VecAdapt Joystick Add-On

[Computer Nerd Kev]

I've designed an add-on device for my VecAdapt controller adapters. Now Atari compatible joysticks can be used with the Vectrex as well as the Mega Drive / Genesis controllers that the VecAdapt works with directly.

To make up for the lack of buttons on the Atari joysticks, a mode is provided where Up/Down movements trigger Vectrex button functions, which can be configured using the buttons on the device.

Design information is here:
computernerdkev.heliohost.org/vecadapt/vecjstick/index.htm

They are available to buy from my online store here:
www.ombertech.com/joystickadapter.php

[cNp]

An adapter for an adapter

Great stuff! Thanks for the head's up.

[gliptitude]

Is this compatible with all versions of the VecAdapt? I assumed this works with the old version of the VecAdapt and ordered one just now.

[Computer Nerd Kev]

Apr 21, 2019 13:28:11 GMT -5 gliptitude said:

Is this compatible with all versions of the VecAdapt? I assumed this works with the old version of the VecAdapt and ordered one just now.

Sure, the VecAdapt hasn't changed much electronically, and I tested it with all the versions anyway just to be sure.

[gliptitude]

I've been playing with mine. Of course it is best with joystick games that only require one action button. But I also found it useable and interesting in some multi-button games even including setups involving switching the configuration during gameplay.

Something cool to consider and I think that should be advertised more clearly was a surprise to me is that you can assign ANY vectrex button to the Atari button WITHOUT forfeiting up/down on the joystick. The two swap buttons on the new device work even when the "up/down to fire" button is not pressed. So pressing 3/4 swap makes the Atari fire button 3. Then flipping the button swap on the VecAdapt makes 1 or 2 the fire button, depending on if the 1/2 swap is pressed. You can have the full four direction joystick plus any single Vectrex button.

I'm not sure if anyone would design a new joystick around this, but it's a nice option that you could now based on the straight-forward-as-could-be design of Atari digital controllers. For example a joystick just for War of the Worlds that had a restricted Left/Right joystick and then arcade buttons for Atari up and down. I guess maximum available Vectrex buttons at a time without reconfiguring would be three so I'd eliminate the pause button in WotW.

I tried stringing in line a third adapter I have that is for adapting 15pin analog PC sticks to digital Atari. It did not work unfortunately.

[Computer Nerd Kev]

Thanks for the comments. I'll have a go at revising the description at some point to highlight the Fire button assignment. Maybe a diagram, if I can design one that reduces confusion rather than adding to it.

Shame about the PC joystick adapter not working, I can imagine what the problem is (it's outputs don't work quite the same as physical switches), but there's not much to be done about it.