Radica Space Invaders > 7800 joystick

[shadow460]

Much better to take the cable from a third party Genesis controller. They're usually pretty cheap to buy as well.

 

Mitch

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Or in that case, Genesis extention cords

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I used a genny extension cord to mod my Light Phaser. It's got all nine wires inside, so no need to worry about if it has the pins you need--it does. Typically extension cords are cheaper than a full blown controller anyway.

 

Anyone consider amking one of these into an Asteroids controller? You wouldn't need the stick itself. Night also be good for 2600 Asteroids, too.

[jaybird3rd]

Okay, here's an update. After deciding against using controllers (7800 or otherwise) as "donors" for new cables, I looked around and found a supplier that sells new nine-wire Atari-type cables that should be suitable for this modification. I've got some of those and some resistors on order, and I'll see how they work after I get them in and try them out in my second joystick.

[+remowilliams]

Are the cables molded sets like the original plugs? I've been hacking up extension cables for projects for a while, but I'm beginning to run low

[jaybird3rd]

Are the cables molded sets like the original plugs?  I've been hacking up extension cables for projects for a while, but I'm beginning to run low

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Yes, they're molded cables with wires going to all nine pins. I found them on www.mcminone.com (part number 83-385). The website didn't seem to provide any pictures that I could see, but the picture in their printed catalog looks just like the original Atari cables.

 

Edit: Here is a direct link.

Edited September 10, 2005 by jaybird3rd

[jaybird3rd]

I'm still considering offering modification services on these, but I want to get your opinions and feedback on some ideas I have. I'm also interested in knowing how many people are interested in having an "SI stick" for their 7800. Here are some options I've worked out:

 

First, for those who already have a Space Invaders controller, I could do as keilbaca suggested: have them ship it to me so I can modify it and send it back. I'm thinking of offering this service for $20, which includes the modification itself (using the new cables and other parts), complete testing on both 2600 and 7800 titles, and return shipping.

 

Second, for those who do NOT have a Space Invaders controller but would like to have one, I could go ahead and order them from Gamestop for you and perform the modification and send you the completed controller. I'd have to charge more for this service, but only enough to cover the cost of the controller from Gamestop; probably $30 to $35 total. I know that's a little steep for a 7800 controller, but it's such an improvement over the original controllers that I'd say it's worth it.

 

Let me know what you think, and if you're interested!

[Laner]

I'd definitely be interested...

Edited September 13, 2005 by Laner

[purenergy]

Put me down for one!

[tillenterprises]

Am I the only one who likes the Space Invaders joystick? I think Space Invaders, Phoenix, and Colony 7 are pretty good. I didn't play Qix enough to comment on it, but from what I tried, it didn't seem that bad. Now the Konami stick... that's a whole 'nother story...

[keilbaca]

I'm up for a stick!

[Zonie]

Am I the only one who likes the Space Invaders joystick?  I think Space Invaders, Phoenix, and Colony 7 are pretty good.  I didn't play Qix enough to comment on it, but from what I tried, it didn't seem that bad.  Now the Konami stick... that's a whole 'nother story...

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No. I like the games too. It gets about equal time as Pole Position and Galaga on the Ms. Pacman Stick. I cannot bring myself to cannibalize it. I will have to buy extra's to do that with.

 

I think that a lot of the people that don't like the radica stick's games didn't play them much in the Arcade as Kids. I could be wrong here, as some of the posters are in their late 30's like me, but I think the games are fairly close to original as you can get without turning your TV on its side and sticking it in a cabinet with cigarette burns on the controls.

Edited September 14, 2005 by Zonie

[+remowilliams]

I think that a lot of the people that don't like the radica stick's games didn't play them much in the Arcade as Kids.  I could be wrong here, as some of the posters are in their late 30's like me, but I think the games are fairly close to original as you can get without turning your TV on its side and sticking it in a cabinet with cigarette burns on the controls.

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I played all of them in the arcade as a kid. That's precisely why the stick lasted about 15 minutes in its native mode

 

My assumption tends be the opposite, that people who do like it, have not in fact ever seen the real thing.

 

Not to mention I have a MAME cabinet here so I can always double check memory with the "real" thing. I know this sets purist's hair on fire every time I mention a MAME cab, but it's the original roms

Edited September 14, 2005 by remowilliams

[MaDDuck]

Let me know what you think, and if you're interested!

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INTRESTED!!!!!!

