2600+ compatibility with other joysticks/arcade sticks?

[+Intellivision Master]

What are some options when it comes to using certain joysticks/arcade sticks on the new console?

[John Stamos Mullet]

3 minutes ago, Intellivision Master said:

What are some options when it comes to using certain joysticks/arcade sticks on the new console?

Anything that is wired the same as the original 2600 sticks should work just fine.

[scifidude79]

Are you looking for standard second controllers or special controllers? Like John Stamos Mullet said, standard joysticks that are 2600 compatible work. I personally tested 3 standard joysticks from Atari Flashback consoles, they all work. I also tested the Hyperkin Trooper and Ranger controllers, they work too. The Ranger works in both stick and paddle mode, which is handy.

[+Intellivision Master]

1 minute ago, scifidude79 said:

Are you looking for standard second controllers or special controllers? Like John Stamos Mullet said, standard joysticks that are 2600 compatible work. I personally tested 3 standard joysticks from Atari Flashback consoles, they all work. I also tested the Hyperkin Trooper and Ranger controllers, they work too. The Ranger works in both stick and paddle mode, which is handy.

I was looking at some joysticks online for the 2600.  The Archer joystick and the Avantec joystick.

 

[scifidude79]

Ah, those. No, I don't have anything like that to test.

[+Intellivision Master]

Just now, scifidude79 said:

Ah, those. No, I don't have anything like that to test.

I would assume they work on the 2600+.  Because they have the DB9 plug.

[+LS650]

From what I've read, almost every DB9 8-direction joystick works, along with Atari paddles.

Besides the included Atari CX-40+ joystick, I've tried a Suncom Starfighter, a Suncom Slik Stik, a Hyperkin Trooper, an Atgames Flashback stick, and a Hyperkin Ranger.

They all work well with a variety of games.  The paddle controller in the Ranger works... okay.  I still prefer an Atari paddle in good condition, but that can be hard to find.

[xboxiso]

From what I understand the Sega Master system controller works, but the Sega Genesis controller does not.

[scifidude79]

I don't own a Master System or any Master System controllers, but I can confirm that Genesis controllers don't work. I tried both a 3-button and a 6-button that I've had for eons, but they still work on a Genesis or Genesis clone console, but not on the 2600+.

[+SabertoothRetro]

The 2600+ does not appear to work with the Coleco Gemini Dual Command.  I had a Gemini as a kid, so this is a bummer.

 

It works fine on original hardware and the Retron77. So much for working with original peripherals.

[+Intellivision Master]

4 minutes ago, SabertoothRetro said:

The 2600+ does not appear to work with the Coleco Gemini Dual Command.  I had a Gemini as a kid, so this is a bummer.

 

It works fine on original hardware and the Retron77. So much for working with original peripherals.

That's the problem with the new console.  Some controllers just don't work.  Hopefully the firmware update fixes that.

[fluxit]

37 minutes ago, SabertoothRetro said:

The 2600+ does not appear to work with the Coleco Gemini Dual Command.  I had a Gemini as a kid, so this is a bummer.

 

It works fine on original hardware and the Retron77. So much for working with original peripherals.

The Dual Command stick also doesn't work with some of the Flashbacks.  The problem, IIRC is that it is detecting the paddle, and 'thinks' that the DC is just a paddle.  You can make a pass-through dongle that temporarily disconnects the first paddle line, so that the console can't detect the paddle.

Edited December 3, 2023 by fluxit
added image

[suspicious_milk]

21 hours ago, scifidude79 said:

I don't own a Master System or any Master System controllers, but I can confirm that Genesis controllers don't work. I tried both a 3-button and a 6-button that I've had for eons, but they still work on a Genesis or Genesis clone console, but not on the 2600+.

I can confirm SMS Joysticks work great (I'll assume the pads are no different). Never owned a SMS but couldn't turn down a pair of actual sticks with buttons on the left side just as the lord intended.

[Spanner]

No joysticks or Pads that have a IC in them like the Mega Drive Control Pad, the joysticks works the same way if you put a DB9 connector on THEC64 Joystick or on a C64 DTV Joystick, it need a direct line to Up, Down, Left, Right and Fire.

If it has a switch for auto fire and not a IC connected to it, it should work, it needs a direct line to the fire button.

[danny_galaga]

On 12/4/2023 at 3:30 AM, suspicious_milk said:

I can confirm SMS Joysticks work great (I'll assume the pads are no different). Never owned a SMS but couldn't turn down a pair of actual sticks with buttons on the left side just as the lord intended.

