electronicsibley Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 So I’m thinking about taking the plunge and picking up a euro-style Joypad for the 7800. I’ll probably order a modded one from Best Electronics if they have any left in stock. I’m not expecting it to work wonders, but I am looking for more of a NES/SMS-like experience vs. the Proline. Also, one of my Proline controllers is out of commission, so it’s now or never! I’m just looking opinions of the controller, good and bad, to inform my purchase. FWIW, I know Sega controllers are an option, but I’d rather pick up the Atari product for authenticities sake, unless it’s a total dud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+-^CrossBow^- Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 Well if you are stuck on only wanting to use an official Atari released controller than the Euro pads are your only option pretty much. If you want really good controller for the NES like usage then I would suggest getting one of the controller from Retrogameboyz. I've now purchased about 3 of his controllers for different systems and been impressed with all of them. I use one of his NES style 7800 controllers as my main 7800 controller in fact. https://www.etsy.com/shop/RetroGameBoyz?ref=usf_2020 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BydoEmpire Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 IMHO it's terrible. I never use mine. Maybe good for one or two game, but mostly they were designed for a joystick and that works better. I hate to say it, but I'd rather use a ProLine than the pad. It's not that the pad itself is that terrible, it *does* work, the games just weren't (mostly) designed for it. There might be some exceptions like Tower Toppler. If you want to play 7800 games on a NES/SMS-style pad it does that fairly well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desiv Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 My 7800 didn't come with controllers, so I used single button ones for a while before I found some Europads for a good price. I like them OK. Not a huge joypad fan, but they are OK. Then I got some Prolines, and... I put them away.. I'm a joystick fan, but I prefer the Europads to the Proline. At some time, I'll probably get/make a 2 button real joystick.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
electronicsibley Posted October 30, 2020 Author Share Posted October 30, 2020 8 minutes ago, -^CrossBow^- said: Well if you are stuck on only wanting to use an official Atari released controller than the Euro pads are your only option pretty much. If you want really good controller for the NES like usage then I would suggest getting one of the controller from Retrogameboyz. I've now purchased about 3 of his controllers for different systems and been impressed with all of them. I use one of his NES style 7800 controllers as my main 7800 controller in fact. https://www.etsy.com/shop/RetroGameBoyz?ref=usf_2020 Thanks, I forgot about those. I’ll check them out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
electronicsibley Posted October 30, 2020 Author Share Posted October 30, 2020 7 minutes ago, BydoEmpire said: IMHO it's terrible. I never use mine. Maybe good for one or two game, but mostly they were designed for a joystick and that works better. I hate to say it, but I'd rather use a ProLine than the pad. It's not that the pad itself is that terrible, it *does* work, the games just weren't (mostly) designed for it. There might be some exceptions like Tower Toppler. If you want to play 7800 games on a NES/SMS-style pad it does that fairly well. I see what you’re saying. That’s definitely something to consider. FWIW, I see an Ed Laddin controller in my future at some point, so I’m definitely not giving up on joysticks! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
electronicsibley Posted October 30, 2020 Author Share Posted October 30, 2020 7 minutes ago, desiv said: My 7800 didn't come with controllers, so I used single button ones for a while before I found some Europads for a good price. I like them OK. Not a huge joypad fan, but they are OK. Then I got some Prolines, and... I put them away.. I'm a joystick fan, but I prefer the Europads to the Proline. At some time, I'll probably get/make a 2 button real joystick.. That’s good to hear. The general consensus seems to be that they’re fine for what they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BydoEmpire Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 10 minutes ago, electronicsibley said: I see what you’re saying. That’s definitely something to consider. FWIW, I see an Ed Laddin controller in my future at some point, so I’m definitely not giving up on joysticks! Since I picked up a Seagull 78 I've been using a Genesis arcade stick quite a bit. That's a really good solution, definitely consider in the future. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+sramirez2008 Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 2 hours ago, -^CrossBow^- said: I would suggest getting one of the controller from Retrogameboyz. This! @-^CrossBow^-actually made me aware of the 7800 controller and it’s the best NES style controller out there. I liked it so much, that I purchased a second one.? