================================================================ Updates: 1.3) New ftp sites now carry all the old information that my now removed akh104.rh.psu.edu site had. 1.5) Get on IRC 2.1.2) Where can I get copies of game instructions? Complete up to the minute listing. 3.8) New 5200 power supply specs. 4.2) Video upgrade for the 2600A!!!! Frequently-Asked Questions Classic Atari 2600/5200/7800 Game Systems Tenth Edition 95-04-26 Send additions/corrections/comments/money/carts to: Andrew K. Heller (bs003@cleveland.freenet.com) Author's note: Most of this work was stollen from other articles/works that either have appeared on netnews or are available via FTP. So, if you see something in here word for word the way you typed it aren't you proud I didn't have to change a thing! =) TABLE OF CONTENTS: 1.0) GENERAL 1.1) What NetNews groups exist for the CAGS? 1.2) What Atari 2600/5200/7800 game lists exist? 1.3) What information sites for Atari game machine information exist? 1.4) What is The 2600 Connection? 1.5) In the news... 2.0) SOFTWARE 2.1) Where can I find games for my 2600/5200/7800? 2.1.1) What games does Radio Shack sell? 2.1.2) Where can I get copies of game instructions? 2.2) What are the best games for the 2600? 2.3) Cartridge quantity: 2.3.1) What are the most common and rarest 2600 games? 2.3.2) What are the most common and rarest 5200 games? 2.3.3) What are the most common and rarest 7800 games? 2.3.4) What games were available via GameLine services? 2.4) Games and Controllers 2.4.1) What 2600 or 7800 games used a light gun? 2.4.2) Which 2600 games used Kid pads/key pads? 2.4.3) Which 2600 games used paddles? 2.4.4) How do I fix my paddles? 2.5) What is this Starpath CD I keep hearing about? 2.6) What Easter Eggs (cheats) exist for the 26/52/7800? 2.7) Programming: 2.7.1) What out there exists to help programmers? 2.7.2) What is the 7800 encryption algorithm? 2.8) Bugs: 2.8.1) What's up with 7800 Impossible Mission? 3.0) HARDWARE: 3.1) Game Systems: 3.1.1) What Atari 2600 and Sears Video Arcade Systems were made? 3.1.2) What Atari 5200 models were made? 3.1.3) What Atari 7800 models were made? 3.2) What vaporware hardware is there? 3.3) How many 2600 clones/emulators were made and by who? 3.4) What light guns work with the 2600/7800? 3.5) What add on devices existed for the 26/52/78? 3.5.1) What add on modules existed for the 2600? 3.5.2) What add on modules existed for the 5200? 3.6) What are the known specs for the 2600/5200/7800? 3.6.1) How big do 2600 games get? 3.7) Pinouts: 3.7.1) 2600 and 7800 Joystick pinouts 3.7.2) 2600 Cartridge Pinouts and information 3.7.3) 5200 Cartridge and Expansion Pinout 3.7.4) 7800 Cartridge and Expansion Pinout 3.8) Power supply informatiion 4.0) PROJECTS: 4.1) Building a switchbox for the 4 port 5200. 4.2) Composite/audio/chroma/luma output for the Atari 2600Jr/2600A 4.3) Video driver for the 2600/7800 4.4) Converting Sega controllers to Atari format 4.5) How can I get my Sega light gun to work on the Atari? ========================================================== 1.1) What NetNews groups exist for the CAGS? Currently there are the following netnews groups with various information pertaining to the 26/52/78 systems: alt.atari.2600vcs (and its various other clones, .2600 and .2600.vcs) alt.games.video.classic rec.games.video.classic rec.games.video.marketplace (to buy things of course!) ========================================================== 1.2) What Atari 2600/5200/7800 games list exist? There are several game lists available. Games are listed by manufacturer or by game title; some have rarity codes, others have prices. The most widely used lists by collectors are listed here: 1) VGR (Craig Pell) maintains a gigantic listing of every known game cartridge produced for the Atari 2600 or 7800. The list contains the game's name and manufacturer's model number. Games are grouped together by the cartridge manufacture and then by product number. To receive a copy of the latest game listing, or to suggest a change or update to the list, send e-mail to VGR at vgriscep@wam.umd.edu. 2) The most "generic" list of games, and perhaps the most easy to use are maintained by Dean Dierschow (dean@xocolatl.com). Current lists are available from wiretap.spies.com under /game_archive/cartList. Games are grouped together by manufacture and then by alphabetical title. Entries File Name System Date ------- ------------ ---------------------------------- -------- 1010 AT2600.LST Atari 2600 10/21/94 94 AT5200.LST Atari 5200 10/21/94 69 AT7800.LST Atari 7800 10/21/94 You will also need the file "carts.lst" for important information. Dean also has lists for just about every other system in existence. 3) "The Giant List of 2600 Label Variations" is the list for all of us "sick" collectors who need to tell exactly what carts we own. This list goes into detail. Here is an excerpt: Cosmic Ark IA3204 silver label with no picture, "for use with..." in 5 languages silver label with picture 720104-1 Rev A. 1982 entirely to the right of the picture. silver label with picture 720104-1 Rev A. right edge of picture is in the middle of 1982. ??? silver label with no picture Boxed: silver box (c)1982 Send requests to: John Earney - jearney@farad.elee.calpoly.edu ========================================================== 1.3) What information sites for Atari game machine information exist? Via FTP: 1) aurora.alaska.edu /atari.dir 2600-PROGRAMMING-2.INFO;1 6/8 3-OCT-1992 2600-PROGRAMMING.INFO;1 90/92 3-OCT-1992 2600CONNECTION.INDEX;1 40/40 18-DEC-1992 CLASSIC-ATARI.FAQ;1 40/40 3-OCT-1992 GIANT-ATARI-2600-7800.LIST;4 175/176 9-MAR-1993 INDEX.LKI;4 2/4 18-JUN-1993 PROG2600-0.DIGEST;1 10/12 3-OCT-1992 PROG2600-1.DIGEST;1 18/20 3-OCT-1992 PROG2600-2.DIGEST;1 20/20 3-OCT-1992 PROG2600-3.DIGEST;1 229/232 3-JUN-1993 PROGRAM-2600-LIST.WELCOME;5 5/8 18-JUN-1993 STELLA.TXT;1 177/180 18-JUN-1993 2) atari.archive.umich.edu /atari/8bit/Vcs (or amiga.archive.umich.edu /atari/8bit/Vcs) (atari.archive is usually bogged down) 1094762 Jun 18 1993 2600_doc.zip 36939 Jun 18 1993 2600_txt.arc 252 Jun 18 1993 aa.8bit.vcs 16325 Jun 18 1993 tech2600.arc 3) ccnet.com /users/scall/Oldatari ftp.clark.net /pub/longjon/Atari2600 These sites contain all files in the old akh104.rh.psu.edu /pub/Oldatari directory. Many thanks to Scott Call and Jonathan Long for keeping this information alive. THESE ARE THE SITES TO GET 2600 INFO FROM. Via WWW: 1) Classic Video Games Homepage URL is http://www2.ecst.csuchico.edu/~gchance/ 2) VGR's homepage URL is http://www.wam.umd.edu/~vgriscep/ 3) Classic Computer and Video Game Systems Homepage URL is http://www.gate.net/~cmwagner 4) Lee K. Seitz's Homepage URL is http://iquest.com/~lkseitz/ 5) Kirk Israel's Homepage URL is http://www.cs.tufts.edu/~kisrael/ ========================================================== 1.4) What is The 2600 Connection? It is a bi-monthly Atari 2600 collector fanzine published by Tim Duarte. The 2600 Connection is an excellent source of information about Atari video game collecting in general, including news, game reviews, interviews, and entertaining anecdotes. Rare and collectible games are frequently discussed. Classified ads in the Connection are relevant to all Atari game machines. Subscription price is $9 for a year's worth of bi-monthly issues (6) or $1.50 for single copies. To subscribe send a check payable to Timothy Duarte to: The 2600 Connection c/o Tim Duarte 8 Jenna Drive Fairhaven, MA. 02719-5123 E-Mail: tduarte@umassd.edu ================================================================ 1.5) In the news.... ----- If you own a 7800 and experience some software problems with 2600 carts, please send me a description of the problem, name of the carts that you have problems with, the serial numbers from the bottom of your 7800 unit, and if you can, the chip numbers off the IC's inside your unit and any numbers on the board itself. Thank you. Famous Brand Electronics is running out of the 7800+40 games packages for $70. So better hurry! Stay tuned to rec.games.video.classics for more info. Get on IRC!!! Every Thursday night at 8PM Est, there is a large gathering of video game collectors. It is loads of fun! Check out #classic all during the week as well, since it seems several of us live there. (Ask your sysadmin for information on irc, on Unix boxes, type "irc". Once in, type "/join #classic". ========================================================== 2.1) Where can I find games for my 2600/5200/7800? There are still several sources for new game cartridges. Mail order firms such as Telegames USA and Best Electronics are probably the best source for new games. They still stock many different games cartridges for all the Atari game machines. Many titles they carry are extremely rare and collectible. Although some of the rarer titles in their inventories are dwindling, they seem to have good stock of many others. Occasionally some retail stores will still have Atari cartridges in stock, although sometimes they are hidden in the backroom. One good places to look is toy