Yes, absolutely ANY controller that just consists of switches and no electronics is going to work. Switches is switches. Genesis is electronic so I'm guessing it causes issues with the 2600+. But even on original C64 and Atari etc you want to be careful with genesis controllers else you blow something up. 

[Gordo]

I've tried a bunch of joysticks and pads. The 500XJ Epyx stick works great. All the WICO Bat and Ball sticks work. The Sega Master System game pads work.  The Gemini sticks don't and I couldn't get my crappy C64 joystick to work...but maybe its broken. Genesis pads no. 

Will the Genesis pads work with a Mega7800 adapter? Can anyone confirm this? 

joysticks.jfif 7800.jfif

[DEANJIMMY]

1 minute ago, Gordo said:

I've tried a bunch of joysticks and pads. The 500XJ Epyx stick works great. All the WICO Bat and Ball sticks work. The Sega Master System game pads work.  The Gemini sticks don't and I couldn't get my crappy C64 joystick to work...but maybe its broken. Genesis pads no. 

Will the Genesis pads work with a Mega7800 adapter? Can anyone confirm this? 

joysticks.jfif 559.99 kB · 0 downloads 7800.jfif 561.15 kB · 0 downloads

We tested yesterday a Genesis pad connected to a Mega7800 on the 2600+ and it worked with two fire buttons (7800 games).

 

Could not test an 8bitdo Genesis receiver instead of the pad yet (hopfully it does not take too much power or can be powered externally). I want to connect via bluetooth an arcade stick or dualsense...

[Gordo]

6 minutes ago, DEANJIMMY said:

We tested yesterday a Genesis pad connected to a Mega7800 on the 2600+ and it worked with two fire buttons (7800 games).

 

Could not test an 8bitdo Genesis receiver instead of the pad yet (hopfully it does not take too much power or can be powered externally). I want to connect via bluetooth an arcade stick or dualsense...

Great to know! I ordered one a couple weeks back hoping it would work. Should be here soon. I have a 8bitdo for my Genesis, so I'll try it out later. 

[jzbadblood]

The Discwasher Pointmaster Joystick works. I've been playing a ton of Chopper Command with it.

[scifidude79]

Maybe a bit of an odd one, but I see these original Flasback controllers on Ebay:

 

Does anyone have one and know if they'll work? I have a NIB copy of Tower Toppler on the way because I have a lot of fond memories of being frustrated by playing that game on the 7800 back in the day and, if I remember correctly, it uses both buttons. So, I need something with two buttons until Atari releases a new 7800 controller.

[tradyblix]

I bought one of those "RetroGameBoyz" custom 7800/2600 controller pads. I'll report back when I get it if it works okay or not. (in both modes) 

[Bitsized]

45 minutes ago, tradyblix said:

I bought one of those "RetroGameBoyz" custom 7800/2600 controller pads. I'll report back when I get it if it works okay or not. (in both modes) 

I bought one of these recently, it came in last week and works very well.  I mostly tested with 7800 games and a few 2600 - the buttons are reversed but nevertheless is effective.

[+Intellivision Master]

12 hours ago, Bitsized said:

I bought one of these recently, it came in last week and works very well.  I mostly tested with 7800 games and a few 2600 - the buttons are reversed but nevertheless is effective.

I bought one as well.  I haven't received it yet.  But as far as the reversed buttons, that's supposed to be fixed with the firmware update.

[DEANJIMMY]

On 12/5/2023 at 2:08 PM, Gordo said:

Great to know! I ordered one a couple weeks back hoping it would work. Should be here soon. I have a 8bitdo for my Genesis, so I'll try it out later. 

The 8bitdo Genesis receiver together with a Mega7800 works fine, including A/B buttons in 7800 games but you have to power it via its USB port. Otherwise button A goes mad with rapid fire, as the 2600+ does not provide enough power on its 9pol port. A Genesis pad takes less current and works without any additional power of cause😊

 

Edited December 7, 2023 by DEANJIMMY

[Gordo]

On 12/7/2023 at 4:57 PM, DEANJIMMY said:

The 8bitdo Genesis receiver together with a Mega7800 works fine, including A/B buttons in 7800 games but you have to power it via its USB port. Otherwise button A goes mad with rapid fire, as the 2600+ does not provide enough power on its 9pol port. A Genesis pad takes less current and works without any additional power of cause😊

 

 

 

Just tried the Mega7800 with with the original Genesis 8bitdo wireless controllers. They work without USB power. In fact they don't have a USB port on them.