Paddle controller

[themadhacker]

I have never actually played an atari, and I have this question: Do you actually need the paddle controller for certain games, or can you just use the joystick?

[bicostp]

Yes, you need the paddle controller for certain games.

2600 controllers have no logic. Joysticks are buttons on certain pins, and the paddles are potentiometers on certain other pins. They're generally not interchangeable.

[themadhacker]

Ok, thanks.

[tom61]

If you want compatibility with all games, you also need a driving controller (a potentiometer with no stop, 360 degree rotation), a keypad, and an additional button wired in, as well as having all switches (difficulty, color, etc.) accessible.

[Kyo]

What games used that? Never heard of it

[tom61]

Indy 500 used the driving controller.
Star Raiders used the Atari Video Touch Pad.
Omega Race and couple of other games used an extra button that would slide on top of the normal Atari joystick called a CBS Booster grip.
Space Shuttle used every switch on the console and two joysticks.

http://www.atariage.com/2600/archives/c ... atari.html

Just in case you meant the paddle controllers, they're used on most of the racing games on the 2600, as well as many others, like Demon Attack, a Space Invaders type game.

[wormwood29]

Raiders of The Lost Ark used 2 joysticks. I have Activision Anthology for my PS2 that includes the game KABOOM! and it is impossible to play with the PS2 Anolog Controller. I have been searching to see if anybody made a Paddle for the PS2 and can't find any. To my suprise a lot of people are calling the regualr controllers Paddles, which is making my search a lot harder. Anybody know if any company made a paddle controller for the PS2???