15 replies to this topic

[bradhig]

The 5200 controllers don't self center and the 7800 controllers don't always respond well. After making great controllers on the 2600 why did Atari make such bad controllers on later systems?

Were 7800 controllers going to have keypads? They look like they have room for them.

[bennybingo]

PS: don't take that the wrong way...it's just been brought up here so many times at this point, a quick use of the search function easily finds numerous threads of very similar content.

For example:

http://www.atariage...._1#entry2326628

http://www.atariage...._1#entry2086776

http://www.atariage...._1#entry2083735

etc...you can see by just the 5200 controller topic search, the opinions vary both ways. BTW...this is just a few select threads...there are dozens more.

[DracIsBack]

bradhig, on Fri Dec 2, 2011 8:04 PM, said:

The 5200 controllers don't self center and the 7800 controllers don't always respond well. After making great controllers on the 2600 why did Atari make such bad controllers on later systems?

Were 7800 controllers going to have keypads? They look like they have room for them.

I don't think Atari made 'great' controllers on any of their consoles, to be honest. I found the 2600/XEGS sticks to be stiff and uncomfortable. The 5200 controllers could break. The 7800 controllers could be still and uncomfortable and also break. The Jaguar ones were too big and I hated all the buttons.

[Robert Carrion]

My mother had a Atari 7800 and one game, Galaga. But it was never a big deal to us then honestly. I guess opinions vary, especially if your poor and thats all you got, you make the best of it. At the time, I was a NES guy. But whenever I would visit her (I didn't live with her) we would play the 7800 and Galaga. Man she had that old school controller that everyone hates and she would kick that games behind, she was always awesome at it. I don't mind the controller's feel or the buttons. I do think the lack of movement allowed for the Joystick though is rough. Some games play better, Galaga probably played alot better on it then some games. Never played the infamous 5200 controller though which everyone hates even worse, would love to try it just for the sake of trying it. See where all the hatred is coming from. Cause I don't hate the 7800 controller, I just think its average and somewhat poorly thought out. But I hear the 5200 is even worse, heh.

[Sonic R]

I think most of the 5200 controller angst come from it's reliability… nothing bring more frustration when you are playing a game and the controller does not respond when you need it most!

the non-centering analog stick can be annoying at times, but it can be adapted to and overcome… but non responsive controllers as a result of poor design and cheap materials... that can bring forth much hatred!

I personally believe if the 7800 controller had dual fire buttons on both sides, like the 5200, it would be far more comfortable… I think the discomfort comes from the way that the controller is held while trying to press the fire buttons on both sides of the controller…

though the 5200 and the 7800 controllers are similar in design, I do not experience discomfort while using the 5200 controller, as I only have to operate the fire buttons on one side of the controller, and I am able to relax and rest the controller in the palm of my hand, where as with the 7800 controller, I am gripping the controller in my hand and my hand is tense from pressing the fire buttons with my thumb AND index finger...

these observations are from my experience playing both these great consoles!

Edited by Sonic R, Sat Dec 3, 2011 11:28 PM.

[zylon]

7800 sticks are one of my top choices for 2600 play since only one button is needed. 5200 sticks cause me the least amount of hand pain of any controls I've tried. Win-win situation here.

[Shawn Sr.]

Q: atari 5200 and 7800 controllers what were they thinking?

A: Cocaine is a powerful drug.

[brojamfootball]

Shawn Sr., on Sun Dec 4, 2011 1:32 PM, said:

Q: atari 5200 and 7800 controllers what were they thinking?

A: Cocaine is a powerful drug.

I wasn't aware that Rick James worked for Atari?

[VertigoProcess]

Shawn Sr., on Sun Dec 4, 2011 1:32 PM, said:

Cocaine is a hell of a drug.

fixed that quote for ya...

[Lord Helmet]

the biggest fault with the 5200 and 7800 (as well as the Colecovision and Intellivision) is the side mounted fire buttons. Absolutely horrible idea.

[bradhig]

Were they going to put a keypad on the 7800 controller is that way it is so big?

[Shannon]

5200? 7800? All controllers sucked back then.. including the standard Colecovision (Nub) and Intellivision controllers (side buttons). Yeah thinking on it seems the side buttons is/was the killer.

[AtariLeaf]

Lord Helmet, on Tue Dec 6, 2011 1:31 PM, said:

the biggest fault with the 5200 and 7800 (as well as the Colecovision and Intellivision) is the side mounted fire buttons. Absolutely horrible idea.

That's a huge part of it IMO. Its not a natural or comfortable way to have to hold your hand for playing for any length of time.

[peedenmark7]

The 5200 controller is a thing of beauty... The 7800 is a painful experience... though it is less problematic.

[82atari5200]

bennybingo, on Fri Dec 2, 2011 8:19 PM, said:

PS: don't take that the wrong way...it's just been brought up here so many times at this point, a quick use of the search function easily finds numerous threads of very similar content.

For example:

http://www.atariage...._1#entry2326628

http://www.atariage...._1#entry2086776

http://www.atariage...._1#entry2083735

etc...you can see by just the 5200 controller topic search, the opinions vary both ways. BTW...this is just a few select threads...there are dozens more.

You don't want to go down this road. I said a similar quote over in the 5200 thread and got blasted for suggesting people use the search function. Ultimately, I got called a douchebag.

[thegamezmaster]

I just wish there was an alternative controller for the 5200, an affordable one. The 7800 sticks are ok, but found a Sega 3 button controller mod that helped.