7800 Controller Options

[nosweargamer]

So I'm going to try something new. Since I have gone through several of the limited Atari 7800 Controller options on my YouTube show, I'd thought I would compile my findings in one simple thread.

 

Here they are in no particular order:

 

The Standard Pro Line Joystick

 

The CX78 aka Europad

 

The Edladdin Seagull 78 Adapter (let's you use Genesis controllers on 2 button 7800 games)

 

The Edladdin Supreme 78: All Play 4/8 (Premium, Convertible 4-way/ 8-way Joystick)

 

The Edladdin Super Twin 78 (Premium Twin Stick Joystick)

[greenween]

Great stuff as always!

[RickR]

A quick photo tour of various 7800 controller options.

 

The Pro-Line Controller

 

 

This is the controller that came with the USA 7800.  Quick review:  It's terrible.  Why?  Well, basically, hold your hand out like this for a few minutes:

 

 

How does your hand feel?  Is it comfortable to make "the claw"?  I didn't think so.  This flaw is inherent to the 5200 controllers as well.  You have to grip with your last three fingers, and push buttons with the index and thumb "claws".  Like I said, terrible. 

 

By the way, NSG pointed out that this controller, held upside down by the shaft, looks like a Star Trek phaser.  NSG is brilliant.  Set your pro-line to stun!

 

 

 

The Yurkie Mod

 

 

Yurkie, a forum member on Atari Age offers this mod to the 7800 pro-line.  Essentially, it replaces the too long shaft of the original controller with a perfectly sized ball/knob.  Quick review:  It's a huge improvement.  You can more easily move the stick without having to grip so tightly.  But the "claw" buttons still remain a problem.  This is THE way to play games that don't need a button.  For example:  Pac Man Collection or Ms. Pac Man. 

 

The Euro Pad

 

 

Now we're talking.  It's a nice clone of the NES pad that Atari made for the European 7800.  Quick review:  This thing ROCKS.  A huge improvement.  Highly recommended.  Yes the buttons are a little different (not raised enough, too low on the controller), but it's too nitpicky to complain about that.  The little thumb stick part screws on/off....very nice to have a choice for whatever mode is more comfortable for you. 

 

 

The NES Conversion

 

 

Perfection.  An NES pad converted for use on the 7800.  I bought this a long time ago, and I'm not sure if they're made anymore.  Well, unless you made it yourself.  But it is fantastic.

 

 

Others

NoSwearGamer has reviewed a couple of the Edladdin options, and they look really good.  If I were a new 7800 collector, I'd most definitely go with the Genesis controller converter box.  See my notes on the NES conversion above...I imagine a Genesis pad would be even better.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Justin]

These are quite nice too: 

 

 

[RickR]

WOW!  That does look good.

[Yo-Yo]

You're all forgetting one of the best most reliable ways of playing a good chunk of games on Atari 7800:

 

 

[Dan Iacovelli]

These are quite nice too: 

 

 

I am considering getting that

[nosweargamer]

I am considering getting that

 

Those look really sharp and I have heard good things about them. The only reason why I would consider the Supreme 4/8 instead is because it has the ability to turn into an 8-way or 4-way joystick and you have the buttons on either side. 4 way joysticks work great with maze games like Ms. Pac-Man and Dig-Dug. I also found that Donkey Kong on the 7800 responds better with a 4 way joystick.

[Arenafoot]

don't forget about the competition series made by "Yandman"

 

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/218170-yurkies-7800-controller-ball-mod-thumbs-up/?p=2858597

[Dan Iacovelli]

it basically comes to cost. the 7800 arcade one cost 250. I don't know how much supreme 4/8 is?

I'm sure its good

[nosweargamer]

it basically comes to cost. the 7800 arcade one cost 250. I don't know how much supreme 4/8 is?

I'm sure its good

 

http://www.edladdin.com/Supreme-78-All-Play-4-8-ec-1-003.htm

It costs $179 and you can customize the colors of the buttons and joystick ball.

Ed was nice enough to create and give me a coupon for the viewers of my video, NSG, which takes another 10% off the price.

 

No matter what people chose to get, the best part is that their are several 7800 controller options that didn't exist a few years ago! 

[Dan Iacovelli]

179 sounds better then 250, I can always get it cut down more using the points from reward site I'm on to convert to paypal.

[Yo-Yo]

don't forget about the competition series made by "Yandman"

 

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/218170-yurkies-7800-controller-ball-mod-thumbs-up/?p=2858597

 

That looks no where near as good as this:

 

These are quite nice too:

 

 

[Sabertooth]

Or you could DIY it.

 

[Yo-Yo]

Now that's the way to go, chaps

[Dan Iacovelli]

my 7800 controllers stopped working. the fire button stopped registering (seems theres kinck in the wires because when  bend it over by plug it works.)

so any game I have that uses two buttons are out single fire buttons are still good because I have wico ones that work.

[AlamoAtari]

Lots of options. When I get some nerve up, I want to try and make myself a custom controller

[correagonzalez]

The arcade ones look awesome too bad they're my price range lol

[Bakerman]

If I were to get the 7800 again (I probably will, with all the new home-brews and the expansion module now), I'd have to go with the Prosystem Joystick arcade stickor the competition series arcade stick simply because they are a matching color scheme to the 7800, I gotta have controllers that match the system. Back about a decade ago I had a MAAS arcade stick that I custom made and painted for my Jaguar, then later on I modded it further so that the pause and option buttons doubled for the 7800 buttons, I had the best of both worlds...I wish now I hadn't sold it.

[Atari 5200 Guy]

I've thought about building an arcade 7800 joystick a few times.  While the parts are inexpensive I don't have any way to make a nice case.  So...2600 joysticks for me for the most part.  Those 7800 joysticks always hurt my hands from day one.  And, contradicting another post, the 5200 controllers, to me, are more comfortable than the 7800 controllers.