View Full Version : [SOLVED] My new Atari 7800 and a TrakBall?
aclbandit
12-25-2008, 03:28 PM
For Christmas, I received a rather nice set of Atari stuff: 26ish 2600 games, all in box and most with manuals, and 4 7800 games all in box with manuals.
I also got a huge set of various controller-type peripherals: two of the Gemini things, two of the 7800 joysticks, 3 2600 joysticks and... a trak ball?
I plugged the TrakBall into my 7800, thinking it was for Centiped/Millipede (though I could be wrong-- this stuff is before my time), and the ship just veered right and stayed there. I'm not sure if there's a special setting for it or something, or if it's 7800-incompatible, or what, but it does weird stuff. However, spinning the ball makes the ship move-- just not in the direction you wanted it to. It still stays to the right of the screen.
Help is appreciated. I love classic gaming, but anything before NES is out of my era and expertise. Thanks in advance.
Steve W
12-25-2008, 03:31 PM
Was the trackball in a box? If not, it might not be Atari 2600/7800 compatible. A few other machines from that era used the same plug type, it could be for one of them. If there's a little metal stereo plug port on the back, it could be for the TI-99/4A (it needed an external power supply for some reason).
aclbandit
12-25-2008, 03:35 PM
Was the trackball in a box? If not, it might not be Atari 2600/7800 compatible. A few other machines from that era used the same plug type, it could be for one of them. If there's a little metal stereo plug port on the back, it could be for the TI-99/4A (it needed an external power supply for some reason).
Ah, let me be more specific, then: It says ATARI TRAK-BALL on the thing. No box, but I'm pretty sure it's Atari. Although a TI99/4A TrakBall to go with mine would rock. :)
Youki
12-25-2008, 03:43 PM
I think you have a trackball for Atari 8bit computers ( 400, 800 , XL and XE serie). I don't think there is game that support trackball on 7800.
Is it that one?
http://www.retrogames.co.uk/stock/assets/images/Mach_-_Atari_Trackball_BXD_Nice.jpg
john_soper
12-25-2008, 04:49 PM
The only game I know of is the 2600 Missile Command hack that Atari Age sells. Or you can buy an XEGS because they have Missile Command built in.
And the trackball might have a switch for joystick mode, but that's pretty lame.
aclbandit
12-25-2008, 05:57 PM
I think you have a trackball for Atari 8bit computers ( 400, 800 , XL and XE serie). I don't think there is game that support trackball on 7800.
Is it that one?
http://www.retrogames.co.uk/stock/assets/images/Mach_-_Atari_Trackball_BXD_Nice.jpg
Nope, it's not that either. Here's a pic:
http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd344/aclbandit/1225081755.jpg
aclbandit
12-25-2008, 06:05 PM
Aha! Thank you. I would never have seen it, but thanks to your suggestion, I discovered the switch. When put on "Joystick" mode, it plays centipede great! Thanks guys.
theking21083
12-25-2008, 07:23 PM
None of the Atari 2600 games are trackball compatible. Like mentioned you have to put the switch in joystick mode but that is not how a true trackball game is played. The only games that will use the trackball mode will be ones on the Atari computers. Your model trackball is the first one that was released by Atari and the pic that somebody posted is the second model.
aclbandit
12-26-2008, 12:51 AM
None of the Atari 2600 games are trackball compatible. Like mentioned you have to put the switch in joystick mode but that is not how a true trackball game is played. The only games that will use the trackball mode will be ones on the Atari computers. Your model trackball is the first one that was released by Atari and the pic that somebody posted is the second model.
Aha, splendid. Thank you for clearing that up. I'm not that worried about how great it is, though it obviously isn't as "awesome" onscreen as it feels when I roll it, but whatever. I'm just glad it's not broken :P
Tupin
12-26-2008, 01:19 AM
How weird, I got a 7800 for Christmas too... :D
aclbandit
12-26-2008, 07:30 AM
How weird, I got a 7800 for Christmas too... :D
Grats on that-- enjoy your library of 50 whole games for it! (and the (many, many more numerous) 2600 games that work in it).
Atarileaf
12-26-2008, 10:13 AM
Using the trackball in joystick mode isn't really giving you the full effect. I have one as well, the one Youki posted a picture of, and as mentioned it only works with certain games in true trackball mode and none of the 7800 games or 2600 games support true trackball mode. I do use it for my XEGS and 800XL for missile command and it is absolutely amazing the precise control you get. I paid $10 for mine and it was well worth it, IMO.
Haven't tried it with any other 8-bit games like centipede though.
zektor
12-26-2008, 11:08 AM
I personally thought this Atari Trak-Ball was the pits. The Wico Command Control Trak-Ball is MUCH better.
bust3dstr8
12-26-2008, 11:34 AM
I personally thought this Atari Trak-Ball was the pits. The Wico Command Control Trak-Ball is MUCH better.
Indeed, I got one at a Play N Trade and returned it the next day thinking
it was worn out. After reading a few other users descriptions of it on
Atariage they all said it controlled like crap in stick mode.
john_soper
12-26-2008, 02:23 PM
None of the Atari 2600 games are trackball compatible.
Except the Missile Command hack that Atari Age sells.
http://www.atariage.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=21_85_39&products_id=31
Atarileaf
12-26-2008, 09:52 PM
I personally thought this Atari Trak-Ball was the pits. The Wico Command Control Trak-Ball is MUCH better.
I have both but the Wico doesn't support true trackball mode like the Atari one does. The wico is good but once you play in true trackball mode there's no going back.
Mitch
12-28-2008, 01:09 AM
Except the Missile Command hack that Atari Age sells.
http://www.atariage.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=21_85_39&products_id=31
There's also a 7800 Centipede trackball hack. :)
Mitch
cyberfluxor
12-28-2008, 09:36 AM
No pictures of those nice games but you tease with the trak-ball? Shame on you.
How weird, I got a 7800 for Christmas too... :D
Me too, in 1986. :)
aclbandit
12-29-2008, 01:33 AM
Me too, in 1986. :)
Lol... I actually... wasn't born then.
Atarileaf
12-29-2008, 06:52 AM
Lol... I actually... wasn't born then.
I think its great that a generation of gamers who weren't alive during the glory days of Atari and its contemporaries is finding the joy of these games and systems today. Thats excellent. Enjoy your 2600 and 7800 :)
Lol... I actually... wasn't born then.
I just turned 14 that year. :)