Atari 7800 Joystick FAQ/Information Guide Version: 1.9 Author: Rob Adair a.k.a. Larcen Tyler Last Revision Date: 04/14/06 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= This document is electronically published work Copyrighted ©2002 by Rob 'Larcen Tyler' Adair. Permission is granted to make a copy _ONLY_ as a personal reference copy, in which case the document _MUST_ remain in its original, unedited form. Any other reproduction is strictly prohibited. This document may not be used as a promotional item or for profitable means of any kind (even if no profit is intended to be gained.) This document is only allowed to appear on the GameFAQs website and no other website whatsoever, nor may any part of this document appear on any website for any reason whatsoever. All game titles mentioned within this document are registered trademarks and copyrighted materials owned by their respective owners. Atari 7800 ProSystem, Atari 2600 Video Computer System, and any accessories mentioned within are registered trademarks and copyrighted materials owned by Atari Games. GameFAQs is a registered trademark and copyrighted 1995-2002 by Jeff 'CJayC' Veasey. Any other names mentioned within not mentioned within this section are registered trademarks and/or copyrighted materials of their respective owners. Larcen Tyler is in no way affiliated with any of the companies listed above, or their affiliates in any way. No affiliation should be assumed for any reason whatsoever. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. REVISION HISTORY 2. ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT 3. GAMES THAT I HAVE TESTED 4. GAMES THAT HAVE YET TO BE TESTED 5. CONTACT INFORMATION 6. CREDITS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1. REVISION HISTORY 10/13/02: First writing of this document. More updates to come definitely! 10/14/02: We all make mistakes, don't we? I put the wrong symbol beside Alien Brigade. I also forgot to mention something in the credits: The source of much of the information within this document. In addition, I was also able to test out a couple new games: Ms. Pac-Man and Robotron: 2084. 10/15/02: Ha, ha, silly me! I forgot Xenophobe isn't Atari 2600 joystick compatible! Forgive me, as I'm still in the early stages of this guide. 02/09/03: After some time off, I managed to acquire some new games for my 7800. They are: Dark Chambers, Food Fight, Choplifter, Xenophobe, Crossbow, Tower Toppler, and Planet Smashers. 07/11/03: Not much here, just a brief update on Ace of Aces. 07/29/03: Information confirmed for Dig-Dug and Desert Falcon. 01/27/05: I can't help it if Atari 7800 games are scarce, but I got Commando for Christmas, and now I've confirmed it and added it to my list. 03/01/05: Three new confirmations: Ace of Aces (finally!), BallBlazer, and Touchdown Football. Also arranged the games in alphabetical order for easier reading. 05/14/05: Added info about Midnight Mutants. 03/02/06: Finally got the chance to add information about Double Dragon. Also, made some slight modifications to the contact information and author information. 03/13/06: Some information contributed by 'NightSprinter' on AtariAge. 04/14/06: Minor update courtesy of 'Agent X' on AtariAge. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 2. ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT This document basically covers the compatibility of Atari 7800 games with the original Atari 2600 joysticks. The reason behind this is because the 7800 joysticks are rather shoddy and sometimes have problems with the alignment of the joystick or the buttons get stuck. This can be a real pain in the neck for players. Fortunately, while it isn't a complete solution, the Atari 2600 joysticks are compatible with the Atari 7800 ProSystem, and many games can be played to the fullest extent with one button instead of two. Although some games still require the two buttons, most of the games can be enjoyed with your classic Atari 2600 joystick! Therefore, the reason behind this document is to help you, the Atari 7800 user, find out which games can be enjoyed with your original Atari 2600 joystick, even though your 7800 joystick may not be moving right or the buttons aren't responding. Basically, the left button on the Atari 7800 controller is the same as the fire button on the Atari 2600. If you play an Atari 2600 game with an Atari 7800 joystick, both buttons will act as the fire button. Unfortunately, you can't emulate the booster-grip adaptor for Omega Race with an Atari 7800 joystick. