Atari 7800

ParanoiaDragon · 02/10/2012, 01:02 AM

Nice! Actually, that reminds me, I did want to pick up one of those Atari joysticks with the games built in, but there's no cart port...though I think I heard it can be modded to exepct carts, that would be kinda cool, as it virtually takes up zero space!

Arkhan Asylum · 02/10/2012, 08:48 AM

The first mod I ever did was slapping a second sid in a C64 and adding real audio out jacks to hook up to an amp.

HercTNT · 02/10/2012, 10:42 AM

Ark, i have read about that mod, but never understood what it did. Does it give you some kind of stereo sound. Or does it improve the number of audio channels if you right the software for it?

Arkhan Asylum · 02/10/2012, 01:01 PM

Quote from: HercTNT on 02/10/2012, 10:42 AMArk, i have read about that mod, but never understood what it did. Does it give you some kind of stereo sound. Or does it improve the number of audio channels if you right the software for it?

You'll have two SIDs. So, 6 channels.

It won't give stereo sound though. It just allows you to use software written with 2+ SIDs in mind. There are some trackers/music software, and a few SID players that support it

and a bunch of SID tunes done in 2xSID mode. Without 2 sids, youll only hear half the song.

HercTNT · 02/10/2012, 10:08 PM

Thanks for the info, i always wondered. I have an atari 800 xl and their is a similar mod. I think the sound chip is called the pokey (i'm sure someone will correct me if i'm wrong). The mod calls for two of them to be connected, but claims it gives stereo sound to the 800xl as well as additional channels. I have no idea.

Arkhan Asylum · 02/11/2012, 01:42 AM

who the fuck would want to hear two pokeys.

one is fucked up enough.

HercTNT · 02/11/2012, 02:49 AM

I have no idea, i know nothing about the pokey.

esteban · 02/11/2012, 11:48 PM

Quote from: guest on 02/11/2012, 01:42 AMwho the fuck would want to hear two pokeys.

one is fucked up enough.

Oh, come on. You know you want to get poked.

Shrapnoid · 02/15/2012, 01:34 PM

Quote from: ParanoiaDragon on 02/10/2012, 01:02 AMNice! Actually, that reminds me, I did want to pick up one of those Atari joysticks with the games built in, but there's no cart port...though I think I heard it can be modded to exepct carts, that would be kinda cool, as it virtually takes up zero space!

I've read about that mod too. I think it's for the Flashback II. I have both Flashback systems which can be pretty fun for when you don't want to drag out the old console and games or dig out a controller for your emu.

So, this is where you've been since the old TG16 groups shutdown...
Did you ever complete your collection?
Didn't know you had a 7800.
Wouldn't happen to have an extra controller laying around would you?
I have one good controller that I have to rebuild every once in a while to get it working right and another one that's just junk.
The RF outjack on mine is screwed up and I have a little trouble with the console buttons too.
Do your 2600 carts ever get stuck in the cartridge slot?
That kept happening with mine so I took the slot shaft out and now all of carts go in and come out just fine!

BigusSchmuck · 02/15/2012, 06:08 PM

About the only mod I have ever done for atari 2600, 7800 and Commdore 64 was use genesis controllers in both systems. Not really a mod though, more like plug and play. ^^

HercTNT · 02/15/2012, 10:25 PM

Its amazing how much better a genny controller is than the atari stick when playing the 2600.

Arkhan Asylum · 02/16/2012, 08:43 AM

Playing Atari 2600 with a fucking soldering iron and a dinner fork is better than the joystick.

HercTNT · 02/16/2012, 11:22 AM

futureman2000 · 02/16/2012, 12:03 PM

Speaking of Genesis controller on 2600...

I picked up a 7800 with two 7800 joysticks. Neither of the controllers worked properly- on each one, some of the directions and a button didn't work. I decided to mod an NES controller to use on 7800 per some instructions that I found online. The mod was really tough- lots of little burns on my hands, but I got it done. When I tried it out on the 7800, I discovered that exact same deficiencies were present in the new Nes/7800 controller as had been present in the 7800 stick. I had used the cable from the 7800 joystick, which I then figured to have shorts in it. I could even get some buttons to work by manipulating the cable. I tried to re-splice the cable together, cutting out the shorted area, but no dice. The project seems to be permanently shelved, because I do not want to acquire a new cable/ butcher a genesis 6-button pad (some kind of problems keeps you from using a Genesis 3-button cable.)

Long story short, has anyone found a decent 2-button solution to 7800 controller replacement? As it stands, I still can't play Pole Position 2 or Rampage. I know that I could mod an SMS controller, but I couldn't bring myself to cut one up...

If not, I'm aware that I'm not missing out on much with these two games. Another mod job would take 10x as long to do as I would spend playing either of those games.

DragonmasterDan · 02/16/2012, 02:53 PM

Quote from: futureman2000 on 02/16/2012, 12:03 PMSpeaking of Genesis controller on 2600...

I picked up a 7800 with two 7800 joysticks. Neither of the controllers worked properly- on each one, some of the directions and a button didn't work. I decided to mod an NES controller to use on 7800 per some instructions that I found online. The mod was really tough- lots of little burns on my hands, but I got it done. When I tried it out on the 7800, I discovered that exact same deficiencies were present in the new Nes/7800 controller as had been present in the 7800 stick. I had used the cable from the 7800 joystick, which I then figured to have shorts in it. I could even get some buttons to work by manipulating the cable. I tried to re-splice the cable together, cutting out the shorted area, but no dice. The project seems to be permanently shelved, because I do not want to acquire a new cable/ butcher a genesis 6-button pad (some kind of problems keeps you from using a Genesis 3-button cable.)