stores who used to carry the Atari, such as Toys 'R Us, Kaybee Toys (formerly Circus World), and Children's Palace (now in bankruptcy). Another good source is discount liquidator stores, such as Toy Liquidators, Big Lots/Odd Lots, and Sears Outlets. These stores typically have huge quantities of a limited number of titles, but their discounts are the greatest. Another excellent source for rare and collectible games is the classified ads in The 2600 Connection. The Usenet newsgroups are another place to find new and used game cartridges. There are frequent postings to both rec.games.video and misc.forsale by individuals who have Atari game cartridges for sale. You might also find a rare Atari want-ad in a local newspapers or pennysaver. A better source would likely be the want ads of a local Atari computer user's group newsletter. Finally, there are the many good 2600 games and systems waiting to be liberated from flea markets, thrift stores, and yard sales around the country. Few people will advertise that they have Atari games for sale, but if you get out and look around, you'll find them. If you relish the thought of finding "a diamond in a dumpster" and you've always liked treasure hunting, you may enjoy rumaging through piles of junk to fill those elusive gaps in your game list at minimal cost. Also, you may now special order shrinkwrapped Atari 2600 games from Radio Shack. As I understand it, Atari themselves still have some for sale. From issue 24, Sep/Oct 1994, page 8 of the 2600 Connection: "The 1994 Mail Order Directory" The following is a directory of sources to buy cartridges for your Atari 2600 VCS. Atari Corporation *Best Electronics * P.O. Box 61657 2021 The Alameda, Suite 290 Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1657 San Jose, CA 95126-1127 (408) 745-2098 (408) 243-6950 or (408) 745-2031 Contact: Brad Koda Bill Zandrew Computer/Electronics Source 631 Home 41-30 70th St. Oak Park, IL 60304 Woodside, NY. 11377-3952 (708) 386-2308 (718) 426-9614 Contact: Gonder Tom Dayton Discount # Earl Carsner Highway 92 West 738 N. Bermuda St. Belleville, WI 53508 Mesa, AZ 85205-6112 (608) 424-6111 (602) 641-2451 Contact: Gary Clemens Edward Villalpando FMH Games * 13525 Utica St. P.O. Box 493 Whittier, CA 90605 Chesterland, OH 44026-0493 (216) 729-0761 Contact: Fred Horvat Games Plus ** Hozer Video Games * 5995 E. Camelback 5480 Sacramento Place Phoenix, AZ 85018 Colorado Springs, CO 80917 (602) 890-0556 (719) 573-4910 Contact: Renny Mitchell Contact: Randy Crihfield Jeff Adkins Jeff Cooper 11 Windsor 6407 S. 28th W. Pl. Attica, NY 14011 Tulsa, OK 74132 Jeff's Atari Outpost # Jerry G Visionaries % P.O. Box 771244 14700 NW Bonneville Loop Lakewood, OH 44107 Beaverton, OR 97006 Contact: Jeff Morin (503) 629-9064 Contact: Jerry Greiner Joe Santulli Kevin Oleniacz 44 Hunter Pl. 96 Buena Vista Dr. Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442 Ringwood, NJ 07456 Mars Merchandising Michael Palisano 1041 E. St. Charles Rd. 2 Rock Ridge Dr. Lombard, IL 60148 Norwalk, CT 06854 (708) 627-7462 (203) 866-5946 Mike Casey Radio Shack + 1655 E. Sahara #1106 Las Vegas, NV 89104 SAT-3 Games & Scottith's Games * P.O. Box 851 RD #1 Box 177-A Manteo, NC 27950 Harding, PA 18643-9789 (919) 473-1291 Contact: Scott Stilphen Contact: Sam Twiford III Sean Kelly Steven J. Tucker * or @ 5789 N. Milwaukee 9897 York Rd. Chicago, IL 60646 N. Royalton, OH 44133 (312) 775-9138 after 5pm (216) 237-5308 Telegames % Then Games * Box 901 65 Blakely Road Lancaster, TX 75146 Colchester, VT 05446-1515 (214) 228-0690 or contact: Mark Terry (802) 655-0393 7am-9am EST (802) 879-0210 7pm-9pm EST Video 61 Video Game Closet * 22735 Congo St., N.E. 3021 Roberts Ave. Stacy, MN 55079 Culver City, CA 90232 (612) 462-2500 (310) 842-9192 Contact: Lance Ringquist Contact: David Peterson Video Magic % P.O. Box 9542 Pittsburgh, PA 15223 Contact: Frank Polosky key: * = send S.A.S.E.; request 2600 listing # = send S.A.E. with three stamps for catalog % = send $1 for catalog + = inquire about Express Order program at local store & = send $3 to be placed on mailing list @ = send $3 for printed catalog (refundable on first order) ** = no catalog available; call or write with request list if there are any errors or additions, please email me at TDUARTE@UMASSD.EDU Thanks, Tim Duarte editor, 2600 Connection PO Box N664 Westport, MA 02790 ================================================================ 2.1.1) What games does Radio Shack sell? The following games are being sold by Radio Shack's mail order catalog. Please understand that it has been some people's experience that they don't have a "kloo" about this stuff. So, please ask and explain. Each cart is new and is, I think, $10.00 each. [Funny how these carts look like the FBE carts.] For the 2600: For the 7800: Ace of Aces Asteroids Ballblazer Barnyard Blaster Baseball Baseball Battlezone Basketball Centidede Cracked Crossbow Crossbow Dark Chambers Dark Chambers Defender II Desert Falcon Dig Dug Dig Dug Football Donkey Kong Galaxian Donkey Kong Jr Gravitar Fatal Run Galaga Hat Trick Ikari Warriors Jinks Joust Joust Jr Pac Man Karateka Jungle Hunt Mania Challenge Kangaroo Meltdown Millipede Mousetrap Ms Pac Man Ms Pac Man Off the Wall Ninja Golf Pac Man Phoenix Pole Position Pole Position Solaris Scrapyard Dog Space Invaders Summer Games Super Breakout Tower Toppler Super Football Winter Games Venture Xevious Yar's Revenge [Sorry about the format, this is an sdiff dump and at least you can compare common system games.] ========================================================== 2.1.2) Where can I get copies of game instructions? Currently "The Classic Video Games Homepage" (URL is http://www2.ecst. csuchico.edu/~gchance/) maintains a text copy of video game instructions for the Atari 2600. This list is current as of 8:43PM EST 4/26/95. New manuals appear daily. Please help contribute and type your manuals in!!!! Adventure.html Missile_Command AdventureMap Moon_Patrol Adventures_Of_TRON.html Motorodeo Air-Sea_Battle.html Mouse_Trap_Atari Air_Raiders Mouse_Trap_Coleco Amidar.html Ms._Pac-Man Armor_Ambush.html Night_Driver Artillery_Duel OfftheWall Asteroids.html Oink Astroblast.html Othello Atari_2600_Users_Manual.html Pac-Man Atari_Trak_Ball_Manual.html Phaser_Patrol Atlantis.html Phoenix BMX_Air_Master.html Piece_O_Cake BachelorParty Pigs_N_Wolf Barnstorming.html Pitfall Basic_Programming.html Pitfall! Basketball.html Pitfall_2 Battlezone.html Pitfall_2_Map BeatandEat Pitfall_Solution Bermuda_Triangle.html Planet_Patrol Berzerk.html Plaque_Attack Blackjack.html Pole_Position Bowling Porkys Boxing.html Pressure_Cooker Brain_Games.html Private_Eye Breakout Q*bert Bridge Racquetball Bugs Raiders_Of_The_Lost_Ark California_Games Reactor Canyon_Bomber RealSports_Soccer Carnival Realsports_Football Casino Realsports_Tennis Centipede Return_of_the_Jedi Challenge Riddle_Of_The_Sphinx ChasetheChuckwagon River_Raid Chopper_Command River_Raid_II Circus_Atari Robot_Tank Coconuts Scuba_Diver Codebreaker Seaquest Combat Secret_Quest Commando Sentinel Commando_Raid Shark_Attack Congo_Bongo Skateboardin Cosmic_Ark Skiing Cosmic_Creeps Sky_Diver Crash_Dive.html Sky_Jinks Creature_Strike Slot_Racers Crystal_Castles Snoopy_and_the_Red_Baron Dark_Cavern Solar_Fox Dark_Chambers Solaris Defender Space_Attack Defender_II Space_Invaders Demon_Attack Space_Jockey Demons_To_Diamonds Space_Shuttle Desert_Falcon Space_Voyage Dig_Dug Space_War Dodge_Em Spider-Man Dolphin Spider_Fighter Dolphin.v2 Sprintmaster Donkey_Kong Stampede Donkey_Kong_Jr Star_Fox Double_Dunk Star_Raiders Dragonfire Stargate Dragster Starmaster Dungeon_Master Starmaster_The_Power E.T._The_Extra-Terrestrial Stellar_Track Enduro Street_Racer Fast_Food Stronghold Fathom Subterranea.html Fire_Alert Summer_Games Fire_Fighter Super_Baseball Fire_Fly Super_Breakout Fishing_Derby Super_Challenge_Baseball Football Super_Challenge_Football Freeway Super_Cobra Frogger Super_Football Frogger.v2 Surfing Frogs_N_Flies Surround Frostbite Swordquest-Earthworld GI_Joe Swordquest-Fireworld Galaxian Swordquest-Waterworld Ghostbusters Tac-Scan Golf Tax_Avoiders Gorf Tennis Grand_Prix The_Challenge_of_..._NEXAR Gravitar The_Empire_Strikes_Back Gunslinger Title_Match_Pro_Wrestling Gyruss Tooth_Protectors Haunted_House Towering_Inferno Haunted_House.gif Trick_Shot Home_Run Tron_Deadly_Discs Ice_Hockey Tutankham Ikari_Warriors Up-n-Down Indy_500 Vanguard International_Soccer Venture Jedi_Arena Video_Checkers Joust Video_Chess Jungle_Hunt Video_Olympics Kaboom Video_Pinball Kangaroo Volleyball Keystone_Kapers Wabbit Laser_Blast Wall_Defender Lock_N_Chase Warlords M.A.S.H Winter_Games Mario_Brothers Word_Zapper Maze_Craze Xenophobe Mega_Force Yars_Revenge Megamania docs Midnight_Magic docsindex.html Midnight_Magic_v2 starvoyager.html Millipede z-tack.doc Miniature_Golf ========================================================== 2.2) What are the best games for the 2600? This can be a subjective matter, of course, but Mike Littau conducted an informal 2600 games poll on r.g.v. a few years ago, trying to find answer this very question. Here are the results, with some slight changes in format: From: littaum@jacobs.CS.ORST.EDU (Mike Littau) Subject: Atari 2600 poll results Date: 12 Jun 92 16:49:35 GMT Here are the results of the atari 2600 poll I conducted: Best overall 2600 game: Best original idea for a 2600 game: 1. Adventure 1. Pitfall! 