TI-99 joystick ?

[ghostangelofcky]

So I have a TI-99/4a and a set of TI joysticks, I plug them into the side port and then I can't get them to work with the games.

The alpha lock is off (up) so is there a command I need to enter or what.

need some help.

[scooterb23]

I believe there is a port on the back. Plug them there, it should work. I did the exact same thing when I got my TI

[Buyatari]

Port in the back is for the cassette cable to download Scott Adams adventure tapes and Teach yourself basic tapes etc.

One on the side is for joysticks. With caplocks set joysticks still work but are limited. They don't go up or something like that. If you get nothing then its either the joystick or the TI.

[scooterb23]

Never mind then, my mind's was playing tricks on me last night.

[k8track]

I've gone on record publicly here as saying that I think the TI Joysticks are the worst ever (whenever those "What system had the worst controllers?" polls pop up occasionally). Hopefully it's just the joysticks that are faulty. Get yourself an adapter that will allow you to use Atari 2600/compatible joysticks; it's the only way to go.

The TI-99 4/A is a GREAT system. Get some good joysticks and enjoy the games.

[Buyatari]

TI joysticks were bad. I often used the keyboard over them. BUT they are not as bad as Intellivision or Atari 5200. The Apple joysticks were terrible as well. TI doesn't get first place in this catagory a couple others are far worse.

[vintagegamecrazy]

I don't know, they are awefully spongy and quite unbalanced and awkward to use, I prefer Intellivision any day.

[YoshiM]

I've gone on record publicly here as saying that I think the TI Joysticks are the worst ever (whenever those "What system had the worst controllers?" polls pop up occasionally). Hopefully it's just the joysticks that are faulty. Get yourself an adapter that will allow you to use Atari 2600/compatible joysticks; it's the only way to go.

The TI-99 4/A is a GREAT system. Get some good joysticks and enjoy the games.

Oh I gotta agree. Not overly comfortable, kinda stiff (at least the ones I had), fire button isn't overly responsive. Flying my ship to refuel in Parsec was 50/50 skill and luck.

[ghostangelofcky]

Thanx all, I was checking out the Deathskull labs site and I think I'll take a wack and building a 2600 - TI99 converter, I mean hell why not I had to build the video cable!

And yes these joysticks are butt awful, crap response, and the fire button dosen't even feel like it's there. I cracked the joystick open and the contacts are rubbing off from the plastic insert, so those things are done.

But, Star Trek is still fun even with the keyboard!

[Arqueologia_Digital]

I don't know, they are awefully spongy and quite unbalanced and awkward to use, I prefer Intellivision any day.

Agree 100%...

Matías

[Buyatari]

No need to make an adapter. At least two companys made one WICO was one of them. Search for "Y adapter" but take note that the adapter for the Coleco Gemini doesn't work on the TI.

Adam

[ghostangelofcky]

Thanks Buyatari, I'll start keeping an eye out for it on Ebay.

[ianoid]

There are also several 3rd party solutions. There are Y joysticks from Amiga, Superstik (weird) and I think another. Any pair of sticks united at the plug is probably for TI-99.

[ghostangelofcky]

There are also several 3rd party solutions. There are Y joysticks from Amiga, Superstik (weird) and I think another. Any pair of sticks united at the plug is probably for TI-99.

I thought that to at first, but TI had to be different, atari, commodore/amiga, and sega controllers have a different pin-out than TI.

Funny thing is my father-in-law was a programmer for TI back in the day, so I've been giving him shit for TI's not being universal like Atari/Amiga.