Jump to content
IGNORED

Use USB Gamepad on Atari 2600?


glassjester

Recommended Posts

I saw this thing on eBay - http://www.ebay.com/itm/TOM-Rev2-Best-adapter-for-Amiga-Atari-ST-C64-C128-Mouse-Joystick-Gamepad-/231881903929

 

I sent a message to the seller asking if it would work with the 2600, and he said, "probably."

 

What do you think?

 

I'm thinking it could be a good wireless solution for the 2600, if it works with wireless usb gamepads. But I don't know... it seems a little weird.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I read through the manual and since there's no mention of it working with the 2600, I wouldn't take a chance on it for that price. It is possible that it would work, but it might require new code to be written and installed on the device.

As far as using it with a wireless gamepad on the 2600, "IF" it worked, you would still need to use switches on the console for some games. There's not much point in going wireless, if you still have to sit within a couple of feet of the console anyway.

I could see something like this opening up a lot of controller options for the 7800.

I would like to see some other opinions, in case I'm wrong.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hm, I would give it a try for that price! :-D

Ebay favors the buyer so you could return it without risk if it didn't work, no matter what the seller says about returns.

 

It's big enough there's probably an integrated circuit to translate the "new" USB keystrokes into something the old machine can understand.

 

I'd feel better about it if there were a manual or achematoc online.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hm, I would give it a try for that price! :-D

Ebay favors the buyer so you could return it without risk if it didn't work, no matter what the seller says about returns.

 

It's big enough there's probably an integrated circuit to translate the "new" USB keystrokes into something the old machine can understand.

 

I'd feel better about it if there were a manual or achematoc online.

 

There's a link to the manual on the eBay page: http://electronica4u.com/docs/adapter_tom_instruction_en.pdf

 

There's also a link to a list of compatible USB devices, and it lists a few wireless gamepads on it. It might be worth the financial risk.

 

If the thing can work as a C64 joystick, it should be able to work with the 2600, right?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

There's a link to the manual on the eBay page: http://electronica4u.com/docs/adapter_tom_instruction_en.pdf

 

There's also a link to a list of compatible USB devices, and it lists a few wireless gamepads on it. It might be worth the financial risk.

 

If the thing can work as a C64 joystick, it should be able to work with the 2600, right?

Agreed -- C64 and 2600 are pin compatible. Sega Genesis too.
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

As far as using it with a wireless gamepad on the 2600, "IF" it worked, you would still need to use switches on the console for some games. There's not much point in going wireless, if you still have to sit within a couple of feet of the console anyway.

 

Yes, that's a good point. But once the game is started, it's worth it to be able to lean back on my couch while playing. An extension cord can accomplish the same thing, but it's a bit less satisfying - especially when my dog decides to go running past the TV and trips over all the wires (she's a total klutz).

 

Right now I use the Camerica "Freedom Stick" with my 2600, but a smaller usb gamepad would be cool, I think.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wonder if this combination might be more reliable.

 

http://www.raphnet-tech.com/products/snes_to_db9/index.php

https://www.amazon.com/8Bitdo-SNES-Adapter-Bluetooth-Receiver-Nintendo/dp/B01K1T9CZS

 

A SNES-to-2600 adapter, and the SNES retro-receiver.

 

If it worked, I could use any of my 8bitdo controllers, or even a wiimote to play Atari. Hm...

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Two adapters might require more power than one, though.

 

That's true. I'd hate to buy them just to find out they won't work together.

 

I have used the Raphnet Gamecube-to-N64 adapter with the wireless Wavebird GC controller, and it works great (the only viable wireless option for N64). So it is possible for an adapter to power a wireless receiver.

 

Not sure what to do - it's a gamble either way, I think.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

You know about the Atari Flashback Gold 8 Activision Edition coming up soon, right? 130 games, HDMI, and what looks to be good wireless controllers. Preorders on Friday, $80 MSRP. It won't have ALL the Atari games you might want to play, but it will be a nice selection, and MAYBE just MAYBE someone can hack those controllers to do other things.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You know about the Atari Flashback Gold 8 Activision Edition coming up soon, right? 130 games, HDMI, and what looks to be good wireless controllers. Preorders on Friday, $80 MSRP. It won't have ALL the Atari games you might want to play, but it will be a nice selection, and MAYBE just MAYBE someone can hack those controllers to do other things.

HDMI won't get very far on my CRT TV. :cool:

 

I am interested in the wireless controllers, though. I've been hoping that they'd put out some kind of wireless dongle for connecting the wireless Flashback controllers with the original VCS controller ports. Not sure if there's much a demand for that, though.