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 3. GAMES THAT HAVE BEEN OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED The following section was all tested by me. GAMES THAT ARE COMPATIBLE WITH ATARI 2600 JOYSTICKS: ASTEROIDS Regardless of which joystick you're using, pulling down applies hyperspace, while the button(s) will fire your shots. BALLBLAZER It may be 3D, but it's not that difficult to play. It's pretty much like a futuristic one-on-one version of soccer, so one button is all that's required for this game, meaning that you can use an Atari 2600 joystick. NightSprinter confirms this, adding that he found no problems with BallBlazer. CENTIPEDE GALAGA JOUST All of the three games have their fire (flap for Joust) actions assigned to both buttons, so a 2600 joystick will work just fine. NightSprinter also confirms this, as he had no problems with Joust or Galaga. CROSSBOW Basically, you move your gun sight (OK, crossbow sight!) with the joystick, and fire using one of the buttons. Naturally, any kind of joystick will work. DIG DUG If you never played it in the arcade, there was only one button: Your pump button. Either button will work, meaning an Atari 2600 joystick works just fine. And, if you're wondering about the cheat where you repeatedly press the left button to continue after losing your last life, it will work with the 2600 joystick. NightSprinter confirms this, as he had no problems with Dig Dug. FOOD FIGHT In this game, you move Charley Chuck around using the joystick, and either of the two buttons can be used to throw food, so either type of joystick works just fine with this game. KUNG-FU MASTER Unlike the arcade game, which had one button for punch and one for kick, this version's basically a port of the Atari 2600 version with enhanced graphics. Controlling your fighter's attacks involves holding either button and pressing the joystick in a certain direction to pull off an attack, so the game will work with a 2600 joystick. MS. PAC-MAN This game is simple enough, isn't it? The action button is used simply to start the game from the title screen. All you need to get the full pleasure of Ms. Pac-Man is the joystick! POLE POSITION II The only difference is that the button will accelerate, but there's no way to apply brakes, but you can still shift gears and let off the accelerator to slow down. NightSprinter states that there are no brakes due to a lack of a second button. ROBOTRON: 2084 Robotron can be played with one joystick or two, in order to emulate the classic arcade feel. With one joystick, you press the button and your character fires in the direction that he's moving in. With two joysticks, the left joystick moves, and the right one fires. Regardless of which you choose, either joystick will work just fine with this game. TOUCHDOWN FOOTBALL The only football game on the Atari 7800 is simplistic in terms of controls. Plays are called by moving the joystick in a certain direction and pressing the fire button. The fire button is only used for snapping the ball, passing, or kicking the ball, depending on the situation. The plays are outlined in the manual, but other than that, either type of joystick will work fine. TOWER TOPPLER Why they didn't take full advantage of the Atari 7800's two button configuration is beyond me. At any rate, both of the Atari 7800 joystick's buttons function the same way. To jump, press the button while moving left or right. You can attack by standing still and pressing the button. An Atari 2600 joystick will work just fine. XEVIOUS Surprised? Don't be. Basically, when you fire your guns, you fire the bombs at the same time as well. To top that off, they added this function to both buttons, so it works on a 2600 joystick just fine. GAMES THAT AREN'T COMPATIBLE WITH ATARI 2600 JOYSTICKS: ACE OF ACES Although the manual states that the right button is used to pause the game and view your score, the game doesn't allow play with an Atari 2600 joystick, since it won't allow you to make choices on the menu, which is required to get the game started. CHOPLIFTER! The left button will fire your weapons, while the right button rotates the helicopter's orientation between left, center, and right. Unfortunately, you need both buttons to play the game fully. COMMANDO The game uses the left button to fire your gun, while the right button handles hand grenades. Again, a Pro-Line Joystick will be required for this game. DARK CHAMBERS The left button controls your player's attacks, whereas the right button activates bombs, so an Atari 7800 joystick is required. Then again, you can always shoot bombs if you want to, meaning a one button joystick COULD be used (if worst came to worst.) It's your call. DESERT FALCON The left button fires shots, while the right one activates magic powers. You need both buttons for this game, meaning a Pro-Line Joystick is required. However, NightSprinter states that you can activate power-ups by pressing or holding down the button on an Atari 2600 joystick. This I have yet to confirm. DOUBLE DRAGON The left button punches, and the right button kicks. Not to mention there are quite a few button and joystick combos required. You're gonna need a Pro-Line Joystick here I'm afraid. HAT TRICK While this has not been tested or confirmed by me, Agent X from AtariAge has stated that, even though the game