Really want to rock in Millipede? read this

[robertski]

I always sucked at Millipede.. my top score was like 35-45 thousand.

I dug up my old Commodore Mouse model 1351..

I never knew about holding down the right button on power-up

puts in into a mode where you can really kick butt in millipede and other

trakball games. It moves so fast and easy across the screen.

I wiped out about 7 or 8 levels and knew I was onto something.

It wasnt I couldnt play the game, just that the trackball for the 2600

doesnt let you move quick enough.

I played it about 4 times and was up in the 100+ thousand range a couple

times.. I guarantee you, if you can get the 1351 mouse, hold down the

right button as you power on your atari, and play Millipede, you

will kick butt now... Try it.. I want to hear if it works for anybody else...

 

Thats some true debugging..

[Thomas Jentzsch]

Are you sure you are talking about the 2600 version here?

[0078265317]

Are you sure you are talking about the 2600 version here?

 

I was just wondering the same thing.

[Cebus Capucinis]

He's talking about the Commodore 64 version. Moving topic.

[robertski]

No, I did not believe it either.. Let me restate. I COULD NOT BELEIVE THIS EITHER..

 

The 1351 is designed for the commodore.. but it works with Millipede on the Atari 2600,

I can make a video of it if you dont beleive it, also on Missile Command..

[robertski]

and my topic got moved.. all right ..one video on the way.. then you can move this baby back to the 2600 area..

Let me get my camera.

[Cebus Capucinis]

So you are saying you are using a Commodore mouse plugged into the 2600s controller port? I am still confused.

[robertski]

Yes, the Commodore mouse has two modes.. Joystick emulate and Proportional.

Holding down the Right button.. gets it to work like a proportional trakball.

I just got done using it.. It controls my Harmony cartidge, allows me to select

any game on the list.. just like an actual trakball, but it moves much faster

and responds much quicker.. I am having trouble with my video camera at the moment or

I would video it and place it up on Youtube, because noone else has a video showing this.

 

and it is way too cool..

[Cebus Capucinis]

Ahh, okay, gotcha. Moving back.

[OldSchoolRetroGamer]

Hey that would be cool, I think I have such a mouse around...........

[robertski]

If you have a mouse in the house, hook it up.. Just remember to

press and hold the right mouse button while powering up your atari.

 

Left button is the fire button... You will be amazed at how

fast it is.. Centipede now plays like a dream on the 2600

and mmissile command is cool too...

 

Tell me how things go.

[bennybingo]

If you have a mouse in the house...

sounds like it's time for a good old-fashioned snap-trap and some cheese! BTW...I thought the topic was about Millipede on the 2600???

 

 

[0078265317]

Do you have any other 9 pin mouse to verify this with. Or do I have to get a commodore mouse only.

[TheSmirk]

Pretty cool, gotta see if I can find old c64 mouse

[sqoon]

I have a Sega Genesis mouse with DB-9 connector. Would it work in similar fashion?

[robertski]

A Sega Genesis mouse, might work.. I would suggest looking up the pinouts, and make sure that the power positive and ground

do match up before trying it, because you dont want to fry your 2600.. You mean, I am the only guy here in this forum, with a 1351

just lying around.. This is no surprise, as I was a huge programmer in the 1980's known as WreckingBall32.. A number of classic

intro's will mention me in them as I helped code a few. I was a huge collector, until I had so much, I had to start

getting rid of some of it, I remember I had 8 working C64s and about 15 nonworking parts units, This thread is indeed about Millipede

as it is the hardest Trakball game there ever was and you need the speed of the C1351 to get a high score.

Have you played Atari today?

[moycon]

Really cool thread! Unfortunately I don't think I ever had a c64 mouse. Bummer.

[0078265317]

I just found it. Now we need the genesis pinout.

 

http://www.ntrautanen.fi/computers/hardware/misc/1351_pinout.htm

[0078265317]

And I just found this cordless mouse but can't find any pinout or manufacture info. Would be so cool if it works though. No wires.

 

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 130886614704

Edited April 10, 2013 by 0078265317

[Serious]

I heard years ago that the Amiga mouse works the same as a 1351.

 

There are third-party Amiga mice, and adapters that let you use a PC serial port mouse on the Amiga.

[0078265317]

there are also usb adapters

[LocalH]

I heard years ago that the Amiga mouse works the same as a 1351.

 

This is not true. The Amiga mouse can not go into joystick mode. Also, the Amiga mouse has a completely different pinout from the 1351.

 

This "trick" absolutely requires a mouse that can emulate a standard digital joystick. I don't think the Sega Mouse does, but I'm not sure. If one has a Commodore 1350, that mouse will work too, without requiring the right mouse button be held on powerup (as the 1350 only supports joystick emulation, with no proportional mode like the 1351).

Edited April 11, 2013 by LocalH

[0078265317]

I saw on some website the amiga joy mouse has the same pinout. I'll see if I can find it.

[0078265317]

Or would something like this work.

 

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 380167416315

[iesposta]

Or would something like this work.

 

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 380167416315

 

If it converts analog to digital. (But I kind of doubt it.)

As was said the 1350 and 1351 can send joystick moves like early video game trackballs. Some trackballs did this better than others, and a mouse (an upside down trackball) lets you make direction changes quicker.

I do just fine with a good joystick. Got in a groove and had over 110,000 in 2600 Millipede, but failed to document it and haven't come close since. I keep playing until I get around 45,000 on average.