7800 Homebrew with paddles possible?

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Is it possible to code an Atari 7800 game using 2600 paddle controls? I am guessing that it is not. If it is, creating the first paddle-based 7800 game (I'm thinking an enhanced Breakout clone with lots of power-ups, and a version of Castle Crisis) would be quite the technical achievement...

[keilbaca]

Is it possible to code an Atari 7800 game using 2600 paddle controls?  I am guessing that it is not.  If it is, creating the first paddle-based 7800 game (I'm thinking an enhanced Breakout clone with lots of power-ups, and a version of Castle Crisis) would be quite the technical achievement...

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You just said the magic word... castle crisis... *drools*

[DEBRO]

Is it possible to code an Atari 7800 game using 2600 paddle controls?

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Yes it is. Eric Ball proved that it can work.

 

You might run into an issue reading the paddles during the kernel but if the kernel is simple enough where it doesn't need a lot of updates I don't see why not.

[EricBall]

Yes, it's very possible. See http://www.freelists.org/archives/atari7800/02-2005/ for the message thread in the Atari 7800 mailing list. (Unfortunately, the attachments aren't archived, so I've attached it.)

 

There are two ways to read the paddles. The first (attached) is to use a "pseudo kernel" which polls the paddle bits once per line. This gives high resolution, but means only VBLANK is available for normal CPU processing. The second (see my AA blog) is to poll every N lines using a DLI. This means normal CPU processing can happen during the active display, but significantly reduces the number of paddle values (e.g 0-31).

paddle78.zip

[128bytes]

Yes, it's very possible.  See http://www.freelists.org/archives/atari7800/02-2005/ for the message thread in the Atari 7800 mailing list.  (Unfortunately, the attachments aren't archived, so I've attached it.)

 

There are two ways to read the paddles.  The first (attached) is to use a "pseudo kernel" which polls the paddle bits once per line.  This gives high resolution, but means only VBLANK is available for normal CPU processing.  The second (see my AA blog) is to poll every N lines using a DLI.  This means normal CPU processing can happen during the active display, but significantly reduces the number of paddle values (e.g 0-31).

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Thanks for the heads up, EricBall. I might just have to join the 7800 mailing list

[Shaggy the Atarian]

In something related, what about the 2600 Touchpad? I know it's underused, but it could give many more options to a game like an RPG for example. I imagine that it's possible, I'm just wondering if anyone has done anything with it.

[shadow460]

For an RPG, try using the left stick as a normal D-Pad, and the right stick for extra commands.

 

For example, push up on the right stick to access the menu, then use it to move around and hit the left fire button to exit.

 

I'm all for having games that use the paddles and keyboards, though.

 

What would really rock is a Championship Sprint port that could use Driving controllers.

[Shawn]

Just make an Arkanoid for the 7800. It would be 100% possible and probible as far as I know. Arkanoid for the 7800? Sign me up for cart version!!

[Bruce Tomlin]

Just make an Arkanoid for the 7800. It would be 100% possible and probible as far as I know. Arkanoid for the 7800? Sign me up for cart version!!

I'd almost rather see that with a quadrature controller like the Driving Controller, but I don't know if the DC has the resolution to let you go fast enough. But it could certainly add a "speed scaling" feature like the Macintosh has had since 1984, where the faster you go at any moment, the more it adds to your speed.

Edited August 10, 2005 by Bruce Tomlin

[Danno]

You could always use the Trak-ball.

 

Kenfused already made a Centipede TB which works absolutely great with the CX-22/CX-80 Trak-ball.

 

In fact - I'm wondering if Ken, or anyone else can post the code for the Trak-ball control. I'd like to try hacking Trak-ball control into 2600 Crystal Castles.

[Ferris]

I attempted unsuccessfully to hack Pole Position II to use a driving controller for the 7800 that I had created, essentially a two-buttoned paddle controller. Paddle worked great but I never finished up PP2. This must have been three or four years ago when we had all these projects going on.

 

I have to say though, 7800-style paddles looked great

[PacManPlus]

I would have to say, using the Joystick and the keypad in port two would make a port of 'Countermeasure' from the 5200 to the 7800 a dream!

 

That and qix are the only things keeping my 5200 from being packed away...

[JB]

I would have to say, using the Joystick and the keypad in port two would make a port of 'Countermeasure' from the 5200 to the 7800 a dream! 

 

That and qix are the only things keeping my 5200 from being packed away...

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You need Space Dungeon.

[Shawn]

We all need Qix on the 7800 is all.

[shadow460]

The best Qix I ever played was on the GameBoy.

 

I'd love to see Championship Sprint work with 2600 Driving controllers, and the 7800 would be up to the graphics for it.

I tried Super Sprint on the NES and it stunk.