GroovyBee Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 For CGE 2010 I'm proud to announce the development of the GB-XC1 joystick controller interface. The GB-XC1 connects a Sony PlayStation PS1/2 controller to both joystick ports on the Atari 7800 simultaneously. The GB-XC1 was primarily designed to play Robotron: 2084 using a Sony PlayStation Dual Shock controller thus allowing the player to move and fire in independent directions. The interface is also compatible with the existing Atari 7800 back catalogue and homebrew game library. A prototype unit will be available to play test on the AA stand. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrekMD Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 Wow, very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rybags Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 Nice - I presume then it should work just fine on the computer line too, and maybe the C-64 (it can't do output to the joystick lines). Potentially a pretty huge market there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GroovyBee Posted July 28, 2010 Author Share Posted July 28, 2010 Nice - I presume then it should work just fine on the computer line too, and maybe the C-64 (it can't do output to the joystick lines). Thanks for the compliment. The next version will work on more than just the 7800/2600. The games on the console/computer don't need to be changed. There is a microcontroller at the heart of the interface that does all the conversion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rybags Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 I'm sure (maybe even linked from here) someone's done a similar interface on the C64. What would be nice with this kind of thing is if you did multiple modes of operation, like legacy compatible and full-featured, where you could query the whole range of buttons and analog stick positions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GroovyBee Posted July 28, 2010 Author Share Posted July 28, 2010 What would be nice with this kind of thing is if you did multiple modes of operation, like legacy compatible and full-featured, where you could query the whole range of buttons and analog stick positions. My thoughts exactly. Its on my list of "nice to have" features for version two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Dart Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 Pretty damn cool! What buttons translate to what atari inputs, exactly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GroovyBee Posted July 28, 2010 Author Share Posted July 28, 2010 Pretty damn cool! What buttons translate to what atari inputs, exactly? There is a full list on the page I linked to. However in the next version it will be player programmable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrizzLee Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 For CGE 2010 I'm proud to announce the development of the GB-XC1 joystick controller interface. The GB-XC1 connects a Sony PlayStation PS1/2 controller to both joystick ports on the Atari 7800 simultaneously. The GB-XC1 was primarily designed to play Robotron: 2084 using a Sony PlayStation Dual Shock controller thus allowing the player to move and fire in independent directions. The interface is also compatible with the existing Atari 7800 back catalogue and homebrew game library. A prototype unit will be available to play test on the AA stand. Should work on 2600 games too... correct? Off the top of my head Spy Hunter Stargate ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GroovyBee Posted July 28, 2010 Author Share Posted July 28, 2010 Should work on 2600 games too... correct? Correct! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underball Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 (edited) Does it work properly with the two-button 7800 games like Commando and Chopilfter? EDIT: I see from the spec sheet that it does. Although I do see one sort-of problem You've mapped SQUARE and TRIANGLE as the default buttons, yet X is the Default "Button 1" for most US Playstation 1/2 users. Nobody uses the damn TRIANGLE button for anything. Edited July 28, 2010 by Underball Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GroovyBee Posted July 28, 2010 Author Share Posted July 28, 2010 Although I do see one sort-of problem The next version will be player programmable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HammR25 Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 Will this work with wireless PS2 controllers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GroovyBee Posted July 28, 2010 Author Share Posted July 28, 2010 Will this work with wireless PS2 controllers? I haven't tested it with one so I don't know. I also haven't tested it with any of the clone PS1/2 controllers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popmilo Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 Great idea man! Always nice to see projects like that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GroovyBee Posted July 28, 2010 Author Share Posted July 28, 2010 Great idea man! Always nice to see projects like that... Thanks for the compliment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GroovyBee Posted July 28, 2010 Author Share Posted July 28, 2010 Will this work with wireless PS2 controllers? Just having a look on eBay for wireless controllers. Are the Mad Catz ones any good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HammR25 Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 They're probably fine for play testing. This has pretty good ratings but I'm not sure how much you're looking to spend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bakasama Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 I think I see the hidden reason for this thread. It would be just odd for Robotron is the only reason for this adaptor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GroovyBee Posted July 28, 2010 Author Share Posted July 28, 2010 They're probably fine for play testing. This has pretty good ratings but I'm not sure how much you're looking to spend. Thanks for that. Well within budget . I'll get a couple of different brands in when I start version two of the hardware. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GroovyBee Posted July 28, 2010 Author Share Posted July 28, 2010 I think I see the hidden reason for this thread. It would be just odd for Robotron is the only reason for this adaptor. Conspiracy theories abound! There is no hidden reason. The controller interface is what it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bakasama Posted July 29, 2010 Share Posted July 29, 2010 Sure, but acting like a conspiracy nut is fun, in small doses. Still, it might be cool to have a game like Berzerk with these kind of controls. I was wondering, can this work like a trakball? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GroovyBee Posted July 29, 2010 Author Share Posted July 29, 2010 I was wondering, can this work like a trakball? The microcontroller has full control over the joystick inputs so its certainly possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaybird3rd Posted July 29, 2010 Share Posted July 29, 2010 I'm very excited by this project, and I wish I had some wireless PlayStation controllers that I could donate for testing. I use first-party PlayStation 2 controllers (through a USB adapter) as my primary controllers on the PC, but I'm sure you already have enough of those. As I've written before, gamepads are generally not well-suited for many of the original 2600/7800 games (which were really designed with joysticks in mind), but this adapter opens up some interesting possibilities for new games. In particular, I'm looking forward to trying Robotron with the thumb sticks, a combination that I already use with the original coin-op Robotron through emulation. I'm also looking forward to seeing what possibilities it might create for multi-player games, especially if a future version of the adapter will allow multiple controllers to be connected to the 7800 through a serialized interface. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HammR25 Posted July 29, 2010 Share Posted July 29, 2010 They're probably fine for play testing. This has pretty good ratings but I'm not sure how much you're looking to spend. Thanks for that. Well within budget . I'll get a couple of different brands in when I start version two of the hardware. If you're going to get a couple of different brands I'd probably get the Logitech Cordless Action Controller as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
AtariAge on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Chat on Discord
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.