phuzzed Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 I have a ton of Atari 2600 joysticks that need new controller cables. I looked at Best Electronics, and they no longer sell the normal stock cable, and they do have a third party cable, but are limited two per customer. Has anyone else out there found a reliable and preferably cheap replacement cable? Maybe a universal one that works on Atari and Sega joysticks? Any info appreciated... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickcris Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 Genesis controller extension cables would be the best probably. they are cheap and plentiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phuzzed Posted August 4, 2014 Author Share Posted August 4, 2014 I've thought about that. Was hoping someone had an even cheaper alternative.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickcris Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 (edited) how about these 10ft cables: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Designed-High-Quality-High-Value-Serial-DB-9-Staright-F-F-Molded-Cable-/301022837973 I think they should fit in the port. Cut one in half and you have 2 cables. Can maybe even find them cheaper. even cheaper: http://www.ebay.com/itm/10pcs-D-SUB-9-Pin-DB9-Female-Solder-Type-Socket-Connector-/330943108138 and http://www.ebay.com/itm/10pcs-D-SUB-Hood-Cover-for-9-Pin-Plastic-DB9-Brand-New-/140955648667 then get a spool of 9 conductor cable (I think 6 wires are only connected so probably only need 6 conductor cable). Edited August 4, 2014 by mickcris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_79 Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 (edited) Standard dsub connectors don't fit heavy sixers and 7800 consoles (which have recessed controller ports), and they are also problematic on the other models.There are modular 9-pin connectors which would look nice and fit the consoles, altough they're a bit pricey IMO. They're discussed in this threadhttp://atariage.com/forums/topic/135507-9-pin-connectors-still-in-production/?do=findComment&comment=1633229 Personally, I remove the metal part of a dsub connector and I solder the plastic part to a small piece of stripboard. A bit of hotglue and a shrinking tube and I have a connector which will fit all consoles.It surely doesn't look very professional, but it works and it's cheap! I posted more pictures in the videopac.nl forum, if you are interested:http://videopac.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2330.0 Edited August 4, 2014 by alex_79 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+RichG1972 Posted January 28, 2016 Share Posted January 28, 2016 I have a ton of Atari 2600 joysticks that need new controller cables. I looked at Best Electronics, and they no longer sell the normal stock cable, and they do have a third party cable, but are limited two per customer. Has anyone else out there found a reliable and preferably cheap replacement cable? Maybe a universal one that works on Atari and Sega joysticks? Any info appreciated... You ever find the controller cables you needed yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+save2600 Posted January 28, 2016 Share Posted January 28, 2016 Re: Best... I know nothing lasts forever, but it really sucks to hear about all the many things they're running out of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phuzzed Posted January 28, 2016 Author Share Posted January 28, 2016 I never have. My broken controller bin keeps growing...lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bohoki Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 i love the cable from the champ wind up controller its good an long and those sticks often break one of mine broke and i was able to use the domes to fix a 7800 stick and the cable to fix an atari stick i love the cord its like 8 feet long Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjlazer Posted February 4, 2019 Share Posted February 4, 2019 Bought some of these, but I need to find a source for the metal connectors so I can replace my bad cable. Anyone know where I can get some? Don't want to solder this to the board incase I need to replace it later on. https://www.ebay.com/itm/371990892483 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azure Posted February 4, 2019 Share Posted February 4, 2019 I bought two of these extension cables last year. They're somewhat cheap, but there's a long shipping time. I think it was about 3 weeks. https://www.ebay.com/itm/9-Pin-1-8M-6FT-Extension-Cable-Cord-For-Sega-Genesis-2-Controllers-Handle-Grip-/122740102001 They are not high quality, but they work fine. I use them as an easy way to swap joysticks without re-plugging into the back of the 2600. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hannacek Posted February 4, 2019 Share Posted February 4, 2019 (edited) Genesis extension cables are plentiful and cheap, but stay away.Stay away from these Retro-bit and the other China made Genesis extension cables. They are usually sold under the Retro Bit brand name, but the same ones are sold under a few different brand names, or generic with no brand name. They are such low quality, I would only use them as extension cables. That way if/when they break, you can just throw them away. Those extension cables are very cheaply made, and the connectors on both ends often break with limited usage. You don't want to solder in a new cable, and have the connector break later on. Your best bet is to buy some broken Genesis controllers on ebay and use them to get the cables. Often you get can a bunch of untested Genesis controllers for $3-$5 each (including shipping), which is usually cheaper than the extension cables. You can even get the 3rd party Genesis controllers for even cheaper if you feel bad about cutting up a Genesis controller. Just remember to get a 3rd party Genesis controller from back in the 80s/90s. New 3rd party Genesis controllers are just as cheap as Retro Bit extension cables, so you may as well just buy the extension cables at that point.Each manufacturer uses different colors for the different wires, so if you are replacing an Atari 2600 controller, don't assume the colors of the wires are the same color on the new cable. Don't buy this item pictured below. It is just a Retro-bit extension cable with one of the ends cut off. I told you not to buy the Retro Bit extension cable, but if you choose to buy it, don't pay 2 or 3 times as much from this seller who just took the extension cable and stripper the wires on one end. You can strip your own wires for free. Edited February 4, 2019 by Hannacek 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hannacek Posted February 4, 2019 Share Posted February 4, 2019 I bought two of these extension cables last year. They're somewhat cheap, but there's a long shipping time. I think it was about 3 weeks. https://www.ebay.com/itm/9-Pin-1-8M-6FT-Extension-Cable-Cord-For-Sega-Genesis-2-Controllers-Handle-Grip-/122740102001 They are not high quality, but they work fine. I use them as an easy way to swap joysticks without re-plugging into the back of the 2600 For like a dollar more you can get the same ones from a US seller with regular shipping time. For me it's worth the dollar to actually get the item, rather than wait months and it never shows up, and you get a refund, then you have to order it from someone else. They are usually sold under the Retro Bit brand name, but the same ones are sold under a few different brand names. I use them for the same thing to easily swap joystick out of my consoles. Sometimes they break, but they are so cheap I just throw them out and don't care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mksmith Posted February 5, 2019 Share Posted February 5, 2019 I bought some of the newer cables from Bests around 3-4 months ago. They are thicker as they have all 9 pins cabled (rather than the 6 in the original) but they are very solid and still have the Atari logo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+RichG1972 Posted February 6, 2019 Share Posted February 6, 2019 I have a supply of the 6 conductor cables, none have ever been used I bought some of the newer cables from Bests around 3-4 months ago. They are thicker as they have all 9 pins cabled (rather than the 6 in the original) but they are very solid and still have the Atari logo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Kaboomer Posted February 6, 2019 Share Posted February 6, 2019 Anyone find any short extension cables (1 foot) other than Best? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osgeld Posted February 6, 2019 Share Posted February 6, 2019 just scoot forward 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hizzy Posted December 2, 2019 Share Posted December 2, 2019 Does anyone know offhand the thickness of an Atari joystick wire? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeatWithGravy Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 (edited) What's the length of an original standard issue Atari CX40 cable anyway? Edited February 26, 2020 by MeatWithGravy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
AtariAge on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Chat on Discord
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.