Atari 2600 Analog Paddles On The Jaguar

[Zerosquare]

Here's my latest hardware project : an adapter to use the analog Atari 2600 paddles (the "Pong" ones, not the driving controllers). Each adapter supports two paddles.

It should be useful for Breakout or Warlords-style games

 

I tried to make it small and simple, and use cheap and easy-to-find parts.

Here's what it looks like. As you can see, it's possible to make it fit into the connector shells.

 

And here is the schematic :

Parts list :

- One 4538 (or HEF4538, CD4538, etc. not 74HC4538/74HCT4538) IC

- Two 10 nF ceramic X7R capacitors (6.3 V voltage or higher)

- Two 22 k, 5%, 1/4 W resistors

- One 100 nF ceramic X7R capacitor (6.3 V voltage or higher)

- One 9-pin male SubD connector + plastic shell

- One 15-pin high-density male SubD connector + plastic shell

 

The software routines to use the adapter are almost ready ; they still need a bit of tweaking, but they mostly work.

I'll post them here as soon as they're done, as well as additional information.

[Fredifredo]

 

bravo Zerosquare

[sh3-rg]

Here's my latest hardware project : an adapter to use the analog Atari 2600 paddles

 

Hmm, we should make a little game to support this, I will speak with Morden this evening - thanks, Zerosquare.

 

kZa

 

[Pocket]

Excellent !

 

You can count on Fadest's game

 

[Guest promethea]

Good stuff!

 

Now, if I only had a 2600 paddle...

[Zerosquare]

Thanks

 

Beware : upon checking, it seems that the 74HC4538 and 74HCT4538 ICs are not 100% compatible with the standard 4538. I think it could be fixed in software, but that would require an additional setting. In the meantime, I recommend against using them.

[atari_fan]

Very nice! Well done.

 

If I understand correctly no *existing* Jaguar game will be able to make use of this adaptor?

[Zerosquare]

That's correct. It is designed to be used in future homebrew games.

 

On the other hand, including support for it in existing games may be possible if :

 

- the source code has been recovered

- there is sufficient CPU time available to run the extra code

- someone takes the time to do it

[atari_fan]

That's correct. It is designed to be used in future homebrew games.

 

On the other hand, including support for it in existing games may be possible if :

 

- the source code has been recovered

- there is sufficient CPU time available to run the extra code

- someone takes the time to do it

 

 

Thank you for explaining.

[Tyrant]

Hmm... can someone explain what the expected output of this circuit is?

 

I'm guessing it doesn't use the official atari way to read analog inputs (a bank switched advanced controller type returning the output of an adc digitally), right?

 

My electronics skills are... limited at best, but it looks like it's just producing a variable frequency squarewave on the up and down buttons, right? essentially a PWM signal that relies on the Jag to decode? Wouldn't that mean you'd have to poll the controller ports incredibly frequently, and with a regularity that would be tricky to achieve? or am I barking up the wrong tree entirely?

[Zerosquare]

No, you're right. The idea is to trigger the circuit once per frame, and measure the width of the output pulse, which is proportional to the paddle resistance. So it's based on fixed-frequency PWM. Yes, it does mean that you need to poll the controller port frequently and regularly, but you can use one of Jerry's timer interrupts to do that, and the code needed is pretty short.

[nonner242]

This is AWESOME!

I can see a great new game or 2 on the way...Breakout 3000? Warlords 2000?

Maybe a paddle version of space Inv+

I think a Outrunish game would rock...with alittle paddle wheel!

I'll be down with this upon release!