Activision Decathelon control question.

[birdie3]

I think I already know the answer but, could anyone kindly tell me if one could also effectively use the Atari Track and Field controller to play this game?? I read the manual for both games and it appears that the same joystck actions are required to manuever the sprites so I am assuming that this will work but can anyone confirm this for me?? Thank you.

[birdie3]

I just checked atariprotos.com. I found my answer. Yes, the track and field controller does work with decathlon. This thread now officially joins the ranks of SPAM.

[NE146]

This thread now officially joins the ranks of SPAM.

 

Nah. It was a legit gaming question, was 2600 related, and was in the 2600 forum.

 

..it's far from spam as far as I can tell

[StanJr]

Yeah, and I just learned something I didn't know.

[sku_u]

If you want to run REALLY fast, use the paddle controllers

[davidbrit2]

The Track and Field controller is excellent for Decathlon. Because of the way the game is programmed, you can hold down one of the run buttons, and tap the other to run really quickly. Combine this with the pole vault trick, and you can get some amazing scores.

[Big Player]

The Track and Field controller is the only way to play Decathlon.

 

You can get great scores in almost every event. My first time playing with it, I wasn't all that far off David Crane's best scores (as listed in the manual.)

 

Also, it will keep your joysticks from getting destroyed. I got mine off eBay. Just buy the C-64 version of the game, there used to be a lot of them around.

[+Mitch]

Better yet, get an Atari trackball and put it in trackball mode.

 

Mitch

http://atari7800.atari.org

[StanJr]

Damn, now I MUST get a T&F controller! Somebody bring one to Philly for under $10 please!!!

[davidbrit2]

You could build your own for about $12 using three buttons from Happ Controls, and a Radio Shack project box. Add enough buttons, and make it an Asteroids controller, too. That would be pretty neat. And you could throw in a joystick, spinner, trak ball... :-)

[RCorcoran]

The Track and Field controller is excellent for Decathlon. Because of the way the game is programmed, you can hold down one of the run buttons, and tap the other to run really quickly. Combine this with the pole vault trick, and you can get some amazing scores.

 

Sadly, by doing this, and using this technique, none of your scores will be eligible for Twin Galaxies consideration. If you're interested in having your scores printed in the Book of World Records that is...

[MegaManFan]

Damn, now I MUST get a T&F controller!  Somebody bring one to Philly for under $10 please!!!        

 

They're going for $15 + $5 shipping on eBay right now, I just got one and the guy has two left. He's throwing in a free Commodore 64 copy of Track & Field with purchase.

[SS]

They're going for $15 + $5 shipping on eBay right now, I just got one and the guy has two left.  He's throwing in a free Commodore 64 copy of Track & Field with purchase.

 

 

Actually, you've got it backwards. In reality, you bought a copy of C64 "Track & Field" with a free controller thrown in. Really, when the thing shows up, you'll see what I mean.

 

 

 

I use too many commas

[MegaManFan]

Actually, you've got it backwards.  In reality, you bought a copy of C64 "Track & Field" with a free controller thrown in.  Really, when the thing shows up, you'll see what I mean.

 

LOL. I'm sure you're right, but I've got no space or place to set up my Commodore 128 right now, so this Track & Field will have to wait.

[gulag picture radio]

Wow. I remember when practically every electgronic surplus catalog had these contreollers for 25 cents. I bought a couple to yank out the buttons to use in other projects before I really know what they were for. Glad that I kept one around just in case! The same went for Atari power supplies - those things used to be dirt cheap.