 

My other hope is that 8bitdo will release a retro receiver for the 2600 along with a bluetooth Atari-style joystick. They've already done this for the NES and SNES, hopefully they're willing to expand.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I bought one of these for my Amiga 500. I'll try it out on the 7800 and 2600 tonight.

 

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

Had to take it out of its case to get it to connect to the extension cord (this is Tom Rev 2 model btw) but it works on a 7800. This is a generic PSX to USB adapter I bought at RadioShack like 10 years ago. f91a8faf410dcf8bab8c40b8aaf08d6c.jpg

 

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh and I can use the analog setting on the PS1 controller too. Mind you this is a PS1 analog controller I tested with and not a PS2 controller.

 

I also just tried out a third party Xbox 360 controller as well as my bliss box and neither worked.

 

I purchased mine directly from this same seller and they work great on my Amiga for wireless mice. I can't believe I never thought about trying these on an Atari.

 

I'll can try this out on a 2600 and XEGS as well tomorrow, the pizza just got here so it's time to eat :)

Edited by robbievgb
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Works great on my light sixer with the same setup. And you can use the analog setting, although I'm not sure if you'd want to.

 

I did have some trouble with the XEGS surprisingly, some games didn't register the fire button.

 

I'd be curious to see what other USB controllers work with this, given the the third party xbox 360 controller does not.

 

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For using USB-controllers on 9-pin (DB9) systems, except MegaDrive, you can also try these here.

 

"RYS MK-II" joystick/mouse-adapter:

https://retro.7-bit.pl/?lang=en&go=projekty&name=rys_mkii

 

Then there is the "TOM" joystick/mouse-adapter, which was mentioned before in the thread:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TOM-USB-Mouse-Joystick-Adapter-for-Commodore-C-64-C-128-AMIGA-ATARI-ST-TT-/172314579823#ht_2628wt_923

 

And there are also some other good solutions for using MegaDrive, SNES, NES, Playstation or analog PC-controllers (with DB15 connectors) on DB9-systems. Either from "Raphnet" or one of the five "64JPX" adapter-models or from Kipper2K shop the PSX-adapter (with Paul Willingham firmware) and so on.

 

Should work on all 9Pin systems, only on Megadrive i would not use any of these adapters, because the MD has little differeneces in the pin-outputs. And if the second Atari-7800 button will work on those adapters i am also not sure.

 

For example, the Raphnet SNES-to-Commodore/Atari adapter supports a second firebutton for Amiga-games. Anybody knows, if the second firebutton on the VCS-7800 is on the same pins like the second Amiga-firebutton? Is it the same?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For using USB-controllers on 9-pin (DB9) systems, except MegaDrive, you can also try these here.

 

"RYS MK-II" joystick/mouse-adapter:

https://retro.7-bit.pl/?lang=en&go=projekty&name=rys_mkii

 

Then there is the "TOM" joystick/mouse-adapter, which was mentioned before in the thread:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TOM-USB-Mouse-Joystick-Adapter-for-Commodore-C-64-C-128-AMIGA-ATARI-ST-TT-/172314579823#ht_2628wt_923

 

And there are also some other good solutions for using MegaDrive, SNES, NES, Playstation or analog PC-controllers (with DB15 connectors) on DB9-systems. Either from "Raphnet" or one of the five "64JPX" adapter-models or from Kipper2K shop the PSX-adapter (with Paul Willingham firmware) and so on.

 

Should work on all 9Pin systems, only on Megadrive i would not use any of these adapters, because the MD has little differeneces in the pin-outputs. And if the second Atari-7800 button will work on those adapters i am also not sure.

 

For example, the Raphnet SNES-to-Commodore/Atari adapter supports a second firebutton for Amiga-games. Anybody knows, if the second firebutton on the VCS-7800 is on the same pins like the second Amiga-firebutton? Is it the same?

 

I found these diagrams - it looks like they are not the same.

 

 

7800 pins - http://raspinovca.ru/cocolevca/Atari-7800-Joystick-Connect.gif

 

Amiga pins - http://eab.abime.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=19857&d=1232299245

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I found these diagrams - it looks like they are not the same.

 

 

7800 pins - http://raspinovca.ru/cocolevca/Atari-7800-Joystick-Connect.gif

 

Amiga pins - http://eab.abime.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=19857&d=1232299245

Interesting, the Amiga-Button2 seems to be the same like the left button on the Atari-7800, but the Button1 is different. This is not what i expected, because i thought first buttons would be the same and Fire2 would differ.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

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.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...