lapetino Posted March 6, 2017 Share Posted March 6, 2017 So, in my research for Art of Atari, I was able to acquire this prototype Atari 5200 Kids Controller from a former Atari employee who had it stored away. It even has some of the overlays, as you can see. I don't think anyone else actually has the 5200 KC overlays that I'm aware of.I know the one seen at CGE (supposedly the only one at that point) was reportedly non-functional. I'm not sure about this one, as I haven't yet opened it up, and also have my 5200 in storage for the moment, so I can't test it at the moment. But I will take a look at some point soon.It's a super cool piece of Atari history, and I'm excited to share it now with all of you! 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Posted March 6, 2017 Share Posted March 6, 2017 Very cool find! Are the overlays the same size and shape as the 2600 ones? Here are the 2600 games that used the Kid's Controller. You can click on the title of each game and then click the "Overlays' link to see the overlays for each game: https://atariage.com/controller_page.php?SystemID=2600&ControllerID=6 Here's Alpha Beam with Ernie: ..Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lapetino Posted March 6, 2017 Author Share Posted March 6, 2017 (edited) Very cool find! Are the overlays the same size and shape as the 2600 ones? Here are the 2600 games that used the Kid's Controller. You can click on the title of each game and then click the "Overlays' link to see the overlays for each game: https://atariage.com/controller_page.php?SystemID=2600&ControllerID=6 Here's Alpha Beam with Ernie: ..Al It looks like Alpha Beam is the same as the 2600 overlay, but this Cookie Monster one says Cookie Monster's Garden, which is different than the final release. I believe that was its original title. Edited March 6, 2017 by lapetino Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted March 6, 2017 Share Posted March 6, 2017 Cookie Monsters Garden was a WIP name for the game: http://www.atariprotos.com/2600/software/cookiemonster/cookiemonster.htm Here's a picture of an overlay that looks like yours: http://www.atariprotos.com/2600/software/cookiemonster/cookiemonstergarden.jpg 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoundGammon Posted March 6, 2017 Share Posted March 6, 2017 So, were there games or roms that went with them? Or was it still in the planning stages? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+sramirez2008 Posted March 6, 2017 Share Posted March 6, 2017 This is really cool. Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lapetino Posted March 6, 2017 Author Share Posted March 6, 2017 So, were there games or roms that went with them? Or was it still in the planning stages? Tempest can probably answer that better than I. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted March 6, 2017 Share Posted March 6, 2017 There are two know 5200 children's games out there: Astro Grover and Muppet Go Round. The rom for Muppet Go Round hasn't been released, but I believe Astro Grover is out there. However I'm not sure if either actually used the kids controller or not, their 8-bit CBS releases don't and I was able to navigate Astro Grover without it so I'm going to guess no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPUWIZ Posted March 6, 2017 Share Posted March 6, 2017 There are two know 5200 children's games out there: Astro Grover and Muppet Go Round. The rom for Muppet Go Round hasn't been released, but I believe Astro Grover is out there. However I'm not sure if either actually used the kids controller or not, their 8-bit CBS releases don't and I was able to navigate Astro Grover without it so I'm going to guess no. http://atariage.com/forums/topic/201777-5200-astro-grover/?p=2592489 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustinMSalvato Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 If Atari pushed the educational side, perhaps the 5200 would have had a second chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 If Atari pushed the educational side, perhaps the 5200 would have had a second chance. Nah, the 5200 was always meant to be a game playing machine. The code name PAM even stood for Personal Arcade Machine. I personally find it odd that they were even considering educational titles for the 5200. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rom Hunter Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 (edited) It looks like Alpha Beam is the same as the 2600 overlay, but this Cookie Monster one says Cookie Monster's Garden, which is different than the final release. I believe that was its original title. Interesting. It's different from these prototype overlays: http://www.atarimania.com/2600/boxes/hi_res/cookie_monster_munch_children_cart_6.jpg http://www.atarimania.com/2600/boxes/hi_res/cookie_monster_munch_children_cart_7.jpg Edited May 12, 2017 by Rom Hunter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thevnaguy Posted May 13, 2017 Share Posted May 13, 2017 Neato! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lapetino Posted February 1, 2018 Author Share Posted February 1, 2018 So it has been a while since I originally posted this, but I finally got around to opening this up and taking some pics of the insides. I haven't tested it yet, as the 5200 was buried in the storage space, but I hope to try it out soon. Open to any suggestions on that. Here is what I photographed of the interiors. I'm not an engineer or electronics guy, so I'm even really sure what I'm looking at. Help is welcomed! Neato! 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPUWIZ Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 Wow, very cool. Thanks for doing that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supergun Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 Very interesting indeed. You can see all the extra unused wire terminals loose inside. Production version would not have been left like that! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masschamber Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 Man wish there were more 5200 accessories, that and the track ball look really good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Ksarul Posted February 3, 2018 Share Posted February 3, 2018 The buttons on the top board lead nowhere on this one too, so some bridging wires woul have to be put in place to resore the connection between those buttons and the main board, as it looks like those traces are wired to the connector, just broken between the boards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+swlovinist Posted February 11, 2018 Share Posted February 11, 2018 Just wanted to say thanks for taking those pics and sharing with us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lapetino Posted February 11, 2018 Author Share Posted February 11, 2018 Just wanted to say thanks for taking those pics and sharing with us. Of course! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lapetino Posted August 13, 2019 Author Share Posted August 13, 2019 Just as an update, I’m considering selling this prototype controller. If you’re interested, please PM me with an offer. I’d love for it to go to either one of the great video game museums or a collector who will care for it. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0078265317 Posted August 15, 2019 Share Posted August 15, 2019 On 8/13/2019 at 11:56 AM, lapetino said: Just as an update, I’m considering selling this prototype controller. If you’re interested, please PM me with an offer. I’d love for it to go to either one of the great video game museums or a collector who will care for it. Thanks! Never seen that before. Pretty cool. How much are you asking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lapetino Posted August 15, 2019 Author Share Posted August 15, 2019 Just now, 0078265317 said: Never seen that before. Pretty cool. How much are you asking? PM me and we can chat about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0078265317 Posted August 15, 2019 Share Posted August 15, 2019 5 hours ago, lapetino said: PM me and we can chat about it. Thats alright I have enough collection. Museum is better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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