[Lord Helmet]

No. I like the games too.  It gets about equal time as Pole Position and Galaga on the Ms. Pacman Stick.  I cannot bring myself to cannibalize it.  I will have to buy extra's to do that with.

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That's what I did. I bought a used RSA stick off of Ebay for .99 plus shipping so it ended up to be like 5 bucks. I gutted the used one and modded it for the 7800. Being a collector, I couldn't bring myself to mod the one I already had.

[shadow460]

I feel that. It was a bittersweet thing to bring home my SMS gun, never even try it on an SMS, and just cut into it for the 7800 mod.

It works, but Crossbow has gotten maybe a couple hours' play time. I thought of breaking out some other gun games, though.

[jaybird3rd]

Okay, another update. I finally got the cables and other parts, and they were a perfect match for this project. Here is a close-up of the interior of one of the joysticks after the modification:

 

 

And here are the first two completed sticks:

 

 

Now that I've got a few built up, I'm ready to start accepting orders. As I mentioned in my earlier post, it will be $20 per stick (including testing and return shipping) if you send me a stick for modification, and $35 per stick if you'd like me to order one new from Gamestop for you. Ordering new sticks will probably take a little longer depending on demand, so if you plan to order a new one, please be patient with me as I wait for the hardware and work through the orders on a first-come, first-serve basis.

 

Even though they won't be connected to anything anymore, I've decided to leave the extra hardware (the power switch and menu/reset buttons) in place, and because some people have said they like it, I'll also leave the Space Invaders sticker on the top of the joystick intact. New joysticks will be shipped in their original packaging. Payment through PayPal is preferred, but if you want to send me a check or money order, that's cool too.

 

Send me a private message if you'd like to place an order and let me know if you're buying new or sending me a stick so we can exchange the relevant information.

Edited September 17, 2005 by jaybird3rd

[jaybird3rd]

Am I the only one who likes the Space Invaders joystick?  I think Space Invaders, Phoenix, and Colony 7 are pretty good.  I didn't play Qix enough to comment on it, but from what I tried, it didn't seem that bad.  Now the Konami stick... that's a whole 'nother story...

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The built-in games certainly aren't terrible, and most of them would probably have made passable arcade ports if they had been released years ago for, say, the NES. I think people's expectations are higher now because they have the option of playing the original games whenever they want through emulation. People who are very familiar with and enthusiastic about the originals probably already have them, and not surprisingly, they haven't responded well to having to buy an imperfect copy of those same games in another format.

 

The Space Invaders TV game is a higher-quality unit than most of the others all around, but even so, these TV games have a very limited lifespan before people lose interest in them and they end up either in the back of their closets or the bottom of their wastebaskets. I think the idea of "recycling" the hardware into something that can be used in new ways is a good one; every Space Invaders stick made into a 7800 controller is a Space Invaders stick saved from the landfill.

[+remowilliams]

That's a real nice neat looking job. You can tell that I went for the rat's nest look

[jaybird3rd]

That's a real nice neat looking job.  You can tell that I went for the rat's nest look

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Yeah, it took me a couple tries to figure out the simplest wiring scheme and how to keep my solder points to a minimum; in fact, by the time I did my fourth stick I had improved the design so much that I went back and redid the first one. The one in the picture is probably number two; the subsequent ones are actually a bit cleaner and neater.

Edited September 18, 2005 by jaybird3rd

[Zonie]

Am I the only one who likes the Space Invaders joystick?  I think Space Invaders, Phoenix, and Colony 7 are pretty good.  I didn't play Qix enough to comment on it, but from what I tried, it didn't seem that bad.  Now the Konami stick... that's a whole 'nother story...

930782[/snapback]

The built-in games certainly aren't terrible, and most of them would probably have made passable arcade ports if they had been released years ago for, say, the NES. I think people's expectations are higher now because they have the option of playing the original games whenever they want through emulation. People who are very familiar with and enthusiastic about the originals probably already have them, and not surprisingly, they haven't responded well to having to buy an imperfect copy of those same games in another format.

 

The Space Invaders TV game is a higher-quality unit than most of the others all around, but even so, these TV games have a very limited lifespan before people lose interest in them and they end up either in the back of their closets or the bottom of their wastebaskets. I think the idea of "recycling" the hardware into something that can be used in new ways is a good one; every Space Invaders stick made into a 7800 controller is a Space Invaders stick saved from the landfill.

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Bingo!

[Laner]

I received my converted SI stick from Jay a few days ago... works like a charm I particularly like the "click" that the joystick makes. Definitely better than the pro-line, no doubt!

