[SOLVED] My new Atari 7800 and a TrakBall?

[aclbandit]

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]

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]

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]

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?

[john_soper]

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]

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?

Nope, it's not that either. Here's a pic:

[aclbandit]

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]

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]

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]

How weird, I got a 7800 for Christmas too...

[aclbandit]

How weird, I got a 7800 for Christmas too...

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]

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]

I personally thought this Atari Trak-Ball was the pits. The Wico Command Control Trak-Ball is MUCH better.

[bust3dstr8]

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]

None of the Atari 2600 games are trackball compatible.

Except the Missile Command hack that Atari Age sells.
http://www.atariage.com/store/index....products_id=31

[Atarileaf]

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]

Except the Missile Command hack that Atari Age sells.
http://www.atariage.com/store/index....products_id=31

There's also a 7800 Centipede trackball hack.

Mitch

[cyberfluxor]

No pictures of those nice games but you tease with the trak-ball? Shame on you.

[Zap!]

How weird, I got a 7800 for Christmas too...

Me too, in 1986.

[aclbandit]

Me too, in 1986.

Lol... I actually... wasn't born then.