Atari 5200 Paddle Controller.

[Aswald]

A few days ago, using only some junk lying around, I finally managed to complete a 5200 paddle controller.

It looks much like this:

http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogame...200paddle.html

Except for the part where the cable connects to the controller, and that the knob is from what may have been a Coleco Telstar.

Under the Start, Pause, and Reset buttons are switches from a 1970s VCR. That stupid strip no longer worked (a big problem with these things).

The potentiometer is from a 5200 controller.

The only quirk is: the paddle onscreen does not go quite all the way to the right unless you turn the paddle controller enough to the left with each new game. Obviously, you can either do this before the first serve, or before you even press Start, so it's not a problem- just a bit curious, since it uses a 5200 potentiometer.

Super Breakout is soooo-oooooo-ooo much better now. I've actually managed to complete the DOUBLE and CAVITY options without using the extra 5 serves option.

Funny how I didn't think to try Pole Position with it- I'll do that when I get back. Must be getting old.

To this day, I'll never quite understand Atari's decision to use those 5200 controllers. If they were going to include Super Breakout with the console, why not just include at least one simple paddle controller- heck, including Super Breakout was dumb enough; if you liked the game, you already had the 2600 version!