[jaybird3rd]

Thanks, Laner, and thanks to EVERYONE who has ordered an SI stick from me.

 

Just a quick update and (unfortunately) a change to my pricing: I recently learned that MCM Electronics has discontinued the joystick cables that I've been purchasing from them to perform these modifications. I bought up the last few cables they had, and after looking around for a reliable alternative, I settled on Best Electronics (thanks for the quick response, Brad!) Because Best's cables cost a bit more ($6.50 each as opposed to $2.55 for MCM's cables), I'm going to have to boost my prices a little bit to compensate: $25 for upgrades and $40 for new sticks, a $5 increase across the board.

 

Note that this does NOT apply to existing orders; I have enough of MCM's cables to satisfy the orders I already have, so for those who have sent money, I'll get your SI sticks out to you WITHOUT charging you any more. This price change will only apply to new orders that are placed on or after 9/26/2005. I wish it wasn't necessary, but you might be surprised at how hard it is to find fully-wired Atari cables (without butchering controllers for them); most of the ones commonly available are 2600 cables, which don't have the pins I need to wire up both 7800 joystick buttons.

[adventurevision]

Can't wait to get mine and I'm glad I got in when I did.

 

I did end up picking up this game from GameSpot and it's terrible. I was thinking of trying to mod it and keep the multigame but since it stinks so bad I'm not going to even bother trying.

[Lastblade]

Can't wait to get mine and I'm glad I got in when I did.

 

I did end up picking up this game from GameSpot and it's terrible.  I was thinking of trying to mod it and keep the multigame but since it stinks so bad I'm not going to even bother trying.

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Same here! I just sent Jay the joystick this week, I don't feel too bad since the games on it are horrible.

[jaybird3rd]

Here are some ideas that I've been toying with lately, and I thought I'd post them here to get your opinions on them.

 

Several buyers have expressed interest in using the "SI stick" with the Atari 2600. Modifying this stick for use with the single-button 2600 would be a lot easier than modifying it for the dual-button 7800, mostly because new 2600 cables are MUCH easier to come by. The extra buttons on the face of the joystick also create some interesting control possibilities. They could all be wired together, which would be convenient for use by left-handed and right-handed players. Or, for players who don't need action buttons on both sides, one pair of buttons could be wired to the left and right directionals. This would give you arcade-like controls on games like Space Invaders, Asteroids, and Track and Field.

 

Regardless of the wiring scheme, the resulting stick would be functionally identical to the Atari CX-40 and would be compatible with any of the computers and consoles that used it: the Atari 8-bit computers, the Commodore 64 and VIC-20 machines, the 7800 in single-button mode, the Flashback 2 console, etc. I'm curious to know if anyone would be interested in buying such a stick. If so, write in and let me know and share whatever ideas you might have. I'll probably be able to offer 2600-modified sticks at my original lower prices ($20 for an upgrade and $35 for a new stick), and I might even let buyers write in with whatever wiring scheme they want and order their own customized arcade controls.

 

EDIT: Here's yet another intriguing 2600 possibility I just discovered. Anyone remember those bulky, uncomfortable 2600 remote control joysticks that Atari released in the early 80s? I bought a new set (two sticks and a receiver) some years ago but haven't gotten much use out of it. Well, I cracked one of my wireless joysticks open a short time ago, and was surprised to see that the remote control circuitry was on a board that is almost exactly the same size as the ones I've been removing from the SI sticks. The SI sticks also have the built-in power switches and battery harnesses that the wireless controllers require. I'm going to try moving the guts of one of the remote control joysticks into an SI stick as soon as I get some new ones in from Gamestop, just for the fun of it, and I'll let you all know how (and if) it works. I'll try to post pictures, too.

Edited September 27, 2005 by jaybird3rd

[+remowilliams]

Same here!  I just sent Jay the joystick this week, I don't feel too bad since the games on it are horrible.

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The RSI is definitely one of those unfortunate electronics products that is better when the main PCB is removed. Thankfully jaybird3rd is helping to recycle the really nice part into something useful. For anyone thinking about it - get one from him, you won't be disappointed. The physical build quality of the RSI makes it a simply awesome joystick for your true classic gaming. And it takes the 7800 to an entirely new level, I'm not exaggerating when I say that I immediately got higher scores the first time I used it.

 

I wish I could find a good use for the FB1 base unit now. It blows many many more monkeys than the RSI ever did. I converted one of its controllers to a 2600 stick, and the AC adapter and RCA cables were reused.

Edited September 27, 2005 by remowilliams