Long story short, has anyone found a decent 2-button solution to 7800 controller replacement? As it stands, I still can't play Pole Position 2 or Rampage. I know that I could mod an SMS controller, but I couldn't bring myself to cut one up...

If not, I'm aware that I'm not missing out on much with these two games. Another mod job would take 10x as long to do as I would spend playing either of those games.

The official 7800 pad works well.

HercTNT · 02/16/2012, 02:57 PM

People keep saying that, but I have never actually seen one, or were to buy one.

Arkhan Asylum · 02/16/2012, 03:09 PM

That joystick looks mental.

DragonmasterDan · 02/16/2012, 03:37 PM

Quote from: HercTNT on 02/16/2012, 02:57 PMPeople keep saying that, but I have never actually seen one, or were to buy one.

I'll PM you.

ApolloBoy · 02/16/2012, 04:47 PM

Quote from: guest on 02/16/2012, 03:09 PMThat joystick looks mental.

It actually works pretty well, and you can even unscrew it from the D-pad if you don't like it or depending on the game. Personally I use a converted NES controller which works even better than the CX78.

Chuplayer · 02/16/2012, 05:25 PM

Quote from: futureman2000 on 02/16/2012, 12:03 PMSpeaking of Genesis controller on 2600...

I picked up a 7800 with two 7800 joysticks. Neither of the controllers worked properly- on each one, some of the directions and a button didn't work. I decided to mod an NES controller to use on 7800 per some instructions that I found online. The mod was really tough- lots of little burns on my hands, but I got it done. When I tried it out on the 7800, I discovered that exact same deficiencies were present in the new Nes/7800 controller as had been present in the 7800 stick. I had used the cable from the 7800 joystick, which I then figured to have shorts in it. I could even get some buttons to work by manipulating the cable. I tried to re-splice the cable together, cutting out the shorted area, but no dice. The project seems to be permanently shelved, because I do not want to acquire a new cable/ butcher a genesis 6-button pad (some kind of problems keeps you from using a Genesis 3-button cable.)

Long story short, has anyone found a decent 2-button solution to 7800 controller replacement? As it stands, I still can't play Pole Position 2 or Rampage. I know that I could mod an SMS controller, but I couldn't bring myself to cut one up...

If not, I'm aware that I'm not missing out on much with these two games. Another mod job would take 10x as long to do as I would spend playing either of those games.

Get a new cable.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10212&cs_id=1021201&p_id=443&seq=1&format=2

You'll have to file down some of the plastic on the top part of the plug. The overhang above the 7800 controller port hangs too low for this cable without grinding it down first.

I use these cables as extension cords for my 7800 and Genesis consoles. They're good. You can also find 5200 and Turbo Duo/PC Engine extension cables there, too.

Shrapnoid · 02/18/2012, 06:04 PM

I know that the 7800 pad can be found on ebay and places like that but, wasn't that controller only released for european 7800 consoles?

ApolloBoy · 02/19/2012, 11:11 PM

Quote from: Shrapnoid on 02/18/2012, 06:04 PMI know that the 7800 pad can be found on ebay and places like that but, wasn't that controller only released for european 7800 consoles?

They were only released in Europe and Australia, but you can acquire them from American suppliers for less than $20 each.

Shrapnoid · 02/20/2012, 12:38 PM

Quote from: ApolloBoy on 02/19/2012, 11:11 PM
Quote from: Shrapnoid on 02/18/2012, 06:04 PMI know that the 7800 pad can be found on ebay and places like that but, wasn't that controller only released for european 7800 consoles?
They were only released in Europe and Australia, but you can acquire them from American suppliers for less than $20 each.

Yeah? That sounds delightful. Could you give me the names of some of those suppliers?
That would certainly be preferable to using the default 7800 joysticks that make my hands hurt.

DragonmasterDan · 02/20/2012, 12:40 PM

Quote from: Shrapnoid on 02/20/2012, 12:38 PM
Quote from: ApolloBoy on 02/19/2012, 11:11 PM
Quote from: Shrapnoid on 02/18/2012, 06:04 PMI know that the 7800 pad can be found on ebay and places like that but, wasn't that controller only released for european 7800 consoles?
They were only released in Europe and Australia, but you can acquire them from American suppliers for less than $20 each.
Yeah? That sounds delightful. Could you give me the names of some of those suppliers?
That would certainly be preferable to using the default 7800 joysticks that make my hands hurt.

PM'ed

Shrapnoid · 02/20/2012, 08:41 PM

Quote from: DragonmasterDan on 02/20/2012, 12:40 PM
Quote from: Shrapnoid on 02/20/2012, 12:38 PM
Quote from: ApolloBoy on 02/19/2012, 11:11 PM
Quote from: Shrapnoid on 02/18/2012, 06:04 PMI know that the 7800 pad can be found on ebay and places like that but, wasn't that controller only released for european 7800 consoles?
They were only released in Europe and Australia, but you can acquire them from American suppliers for less than $20 each.
Yeah? That sounds delightful. Could you give me the names of some of those suppliers?
That would certainly be preferable to using the default 7800 joysticks that make my hands hurt.
PM'ed

Thanks again for that link.

I got the old Flashback set out today and played it some and even that version's mini-7800 controllers are a pain to use.
And don't even bother trying to use them in place of regular 7800 controllers because it wont work the same even though the plugs are the same.