arcade124 Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 I've recently decided to pick up an XEGS, and have one secured. I was wondering, though, I won't be getting the keyboard, are there any 400/800/XL games that would require it to start? I know there's a start button, and that advertising compatibility with these games even on the basic set would've been somewhat of a lie if one couldn't start them with only it, but wanted to check. In particular, the games I plan on getting are Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr, Dig Dug, Ms. Pac-Man, Moon Patrol, for now. Also, does it work with standard 2600 controllers? Like the keyboard, just wanted to check. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenixdownita Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 It works with std 2600 controllers no pb. Wrt to the keyboard you're gonna end up wanting it ... if you just think of adding a U1MB to it or a Side2 or even a MyIDE ][ they all work much much better with a keyboard (as a whole lot of new options open up and you need a keyboard to access them). As for games the one you are listing do not seem to require it as far as memory serves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaybird3rd Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 If I remember correctly, none of the games you mention require a keyboard. The only exception is the pause feature: you'll need a spacebar to pause these games (pressing the Start button on the console during a game would restart it, not pause it). Fortunately, loose XEGS keyboards are relatively cheap; B&C has several of them on eBay ... eBay Auction -- Item Number: 130887512754 ... and if needed, you can extend the short cable with a DB15 extension cord like this one (not mine) ...eBay Auction -- Item Number: 162227878430 And yes, standard 2600 joysticks and paddles are also compatible with the XEGS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rybags Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 Most games with a pause feature use Space, Esc or the P key. Thanks to only 1 fire button, secondary functions like smart bomb can be by keyboard. The only reason I bought my first XEGS was because it came with the keyboard. Without it, it's lacking a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillC Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 Instead of getting an XEGS keyboard you could instead get one of Michaels Transkey-II adapters which allow the use of a PS2 keyboard. There are versions which plug into the XEGS keyboard port, no internal modification required. http://www.ataribits.com 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arcade124 Posted February 28, 2018 Author Share Posted February 28, 2018 Thanks for everyone's assistance! I might get the keyboard down the road, for now I'll just probably get a 2600 controller for it. I did remember one other question: what compatibility does the 5200-style port for the keyboard have with 5200, Famicom, and/or Neo Geo controllers? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Nezgar Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 what compatibility does the 5200-style port for the keyboard have with 5200, Famicom, and/or Neo Geo controllers? None. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenixdownita Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 ... I did remember one other question: what compatibility does the 5200-style port for the keyboard have with 5200, Famicom, and/or Neo Geo controllers? None. Well well now .... none is the right answer with the exception of the NeoGeo controller extension cords, those can safely be used to use the keyboard comfortably at more than the 1 feet the std XEGS keyboard cord allows (yeah it is that short, little helps comes from the fact that the cable is helicoidal/helical and extends some under tension unless you like the keep the tension while typing that is, then it can be a good wrist and forearm exercise) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arcade124 Posted March 13, 2018 Author Share Posted March 13, 2018 Bumping this because I need a controller. Will Master System controllers work? (I have a Dempa XE-1 Pro) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suspicious_milk Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 SMS controllers work... Just not both buttons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arcade124 Posted March 29, 2018 Author Share Posted March 29, 2018 Alright, was looking into the list of 400/800 games that aren't compatible, but this page: http://www.atarimania.com/faq-atari-400-800-xl-xe-what-programs-run-only-on-the-400-and-800-models-and-why_68.html mentions a translator with the original OS can fix that. Two questions: 1. How would I go about getting a translator and applying it? 2. Is the Atarimax Maxflash compatible with the XEGS? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jefffulton Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 Alright, was looking into the list of 400/800 games that aren't compatible, but this page: http://www.atarimania.com/faq-atari-400-800-xl-xe-what-programs-run-only-on-the-400-and-800-models-and-why_68.html mentions a translator with the original OS can fix that. Two questions: 1. How would I go about getting a translator and applying it? 2. Is the Atarimax Maxflash compatible with the XEGS? The Translator works, but I have not been able to get it to work with carts. I have the Video 61 Cartridge version of the translator and if you follow his (Lance's) instructions closely, you can trick you machine into playing Demon Attack. Really though, there are very few games that won't work There are a lot of other devices that let you load a different OS and add extra memory. You'll have fun with it. I use an unmodified XEGS as my main Atari 8bit gaming system. I do have an Ultimate cart, that translator cart, an SIOtoSD to use also. You'll the system. Plus, I have a 130XE set up next to it to play Bosconian and Crownland. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaybird3rd Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 Most of the games which require OS-B have been patched to work with later models of Atari computers, including the XEGS. For example, if you want to play Demon Attack, download this version and boot it from disk instead. Fandal's website is a great resource for XL/XE-patched games, and just about everything else for the Atari computers. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arcade124 Posted March 30, 2018 Author Share Posted March 30, 2018 The Translator works, but I have not been able to get it to work with carts. I have the Video 61 Cartridge version of the translator and if you follow his (Lance's) instructions closely, you can trick you machine into playing Demon Attack. Really though, there are very few games that won't work There are a lot of other devices that let you load a different OS and add extra memory. You'll have fun with it. I use an unmodified XEGS as my main Atari 8bit gaming system. I do have an Ultimate cart, that translator cart, an SIOtoSD to use also. You'll the system. Plus, I have a 130XE set up next to it to play Bosconian and Crownland. I know there were two versions of the homebrew Bosconian, since I would want to have it on a flashcart there's the smaller version that'll work on an XEGS, right? Most of the games which require OS-B have been patched to work with later models of Atari computers, including the XEGS. For example, if you want to play Demon Attack, download this version and boot it from disk instead. Fandal's website is a great resource for XL/XE-patched games, and just about everything else for the Atari computers. Would I be able to download XEGS versions of Mario Bros. (5200 version that was unofficially ported), Ms. Pac-Man, and the Pac-Man Jr. and Super Pac-Man protos and play them on a flashcart? (namely the Maxflash) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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