stick as the best all-around alternative... it works with every game, the buttons are NOT side mounted, and it self-centers. There is a nice keypad available to complement it, but it's expensive, and a foil-dot fixed standard controller (along with Wico's Y-cable) is a perfectly acceptable substitute. Alternatively, there is the Competition Pro stick, which works great for all the games that don't need analog control, and the Masterplay interface which lets you use Atari 2600 joysticks,... once again, just for the games that don't need analog. The Masterplay is really rare and expensive, and recently AtariAge user low_budget has been selling his own alternative which is reported to work well. There's no one solution that will make every 5200 user happy. But I do think with some effort, every user can find a solution that works for them. I, for one, consider the system to be well worth it. :-) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yell0w_lantern Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 (edited) I just refurbished a pair of 5200 controllers using parts from Best and it's not that hard. Looking at the original mylars - they don't really have very good conductive material. I put the probes from my multimeter right next to each other on the same pad and it would not register a connection! As a guy with very few electronics skills just getting into the 5200, I say either use refurbished sticks with good components OR build a splitter, convert over an old analog stick (IBM PC Jr is great and they're cheap), make a 3 button start/pause/reset box and snip one resistor off a star raiders keypad (this'll give you a WICO equivalent setup for a fraction of the price. My 3rd suggestion is to build your own joypad - something I am in process of doing and will post pics of when I finish. WE MISS MIKI! Sorry, that happens every time I see the word Lush. WE MISS MIKI! See? I told you Edited July 27, 2012 by yell0w_lantern Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peedenmark7 Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 (edited) Be VERY careful as you install the new mylar with 2 way tape. You get only a chance or two to remove a new mylar fire button section before ruining it. Also, do NOT 2 way tape down the start button mylar as that will make taking it apart if need be a real pain.. As you begin playing , You'll eventually burn through the gold on the mylar circuits, I am on my third on my main controller, but I put in roughly 25+ hours a week playing, which equates to probably 400+ hours per mylar. Take into consideration how many times you press the fire buttons in that time and you'll be buying a few spares to have on hand. Still, one would think they would last a bit longer . On average I have no less than 3 complete gold refrubed and 2 factory originals for certain games on hand at all times... Not that it helps my game play any Edited August 24, 2012 by peedenmark7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr.robbie Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 Question regarding a similar situation. I have recently acquired two atari systems (I think theyre 2600s: one says Sears Video Arcade II and the other is the classic woodgrain style system). I am a Nintendo person myself and never really got into Ataris at all so I know little about the systems. I have four controllers for these: two classic joysticks and two Sears Video Arcade II controllers. One system will register all of the buttons for two of the games, but only the directional buttons on all of the other games. The other system doesn't register any button input at all. This is really strange to me. In my experience, if a controller works it works on all systems (aside from the highly unusal controller port issues). Why would these controllers work on some games but not others? Why would a working controller plugged into a working system not work together? I really want to get these functioning properly because I just got a nice lot of 2600 games that I want to try to play. Thanks for any and all help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DamonicFury Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 Hi, DrRobbie! You may get more help by posting in the 2600 forum than here in the 5200 forum. But in short, 2600 controller port issues aren't all that uncommon. Also, some 2600 games use paddle controllers instead of joysticks which might explain the differences you are seeing between games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbacon Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 It could also be that the pokey adjustment in the console is off a bit. A good test of system and controller is pitfall. If you can get on and off the ladders your system should be ok. bumping this super old thread because of this reply....can someone explain this? I can't play pitfall on my two port, neither of my controllers work with it. They work ok on other games but now they are starting to have issues with just about any game. I've been playing lots of berzerk lately and one controller every so often I could get him to go to the right my othercontroller was just fine with it but now they both have the same issue and firing in that game is now problematic as well. can someone explain this pot adjust ment thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie_ Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 bumping this super old thread because of this reply....can someone explain this? I can't play pitfall on my two port, neither of my controllers work with it. They work ok on other games but now they are starting to have issues with just about any game. I've been playing lots of berzerk lately and one controller every so often I could get him to go to the right my othercontroller was just fine with it but now they both have the same issue and firing in that game is now problematic as well. can someone explain