[Albert]

I just built a 5200 Paddle Controller and it kicks ass! I love how the stock 2600 Paddle can easily be adapted to fit inside the 5200 controller housing. I played a few rounds of Super Breakout, and after I weigh the dial down with some 3/8" hex nuts (and hot glue), I'll try my hand at Kaboom!

Here's the obligatory picture:



Thanks to Gunstar for posting some instructions on how he did the mod a while back--those are the ones I followed and they worked out great!

..Al

[Bryan]

Looks like I need to get in on that action!

-Bry

[Albert]

Ignore the cat bite marks visible on the cable near the top of the controller.. I just finished adding the hex nuts to weigh down the dial, it feels even better! I might have to do this to some regular 2600 paddle controllers also!

..Al

[CPUWIZ]

Albert said:

Ignore the cat bite marks visible on the cable near the top of the controller..  I just finished adding the hex nuts to weigh down the dial, it feels even better!  I might have to do this to some regular 2600 paddle controllers also!  

..Al

Hey AJ, this works really good as well.

Attached thumbnail(s)

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[Albert]

Ha ha! Pennies! What's funny is the hex nuts cost me seven cents each, plus tax, so you saved a bit over my method (not including the trip to Home Depot, although I had to get a few other things anyway).

..Al

[Mitch]

Just curious, how did you fasten the 2600 pot to the 5200 controller. I know there are several ways people have done it. Mine uses two washers and the original nut from the 2600 pot.

Mitch

[Albert]

Mitch said:

Just curious, how did you fasten the 2600 pot to the 5200 controller. I know there are several ways people have done it. Mine uses two washers and the original nut from the 2600 pot.

I super glued the two sliding plates from the joystick mechanism so they were aligned with the hole from the rubber boot of the joystick (which I had not yet removed). I then slid the potentiometer post through and used the original nut from the 2600 to secure it into place. Seems to work pretty well.

..Al

[VidGameKing]

I used two big wing washers that fit in there nicly, the hole through the washers was big enough for the pot to stick out and I just tightend the pot down using it's nut and a star lock washer. Why do you weigh down the nob? I dont understand? what is the effect your shooting for?

[Albert]

VidGameKing said:

Why do you weigh down the nob? I dont understand? what is the effect your shooting for?

To make it feel more like an arcade spinner, which have more mass to them. It's just a matter of personal taste, it probably doesn't really make any difference in the end, except to make the controller heavier.

..Al

[VidGameKing]

ahh... I see, I've actually never played on an Arcade with a spinner for a controller. does the additional weight actually reproduce the feel? or does it still feel like it needs more weight? because you could make a mold of the little quarter sections and ake a lead weight to fit in there just nicely, then you could cover it with hot glue as to not run the risk of lead poisoning and that would make it far more heavier thanjust bolts and pennies.

[Room 34]

@Albert:

That thing looks sweet. You should consider selling them in the AA store!

@CPUWIZ:

You just love your shrinkwrap machine, don't you?

[Gregory DG]

The 5200 definitely needs a version of Warlords now!

What games besides Super Breakout work with the paddle? Kaboom!? Gyruss?

Some that I would be cool to play with a paddle are: Pole Position, Galaxian, Battlezone, Ballblazer, & Asteroids.

[CPUWIZ]

Room 34 said:

@CPUWIZ:

You just love your shrinkwrap machine, don't you?

Yep.

[Room 34]

Gregory DG said:

Some that I would be cool to play with a paddle are: Pole Position, Galaxian, Battlezone, Ballblazer, & Asteroids.

I'm thinking at least Battlezone and Asteroids would really need a driving controller, not a paddle.

[Bryan]

Gregory DG said:

The 5200 definitely needs a version of Warlords now!

That would be cool, wouldn't it!

-Bry

[VidGameKing]

Asteroids works really cool with the Track ball!!! i love my track ball

[video game addict]

http://www.atariage....t=castles+kings

[Gregory DG]

video game addict said:

http://www.atariage....t=castles+kings

Riiiigghhhtt.... THAT'S where I remember seeing the 5200 Warlords screenshot. Now, where is it? I think I'm needing a copy...

[Rob Mitchell]

Albert said:

Ignore the cat bite marks visible on the cable near the top of the controller.. <grin>  I just finished adding the hex nuts to weigh down the dial, it feels even better!  I might have to do this to some regular 2600 paddle controllers also!  

I have a modified (dead) Atari Video Pinball that I have modified into a controller for playing 2600/8-bit/Vectrex Pinball games .. And I replaced the paddle with an Indy 500 spinner (for all these 2600/Vectrex spinner games) .. I should weight the knob with some pennies too! Thanks for the idea!

Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA

[Ferris]

I have one of the original Gary Rubio CX52P units (at least I *think* I do) and I've worn the hell out of it playing it over the years. It's an incredible controller... if youre an avid 5200 gamer, I certainly suggest finding a way to either build one or getting your hands on one. The gameplay is just beyond superb. It's right up there along with the Trak-Ball controller. ....strange how a system that came packed with such schizophrenic joysticks could have such a great lineup of accessory controllers.

[mojofltr]

Quote

That thing looks sweet. You should consider selling them in the AA store!

I second that. :-)

[christianscott27]

it is a super easy mod to make if you have the parts on hand, and a lil super glue. if anybody is not inclined to make one themselves i'd put one together for a small trade. once you've used it on the compatible games its so natural you'll wonder how anyone enjoyed the titles without the paddles.

[mechanized]

Where are those instructions located?

Those crappy 5200 joysticks now seem best used in making paddle controllers. I'd even get some of those gold-plated sensors for such a project...

Of course, I might not be mechanically sound enough to do it myself, so I might just take you up on that offer. What kind of things would you be looking for in trade? If it'd be bad to talk about it here, you could e-mail me at arthur@idgonemad.com ...if you would, that is.

[christianscott27]

the intsructions are in the other 5200 paddles thread, down a few. its not too hard to follow but if you'd rather not i'd go for something like this

send me 2 5200 sticks and a pair of paddles and i'll send you back one completed 5200 paddle. i'm looking to get a good set of 4 together for my own use. me personally i have too many working 5200 sticks and i cant stand to hack a perfectly working controller...

[mechanized]

Would the gold-plated sensors affect the rebuild?