only requires one button, it has been programmed to require a two button joystick, so a Pro-Line joystick is required here. MIDNIGHT MUTANTS Your left button is your action/fire button, while right will switch between the game and the subscreen. Naturally, if you can't access the subscreen, you can't play the game the way it's supposed to be played, so you need a Pro-Line. PLANET SMASHERS The left button activates your ship's weapons, and the right button activates your cloaking device. Again, an Atari 7800 joystick is required. XENOPHOBE The left button on the Atari 7800 joystick fires your weapon, while the right button throws grenades. Unfortunately, the Atari 2600 joystick's fire button acts as the grenade throwing button, so you need an Atari 7800 joystick to play this. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 4. GAMES THAT HAVE YET TO BE TESTED There are still quite a few games that I have not been able to test yet. Any information I might have available for the games will be posted. THESE GAMES, ALTHOUGH NOT TESTED, ARE CONFIRMED NOT TO WORK WITH AN ATARI 2600 JOYSTICK: Barnyard Blaster Meltdown Sentinel So why aren't they going to work, you ask? Simple, because they use the Atari 7800 light gun! (Please don't ask me where to find one I don't know!) OK, that was a bad one. Seriously, though, here we go. Alien Brigade @ Basketbrawl @ Crack'ed @ Donkey Kong * Donkey Kong Jr. * F-18 Hornet @ Fatal Run @ Fight Night @ Ikari Warriors @ Impossible Mission * Jinks @ Karateka @ Klax * Mario Bros. * Mat Mania Challenge @ Mean 18 Ultimate Golf * Midnight Mutants @ Motor Psycho @ Ninja Golf @ One-On-One Basketball % Pete Rose Baseball * Rampage @ RealSports Baseball @ Scrapyard Dog @ Summer Games * Super Huey @ Super Skateboardin' * Tank Command @ Title Match Pro Wrestling * Tomcat: The F-14 Simulator @ Water Ski @ Winter Games * (@ Based on information about this game found on the web, the game does not support an Atari 2600 joystick) (* Based on the information found on the web, this game is 2600 joystick compatible) (% One-On-One Basketball uses the right button to call time-outs, but there's always the pause function too. It's your call.) The following information was provided by NightSprinter: Scrapyard Dog is unplayable since you are unable to jump or throw cans. Super Huey is also unplayable since the only thing you can do is move around in the Arcade Mode. Winter Games, however, had no problems whatsoever with an Atari 2600 joystick. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 5. CONTACT INFORMATION READ THIS BEFORE YOU SEND ME ANY E-MAIL! The following types of E-Mail I will _NOT_ accept under any circumstances: -Mail that contains flaming (insults) or offensive content within. If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything! -Spam/Advertisements of any kind. This is against the law, and will not be taken lightly. -Asking if you can use this on your website/in your FAQ/Magazine/anything like that will not be tolerated. In case you missed it, I specifically stated that I won't allow it in the disclaimer section at the beginning. The following types of E-Mail I will accept: -Suggestions and/or constructive criticism. -Strategies of your own. -Any information I may have left out in this version. -Generally, anything that will help me improve this guide in future revisions! (Make sure you put "Atari 7800 Joystick Guide" as your subject line.) -Specifically, if you have any information for the games which I did not test yet, let me know. You can reach me at: larcentyler480 (at) yahoo (dot) com Also, since some authors have started including information for optional contributions, since writing guides like this is hard work and they rarely get anything in return, I have decided to do so myself. If you wish to make a small contribution to me, please feel free to use the following PayPal address: larcentyler480 (AT) yahoo (dot) com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 6. CREDITS Sure, I wrote this document myself, but I couldn't have done it alone! Thank you's to: -My mother, for playing Atari and passing her love for it onto me. -Atari, for putting out the Atari 2600 and 7800, as well as the backwards compatibility with 2600 games and joysticks for the Atari 7800. -The companies who put all the games listed in this document out for play on the Atari 7800. -Jeff 'CJayC' Veasey, for such a great website where FAQ writers (like me!) can post our work. -AtariAge (www.atariage.com) for providing an archive of all the Atari 7800 game manuals for reference. -NightSprinter on AtariAge, for sharing his information with me and allowing me to repost it in this guide. -Agent X on AtariAge, for giving me that small but useful tidbit of information on Hat Trick. -And lastly, but certainly never least, YOU for reading this document! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= ©2002-2006 Rob 'Larcen Tyler' Adair All rights reserved.