Multi-Button Gamepad for 8-bit

[hawk]

Has anyone played with the idea of modifying a modern multi-button gamepad for the Atari 8-bit.

 

From what I understand, you could use the A and B pots for the directions, much like a Gravis Gamepad, giving you up to 5 buttons on the game pad. (The 4 directions, plus the trigger.)

 

Does anyone know if this is feasable from a hardware point of view?

 

Cheers,

Mike.

[+Mitch]

It's easier to just use a Sega Master System or Genesis gamepad.

But yes, you could mod or build an adapter for a more modern controller. It would probably be more work than it's worth though.

 

Mitch

[hawk]

Sure, you'd want to start with an existing gamepad, but for the 8-bit computers, it's a way of getting more buttons on the controller. Admittedly, the software would have to be written for the controller.

 

I think any of the existing "Digital" analog controllers for the PC would need modification, as I believe the resistence that's across the Pot pin is different. (This probably has to do with the source rating of the +5V pin of the joystick port.

 

Mike.

[hawk]

Having pondered this topic for a while longer (and also investigated the various joystick circuits), I have come to the conclusion that for backwards compatibility, it would be better to leave the direction switches and main trigger as they are, and use the pots for the extra button functionality required. Then these extra functions could be overloaded with keyboard keys as well for anyone who does not have a moded joystick.

 

You would still be able to have 5 buttons, but the two buttons associated with the same pot would not be mutually exclusive. One button would always override the other if they were both pressed. Not really a problem, as when using a gamepad, you usually only use a thumb to press buttons...unless you have sholder buttons.

 

I've picked up some NES gamepads to test this theory, and plan to map the 'B', Select and Start buttons to the x and y pots.

 

Mike.