this pot adjust ment thing? If you don't have a diagnostic cart, the best way to adjust pokey is to open the controller. Take care to not harm the flex circuit. Make sure both pots are pointed exactly 9 o'clock and 6 o'clock, this would be the center pole of the 3 poles on each pot. Then use missile command, adjust the 5200's pokey, turning the adjustment knob until the cross-hair in the game is exactly centered in the playing field. The reason for opening the controller is to ensure the analog pot are positioned as described above, With the controller assembled it is hard to know exactly where the pots are positioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbacon Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 (edited) cool I can try that. thanks for explaining that to me. I'm hoping this will solve my issue with games other wise I'll need to start looking at the board and the connection for the controller. EDIT: so question... testing missile command with my two controllers before adjusting anything. 1 controller, cross is centered on the screen and I have a full range of motion. after each round cross centers itself the other controller cross is not centered on the screen and I do not have a full range of motion to the right. after each round cross starts not centered. so is this still the same problem, the controller or something else? Again, if I try to play pitfall I can't go down with either controller and various of the games just work/don't work randomly with either controller. Edited August 22, 2015 by bigbacon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToddUGA Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 Some 2 ports have trouble with Pitfall. Easiest solution is to replace the 2 port bios with a 4 port bios. That's what I did and it did the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie_ Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 If the game starts, your 2 port should work fine with Pitfall! Sounds like one of your controllers maybe out of whack. I'd say you can use Pitfall! to adjust the pokey too. Leave the controllers assembled, find a ladder in Pitfall! and make very small adjustments on the adjustment wheel until you can climb up/down ladders. I've actually done this very thing in the past. Also, let the 5200 run for 20 mins or so and try the ladders again, the adjustment can change slightly as the console warms up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbacon Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 If the game starts, your 2 port should work fine with Pitfall! Sounds like one of your controllers maybe out of whack. I'd say you can use Pitfall! to adjust the pokey too. Leave the controllers assembled, find a ladder in Pitfall! and make very small adjustments on the adjustment wheel until you can climb up/down ladders. I've actually done this very thing in the past. Also, let the 5200 run for 20 mins or so and try the ladders again, the adjustment can change slightly as the console warms up. well with pitfall, neither controller works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbacon Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 so is there something else wrong here? how can controllers act so wildly different on every game? So confused now. one controller, the joystick works fine on a bunch of games but none of the fire buttons work. On other games the fire buttons work fine but I can never go to the right. Other controller is the complete opposite of the first one on every game. Neither works correctly on anything except for missile command. Both joysticks work fine there, but one the one the fire buttons work. I can tell the one joystick isn't adjusted or something because of where the crosshair starts and that it can't hit the far right of the screen. I effectively can't play anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0078265317 Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 I have same issue. I had 3. One was broken and destroyed for parts. Other 2 worked at first. Now one start, pause , and reset doesn't work. I got a wico command and is ok. But I hate fiddling with the x and y sliders. I also got a master play clone from low_budget and is ok. But adjusting the side v and x without knobs is a bit tricky. I also use the masterplay clone to hookup NES controllers wirelessly and is good for pacman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigO Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 (edited) Being digital, I'd really expect the buttons to be the same from game to game. The only thing I can imagine is that the scan rate or debouncing techniques might vary from game to game. If you have buttons that are making horribly intermittent contact, maybe the software responds to that issue differently from game to game. But, I consider this theory to be something of a stretch. Maybe there's a broken wire or other failure in the controller that makes it just seem different from one game to the next. Try logging the behavior and making several passes through your set of test games to see if the behavior really is consistent. ? It's a different thing, but I know when I was scratch building 5200 controllers, the sampling rate of the analog controllers caused me some issues. For games that my controller worked with, I could see on an oscilloscope that the capacitor discharge cycle was significantly longer than other games where the controller didn't work. (At least that's what my feeble memory tells me I saw a couple of years ago). I say this to say that there doesn't appear to be any standard methodologies applied to reading from the ports (understandably so). Since I'm fabricating these failure modes from thin air (in my head), anyone should feel welcome to freely dispute them. Edited September 22, 2015 by BigO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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