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socrates63

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Posts posted by socrates63

  3. ikonsgr's DB9 Controller Adapter for Atari 5200

    in Atari 5200

    Posted

    Prior to assembling my Atari 5200 SuperSystem setup, I did a little homework into the infamous 5200 controller issue. Based on the what I heard on The Atari 5200 Podcast and Wired-Up Retro, I decided early on to order the DB9 controller adapter for the 5200 made by AtariAge user ikonsgr (he also sells on ebay but I can't find his ebay link right now).
     
    Atari 5200 Podcast
     
    Wired-Up Retro
     
     
    The adapter arrived a few days ago from Greece (it's times like this when I love how technology has brought us closer together to share a hobby). Today, I got a chance to use it with my Atari 7800 controller (made by Retrogameboyz) and a few games. Now I was aware that 7800 controllers would not work perfectly with this adapter and the 5200, but that's the DB9 controller I had on hand (Genesis arcade stick on the way).
     
    I tried three 5200 games (via AtariMax cartridge). Berzerk didn't like it -- the man wouldn't move and continuously fired shots. In Moon Patrol, the joystick worked well, and the fire button too, but both 7800 buttons registered to fire the gun only -- no jump button. Pac-Man worked flawlessly.
     
    The conclusion of my limited testing? I'm very happy as I had expected. Since nearly all 5200 games do not require analog controls, the ikonsgr adapter is a very affordable solution to enabling digital joystick/gamepad on the 5200 platform. Once the Genesis arcade stick arrives, my 5200 setup will be complete. Atari 5200 controller issues are really overblown and overstated IMO and shouldn't stopped anyone who wants to experience arcade action at home on the beautiful Atari 5200 SuperSystem.

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  10. NSG's Rankings of Over 200 Atari 2600 Games!

    in Atari 2600

    Posted · Edited by socrates63

    2 hours ago, nosweargamer said:

    I find that the more games I review, the harder it is to find new Top 10 games. This is most likely because some of the best games were best sellers that I've already reviewed. Many of the games I have left to review are the more obscure games. I'm still hoping to find some hidden gems that challenge for a top spot!

    With 200+ 2600 games reviewed, have you done a retrospective type look-back at the games reviewed? From the games already reviewed, it might be a fun talking point to pull together a list of hidden gems or a group of games based on other criteria. Just a thought -- feel free to ignore 🙂

  11. New Netflix Series - High Score

    in Classic Gaming General

    Posted

    Thanks for the History video link, Justin. I haven't yet seen the Netflix series nor this one from History.

    I wonder whether the rise of the home computers A8, C64 etc. had a role in the crash. It's certainly not the main cause of the crash, but I wonder how that may have contributed (if at all) to the circumstances. I mean, I think the first wave of kids who grew up on the 2600 jumped to computers and ignored consoles completely or at least used them less as their primary home video gaming machine. Or, it could just be since that was my personal story. After I went to the Atari 800 from the 2600, I ignored the console scene and didn't get one until the late 90s (original PlayStation to play FF7). I didn't even know that a video game crash happened until I heard about it when I got into retro gaming.

  15. Did you think Atari 2600 Pac-Man was bad when you first got it?

    in Atari 2600

    Posted · Edited by socrates63

    Slowly inching up to the 9k high score... crossed 7k today 🕹️:pac_man:

    I just have to say that this thread has helped me to do a complete 180 turnaround on my feelings towards 2600 Pac-Man. My original disappointment in this game as a kid was the strongest memory I had of 2600 gaming. Because of its infamy in my childhood, Atari 2600 Pac-Man was the first 2600 game that I purchased when I got into retro gaming a few years ago. When I spotted a CIB copy at 2017 PRGE, my eyes grew wide and in my mind I said, "You! You!" with an imagined pointing of an accusatory finger. I had it on my shelf to relive my utter childhood disappointment. But now, as a classic gamer, I've come to really love this game and appreciate it for what it offers. I've thoroughly enjoyed playing it this week.

    Thanks all for the healing ✌️ 🕊️ My soul is at peace with Atari 2600 Pac-Man.

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  18. Quick question for all you Atari 7800 owners out there

    in Atari 7800

    Posted · Edited by socrates63
    grammar

    Ah yes... since I grew up with the CX40 and Wico joysticks, I had always held the joystick in my right hand. Before I ordered the first one, I went back and forth in my mind and just went for the standard configuration that I have since the seller offered satisfaction guarantee. It turned out using the joystick with my left hand wasn't an issue for me. I did briefly consider ordering another one with the joystick on the right side though.

    I've seen ambidextrous arcade stick designs (joystick in the middle, two sets of buttons to the left and right of the joystick), but at the time, I wanted a smaller controller.

  22. Atari 5200 owners: How many 5200 controllers have you gone through?

    in Atari 5200

    Posted

    I'm a new 5200 owner so I have very little usage on the controllers. I bought 2 Atari controllers rebuilt by Best Electronics. The joystick actually feels good. The rubber boot does a decent job of re-centering the joystick. I'm sure that will change over time with more usage, but I don't feel like these are fragile. I actually like it.

    I also bought the Wico joystick. I'm not too sure how to calibrate it. It feels ok. I need more time with it.

    Yesterday, I received the adapters made by AtariAge user ikonsgr. I haven't had a chance to try it out yet, but I expect that this will be at the center of my daily setup -- using a digital joystick in conjunction with the Atari 5200 controller. The adapter is relatively cheap, so with it, I feel controller trepidations about the Atari 5200 should be a thing of the past.

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