Ultimate Masterplay?

[eegt97]

Happy New Year all!  I've been working on something off and on for a while and trying to decide on how to proceed.  Problem right now is the STM32 chip I had been working with is basically unobtanium like so many others.  I'm basically gauging interest in something like this to determine if I want to move to another embedded processor or not.  I have prototyped a lot of the features so far.  To be honest, I haven't touched it since last summer and looking for motivation to get going again.

 

Major Features:

• USB Joystick support (every "standard" one and the Xbox360 types I tried have worked so far)
• CX40 aka 2600 controller support (works)
• Genesis controller support (3 and 6 button works)
• Paddles support (and works in correct direction)
• USB mouse as Trackball (works, but not as smooth as I'd like, need more investigation)  
• Ability to calibrate the throw of both CX52 Joystick and Paddles
• Rapid Fire Adjust

 

See attached diagram.  Other comments, things that would make this better?

[+cjherr]

I would definitely be interested in this. Count me in. 
 

-Chris

[ledzep]

Is there an option for the keyboard to be shaped to accept the overlays?  Assuming I'm reading that .png correctly.

[+x=usr(1536)]

Potentially interested.  Could CX-40 support be amended to CX-24?  It'd be a plus to have an option for two-button controllers as the default over the DB9 port.

 

(I did see the Genesis controller listed, BTW.)

[thegamezmaster]

For me depends on final price. Interested in one.

[eegt97]

2 hours ago, x=usr(1536) said:

Potentially interested.  Could CX-40 support be amended to CX-24?  It'd be a plus to have an option for two-button controllers as the default over the DB9 port.

 

(I did see the Genesis controller listed, BTW.)

I think that is possible.  The current design does not, but I don't think it is a big change to support.  I will look at that.  This is good feedback.

[eegt97]

9 hours ago, ledzep said:

Is there an option for the keyboard to be shaped to accept the overlays?  Assuming I'm reading that .png correctly.

Currently I was going with a pretty cheap keyboard interface to try and keep costs down.  This would not accept the overlays.  My figuring was you could always have the regular 5200 controller connected and use it for keyboard if you wanted no matter what other controller you used.  But I'll take a look and see what it would do to cost.  Maybe as an alternate option.  I was also thinking of just leaving the header pins exposed and user could roll their own if they wanted.

[0078265317]

This would be F*****G awesome.

[+wongojack]

Is this somehow related to this:

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSw6gO3NINk

 

I think I've seen two people link to this video on Facebook recently.  Does anyone know about this new/old adapter?  I'm shocked that I can't find a thread here specifically about it.  I know the wired-up retro guy is on here, so maybe he can chime in.

 

@ave1

[BIGHMW]

9 hours ago, wongojack said:

Is this somehow related to this:

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSw6gO3NINk

 

I think I've seen two people link to this video on Facebook recently.  Does anyone know about this new/old adapter?  I'm shocked that I can't find a thread here specifically about it.  I know the wired-up retro guy is on here, so maybe he can chime in.

 

@ave1

I (still!) have one of the original versions made by AtariAge/Pixels Past in 2003/04 for the Atari 7800 controllers and used to own two of them plus another two for the 2600/Sega controllers too.

 

The difference between the 2600/Sega version and the 7800 version is that:

 

On the 7800 version only 7800-specific controllers will work on her, and, with both fire buttons, each acting independently, much like the top and bottom 5200 fire buttons do, but in other words no 2600 or Sega controllers will work on that specific version.

 

With the 2600/Sega version, all 2600 joystick, some paddle and even both trak-ball controllers (only on specific games, works on Centipede and Millipede but not on Missile Command or Super Breakout as to my testing years ago) work on that unit, plus the 7800 sticks will also work but with only one fire button.

 

There was also a version that worked with analog PC controllers as well, however I never tried that one out, I hope to God that someway somehow @Albert and the fine folks here at AA would reissue them knowing now you no longer have to rely on recycled 5200 cartridge shells to house them in, you can use a 3-D printer and molded 15-pin plugs like NeoGeo or RetroGameBoyz use rather easily and then sell them cheaper knowing all manufacturing will be more "in-house" as oppose to China or God knows where.

Edited January 11, 2023 by BIGHMW

[BIGHMW]

Here is the video that he is talking about:

 

 

[BIGHMW]

Just watched the entire video. It's SO great to see them being made again, in a bit of a while (about a good month or two afterwards) after I get out of this financial predicament I got myself in I intend to inquire about getting both 2600 AND 7800 versions and from what I saw in the video these are now being made with molded plugs as opposed to the OG versions where @Albert used homemade cords with screw-on DB15 plugs in which each wire had to be hand-soldered in place.

[0078265317]

17 hours ago, BIGHMW said:

Just watched the entire video. It's SO great to see them being made again, in a bit of a while (about a good month or two afterwards) after I get out of this financial predicament I got myself in I intend to inquire about getting both 2600 AND 7800 versions and from what I saw in the video these are now being made with molded plugs as opposed to the OG versions where @Albert used homemade cords with screw-on DB15 plugs in which each wire had to be hand-soldered in place.