2.(tie) Solaris,Yar's Revenge 2. Adventure 3. Asteroids 3. Yar's revenge 4. River Raid 4.(tie) Stampede, Kaboom, Kool Aid Man Best music or sound for a 2600 game: Best adventure game: 1. Pitfall II: The Lost Caverns 1. Adventure 2. Frogger 2. Raiders of the Lost Ark 3.(tie) Haunted House, California Games 3. Haunted House 4. Asteroids 4. Superman 5. Secret Quest Best action game: Best sports game: 1. Asteroids 1. Activision Tennis 2. Demon Attack 2. Skiing 3. Missile Command 3. RealSports Tennis 4. Warlords 4.(tie) Super Football, 5.(tie) Chopper Command, Moon Patrol RealSports Football, Activision Boxing Best racing game: Best graphics for a game: 1. Indy 500 1. Solaris 2. Enduro 2. Pitfall! 3.(tie) Sprintmaster, Grand Prix 3. Moonsweeper 4.(tie) Barnstorming, Slot Racers 4.(tie) Barnstorming, Demon Attack, River Raid ------------------------------------------ In addition, The 2600 Connection ran an article on the 2600 cartridge "Hall of Fame", listing the best classic 2600 games. There was an excellent capsule description of each game. Here is the list: The 2600 Connection Cartridge Hall of Fame (from issue #10: Combat Asteroids Honorable Mention: Super Breakout Centipede (and Millipede) Draggonfire Defender Donkey Kong (and Jr.) Demon Attack Adventure Mario Bros. Megamania Space Invaders Pitfall! (and II) HERO Missle Command River Raid (and II) Rampage Pac-Man Kaboom Miner 2049er Ms. Pac-Man Frogger Skatboardin' Solaris Q*Bert ========================================================== 2.3) What are the most common and rarest games? The following lists are a quick compilation of what some collectors would consider to be the most common and rarest 2600 games. Neither list is exhaustive, they are simply provided as as quick reference. Those games that are NOT listed as rare are not necessarily common, and vice versa. Many, many, games fall into the "hard to track down" catagory. The following lists ARE contraversial. Even combat is depending on what type of label it has. It is in the readers best interest to obtain VGR's list and run the following commands on it from a unix machine: grep ' xx ' filename > xx.lst Where 'filename' is the name of VGR's list and 'xx' is ER, R, U, C. xx.lst will then contain the output of this extraction. ========================================================== 2.3.1) What are the most common and rarest 2600 games? Common Atari 2600 Games: ------------------------ Activision AX-018 Pitfall! Atari CX2613 Adventure Atari CX2649 Asteroids Atari CX2650 Berzerk (w/ Atari Force #2) Atari CX2607 Canyon Bomber Atari CX2676 Centipede Atari CX2630 Circus Atari Atari CX2601 Combat Atari CX2609 Defender (w/ Atari Force #1) Atari CX2615 Demons To Diamonds Atari CX2637 Dodge 'Em Atari CX2674 ET: The Extra Terrestrial Atari CX2611 Indy 500 Atari CX2638 Missile Command Atari CX2675 Ms Pac-Man Atari CX2646 Pac-Man Atari CX2632 Space Invaders Atari CX2612 Street Racer Atari CX2608 Super Breakout Atari CX2648 Video Pinball Atari CX2610 Warlords Atari CX2655 Yar's Revenge Coleco CO2451 Donkey Kong Imagic IA3200 Demon Attack M-Network MT5666 Astroblast M-Network MT5659 Space Attack Parker Brothers PB5050 Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Parker Brothers PB5300 Frogger Rare Atari 2600 Games: ---------------------- Assault Atari Video Cube Bachelor Party/Gigolo Beat Em & Eat Em/Lady in Wading Berenstain Bears BMX Airmaster (Atari release) Boing! Bumper Bash Burning Dersire/Bachelorette Party Cakewalk Challenge Chase the Chuckwagon Chuck Norris Superkicks/Ghost Manor Chuck Norris Superkicks/Spike's Peak Color Bar Generator Condor Attack Cosmic Corridor Crazy Climber Cubicolor Dishaster Double Dragon Eli's Ladder Gas Hog Glib Gravitar (Silver label) Great Escape Gremlins Halloween I Want my Mommy Knight on the town/Jungle Fever Kyphus Lochjaw MagiCard Malagai Mangia Marine Wars Master Builder Math Math Gran Prix (Sears) Mr. Do's Castle Music Machine Obelix Oscar's Trash Race Out of Control Pele's Championship Soccer Pengo Philly Flasher/Cathouse Blues PLate Mania Pooyan Q*Bert's Qubes Quadrun Rescue Terra I River Patrol Roin Hood Robin Hood/Sir Lancelot Roc N Rope Rubik's Cube sir Lancelot Smurfs Save the Day Space Monster Spider Kong Stronghold Submarine Commander Subterrania Surf's Up SQ Waterworld Texas Chainsaw Massacre Time Pilot Tomarc the Barbarian Tooth Protectors Track and Field Tuby Bird Up N Down Video Jogger Video Reflex Wall Defender X-Man Z-Tack ========================================================== 2.3.2) What are the most common and rarest 5200 games? Common Atari 5200 Games: ------------------------ Atari CX5208 Pac-Man Atari CX5203 Super Breakout Rare Atari 5200 Games: ---------------------- Atari CX5257 Gremlins Atari CX5254 Rescue on Fractalus (very rare) Big Five Bounty Bob Strikes Back Intellicon Meteorites Parker Brothers Frogger II Threedeep! Parker Brothers James Bond 007 Parker Brothers Star Wars: Death Star Battle Parker Brothers Star Wars: The Arcade Game Prototypes: ----------- Atari CX5201 Asteroids Atari Battlezone Atari Black Belt Atari Jr. Pac-Man Atari Last Starfighter Atari Looney Tunes Hotel Atari Meebzork Atari Microgammon Atari Millipede Atari Miniature Golf Atari CX5219 Realsports Basketball Atari Roadrunner Atari Spitfire Atari Sport Goofy Atari Tempest Atari Track and Field Atari XARI Arena Atari Xevious Imagic Fathom Imagic Moonsweeper Spitfire - It was made available, but was in the very early stages. It supposedly has nice graphically, but there was as of yet no game involved. (atariman@athena.mit.edu (Shane D Shaffer)) Tempest - Sort of playable, never completed. (Jeff Minter) Battlezone - Tough to find (as if any of these are easy) Jr. Pac-Man - Just about complete, but it wasn't released commercially. The Last Starfighter - adapted from the computer Star Raiders II, complete except for the lack of shields. Looney Tunes Hotel - Almost complete, but unpolished. Meebzork - Has a few bugs that cause freezes and black-outs. Millipede - See Jr. Pac-Man Miniature Golf - Really stinks. Very early stages, worse than the 2600 version. It's just a bunch of dots and lines. Roadrunner - Almost complete, but no sound. Realsports Basketball - scrapped very early. Sport Goofy - Mostly complete, but has a few bugs. Track N Field - See Millipede Xari Arena - See Battlezone Xevious - See Track N Field The following 5200 Proto's were available from BEST. NOTE: WERE! Basketball Track And Field Gremlins Millipede The Last Starfighter Looney Tunes Hotel Sport Goofy Meebzork Xevious (works only with 2-port model) Road Runner (Proto they carried had no sound) Miniature Golf (same as Road Runner) Pac-Man Jr. (Works on 4 ports, but works best on 2 port version) ========================================================== 2.3.3) What are the most common and rarest 7800 games? Common Atari 7800 Games: ------------------------ Atari CX7805 Galaga Atari CX7808 Pole Position II Atari CX7807 Ms. Pac-Man Rare Atari 7800 Games: ---------------------- Absolute AM-039 Kung Fu Master Activision AM-050 Double Dragon Activision AM-049 Rampage Atari CX7859 Barnyard Blaster Atari CX7863 Mat Mania Challenge Atari CX7875 Meltdown Froggo Tank Command Froggo Water Ski Prototypes (?): --------------- Atari Eidilon, The Atari Electro Cop Atari KLAX Atari Lode Runner Atari Night of the Ninja Atari CX7816 Rescue on Fractalus Atari Sentinal Atari Sky Fox ????? White Water Madness Froggo Pyromania Froggo Scrapper Story Froggo UFO ========================================================== 2.3.4) What games were available via GameLine services? Airlock Alien Atlantis Bank Heist Bermuda Triangle Boing Bugs Cakewalk China Syndrome Coconuts Commando Raid Cosmic Ark Cosmic Creeps Cosmic Swarm Cross Force Crypts of Chaos Deadly Duck Demolition Herby Demon Attack Dragonfire The Earth Dies Screaming Eggomania Encounter at L-5 Entombed Fantastic Voyage Fast Food Fire Fighter Flash Gordon Frankenstein's Monster Gangster Alley Gopher Guardian Infiltrate Jawbreaker King Kong Lost Luggage M.A.D. Marauder M*A*S*H Megaforce Mines of Minos Moonsweeper Name this Game The Challenge of Nexar Nightmare No Escape Picnic Piece O' Cake Planet Patrol Polaris Porky's Raft Rider Ram It Revenge of the Beefsteak Tomatoes Riddle of the Sphinx Room of Doom Save the Whales Shark Attack Shootin' Gallery Sneak & Peek Solar Storm Space Cavern Space Jockey Space Master Squeeze Box Sssnake Stargunner Star Voyager Tape Worm Threshold Towering Inferno Trick Shot Turmoil Warplock Word Zapper Worm War I ========================================================== 2.4.1) What 2600 or 7800 games used a light gun? 2600: ----- Atari CX26183 Sentinel 7800: ----- Atari CX7855 Alien Brigade (stick