Difference between revisions of "Atari 2600 Joystick"
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− | [[Image:Atari 2600 - CX40 Joystick.jpg|thumb|256x256px|The Atari 2600 joystick.]] | + | [[Image:Atari 2600 - CX40 Joystick - Orange.jpg|thumb|256x256px|The Atari 2600 joystick.]] |
The '''Atari 2600 Joystick''' is the original joystick controller for the [[Atari 2600]]. It was created by [[Atari]] and released on 1977-09-11 along with the release of the console. It features a 4-directional joystick and a fire button. Although the joystick was made for the Atari 2600, it was also used for all models from the [[Atari 8-bit]] home computer line, and is compatible with the [[VIC-20]], [[Commodore 64]], [[Atari ST]], and [[Amiga]]. It can also be plugged into the [[MSX]], [[Master System]], [[Genesis]], and [[Atari 7800]], but it lacks the necessary number of buttons to play most games properly. Adapters were even made which allowed the Atari joystick to be used on the [[Apple II]], [[IBM PC]], and [[TRS-80]]. | The '''Atari 2600 Joystick''' is the original joystick controller for the [[Atari 2600]]. It was created by [[Atari]] and released on 1977-09-11 along with the release of the console. It features a 4-directional joystick and a fire button. Although the joystick was made for the Atari 2600, it was also used for all models from the [[Atari 8-bit]] home computer line, and is compatible with the [[VIC-20]], [[Commodore 64]], [[Atari ST]], and [[Amiga]]. It can also be plugged into the [[MSX]], [[Master System]], [[Genesis]], and [[Atari 7800]], but it lacks the necessary number of buttons to play most games properly. Adapters were even made which allowed the Atari joystick to be used on the [[Apple II]], [[IBM PC]], and [[TRS-80]]. | ||
− | Despite being woefully outdated now, the Atari 2600 joystick has become a pretty | + | Despite being woefully outdated now, the Atari 2600 joystick has become a pretty ubiquitous symbol for video gaming, and is even recognizable to many gamers who never used them. |
− | The Atari my parents bought from a garage sale had | + | The Atari bundle my parents bought from a garage sale had several joysticks, and for several years after that I played many games using them. |
==Variations== | ==Variations== | ||
− | {| class="wikitable | + | {| class="wikitable" |
! Image !! Released !! Model !! Description | ! Image !! Released !! Model !! Description | ||
|- | |- | ||
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==Media== | ==Media== | ||
+ | ===Pictures=== | ||
+ | <gallery> | ||
+ | Atari 2600 - Joystick Comparison.jpg|Side-by-side comparison of a CX40 (left) and CX10 (right). | ||
+ | Atari 2600 - Joystick Internals.jpg|Internal components of a CX10 (left) and CX40 (right). | ||
+ | </gallery> | ||
===Videos=== | ===Videos=== |
Revision as of 16:03, 4 June 2019
The Atari 2600 Joystick is the original joystick controller for the Atari 2600. It was created by Atari and released on 1977-09-11 along with the release of the console. It features a 4-directional joystick and a fire button. Although the joystick was made for the Atari 2600, it was also used for all models from the Atari 8-bit home computer line, and is compatible with the VIC-20, Commodore 64, Atari ST, and Amiga. It can also be plugged into the MSX, Master System, Genesis, and Atari 7800, but it lacks the necessary number of buttons to play most games properly. Adapters were even made which allowed the Atari joystick to be used on the Apple II, IBM PC, and TRS-80.
Despite being woefully outdated now, the Atari 2600 joystick has become a pretty ubiquitous symbol for video gaming, and is even recognizable to many gamers who never used them.
The Atari bundle my parents bought from a garage sale had several joysticks, and for several years after that I played many games using them.
Variations
Review
Good
- Both models were particularly rugged. Many of them made in the late 1970s are still working today.
Bad
- With only a single button, it just wasn't possible for game developers to make any complicated user interactions with their games.
- The rubber sheath could be pulled off without too much force, and, for the CX40 model, it could only be put back in place by unscrewing the base.
- Both models had some mechanical flaws that caused them to fail over time.
Ugly
- Nothing.
Media
Pictures
Videos
- youtube.com/watch?v=OhoggQ5XYZQ - Comparison between the CX10 and CX40.