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Atari 2600 Joystick To USB Adapter Announced

Posted by simoniker on from the classic-controller-lust dept.

TheAlchemist writes "AtariAge and Pixels Past have announced the creation of the Stelladaptor 2600 to USB Interface. This new hardware product allows you to connect standard Atari 2600 joysticks, paddles, and driving controllers to modern Windows, Macintosh and Linux computers. They have worked closely with the authors of the excellent z26 Atari 2600 Emulator, and an updated version of z26 for Windows will be released that automatically recognizes when the Stelladaptor is plugged in and allows you to play joystick, paddle, and driving controller games without any additional configuration. You can also use your Atari 2600 joystick and paddle controllers with the popular MAME arcade emulator, and standard Atari 2600 joysticks will work with any emulators that support standard USB controllers. The Stelladaptor will debut at the upcoming PhillyClassic 5 gaming expo later this month."

3 of 53 comments (clear)

  1. Hmmm by Predathar · · Score: 5, Informative
    The joystick was awful, I always found it hard to use and that it lacked buttons (only has 1). The paddle however was cool.

    But if you wanted some nice controllers, Coleco had them, the wheel and the pedals rocked, the super sized controllers for the sports games were great (although I kept getting blisters with them) with the little roller, the 4 buttons, and when you used it, it looked like a killer glove to hit someone with, not that I ever did, mind you :)

  2. And don't forget... by Jerf · · Score: 4, Interesting

    that while the Atari 2600 joysticks were awful, you also should be able to use the full range of Commodore 64 joysticks were were identical, or Sega Genesis controllers (where you use the "B" button as the single fire key).

    (Personally, while I enjoy many 2600 games the joystick is a completely loser for me, especially the ones I've used which tend to be old and only marginally working anyhow. Plug one of those other controllers in and the game immediately becomes more fun. Interestingly, sometimes it immediately becomes easier too, and I'm not a fan of a game being difficult because the controller is fighting you.)

    I can't completely guarentee this since I haven't tried it but I see no reason it shouldn't work.

  3. gotta love technology by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    A simple old joystick, probably a couple pots or rotary encoders, driving some simple ultra-low-res blocky graphics.

    Never mind the massive amounts of hi-tech complexity in between.. just to get the same result as an old box of 7400-series logic chips.

    And this old box 1) "booted" immediately, just turn it on, 2) didn't get viruses, 3) didn't leak your credit card number to a script kiddy in Russia.

    *shakes head*

    I don't know what the exact point of this post is, except it makes me want to shake my fist at the screen and say "These kids today... " :-)