too?) Atari CX7859 Barnyard Blaster Atari CX7844 Crossbow (gun or stick) Atari CX7875 Meltdown ========================================================== 2.4.2) Which 2600 games used Kid pads/key pads? A Game of Concentration (Hunt & Scare, Memory Match) Alpha Beam with Ernie BASIC Programming Big Bird's Egg Catch Brain Games Codebreaker Cookie Monster Munch MagiCard Oscar's Trash Race Star Raiders ========================================================== 2.4.3) Which 2600 games used paddles? Bachelor Party Beat Em' & eat Em Blackjack Breakout (Breakaway IV) Bumper Bash Casino (Poker Plus) Circus Atari (circus) Demons to Diamonds Eggomania Encounter at L-5 Fireball (Supercharger game) Guardian Kaboom! Mangia Music Machine Night Driver Party Mix (Supercharger game) Piece O Cake Solar Storm Steeplechase Street Racer (Speedway II) Super Breakout Tac-Scan Video Olympics (Pong Sports) Warlords Warplock Canyon Bomber (can also use joysticks to play 2 players at once) Indy 500 (used special 360 paddles) G.I. Joe Cobra Strike (players 1 & 2 use paddle--player 3 uses joystick) ========================================================== 2.4.4) How do I fix my paddles? Dirty paddles can cause the player on the screen to jump around in a somewhat random pattern. One of the better was to clean the dirty "pots" is to open them up and spray WD-40 into the area around the shaft. The WD-40 must get inside the unit. Give a few good twists and try playing some games! Also, Silicon Cleaning spray also works well. ========================================================== 2.5) What is this Starpath CD I keep hearing about? Currently there is a project that involves putting all the Starpath SuperCharger audio tapes onto a CD. The author is looking for un-released games and PAL versions. Check out the 2600 news groups for update information. You may obtain the FAQ for this project from "The Classic Video Games Homepage." http://www2.ecst.csuchico.edu/~gchance/ ========================================================== 2.6) What Easter Eggs (cheats) exist for the 26/52/7800? This section has grown rather large and a new version of the cheats faq is available EMAIL from Galen Tatsuo Komatsu. The current list size is about 41898 bytes. Request "Send B-TECH" from: gkomatsu@uhunix.uhcc.hawaii.edu ar592@cleveland.freenet.edu This is NOT a mailserver. Please give the gentleman some time to respond to the request. Thank you. ================================================================ 2.7.1) What out there exists to help programmers? For 2600 users there is the "Stella" guide. It is availabe from the FTP sites mentioned in this list. Atari.archive.umich.edu has a modified version of Stella that is postscript format with graphs and diagrams. For the 7800 there is Harry Dodgson's (dodgson@coyote.cs.wmich.edu) Monitor Cart plus documentation. The 250+ pages include a stella guide, a 2600 programming manual which is a bit more readable, the Maria specs, and the 7800 docs plus numerous corrections to the Atari documentation. The package price, I believe, is around $65. If you want to get into programming the 2600/7800 GET THIS KIT. ================================================================ 2.7.2) What is the 7800 encryption algorithm? The 7800 uses a data encryption key to determine whether or not the 7800 cartridge is valid and allows the system to be put in 7800 mode as opposed to 2600 mode. The encryption algorithm is said to be proprietary. Rumors exist, however, that Atari released the algorithm for use on the the Atari ST series of computers. If anybody has this program we would all be very happy to have a look at it. It is also rumored that not many people at Atari know what the algorithm is or how to use it anymore. It is also rumored that the code was released with the Lynx Dev-Kit for Amiga's yet it does not appear in version 1.3. Rumors...rumors... ================================================================ 2.8) Bugs. This section deals with major software/hardware bugs. Anybody know of some more? ================================================================ 2.8.1) Whats up with 7800 Impossible Mission? 7800 Impossible mission REALLY is impossible. The cart was released with a bug where some of the pieces you need were hidden under computer terminals...YOU CAN'T SEARCH THE TERMINALS. This bug was fixed, but I don't think Atari ever released the updated version. ghtthing@aol.com (NightThing) [Author's Comment: How does somthing like this happen?] ================================================================ 3.1) What different 26/52/7800 models and accessories did Atari make? Some people not only collect game cartridges, but hardware systems as well. Here is some basic information on the various game systems that Atari has made over the years. ================================================================ 3.1.1) What Atari 2600 and Sears Video Arcade Systems were made? Atari VCS CX2600 - Original model. Woodgrain and black plastic enclosure. Light and heavy weighted plastic. Six silver switches across the upper front panel. Bundled accessories include two CX40 joysticks, one CX30 paddle controller, AC adapter, TV switch and a CX2601 Combat game cart. Sample wording on label on bottom of unit: "Mfd. by Atari, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA. Serial # 048181." "Mfd. by Atari-Wong Ltd. in Hong Kong. Serial # 568213514." "Manufactured for Atari Inc. by TRU Electronic Components Company in Taiwan. Model NO: CX-2600 Serial # 81281713" Sears Tele-Games Video Arcade I - Same as above except external cosmetic differences (the "difficulty" switches are labeled "skill level", switch panel is silver instead of black, woodgrain pattern is different.) Sample wording on label on bottom of unit: "Mfd. for Atari Inc. by Dimerco Electronics in Taiwan for sale to Sears, Roebuck, and Co. Serial # 82077230." Atari VCS 2600A - Revised model. Externally it is nearly identical to the original, except there are four silver switches across the upper front panel instead of six. Internally, the motherboard is a simplified one-piece design. Sample wording on label on bottom of unit: "Mfd. for Atari, Inc. by TRW Electronic Components Co. in Taiwan. Serial # 811510200." "Mfd. for Atari, Inc. by Atari Taiwan Mfing. Corp. in Taiwan. Serial # 827030354." Sears Tele-Games Video Arcade I(A) - Same as above except external cosmetic differences. Sample wording on label on bottom of unit: "Mfd. for Atari Inc. by Dimerco Electronics in Taiwan for sale to Sears, Roebuck, and Co. Serial # 82299647." Atari VCS 2600A (black) - Second revised model. Externally it is nearly identical to the 2600A, except the enclosure has a more modern looking "black out" treatment. The areas of woodgrain on the original models are now simply black plastic. Internally, the motherboard is a mild revision of the 2600A. Sample wording on label on bottom of unit: "Mfd. for Atari, Inc. by Atari Taiwan Mfing. Corp. in Taiwan. Serial # AT831150153." Sears Tele-Games Video Arcade II - Entirely new model of the 2600 designed just for Sears. Black wedge-shaped enclosure, with push button switches and LEDs on top panel. Essentially an Atari 7800 shell. Four joystick connectors on lower front panel with rocker switch. Internally very different from other 2600 models, but still uses the same basic chipset. Bundled accessories include two combination joystick/paddle controllers, AC adapter, TV switch and a Space Invaders game cart. Sample wording on label on bottom of unit: "Sears, Inc. (Atari, Inc.) Serial # SV 392 005539." Atari 2600 "Jr." - Third revised model. It is slightly larger than a VHS video tape case. Some versions have "Jr" stamped onto the bottom sticker. Large black buttons. Power and b/w switches slide, while Reset and Game Select are push buttons. Jet black with large metallic silver strip running lengthwise with "Atari 2600" on it. Marketed as the "Under 50 bux, the fun is back!" machine. Bundled accessories include one joystick, AC adapter, TV switch box, and RCA connecting cable. Box is designed as a carrying case with handle and a white section which reads: "This Atari 2600 belongs to:" No bundled cart. Sample wording from bottom of unit: " Atari 2600 --------------------------------------------------- FCC ID: EBA72R2600 ATARI CORPORATION MADE IN TAIWAN [FCC wording deleted] S.N. A1 81 1494278 ---------------------------------------------------- " or "MANUFACTURED FOR ATARI CORPORATION, BY ATARI TAIWAN MANUFACTURING CORPORATION IN TAIWAN MODEL NO. CX-2600 JR. COVERED BY US PATENT NUMBER 4, 122, 422 OTHER PATENTS, AND PATENTS PENDING ---------------- S.N.|A1 873 412187 | ---------------- MADE IN TAIWAN" Atari 2600 "Jr." - same as above except silver plate has a larger rainbow strip without an embossed border. 