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!

[Pantechnicon]

Pics or it didn't happen.

[Aswald]

Well pictures of my Digital 5200 controller should soon be on another website. Along with the original prototype paddle controller.

But what would it prove? How would you know that it's not just a mock-up that doesn't work? In any case, I doubt anyone would ever accuse me of lying about anything video game related.

[Pantechnicon]

It's not a question of "proving" anything so much as it is giving the rest of the community here at DP an opportunity to see the work you've done, and give you either appropriate praise or constructive criticism on your handiwork.

You've been talking about these various 5200 controller projects of yours for roughly 18 months now. All you ever offer up for review are arcane text explanations and links to stock photos of existing controllers and say "Well, it's like this stuck to one of these." As useful as you might think this information is, it doesn't really help those of us who might want to build something like this on our own.

Furthermore, while I wouldn't want to think you'd lie about something related to videogames, at the same time I find it highly dubious that someone with the technical competence to build his own Atari 5200 controllers lacks the ability to put pictures online of the end results of your labors. I don't think it's unreasonable to ask to see some actual visual indications of your finished products.

It's like you're trying to verbally describe what your favorite band sounds like without letting anyone hear your CD collection and then getting frustrated that we don't like the band as much as you do.

But I'm still willing to give you the benefit of the doubt, so...

Well pictures of my Digital 5200 controller should soon be on another website. Along with the original prototype paddle controller.

1. What website will be displaying these pictures?
2. When can we expect to see them?

[cyberfluxor]

Well, it appears Aswald has a post on AtariAge of this as well. I like that Virtual Pilot steering wheel.

[Pantechnicon]

Well, it appears Aswald has a post on AtariAge of this as well.

Well, that's something, then. Looking forward to seeing the finished results.