controller direction issues

[Video_Invader]

Why is it that some sticks have issues going right, up, or down while playing Zaxxon but when playing Pac-Man, everything works normal? Also noticed the paddle on Super Breakout never goes all the way to the right regardless of which stick i use.

[zylon]

Calibration issue. You can adjust it with either the pot arms inside the controllers, or with this one inside the console.

[Video_Invader]

Oh wow, i never knew about the one inside the unit. How will i know which it is?

[zylon]

Oh wow, i never knew about the one inside the unit. How will i know which it is?

 

The one I'm pointing at with the sharpie in the pic. Use super breakout and give it light adjustments until the paddle reaches both sides of the screen. Since you said all your controls don't hit the far right on this game, it's the best place to start. Getting a cart into the slot without the top cover can be tricky though. I use a small screwdriver to open the dust cover on the cart and squeeze the shell flat sides with my fingers or a small C-clamp to keep it open long enough to insert it.

[Video_Invader]

I knew what you meant as far as the adjustment but i was wondering which i should check first. Stick or console. When i make the adjustment with the breakout game, will i be aligning up and down directions while i'm focusing on left and right? As for the cartridge door, been there before. No problem. How did this fall out of alignment in the first place?

[zylon]

I knew what you meant as far as the adjustment but i was wondering which i should check first. Stick or console. When i make the adjustment with the breakout game, will i be aligning up and down directions while i'm focusing on left and right? As for the cartridge door, been there before. No problem. How did this fall out of alignment in the first place?

 

Think of the console pot as adjusting along a diagonal line /. It does up/down and left/right at the same time. You may still need to fine-tune a couple sticks though. That pot drifts out of adjustment over time from bumps, bounces in and out of storage, as well as increased resistance from just age.

 

I like to use Missile Command personally, but it's best to calibrate console+sticks using all 3- Missile Command, Super Breakout, and Gyruss.

Edited August 20, 2014 by zylon

[Video_Invader]

I have all 3 of those games so it shouldnt be a problem. I'll give it a shot and post after.

[zylon]

I have all 3 of those games so it shouldnt be a problem. I'll give it a shot and post after.

 

I'll add that you should try at least 2 sticks. For instance, I have 2 main controls I use, but one of them just won't work on Gyruss, no matter what. My 2nd one will do it just fine though.

[Video_Invader]

I tried 3 sticks that failed at Zaxxon and super breakout but the 4th works great. Till i got to gyruss. Wouldn't go down or right.

[Noah98]

I had to adjust the calibration on my recently acquired 5200 and now all of my stick work properly...for now!

[Video_Invader]

I'll have to go in there and make the adjustment. My only question is why the each behave differently?