Commodore 64 paddles

[high voltage]

Commodore made its own paddles for the 64, which games use them?

[+FujiSkunk]

Sea Wolf and Lemans, both published by Commodore, use paddles. Arkanoid is compatible wtih paddles as well.

[+Psionic]

Clowns, Omega Race, Pinball Spectacular and Super Smash come to mind as well. There were also several VIC-20 games that used them (The Sky Is Falling).

 

It should be noted that Atari and Commodore paddles use different pots and don't appear to be 100% compatible. My Atari paddles that work fine with my 2600 jitter like crazy when used with a Commodore machine.

[ApolloBoy]

That's because Atari paddles use 1M ohm pots while Commodore ones use 500K ohm pots.

[Charlie_]

There is a game called Panic - Analogue that I use my 2600 paddles with and it plays great. Lots of fun.

 

You can find it at csdb.dk

Edited November 21, 2013 by Official Ninja

[yell0w_lantern]

I think some of it depends on :

1) the variance of the potentiometer in your paddle (probably very very minor)

2) what resistance values the particular game was designed to use

[karokoenig]

I used Atari paddles to beat C64 Arkanoid back in the days - without trainer/cheats. Worked perfectly with not a hint of jitter anywhere.

 

...yeah, I know... told that story before. It's one of very few longer games I ever beat. Now insert a Polk High no. 33 joke, move along and leave me alone with my memories, okay?

Edited November 22, 2013 by karokoenig

[Andromeda Stardust]

That's because Atari paddles use 1M ohm pots while Commodore ones use 500K ohm pots.

Yes and the Commodore pots are more responsive as a result. Almost no Atari game uses anywhere near 50% of the total range of movement. On my custom arcade controller I used 470k-Ohm pots (imported them from the UK as long stem 500k pots are hard to find) and I find them much more responsive than stock. The tiny range and ultra sensitivity of the Atari paddles makes games harder to control.

[high voltage]

Thanks I gotta fine me some C64 paddle games.

[yell0w_lantern]

I know you didn't ask BUT I understand the paddles can get a little pricey. Easy enough to make C64 paddles though. I have a pair on my bench right now.

http://www.atariarchives.org/ecp/chapter_4.php

http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/1591ASBK/HM102-ND/130865

http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/PK50B1%2F4/450-1719-ND/1201442

http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/P170N-QC12BR500K/987-1315-ND/2408892

http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/956-009-010R011/956-09SPBE-ND/1632182

http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/SDS101-PRW2-F09-SN00-1/S9586-ND/3593628

http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/GPB507A05BR/SW637-ND/2235509

Cut up a phone wire or Cat5 cable for your wiring.

 

Alternatively, you can convert a standard set of Atari paddles with 2 of these:

http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/450D504F7/450D504-6-ND/183319

If you exchange the flange from your original pots to these, you don't even need to modify the plastic of the paddles.

Edited November 23, 2013 by yell0w_lantern

[AtariLeaf]

Weird, saw a boxed set of commodore paddles today in a value village in chatham ontario. They were behind the display case area with no price tag but being in the "showcase" means ebay prices anyway so i didn't bother asking about them.

[Serious]

I own a set of Commodore paddles that were made for the VIC-20. They work great on my 2600.