NES Controller on a 2600

[+Gemintronic]

I was looking at this instructable (which is probably old news)

http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-lets-you-play-Atari-2600-and-ZX-Spectrum-u/?ALLSTEPS

 

This got me thinking, with SAveKeys and AtariVox out of regular production, why not use an Arduino to do the same thing? If it can be programmed to simulate joystick input then there might be a way to make it enter passwords or simulate the eeprom in a savekey..

[CPUWIZ]

Dude, I have hundreds of SaveKey boards left, I just need to re-stock some of the components. Shit, I even sent 50 boards to Al. Real life gets in the way a lot, that's just how it is. Beside that, people are not really that interested in them, so why should I spend the time and effort to make a bunch and then just sit on them?

[+Gemintronic]

Dude, I have hundreds of SaveKey boards left, I just need to re-stock some of the components. Shit, I even sent 50 boards to Al. Real life gets in the way a lot, that's just how it is. Beside that, people are not really that interested in them, so why should I spend the time and effort to make a bunch and then just sit on them?

 

Huh? Arduinos are super cheap and if they can do both save games AND joystick macros then everybody wins.

 

I'll still buy a savekey as soon as you have them for sale. I'm not whining. I think you're in a tough position. There's demand but when it comes time it never seems enough to justify the investment. You put your own personal time, labor and love into these things.

 

I see great potential in the Arduino and I put the idea out. I've been very careful not to pester you too much about getting a savekey for myself. I see an Arduino savekey/joystick macro as a project even a dipstick like me can do. I wouldn't burden you with my projects. They are usually half-witted and overly complicated.

 

I'm really, really sorry if I put you off. I have great respect for what you give to the community and your graciousness towards me. I hope I haven't damaged that unintentionally.

Edited August 24, 2012 by theloon

[CPUWIZ]

No worries mate, it's just that they are not out of production, nobody has any interest in them, so I don't feel like wasting my time making them.

[bomberpunk]

who bought a SaveKey AND an AtariVox??

 

<===== THIS GUY!!!

[tremoloman2006]

I'm dying to purchase a SaveKey AND I an AtariVox!

Just tell me where I can buy one and I'm there!

[+Gemintronic]

I'm sure interest would pick up after someone makes a game that does more than high scores. I wonder if there's an active BatariBASIC programmer that would make a game with SaveKey support if he had one? Oh, wait! That's ME!!!!

 

I'll find a way to get one. Then comes a SaveKey enhanced game. Then comes CPUWIZ with orders from people who want to play the game. Bam!

 

In other news, 2600 joystick to Arduino has been done. All the examples seem to READ from the joystick wheras I'd want to WRITE from it. Doesn't seem impossible though.

https://sites.google.com/site/joetcochran/joylite-maze/how-to

http://vintagegamer.wordpress.com/2011/12/30/connecting-old-school-joysticks-to-the-arduino-and-gameduino/