boxpressed Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 I just picked up a Sega Genesis Arcade Power Stick (three-button model) to use with one-button ColecoVision games. I'm a little paranoid about blowing out the octal buffer IC on the CV because I've done it about three times on different CVs. Any danger with using Sega controllers (either Genesis or SMS) on CV? Also, does the two-button Champ adapter allow use of two buttons with Sega controllers or only Atari 7800 controllers? Thanks in advance for any advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Yurkie Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 I think it is much more likely to blow the controller chips in the winter months in cold climates due to low humidity. Static electricity common when humidity levels are low. Avoid sitting the the system on carpet or a sofa which is likely to build static. Turning off the power and unplugging the power cord before swapping controllers is also probably a good idea. 2600, Genesis, Wico controllers and Champ adapters should not be an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxpressed Posted April 8, 2013 Author Share Posted April 8, 2013 Thanks, Yurkie. I'm pretty careful unplugging my Yurkievision when swapping controllers. Anyone with a two-button Champ adapter that can chime in on the other question? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroillucid Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 Thanks, Yurkie. I'm pretty careful unplugging my Yurkievision when swapping controllers. Anyone with a two-button Champ adapter that can chime in on the other question? Only 1 button will work.... Directional pad work just fine Good to play one button games (ie. Cosmic Avenger) But you will not be able to play 2 buttons games Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroillucid Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 Only 1 button will work.... Directional pad work just fine Good to play one button games (ie. Cosmic Avenger) But you will not be able to play 2 buttons games Btw: I do have a champ adaptor if you are looking for one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIAD Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 Anyone with a two-button Champ adapter that can chime in on the other question? The Champ Adapter (two button compatible version) will not make any difference with this Sega controller, Atari 7800 controller or for that matter any other controller made for a different videogame system... it's how the controller is wired. The only controllers that are guaranteed to have two functioning firebuttons are those made for the ColecoVision. Good to play one button games (ie. Cosmic Avenger) Cosmic Avenger is a two button game, one button fires your front gun and the second button drops bombs! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxpressed Posted April 9, 2013 Author Share Posted April 9, 2013 The Champ Adapter (two button compatible version) will not make any difference with this Sega controller, Atari 7800 controller or for that matter any other controller made for a different videogame system... it's how the controller is wired. The only controllers that are guaranteed to have two functioning firebuttons are those made for the ColecoVision. Maybe I'm misunderstanding what you're saying, but if this is true, just what is the two-button version of the adapter "adapting" then? Why would you need it if the only controllers that work with it are the ones made for ColecoVision? You would just plug that controller directly into the ColecoVision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxpressed Posted April 9, 2013 Author Share Posted April 9, 2013 Btw: I do have a champ adaptor if you are looking for one Thanks, J-F. I have the one-button version, but I'd be interested in the two-button. However, now I'm confused about what the two-button version is good for if it does not allow two independent buttons when using a 7800 controller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroillucid Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 Cosmic Avenger is a two button game, one button fires your front gun and the second button drops bombs! Totally true! Infact, I don't know why I said that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIAD Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 (edited) Maybe I'm misunderstanding what you're saying, but if this is true, just what is the two-button version of the adapter "adapting" then? Why would you need it if the only controllers that work with it are the ones made for ColecoVision? You would just plug that controller directly into the ColecoVision. There are 3rd Party controller such as the ProStick and Mini Champ that offer two independent firebuttons and are completely compatible with the CV & ADAM and they were marketed as being CV compatible. You can use them as is, but would still need a controller with a keypad plugged into the other controller port to make skill level selections, etc. If you used one of these controllers with the 1-firebutton compatible Champ Keypad, then only one of the firebuttons would function, but if you had the 2-firebutton compatible Champ Keypad... then everything would work properly. Champ Electronics really messed up by releasing the 1-firebutton compatible version of the Champ Keypad. As far as other 3rd party controllers that offer two independent firebuttons, it's hit or miss if they are WIRED properly to be compatible with the ColecoVision. The Atari 7800 controller has one of the firebuttons wired properly to the DB9 connector, but the other is not and one would have to open the DB9 connector up and rewire this one wire... I assume that it's as easy as that. BTW, here are some pics and be aware that Champ also released a version of the Mini Champ Joystick that is only one firebutton compatible. The base on that one is sold black whereas the CV version's base is red as can be seen in the picture. Edited April 9, 2013 by NIAD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIAD Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 Totally true! Infact, I don't know why I said that... I got my eyes on you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroillucid Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 I got my eyes on you! Looks like I'm gettin old Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LidLikesIntellivision Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 Since we're on this. I'd like to know the other side. Which controllers are known to cause damage to the ColecoVision? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxpressed Posted April 10, 2013 Author Share Posted April 10, 2013 There are 3rd Party controller such as the ProStick and Mini Champ that offer two independent firebuttons and are completely compatible with the CV & ADAM and they were marketed as being CV compatible. You can use them as is, but would still need a controller with a keypad plugged into the other controller port to make skill level selections, etc. If you used one of these controllers with the 1-firebutton compatible Champ Keypad, then only one of the firebuttons would function, but if you had the 2-firebutton compatible Champ Keypad... then everything would work properly. Champ Electronics really messed up by releasing the 1-firebutton compatible version of the Champ Keypad. As far as other 3rd party controllers that offer two independent firebuttons, it's hit or miss if they are WIRED properly to be compatible with the ColecoVision. The Atari 7800 controller has one of the firebuttons wired properly to the DB9 connector, but the other is not and one would have to open the DB9 connector up and rewire this one wire... I assume that it's as easy as that. BTW, here are some pics and be aware that Champ also released a version of the Mini Champ Joystick that is only one firebutton compatible. The base on that one is sold black whereas the CV version's base is red as can be seen in the picture. Thank you for elaborating. I don't know where I got the idea that the two-button Champ adaptor would allow use of two independent fire buttons from a 7800 controller. It seems as though there is such a great market for some kind of adapter that would allow Sega and 7800 controllers to have two-button functionality on the CV. I wish someone would take on this project! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Yurkie Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 Champ Electronics really messed up by releasing the 1-firebutton compatible version of the Champ Keypad. Champ probably released the 1 button keypads before the ColecoVision came out and it was intended for use with the Atari 2600 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Yurkie Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 Since we're on this. I'd like to know the other side. Which controllers are known to cause damage to the ColecoVision? I don't think there are any. The only real problem I can see with plugging in any controller with a DB9 plug would be if the controller was stored improperly and had internal shorts. I think ESD (electro static discharge) is the real concern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pixelboy Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 I distinctly remember testing a 7800 joypad (the one that vaguely looks like an NES joypad) and I seem to remember both fire buttons working properly, just like on a stock CV controller... So such a 7800 joypad doesn't work with a Champ Adaptor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sqoon Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 I think ESD (electro static discharge) is the real concern. What would ESD do in that case? Any damage to console or controller? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxpressed Posted April 10, 2013 Author Share Posted April 10, 2013 I distinctly remember testing a 7800 joypad (the one that vaguely looks like an NES joypad) and I seem to remember both fire buttons working properly, just like on a stock CV controller... So such a 7800 joypad doesn't work with a Champ Adaptor? Hmm ... I thought I had the one-button adapter because the buttons on the 7800 Proline weren't mapped, but based on NIAD's info, I'd need a Champ joystick or a Prostick to know for sure. It would surprise me if the pad were wired differently from the Proline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+grips03 Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 It seems as though there is such a great market for some kind of adapter that would allow Sega and 7800 controllers to have two-button functionality on the CV. I wish someone would take on this project! You could pad hack the Genesis for CV use, add some diodes for common kepad button use, like "1" and "*". My 7800 controller works on CV with two buttons. But this is a home made PCB with two resistors, but pretty much a copy of the Atari 7800 controller. CV adapters are limited due to lack of +5 on controller ports. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxpressed Posted April 10, 2013 Author Share Posted April 10, 2013 (edited) You could pad hack the Genesis for CV use, add some diodes for common kepad button use, like "1" and "*". My 7800 controller works on CV with two buttons. But this is a home made PCB with two resistors, but pretty much a copy of the Atari 7800 controller. CV adapters are limited due to lack of +5 on controller ports. I wish I had the skills to hack a 7800 or Sega controller to work on the CV. Whoever buys a bunch of Genesis Arcade Power Sticks for $20 apiece could probably sell them for $50 apiece if they were modded for CV. Edited April 10, 2013 by boxpressed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+grips03 Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 (edited) I wish I had the skills to hack a 7800 or Sega controller to work on the CV. Whoever buys a bunch of Genesis Arcade Power Sticks for $20 apiece could probably sell them for $50 apiece if they were modded for CV. I just bought one of these and will see what it takes to add CV to it. Do you want two buttons and keypad, or are you ok with button C = Keypad 1 and start button = keypad * with no keypad or do you want 4 buttons like Super action controller? CV would not offer "Mega fire" like Genesis, is this ok? Does controller have to maintain Genesis compatibility? Edited April 10, 2013 by grips03 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxpressed Posted April 10, 2013 Author Share Posted April 10, 2013 Wow, thanks for taking this on. I don't need to retain Genesis capability or have Mega Fire. I'm thinking that I would just want two button functionality and don't need 4 buttons. Your suggestions for the C and Start buttons are good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIAD Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 Champ probably released the 1 button keypads before the ColecoVision came out and it was intended for use with the Atari 2600 That could be a strong possibility, but it's odd that I never seen anyone mentioning using the Champ Keypad (1 button variety) on an Atari VCS/2600 compatible system or even with the Coleco Expansion Module #1. If anyone wants to test this out and report back, it would be interesting to know... I assume a game like Star Raiders would have to be the test cart. If this was Champ Electronics thought process, it would make sense to use the same plastic housing so as to save money, but then they would have had to clearly differentiate the two versions just like they did with the Mini Champ Joystick by using different color bases and different colored base firebuttons. Also, the box/packaging would have to state clearly what system the Champ Keypad was for and the only two boxes/packages that I have even seen state clearly for use with the ColecoVision and CV/ADAM... there is no mention of compatibility with the Atari 2600 or compatibles except that you can use A2600 controllers with the keypad. See pics below. I have acquired both versions in the same blue box, so my thinking is that Champ simply messed up with the first (1 button compatile) version and corrected their error with the second version (2 button compatile) without making it known to the masses. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadow460 Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 Who would want to use a 7800 joystick anyway? I can definitely understand using the pad or a custom built joystick, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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