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Muddyfunster Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 2 hours ago, BydoEmpire said: Since I picked up a Seagull 78 I've been using a Genesis arcade stick quite a bit. That's a really good solution, definitely consider in the future. I'm thinking of doing this too as I prefer a stick to a pad, that said, I do like the Megadrive / Genesis pads and there are some nice "modern" ones available too : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Retro-Bit-Official-6-button-Arcade-Control/dp/B07H3Q2CX7/ The retro-bit controllers come highly rated. Of course, I'd love an EdLadin controller but that's $119 and probably a small fortune in shipping and import duty 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ApolloBoy Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 The CX78s are meh at best. They're not very well designed in that the D-pad is a little too small and the buttons are also spaced too far apart to be really comfortable. Build quality is also pretty bad, I had to replace the cable on mine (which was NOS!) because it developed a break due to how thin it was. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+chicgamer Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 To echo what others have said, I had a CX78, and I didn't like it. Now, I use either a converted NES pad (like those from RetroGameBoyz) or a Genesis to 7800 controller adapter (which probably is the best value for the money, if you have different Genesis controllers you like to use). 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 4 hours ago, -^CrossBow^- said: Well if you are stuck on only wanting to use an official Atari released controller than the Euro pads are your only option pretty much. If you want really good controller for the NES like usage then I would suggest getting one of the controller from Retrogameboyz. I've now purchased about 3 of his controllers for different systems and been impressed with all of them. I use one of his NES style 7800 controllers as my main 7800 controller in fact. https://www.etsy.com/shop/RetroGameBoyz?ref=usf_2020 I'm surprised you don't build your own? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+x=usr(1536) Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 Here's how I view the 7800 Joypad: it's far from the worst joypad you'll ever use, but you'll probably never call it the best, either. They're functional. For some games, preferable to a joystick. For others, not so much. I'd say grab one and see what you think. There's pretty much always someone out there who wants one, so if you don't like it it should be relatively easy to unload. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
electronicsibley Posted October 31, 2020 Author Share Posted October 31, 2020 43 minutes ago, x=usr(1536) said: I'd say grab one and see what you think. There's pretty much always someone out there who wants one, so if you don't like it it should be relatively easy to unload. That’s about where I’m landing on it. Even if I’m not crazy about it, it’ll make a good conversation piece as long as it’s around. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juansolo Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 (edited) I'm a bit of a weirdo in that I love the 7800 pad. That does come with a couple of proviso's though. We've put tac switches in for the buttons, and we've taken the joysticks out and filled the hole with epoxy resin. Do that and it feels like a proper gamepad with proper resposive fire buttons. Edited October 31, 2020 by juansolo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
electronicsibley Posted October 31, 2020 Author Share Posted October 31, 2020 3 hours ago, juansolo said: We've put tac switches in for the buttons, and we've taken the joysticks out and filled the hole with epoxy resin. Do that and it feels like a proper gamepad with proper resposive fire buttons. Glad to hear. I love to tinker, but this time I’m going to take advantage of someone else’s ingenuity. If you’ve never seen it, Best’s write up of their modified controller is something else. After reading, I basically feel obligated to experience it. http://www.best-electronics-ca.com/Best CX78 Upgrade kit 2.htm#CX78 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Muddyfunster Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 3 minutes ago, electronicsibley said: Glad to hear. I love to tinker, but this time I’m going to take advantage of someone else’s ingenuity. If you’ve never seen it, Best’s write up of their modified controller is something else. After reading, I basically feel obligated to experience it. http://www.best-electronics-ca.com/Best CX78 Upgrade kit 2.htm#CX78 Comprehensive write up indeed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeatari1 Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 FWIW, I purchased a CX52 kit from Best and it is great. All I had at the time was a shell of a controller with pots and buttons. It works great with the gold plated boards and silicone buttons. The buttons do feel much better than stock. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+slx Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 While I like Best Electronic's efforts to improve upon Atari designs and the Atari pads feel better than e.g. a Quickshot, I'd go for a Sega Pad with an Edladdin Seagull or home-brew converter. The Sega pad is nicer to hold , the D-pad feels more precise and less wobbly and the buttons are easier and more comfortable to reach and press. I also have converters to use them with my Vectrex. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+-^CrossBow^- Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 13 hours ago, Shawn said: I'm surprised you don't build your own? You are like the 3rd person who has said this very thing to me? Could I build my own, sure! But I'd rather spend a small amount of money to purchase something someone else has already come up with that suits my needs. In this case Retrogameboyz controllers are using generic parts, but his PCB design is what makes it all work so well. Also, with some slight modification to his PCBs, I can set them up to do other functions like the remote pausing I demoed on a 7800 as a test, and for use with the SMS. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
electronicsibley Posted November 7, 2020 Author Share Posted November 7, 2020 Well’p, to bring this thing full circle, I just received two Best-modified CX78 joypads, and tested them out this evening. Long story short, I’m a fan! The work done by Best seems to be top notch. All buttons and the d-pad are clicky and precise. The cord is a good length, and seems very durable. As for the design, I like it. The thumb-stick works better than it has any right to, and is a neat engineering flourish that really sets the controller apart. If you’re not into it, it can easily be unscrewed. I also like the diagonal offset of the Atari logo and the recessed space below the 1&2 buttons. I suspect this is related to similar features on the XEGS case. There’s also a textured grip on the backside of the controller behind the buttons that can be helpful depending on how you hold the controller itself. YMMV, but I have no significant complaints about this pad vs. those for the NES and SMS, both of which I owned during their release. I have to wonder what effect packing in these controllers would’ve had on US 7800 sales. It certainly couldn’t have hurt. Finally, my experience with Best was great. You do have to email or call them directly, which is odd in this day and age, but once I placed my order the package arrived via USPS in about 3 days (CA to VA). I do plan to purchase a Ed Laddin controller at some point for a true arcade experience, but I’m more than happy with these controllers in the meantime. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gambler172 Posted November 7, 2020 Share Posted November 7, 2020 On 10/31/2020 at 1:29 AM, Muddyfunster said: I'm thinking of doing this too as I prefer a stick to a pad, that said, I do like the Megadrive / Genesis pads and there are some nice "modern" ones available too : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Retro-Bit-Official-6-button-Arcade-Control/dp/B07H3Q2CX7/ The retro-bit controllers come highly rated. Of course, I'd love an EdLadin controller but that's $119 and probably a small fortune in shipping and import duty Hi Muddy but the Edladdin controllers are worth every penny....they are fantastic. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ApolloBoy Posted November 8, 2020 Share Posted November 8, 2020 On 11/6/2020 at 6:42 PM, electronicsibley said: I have to wonder what effect packing in these controllers would’ve had on US 7800 sales. It certainly couldn’t have hurt. From what I've seen, Atari seemed to have every intention of releasing them in the US around 1989 (they're shown in the Atari Advantage catalog/poster) but for some reason didn't go through with it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
electronicsibley Posted November 8, 2020 Author Share Posted November 8, 2020 7 hours ago, ApolloBoy said: From what I've seen, Atari seemed to have every intention of releasing them in the US around 1989 (they're shown in the Atari Advantage catalog/poster) but for some reason didn't go through with it. Interesting. I actually have that poster somewhere, but I just Googled it, and sure enough, there they are. Atari seemed to be so haphazard about things in hindsight. New controllers would’ve been kind of a big deal, and they just put them in a poster with no special mention of any kind. And they had every interest in drumming up interest in the console. It was going to be years before they discontinued it, and even more before the Jaguar came along. Maybe the thought the Panther was just around the corner? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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