2600 Accessories ---------------- CX20 - Driving controllers for Indy 500 (set of 2) CX21 - Video Touch Pad for Star Raiders CX22 - Track ball, black top, white base, with round fire buttons and white/yellow ball. CX23 - Kid's keyboard controller for Sesame Street titles CX30 - Paddle controllers CX40 - Joystick CX42 - Remote control joysticks (set of 2) CX50 - Keyboard controllers (set of 2) CX80 - Track ball, all black with wedge shaped fire buttons. All 6 switch Ataris had a large shield casing. There were at least two 6-switch versions: (6-1) The original. The entire bottom half of the console was made of quarter inch thick plastic (~6mm)! Combined with the thick aluminum RF casing, this is the heaviest 2600 ever made. Also, this 2600 has no 2/3 channel select switch. The hole in there on the case and it's marked Channel A/B, but there's no switch inside on the PCB. These consoles came with "01 combat". (1977 models only) (6-2) The lighter 2600. No armor plating. Bottom half of console is made of thin plastic, like the 4 switch models. Channel switch now present. Thick RF shield still present. Plain ol' "combat" included. 4 front switch, woodgrain panel: Among these are some minor, minor differences. On some, the difficulty switches are marked "Expert/Novice" (or was it "Advanced/Beginner"?) and others are marked only as "A/B". Rumors persist that the pictures on the packaging was different. Pac-Man was the pack-in cart later on. Also, if you really want to get picky, some 2600s were made in Taiwan, some in Hong Kong, some in Sunnyvale, (anything else). I've got to go through my duplicate 2600s and match all these variations up with the revision numbers (A, B, C, D, etc.). 4 front switch, black panel: [Need more info] Also, were there color variations in the lettering, the the borderline around the switches, and cart slot? I have yellow ones and orange ones or is this just fading? (Bruce James Robert Linley - linley@netcom.com - Amateur radio: KE6EQZ) ================================================================ 3.1.2) What Atari 5200 models were made? Atari CX5200 - Original model. Four controller connectors on lower front panel. Bundled accessories include two CX-52 controllers, AC adapter, CX-522 TV switch, and a SuperBreakout game cart. Sample wording on label on bottom of unit: "Atari, Inc., Atari Model No. 5200, Serial # 0151320 SV-442." Atari CX5200 - Revised model. Two controller connectors on lower front panel. Bundled accessories include two CX-52 controllers, AC adapter, TV switch, and a SuperBreakout game cart. Sample wording on label on bottom of unit: "Atari, Inc., Atari Model No. 5200, Serial # 036412 EP-233." There are slight cosmetic changes to the shells of the 5200, in particular the base section has seen several versions. There are at least two different bases with hooks for winding up the video cable, and at least one version without any hooks at all. 5200 Accessories ---------------- CX52 - Controller CX53 - Track ball CX55 - 2600 cartridge adapter (only for 2 port models or modified 4 port) CX522 - TV switchbox for 4 port models. ================================================================ 3.1.3) What Atari 7800 models were made? Atari CX7800 - Two joystick ports on lower front panel. Vastly modified and enhanced Atari 2600 model. New chipset (except sound which is the 2600 chip). Side expansion port for upgrades and computer add ons. Bundled accessories included two CX24 ProLine joysticks AC Adapter, switchbox, RCA connecting cable, and Pole Position II cartridge. Plays all 2600 games except 3 or so. Atari CX7800 - Second Revision. Expansion port connector removed from mother board but is still etched. Shelll has indentation of where expansion port was to be. Atari CX7800 - Third Revision. As above but only a small "blemish" mark on shell. Some versions will play more 2600 games than the other. Please note that this incompatability problem only shows up on one or two 2600 cartridges out of the 1000 or so made; most notably Activision's "Robot Tank." [need more information] 7800 Accessories ---------------- CX24 - Proline joystick CX78 - European joystick Gray with yellow/orange fire buttons and mini thumb joystick. ========================================================== 3.2) What vaporware hardware is there? 2600 Computer Keyboard called the "Graduate." 2600 Voice command system and a "head-mounted-thought" driver controller. Atari 2700 - Remote control joystick/paddles, touch sensitive console buttons. Atari 2800 - Sears Super Video Arcade II with "ATARI" logos. ========================================================== 3.3) How many 2600 clones/emulators were made and by who? Coleco Gemini Video Game - Inexpensive clone 2600 made by Coleco. All black, box-shaped enclosure. Six small slide switches on top of front panel. RF modulator port and power adapter port on back panel. Two joystick ports and difficult switches on front panel. Bundled accessories included two dual-joystick/paddle controllers, a 9volt/500ma DC adapter, RF cable, TV switch and Donkey Kong game cart (?). Sample wording on label on bottom of unit: "Coleco Gemini VGS - Coleco Ind., Inc., Serial # AG0145189." ColecoVision Expansion Module #1 - Black, 5" x 10", 1 3/4" high in front, sloping to 2 3/4" in back. _____ a = expansion connector to ColecoVision ______|__a__|__ b = 2600 cart slot | _____ | c = color/b+w slide switch | |__b__| | l = left difficulty slide switch |......... | r = right difficulty slide switch | clr gr : | g = game select push button |________:_____| r = reset button ^ ^ <---- joystick ports Chips inside are: "COLECO 73192 E4002" (TIA clone?), SY6507, SY6532. Curiously, there is an empty space for a 14 pin chip and assorted resistors and capicitors on the right side of the circuit board. The space for a "Y1" indicates that this was probably intended to be a clock generator. (Could this board also be intended for standalone use, such as in the VGS?) There is also an adjustment hole on the bottom that turns a potentiometer [probably color control]. The reset button on the main ColecoVision console acts as a hard reset for the expansion module. The connection to the ColecoVision unit isn't very physically stable, at least not on carpet, resulting in flaky performance. Sample wording from bottom label: "ColecoVision [tm] Model No. 2405 Coleco Industries, Inc., Amsterdam, NY 12010 Serial # A0065820 For service help call: F.C.C. ID# BNV8432405 1+800+842-1225 Coleco Industries, Inc. (Nationwide) Made in U.S.A. Printed in U.S.A. 74859A" (BTomlin@aol.com) Intellivision System Changer - Made by Mattel, copyright 1983. White, roughly about 5-6" square and 2" high, with a piece sticking out of the left side that fit into the Intellivision cartridge slot. ___________ <-Top face. | _____ | __| [__a__] | a == Atari cartridge slot b == insert into Inty II | b | c == Game Reset (square button) |__ cdefg | d, f == left and right difficulty (toggle switches) |_________| e == Color/B+W toggle switch g == Game Select (square button) Front face had two standard joystick ports. Known to work with virtually all 2600 carts except those that don't work with other adapters (i.e. those like Space Shuttle and Starmaster that use standard 2600 hardware functions). Does not work with the "original" (2609) Intellivision Master Component without factory modification. Sample text from bottom, one white label and one orange label: "Model No. 4610 FCC ID: BSU9RD4610 Serial No. 003255" (vsp@netaxs.com) Commodore VIC-20/2600 game adapter - Rumored to exist. Was advertised by Protecto in mail order ads in during the 1983 time frame. Plugged into VIC expansion connector and provided 2600 software emulation. Original price, emulation quality, and reliability all unknown. [need more information] ========================================================== 3.4) What light guns work with the 2600/7800? There is no light-gun made specifically for the 2600 or 7800, however, Atari's light gun (model number XG-1) that came with the XE-Game-System works well. Additionally, Best Electronics has "The Best Lightgun" which supposedly works better than Atari's own. ========================================================== 3.5) The following are interfaces to enhance the a base system's abilities ========================================================== 3.5.1) What add on modules existed for the 2600? Compumate - 42 key touchpad computer add on from Spectravideo. Adds 16K ROM, 2K RAM, and has BASIC. Looks like a small keyboard attatched to a cartridge, which is in turn connected to the joystick ports. Originally sold for $79.99 Copy Cart - from Vidco, allowed tranfer of a game onto a blank cartridge. Battery powered, not all games can be copied because of memory limitations. CVC GameLine - Play games via modem to a networked database. See Game Doctor in Electronic Games in early '94. [Somebody want to scan this in for me?] Game Selex - from Starplex, allows 9 cartridges to be plugged in at once; turn a dial to choose the game. Kid Vid Control - Cassette recorder and cartridge interface, additional wire connects recorder to joystick port. Voices and songs tell player what to do on screen. Tape shuts off automatically to wait for player input. 