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Post by TrekMD on Feb 6, 2013 16:49:06 GMT -5
So, we all know all the different types of controllers of the retro age. What was your preferred controller? I admit that the simplicity of the 2600 joystick is hard to beat. It just worked. The 7800 Pro Line joystick just kills hands but the 7800 joypad definitely makes playing games on the system more enjoyable. All three of these controllers are pictured above. Of course, the Vectrex controller is another favorite of mine. Easy to use but with flexibility for extra functions thanks to the additional buttons.
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Post by VectorX on Feb 6, 2013 17:21:58 GMT -5
Vectrex was definitely very good. Having four buttons back then was a lot.
I wish I had the 7800 keypad controllers, but I don't. I had the regular joysticks, which were ok.
I liked the Sega Genesis controllers a lot too. Pretty comfortable.
The Pointmaster joysticks for the 2600 were really well-designed for back then, since either left or right handers could use them, plus they were really sharp-looking in that black plastic. I didn't find them to lasting very long though; if they were more durable they probably would've been my favorite for the 2600.
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Post by TrekMD on Feb 6, 2013 17:32:04 GMT -5
Is this the Pointmaster Controller you are referring to? It does look like a nice joystick. I never had these and I don't even remember seeing these anywhere.
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Post by VectorX on Feb 6, 2013 17:42:33 GMT -5
Yep, that's it, exactly. Comfortable, great-looking, for left or right handers, but long-lasting, unfortunately no. I never had these and I don't even remember seeing these anywhere. I believe I got mine at a local Toys 'r Us.
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Post by TrekMD on Feb 6, 2013 17:48:06 GMT -5
Yep, that's it, exactly. Comfortable, great-looking, for left or right handers, but long-lasting, unfortunately no. I never had these and I don't even remember seeing these anywhere. I believe I got mine at a local Toys 'r Us. What part broke? Was the joystick itself too weak?
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Post by VectorX on Feb 6, 2013 18:11:23 GMT -5
The joystick would wear out so you couldn't perform whatever movements were needed depending on whatever a game required. So, hello, Mr. Trash Can.
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Post by TrekMD on Feb 6, 2013 18:40:27 GMT -5
The joystick would wear out so you couldn't perform whatever movements were needed depending on whatever a game required. So, hello, Mr. Trash Can. That sucks. I wonder how difficult they would have been to fix.
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Post by VectorX on Feb 6, 2013 19:02:00 GMT -5
I don't know, but it happens with all controllers eventually.
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Post by wyldephang on Feb 6, 2013 21:41:24 GMT -5
I like how the Atari 5200 controller isn't even pictured. I suppose it's within the subconscious of every gamer to avoid one at all costs! And not surprisingly, the Nintendo 64 controller doesn't appear anywhere on that collage. I think it wouldn't be quite as reviled if the analog sticks had been more durable. I have a tendency to favor the Super Nintendo controller over all others. The one seen in that collage is either a Japanese or European controller, which had the multicolored face buttons. The U.S. Super Nintendo controller was more plain than its international counterparts, but it was just as functional. I liked its directional pad--basic, yet functional--and the overall layout of the buttons. Speaking of which, the Super Nintendo was one of the first consoles to fully support shoulder buttons on the controller, opening up more possibilities. Games would utilize the shoulder buttons for anything from punches and kicks (Street Fighter II) to weapon switching (Mega Man X) and aiming (Super Metroid). The Genesis 3-button controller is a workhorse, built to withstand decades of abuse. I especially like the D-pad on the Genesis controllers, too, because it's very responsive and detects sensitive movements. But when games like Mortal Kombat started to be ported over to the Genesis, the three face buttons were no longer sufficient. That's where the 6-button controller, the Arcade Pad, becomes the peripheral of choice: Honorable mentions: NES Advantage: it introduced NES gamers to the wonders of rapid fire, making button-mashing and thumb fatigue worries of the past. The NES Advantage was designed to look and feel like an actual arcade stick, and brought the feel of the arcades to the gamer's living room. Atari 2600 controller: pure simplicity of design and economy of function made this joystick one of the best of its time. Many people would consider the original 2600 controller to be superior to its 5200 and 7800 (Pro-Line) revisions.
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Post by TrekMD on Feb 6, 2013 21:53:28 GMT -5
Ah yes, the Atari 5200 controller. Hated my most players. I've found that the 5200 controller isn't as bad as most people say. It all depends no how the game control mechanics have been programmed. For games that were programmed to take advantage of the joystick, control works just fine. For certain games (like Pac-Man), the control can be challenging indeed. So, to give it some spotlight, here is a picture of the 5200 controller: The other controller that people love to have is the Intellivision controller. That's another controller that definitely is dependent on how the games are programmed to respond to them.
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Post by VectorX on Feb 6, 2013 21:57:26 GMT -5
It's too bad how the joystick part of the 5200 controller came out, because the rest of it, in theory, was so BAD ASS back then, having the number pad, a pause AND system reset button right on the sticks themselves (that's right, if you had a game with a rare pause function [2600 Return of the Jedi: Death Star Battle comes to mind], you'd have to actually press a button on the console itself to work it! Gasp!). And they still look cool to this day as well, in my opinion. (Unfortunately, looks ain't everything )
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Post by TrekMD on Feb 6, 2013 22:03:46 GMT -5
It's too bad how the joystick part of the 5200 controller came out, because the rest of it, in theory, was so BAD ASS back then, having the number pad, a pause AND system reset button right on the sticks themselves (that's right, if you had a game with a rare pause function [2600 Return of the Jedi: Death Star Battle comes to mind], you'd have to actually press a button on the console itself to work it! Gasp!). And they still look cool to this day as well, in my opinion. (Unfortunately, looks ain't everything ) The 5200 controllers were the first ever to introduce a PAUSE button. That makes them quite special from that perspective. Their only fault is the lack of self-centering. That "fault" makes them ideal for playing games like Centipede, Millepede, and Robotron. In fact, there's even a special dual-control holder for playing Robotron that really makes it feel like you're playing in the arcade.
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Post by VectorX on Feb 6, 2013 22:31:06 GMT -5
^...plus Space Dungeon also had a duel-joystick setup too, correct? If not...well, I always wanted to play that game anyway ;D
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Post by TrekMD on Feb 6, 2013 22:33:56 GMT -5
^...plus Space Dungeon also had a duel-joystick setup too, correct? If not...well, I always wanted to play that game anyway ;D Yes it does. It is the other title that makes use of the set up.
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Post by wyldephang on Feb 6, 2013 23:16:01 GMT -5
The 5200 controllers were the first ever to introduce a PAUSE button. That makes them quite special from that perspective. Their only fault is the lack of self-centering. That "fault" makes them ideal for playing games like Centipede, Millepede, and Robotron. In fact, there's even a special dual-control holder for playing Robotron that really makes it feel like you're playing in the arcade. Not even the Master System controllers were outfitted with a pause button. ;D But aside of the shortcomings (if you could call them that) in the 5200 controller design, many people complain about the controllers having a short lifespan. Has anyone here come across an inoperable 5200 controller?
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