Yes it is.  Where are these being made?  I mean who?

[ave1]

On 1/10/2023 at 3:47 PM, wongojack said:

Is this somehow related to this:

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSw6gO3NINk

 

I think I've seen two people link to this video on Facebook recently.  Does anyone know about this new/old adapter?  I'm shocked that I can't find a thread here specifically about it.  I know the wired-up retro guy is on here, so maybe he can chime in.

 

@ave1

Here's the original post here on Atariage back in 2003 about the Redemption 5200 Adapters:

 

 

Be aware that these are currently being made for a very temporary period of time.  Snatch your's up quick while they are available. 

 

The email address of Matthew Jenkins is jenkins2541@gmail.com

[BIGHMW]

7 hours ago, ave1 said:

Be aware that these are currently being made for a very temporary period of time.  Snatch your's up quick while they are available. 

 

The email address of Matthew Jenkins is jenkins2541@gmail.com

I will do so after I pay the final installment of the payday loan on February 2nd, the next social security check comes in the following day, so the rent will be first and then I'll get one of each (2600 & 7800 editions) after that, depending on their asking price.

[Shawn]

1 hour ago, BIGHMW said:

I will do so after I pay the final installment of the payday loan on February 2nd, the next social security check comes in the following day, so the rent will be first and then I'll get one of each (2600 & 7800 editions) after that, depending on their asking price.

Dude, nobody cares about your financials.

 

[+Allan]

I am interested in one @eegt97

[thegamezmaster]

Depends on final cost for me but sounds great.

[0078265317]

16 hours ago, ave1 said:

Here's the original post here on Atariage back in 2003 about the Redemption 5200 Adapters:

 

 

Be aware that these are currently being made for a very temporary period of time.  Snatch your's up quick while they are available. 

 

The email address of Matthew Jenkins is jenkins2541@gmail.com

How much did the redemption adapter cost you?

[+wongojack]

I emailed him and ordered one.  He sent me this:

 

The adapters are $60 plus 7.89 for priority postage. I handmake them and use the same circuit board as the original issue from 2003. The main difference is that I use a longer 6' extension cord rather than a short pigtail. This allows the adapter to also function as a controller extension cable. I test them individually before shipping to ensure that all the keypad and controller functions are working correctly.

 

I recommend the version that works natively with Atari 2600 and Sega Genesis pads, but I can make 7800-controller-compatible ones as well. 

In Steve’s video, he attempts to use 2600-compatible sticks with the 7800 adapter, which it wasn’t designed to work with.  

He eventually gets it working by inserting the Seagull 78 adapter, but no adapters are necessary with the Atari 2600/Sega version; these work directly with Atari 2600 sticks for 1-button games, or Sega Genesis / Sega Master System sticks for 2-button games, as well as other 2600-compatible sticks.

 

 

You can send $67.89 via PayPal to jenkins2541@gmail.com (or Venmo to 317-407-6265 / @Matthew-Jenkins-66)

and I’ll get it shipped out on Tuesday.

 

Feel free to let me know if you have any questions, and thanks again for your interest. Happy gaming,  Matthew

[ave1]

On 1/14/2023 at 10:58 PM, 0078265317 said:

How much did the redemption adapter cost you?

PM'd you

[David Alexander]

Interested and following.

[thegamezmaster]

On 1/14/2023 at 11:09 PM, wongojack said:

I emailed him and ordered one.  He sent me this:

 

The adapters are $60 plus 7.89 for priority postage. I handmake them and use the same circuit board as the original issue from 2003. The main difference is that I use a longer 6' extension cord rather than a short pigtail. This allows the adapter to also function as a controller extension cable. I test them individually before shipping to ensure that all the keypad and controller functions are working correctly.

 

I recommend the version that works natively with Atari 2600 and Sega Genesis pads, but I can make 7800-controller-compatible ones as well. 

In Steve’s video, he attempts to use 2600-compatible sticks with the 7800 adapter, which it wasn’t designed to work with.  

He eventually gets it working by inserting the Seagull 78 adapter, but no adapters are necessary with the Atari 2600/Sega version; these work directly with Atari 2600 sticks for 1-button games, or Sega Genesis / Sega Master System sticks for 2-button games, as well as other 2600-compatible sticks.

 

 

You can send $67.89 via PayPal to jenkins2541@gmail.com (or Venmo to 317-407-6265 / @Matthew-Jenkins-66)

and I’ll get it shipped out on Tuesday.

 

Feel free to let me know if you have any questions, and thanks again for your interest. Happy gaming,  Matthew

So these are still available to buy now? 

[+wongojack]

3 hours ago, thegamezmaster said:

So these are still available to buy now? 

I got mine last week.  Email him.

[john_q_atari]

15 minutes ago, wongojack said:

I got mine last week.  Email him.

I got mine last week also. It is very nicely made. I now have at least 7 different joystick adapters for the 5200. 8 if you count the one i built on perfboard by hand 10 years ago. I should open a museum. 😁

Edited January 22, 2023 by john_q_atari