3 tapes per game, only games were Berenstain Bears and Smurfs Save the Day. Made by Coleco. Personal Game Programmer - By Answer, similar to Game Genie. ROM Scanner - from Marjac, allows 10 cartridges to be plugged in, press a button to choose game. Starpath Supercharger - Large cartridge that plugged into the 2600 slot had a cable with standard 1/8" jack for plugging into tape recorders. Games came on regular audio cassettes with previews of upcoming releases. The unit itself contains 6K RAM and 2K ROM. ROM is in top 2K and RAM is banked in lower 2K (2600 only has max of a 4K ROM). Video Game Brain - from RGA International Limited. A multiple cartridge adapter that holds six games to play, and contains 2 dummy slots for additional cart storage. You select the game you want to play by pushing a button in frot of that cartridge. Videoplexer - ?? Holds 8 games. [Need more info] ========================================================== 3.5.2) What add on modules existed for the 5200? The Masterplay Interface - by Electra Concepts. Allowed the ability to use 2600 controllers with the 5200. The company also released a game called "Meteorites." I have seen pictures of this device in the ORIGINAL Electronic Games (or whatever it was called back in 83/84.) IF ANYBODY HAS ONE OF THESE I WOULD APPRECIATE A SCHEMATIC or the ability to tinker with one in order to duplicate one!! ========================================================== 3.6) What are the known specs for the 2600/5200/7800? The information here is incomplete in some places, misleading in others, and possibly just wrong in other places. Specifications for the Atari 2600/7800 2600 7800 CPU: 6507 6502C (custom, NOT 65C02) RAM: 128 Bytes, in VLSI 4K, high speed (mostly VRAM) ROM: 4K max 52K max Cpu Clock: 1.19 MHz 1.79 MHz Graphics Clock: 1.19 MHz 7.16 MHz Slot Config: Rom access only Most CPU lines + video/audio CPU Avail: less than 50% over 90% Notes: 1. ROM specs are based on a non-bank select scheme. 2. Graphics Clock is the master clock used to drive the video chips. 5200 CPU: 6502C + 3 Custom VLSI's RAM: 16K ROM: ? Cpu Clock: 1.79 MHZ Graphics Clock: 1.79 MHZ? All 5200 specs are very similar to the Atari 8bit Computer line. ========================================================== 3.6.1) How big do 2600 games get? There are several 2600 games with 16Kbytes such as Road Runner. There are also 15Kbyte games with 128 bytes of RAM on the cartridge (e.g. Solaris). Supercharger games that do multiple loads may be even larger, but specs on these are hard to find. ========================================================== 3.7.1) 2600 and 7800 Joystick pinouts: From: galt%asylum.cs.utah.edu@cs.utah.edu (Greg Alt) _________________ \ o5 o4 o3 o2 o1/ \ o9 o8 o7 o6 / \___________/ pin # 2600 control 7800 control 1 WHT- Up WHT- Up 2 BLU- Down BLU- Down 3 GRN- Left GRN- Left 4 BRN- Right BRN- Right 5 unused RED- Button (R)ight (-) 6 ORG- Button ORG- Both buttons (+) 7 unused unused 8 BLK- Ground(-) BLK- Ground(-) 9 unused YLW- Button (L)eft (-) 2600 control (button) pin 6 ORG(+) --------------()------------BLK(-) pin 8 Button 7800 control (buttons) /----------YLW(-) pin 9 Button L / /---------()---| YLW splits / \----/\/\/-----\ pin 6 ORG(+) -------| ORG splits 520 ohm |---BLK(-) pin 8 \ /----/\/\/-----/ \---------()---| 520 ohm Button R \ RED splits \----------RED(-) pin 5 Pinout for the 5200 controllers. -------------------------------- Pin Function 1 Keypad -- right column 2 Keypad -- middle column 3 Keypad -- left column 4 Start, Pause, and Reset common 5 Keypad -- third row and Reset 6 Keypad -- second row and Pause 7 Keypad -- top row and Start 8 Keypad -- bottom row 9 Pot common 10 Horizontal pot (POT0, 2, 4, 6) 11 Vertical pot (POT1, 3, 5, 7) 12 5 volts DC 13 Bottom side buttons (TRIG0, 1, 2, 3) 14 Top side buttons 15 0 volts -- ground ========================================================== 3.7.2) 2600 Cartridge Pinouts and information: The 2600 Cartridge: A standard cartridge contains the equivalent of a 2716 or 2732/2532 with one notable exception: the chip select line is active high, not low. The high order address line of the 6507 (A12) is used as the chip enable. There was at least one company that used EPROMs with a 74LS04 inverter to compensate for this. The Pinouts: Note: numbers indicate left to right numbering Top Row Bottom Row Slot 2716 CPU 2716 CPU 1 13 D3 1 A7 2 14 D4 2 A6 3 15 D5 3 A5 4 16 D6 4 A4 5 17 D7 5 A3 6 * A12 6 A2 7 19 A10 7 A1 8 NC A11 8 A0 9 22 A9 9 D0 10 23 A8 10 D1 11 24 +5V 11 D2 12 12 Shield Ground NC Ground * to inverter and back to 18 for chip select (Looking at the bottom of the cartridge -- i.e. edge connectors first) Top D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 A12 A10 A11 A9 A8 +5V SGND --1- --2- --3- --4- --5- --6- --7- --8- --9- -10- -11- -12- GND D2 D1 D0 A0 A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7 Bottom Dx = Data line x Ax = Address line x +5V = +5 volts SGND = Shield Ground GND = Ground Note 1: On both of the cartridges I took apart, GND was also connected to SGND. Best to make sure that they are wired together. Note 2: A11 and A12 could be switched. On both the chips I've checked, A12 was hardwired to +5 volts which leads me to believe that it is the highest address line. Since I believe that these chips are only 4Kx8 ROMs, this seems logical, since A12 would actually be just the chip enable for ROM (right?). Only the 2600 info tells differently, and it doesn't give any connection for A11 on the EPROM, so I don't trust it. Unfortunately, since the 2716 EPROM is used as an example, we won't know without actually trying one, since the 2716 doesn't really use A11 or A12 and either one could be used as a chip enable Address lines Memory used Available EPROM Memory ====================================================== A11 2048 2716 2K A12 4096 2732 4K A13 8192 2764 8K (needs support chips for banking) A13 8192 2 x 2732 8K (most common of 8K config) ____________ | 2716 | A7 | 1 24 | VCC [+5 V] A6 | 2 23 | A8 A5 | 3 22 | A9 A4 | 4 21 | VPP [Doesn't matter probably. +5V] A3 | 5 20 | !Output Enable (always on) [GND] A2 | 6 19 | A10 A1 | 7 18 | !Chip Enable (make high bit) [inverted A12] A0 | 8 17 | D7 D0 | 9 16 | D6 D1 | 10 15 | D5 D2 | 11 14 | D4 GND | 12 13 | D3 |__________| ____________ | 2732 | A7 | 1 24 | VCC [+5 V] A6 | 2 23 | A8 A5 | 3 22 | A9 A4 | 4 21 | A11 A3 | 5 20 | !Output Enable (always on) [GND] / VPP A2 | 6 19 | A10 A1 | 7 18 | !Chip Enable (make high bit) [inverted A12] A0 | 8 17 | D7 D0 | 9 16 | D6 D1 | 10 15 | D5 D2 | 11 14 | D4 GND | 12 13 | D3 |__________| ____________ | 2764 | VPP | 1 28 | VCC [+5 V] A12 | 2 27 | !Program Strobe (no connection?) [+5V] A7 | 3 26 | No Connection A6 | 4 25 | A8 A5 | 5 24 | A9 A4 | 6 23 | A11 A3 | 7 22 | !Output Enable (always on) [GND] A2 | 8 21 | A10 A1 | 9 20 | !Chip Enable (always on) [GND] A0 | 10 19 | D7 D0 | 11 18 | D6 D1 | 12 17 | D5 D2 | 13 16 | D4 GND | 14 15 | D3 |__________| I also set VPP at +5V for the 2764. ========================================================== 3.7.3) 5200 Cartridge and Expansion Pinout: 5200 Cartridge port: -------------------- Top Bottom ----------------------------------------------- D0 1 36 Interlock D1 2 35 A11 D2 3 34 A12 D3 4 33 A10 D4 5 32 A13 D5 6 31 A9 D6 7 30 Audio In (2 port) D7 8 29 A8 Enable 80-8F 9 28 Not Connected Enable 40-7F 10 27 A7 Not Connected 11 26 +5V DC Ground 12 25 Ground Ground 13 24 Ground (Video In on 2 port) Ground (System Clock 02 on 2 port) 14 23 Ground A6 15 22 A4 A5 16 21 A3 A2 17 20 A1 Interlock 18 19 A0 5200 expansion connector: ------------------------- Top Bottom ----------------------------------------------- +5V DC 1 36 +5V DC Audio Out (2 port) 2 35 Not connected Ground 3 34 Ground R/W Early 4 33 Not connected Enable E0-EF 5 32 D7 D6 6 31 D5 D4 7 30 D3 D2 8 29 D1 D0 9 28 Ground IRQ 10 27 A0 Ground 11 26 A1 Serial Data In 12 25 A2 Serial In Clock 13 24 A3 Serial Out Clock 14 23 A4 Serial Data Out 15 22 A5 Audio In 16 21 A6 A14 17 20 A7 System Clock 01 18 19 A11 ========================================================== 3.7.4) 7800 Cartridge and Expansion Pinout Cartridge port -------------- 1 R/W 17 A15 2 Halt 18 EAudio 3 D3 19 A7 4 D4 20 A6 5 D5 21 A5 6 D6 22 A4 7 D7 23 A3 8 A12 24 A2 9 A10 25 A1 10 A11 26 A0 11 A9 27 D0 12 A8 28 D1 13 +5V 29 D2 14 Gnd 30 Gnd 15 A13 31 IRQ 16 A14 32 CLK2 Expansion port -------------- Gnd +5v CVideo MLum0 Mlum3 Blank OscDis ExtMen Gnd --1-- --2-- --3-- --4-- --5-- --6-- --7-- ---8-- --9-- -18-- -17-- -16-- -15-- -14-- -13-- -12-- --11-- -10-- Gnd Audio Rdy MCol MLum2 MLum1 Msync Clk2 ExtOsc All signals starting with M are Maria signals MLum* is 4 bits of luminance - giving 16 shades of each color MCol is the color phase angle Msync and Blank are Maria combined sync and blanking outputs Extmen is an external Maria Enable input OscDis disables the 14.31818 MHz master clock and ExtOsc is an input to replace it. CVideo is the input to the RF modulator so it includes the modulated audio too Clk2 is the phase 2 clock from the 6502 Rdy is an input to the 6502 Many thanks to Harry Dodgson for the pinouts. I hope there are no errors with my transcription. ========================================================== 3.8) Power supply informatiion: 2600 power supply: ------------------ Input: 120VAC 60Hz Output: 9VDC 500mA Polarity: Center +, Outer - European 2600 supply: " PART NO.:CO 18084-319 AC/DC ADAPTOR INPUT: AC 240 V#50Hz 9W OUTPUT: DC 9V 500 mA BS415 FOR USE WITH MODELS CX 2600 XEP 80 OR SX212 WB JUN-AUG 87" 5200 power supply: ------------------ [I have used the 11.5VDC pack on both units....I do not know, however, if these are "OFFICIAL" packs per system. i.e. Did all 2 ports come with the 9.3VDC version? I don't know.] 4 Port: 2 Port: Input: 120VAC 60Hz Input: 120VAC 60Hz Output: 11.5VDC 1.95Amp Output: 9.3VDC 1.4A Polarity: Center +, Outer - Polarity: Center +, Outer - Part#: C018187 Part# CO20465-404 7800 power supply: ------------------ Input: 120VAC 60Hz 15W Output: 9VDC 1Amp Polarity: ___ -----| |----- - | o o | + ------------- [Is this looking into the jack or the power supply?] If you are handy with a soldering iron, you can get a more standard jack and just solder it in parallel with the original connector, then buy a power supply at Radio Shack for a few bucks. ========================================================== 4.1) Building a switchbox for the 4 port 5200. Where do I hook up the power supply to my 4 port Atari 5200?! The early Atari 5200s came with an unusual switchbox which supplied power to the 5200 down the same wire the 5200 uses to send the video signal to your TV. The power supply plugged into the switchbox. Unfortunately, these switchboxes seem to have gotten lost over the years and are difficult to come by. Newer 5200s (the one with only two controller ports) had the power supply jack on the console itself. Fortunately, it is not difficult to construct your own RF/power supply box for the 5200. There is one difference, though. The original 5200 switchbox would automatically switch from your TV antenna/cable to the 5200 when you turned the console on. With the RF/power box described below, you will need to use a standard game/TV switchbox to accomplish this function. What do I need to build the RF/Power box? The following parts are needed to construct the box. Where applicable, Radio Shack part numbers, and prices, have been provided. You may use another RCA jack in place of the F jack if you wish. I chose to use the F jack to avoid ever accidentally plugging the 5200 and TV cables in backwards, which would result in 11.5 volts DC going into your TV set, possibly damaging it. RS# Part Price -------- ---------------------------- ----- 270-235 2"x2.75"x1.625" Aluminum Box $1.99 274-1563 Coaxial DC power jack $1.79 278-212 Cable TV type F jack (2 pack) $0.99 (optional, see above) 274-346 RCA type phono jack (4 pack) $2.49 272-131 0.01 uF Ceramic Disc capacitor (2 pack) $0.59 Small metal bolt (1" long, 3/8" diam, approx) 22 guage solid wire (14" or so) Total $7.85 + local tax How do I build it? Drill holes in the aluminum box for each jack to match the diagram below. The box itself forms the common ground connection to all three jacks. To reduce signal loss and ensure the common ground, I recommend using chrome or gold plated type jacks. F jack (to TV) __ +-------------| |-------------+ | |__| |<--- Aluminum box | | | | \ 0.01uF | Solder the leads of the capacitor to | \ _ Capacitor the center pins of the F jack and the | \/@| | RCA jack. Make the choke by winding at | \/ | least 10 turns of 22 guage solid, | \ | insulated wire around a 3/8" (approx) | Choke \ | diameter bolt. Wrap tape around the | ---|/////|---\ | completed choke to prevent it from | _L _L | unwinding. Strip the insulation off of +------| |----------| |------+ each end of the choke leads. Solder the |__| |__| leads of the choke to the center pins of DC power jack RCA jack the DC power jack and the RCA jack. (to pwr supply) (to 5200) Screw the box shut. You're done. How does it work? The capacitor transparently passes the video signal from the 5200 to the TV output jack, while at the same time preventing the DC power from the power supply jack from going into your TV. The choke (inductor) transparently passes the the 11.5 volt DC power to the 5200 via the RCA jack while at the same time preventing the video signal from escaping back down the power supply wire. The bolt around which the choke is wound helps to increase the choke's inductance to block more of the video signal from going back into the power supply than it otherwise would. The aluminum box itself helps keep the video signal confined to where it belongs to prevent possible interference and to ensure that as much of the signal as possible gets to your TV. For this reason, plastic boxes are not recommended. Power supply info (if you don't have one). The 5200 power supply is 11.5 volts DC @ 1.95 amps and has a standard type coaxial plug (center positive 5mm OD, 2.1mm ID). Or you could construct one from a transformer, 4 diodes, two capacitors, a resistor, a 3A adj. voltage regulator, heat sink, case, and cabling, or find a 12V 2A power supply and add a diode inline to drop the voltage by 0.5V, but that's another project! (Bruce James Robert Linley - linley@netcom.com - Amateur radio: KE6EQZ) ========================================================== 4.2) Composite/audio/chroma/luma output for the Atari 2600 [The following mod is for SOME Jr's. Please see section end for 2600A update.] File revision 1.1 After finding my entertainment budget disappear (poor university student) I was forced to economize--I dusted off the Ole'2600. I figured I would hook it up to my computer monitor, but to my dismay there was no composite output on the beast (Atari). Determined to overcome, I quickly disassembled it. After some poking and prodding around I managed to locate the required signals. Benefits: No longer require a TV. You no longer require those god-awful switch boxes. No more interference patterns on the screen (from the RF cable being used as a bloody antenna). No longer requires the 100' hookup RF cable. Crisp clear audio etc; Drawbacks: No longer get to see sister trip in 100' RF cable. No longer get to fall asleep with psychedelic interference patterns on screen. Materials Required: Phillips screwdriver, a soldering iron, solder, a small piece of wire, 2 or 3 patch cables and a small pair of needle-nose pliers. * The following schematic is for the NEWER model which is sometimes referred to as the "Atari Junior". The older model is much the same. 1-Simply unplug everything from your console, turn it over and remove the 5 screws. 2-Remove the top and bottom plastic case pieces. When removing the TOP piece carefully pull out the ribbon cable that connects it to the main board. 3-You should now have the board (covered by a metal shield) in your hands. Turn it over, you will see little clasps on the edge of the shield that hold it in place. Straighten these with your pliers and you can then remove 2 LARGE shields (One on Bottom of unit, one on Top). The small shield remaining (On Top) covers the RF modulator. 4-Orient the exposed board into the position that it would normally be in. ie: The way it is when you play (On/Off switch near Top Left). 5-Look in the LOWER RIGHTHAND AREA of the TOPSIDE (front) of the board. You will see a setup that resembles the schematic below. __________________ TOPSIDE OF THE BOARD, | | LOWER RIGHTHAND CORNER |O RF | | MODULATOR | | | |__________________| ------ TP5 (Luma) | _____ V ___ | | ||| o ||| | O | |_____| RRR RCR |___| ||| ||| ^ ^ | | R41 (Chroma) --- --- C19 (Audio) Gold/Red/Grey/Blue Usually turquoise Color-banded colored NOTE: You can connect the Audio to EITHER side of the Capacitor, the best results are obtained by placing it on the BOTTOM of the Capacitor (as shown). The Chroma *MUST* be hooked up to the BOTTOM of the resistor (as shown). It will NOT work if you hook it to the top of the resistor. To gain Chroma/Luma/Audio output you will need 3 RCA patch cables [the kind commonly used with stereos]. Simply solder the cables at the required points (Chroma/Luma/Audio) as shown. Remember to GROUND ALL cables! ie: solder the GROUND wire [the wire that wraps around the inner wire] to any point that the board shield connects to. To gain Composite/Audio output you need 2 RCA patch cables [the kind commonly used with stereos]. Here it gets a little different than above. Simply solder a "jumper" [a piece of wire] from R41 (Chroma) to TP5 (Luma), then connect a patch cord to TP5 [Presto! you now have composite]. Solder the remaining cable to C19 (Audio). Again, remember to GROUND all cables. Do *NOT* GROUND the jumper! Simply re-assemble the unit and you are done. You will find that it is easier to have the newly installed cables exit through the joystick port. Alternatively, you could cut a notch in the case for a separate exit. Having the cables exit through the RF output is not recommended. There will not be enough room (without pinching the cables) to hook up the RF cable. Adjust your brightness/contrast. Enjoy! If you ever wish to adjust your color (chroma) there is a "POT" that you can tweek. It can be found near the OFF/ON switch. It is the only pot on the left side of the board. DISCLAIMER: I can not, and will not, be held responsible for any damages that you or your system incur. This document is provided for informational purposes only. Send all Questions/Comments/Cartridges you are no longer using to: Thomas Clancy 1 Hunt's Lane St. John's NF, Canada A1B 2L2 thom@garfield.cs.mun.ca thom@saturn.cs.mun.ca thom@morgan.ucs.mun.ca (C)1993 Thomas Clancy This article is freely distributable so long as it is not modified. It must be distributed in it's entirety. -------------------------------------------------------------- Chroma / Luma upgrade for 4 switch 2600s. TIA pin 2 -----Sync TIA pin 5 -----Lum 1 o 5V (TIA pin 20) TIA pin 7 -----Lum 2 | TIA pin 8 -----Lum 0 | + R206(1K)/C208 Bottom ---Audio |---|(----, C210/R210(6.8K) Top ----Color | 100uF | | \/ GND (TIA pin 1) | ,--------------------------------| 10uf | __________ `------,---/\/\/---,--|(--, `---|1 | CR1 750 1.6K | 10 | + | | 2|--|<]--/\/\/-, ,-/\/\/-` | \/ GND TIA2<-----|3 CD4050 | 9.1K | | ___/-------` .......... TIA5<-----|5 4|---/\/\/-----| | Q1 /|/c\ . RCA TIA7<-----|7 | 4.7K |--|------(b| ) . Cables TIA8<-----|9 6|---/\/\/-----| | \|\e/ 75 . __ ,--|14 | 18K | | \-----,---/\/\/----Luma-O__ |--|11 10|---/\/\/-----` | 2K | . | |--|8 | `-/\/\/-,--/\/\/--` . GND \/ | |__________| 5v o | 75 . | | GND \/ . \/ GND Q2 ___/ . 6.8K /|/c\ 75 . __ Top of C210/R210<-----/\/\/---(b| ) ,----/\/\/---------------->Chroma-O__ \|\e/ | . | CR1 - low power silicon \----| 75 . GND \/ (glass) diode (RS 276-1122) `----/\/\/---, . Q1,Q2 - 3904 or equiv. (RS 276-2016) | . \/ GND . 1uF . __ Bottom of R206/C208<-------|(-------------------------------------->Audio-O__ + . | . GND \/ .......... I hope this is clear enough, but here's a basic summary: The CD4050 is a video buffer. It provides a sharper signal than just picking the signals off of the TIA, which is unbuffered and open collector. The unused buffer inputs are tied to ground to reduce noise (pins 14&11). On the outputs of the buffer, the 3 Luma pins and Sync are combined into what will become Luma. Each Luma signal is supposed to be twice as bright as the previous one, so the resistance on each Luma pin is roughly 1/2 the previous one. If you cannot find the exact values, at least try to be within 10% or stack values to get close. The Sync signal is added in via a diode to protect the output of the buffer and is dropped slightly through a 750 ohm resistor. Next, the combined Luma signal is connect to 5v & ground through resistors to reference the voltage for the base of Q1, our Luma amplifier. Its output is set to 75 ohm impedance (75 ohms is best but 70-100 ohms will work in the place of the 75 ohm resistors. The closest Radio Shack has is a 1/2 watt 82 ohm resistor 271-011 which works fine). The Chroma signal is picked off the board at the junction of C210 and R210. Looking at the board, R210 is the 4th component from the right in the bottom row of resistors/capacitors under the shield. It connects to C210 (5th component from the right) at the top of both components, and this is where to solder the wire for the Chroma circuit. The Chroma circuit is just a simpler version of the Luma amplifier. Again, the output is 75 ohm impedance. The Audio circuit is simply a capacitor to filter out the DC offset on the audio signal. Pick the audio signal off the board at the junction of R206 and C208. R206 is the 4th component from the right in the 2nd row of components at the bottom. Solder the Audio wire at the bottom of R206 and/or C208 (3rd component from the right). Be sure to solder the outer shield from the RCA cables to ground and connect the signal to the inner conductor. Also, do not disconnect any pins of TIA from the circuit (if the pins are lifted out of the socket or PCB, the open collector outputs will no longer function). I used a small piece of perfboard from Radio Shack and hot-glued it into the 2600 case and made a small hole in the RF shield to run the wires to the new board. I ran the RCA cables (Chroma, Luma, Audio) out the hole for the RF cable. I'd like to acknowledge Ben Poehland and Charles Cole whose Super Video upgrades are the basis for this project. When you complete this circuit, your 2600's picture quality will be comparable to a Super Video upgraded Atari 8-bit. Please send corrections, comments, questions, dirty jokes, etc... to me at bryedewaard@delphi.com. Thanks - Bryan Edewaard ========================================================== 4.3) Video driver for the 2600/7800 How to make a video driver suitable for a 2600 or 7800 Parts list: T1 2SC1815 R1 2.7K R2 150 R3 68 L1 180 uH L2 2.7 uH C1, C2 100 uF 6.3 V wire list: R1:1 to Ground R1:2 to Video In R2:1 to Video In R2:2 to T1 base R3:1 to Ground R3:2 to T1 emitter L1:1 to +5V L1:2 to T1 collector C1:1 to Ground C1:2 to T1 collector (positive lead of C1) C2:1 to L2:1 C2:2 to T1 emitter (positive lead of C2) L2:1 to C1:1 L2:2 to Video Out +5 Volts | ( L1 ( ( | R2 |/---+---+ Video In -------+---^^^------| T1 | + C2 L2 | |\ | | >>-+---|-------| |----nnn---- Video Out > | | R1 > > _ + > R3 > - C1 | > | | | | +-----------------+---+--- Ground This is a simple common emitter amplifier. It is a non-inverting current amplifier and serves here to allow the video signal from the game to drive a standard composite monitor with 75 ohm impedance. In order to prevent the audio from interfering with the video signal, the mixing oscillator must be disabled on the main circuit board. On a 7800, remove the base lead of Q1. It is located near the RF modulator. The audio doesn't need any extra buffering. Places to get signals: 1. from RF modulator pin 3 is video pin 1 is ground 2. from Expansion Interface on 7800 pin 1 is ground pin 2 is +5V pin 3 is video pin 17 is audio 3. from main circuit board on a 7800, video and ground are across C7; +5V and audio are across C4 This circuit may not work or be required with all versions of the 2600. It is required for the 7800 and the Sears Video Arcade II version of the 2600. It is probably not necessary for a 5200. (Harry Dodgson Jr. dodgson@coyote.cs.wmich.edu) ========================================================== 4.4) Converting Sega controllers to Atari format [Author's note: My genesis controllers work just fine on the 2600 as is.] Using Sega Genesis Controllers with the Atari 7800 and Atari 2600 (Revision 1.0) This Posting explains: 1. How to convert a Sega Genesis Controller to work with the Atari 7800 or Atari 2600. 2. Where to purchase a converted Sega Genesis Controller or an adaptor. DOING IT YOURSELF First the Disclaimer. I am not responsible for: 1. Any damage done to your Atari 7800 or Atari 2600. 2. Any damage done to the Sega Genesis Controller. 3. Any errors in these instructions. This design is free for you to make your own controllers or adaptors. If you make controllers or adaptors to sell to other people, I would like (no suprise here) a cut of the profits. The only other thing I ask is that if make your own, drop me an email so I get an idea of how many people are using my design. I'm not going to give step by step instructions. I'm going to assume that the reader has some basic knowledge of electronics and can figure out what to do with the schematics and info presented here. I will, however, answer questions if asked. This design works with the Atari 2600 as well as the Atari 7800. Also, any system that can use Atari 2600 joysticks, should be able to use this design. This design can be put inside a Sega Genesis controller or with the addition of two 9 pin connectors, it can be made into an adaptor. It works with any Sega Genesis controller including those with autofire. Parts List: 2 3906 PNP Transistor 2 1K Resistor 2 620 Ohms Resistor For Adaptor only 1 9 pin Male Subminiature D connector 1 9 pin Female Subminiature D Connector Schematic: Sega B button --> Atari Left Button: ____ Atari 6 1K | / Sega 6 __/\/\/\/\___|V PNP |\ 3906 |_______ Atari 5 | < < 620 Ohms < | Atari 8 Sega C button --> Atari Right Button: ____ Atari 6 1K | / Sega 9 __/\/\/\/\___|V PNP |\ 3906 |_______ Atari 9 | < < 620 Ohms < | Atari 8 Sega 1 -------- Atari 1 (Up) Sega 2 -------- Atari 2 (Down) Sega 3 -------- Atari 3 (Left) Sega 4 -------- Atari 4 (Right) Sega 8 -------- Atari 8 (Ground) Sega 5 ___. | |---- Atari 7 (+5V) Sega 7 ___| Notes: 1. Pins listed as Sega refer to the 9 pin male connector that the Sega Controller plugs into. Pins listed as Atari refer to the 9 pin female connector that plugs in the Atari 7800. ========================================================== 4.5) How can I get my Sega light gun to work on the Atari? Antic Magazine published an article on how to convert a sega master system light gun for use on the Atari's. From Antic Magazine, August 1988, Vol. 7, num. 4 "First look: Inside the XE Game System: Hardware surprises revealed!" by Matthew Ratcliff page 45 To modify the Sega gun for the Atari, you'll have to cut off the incompatible connector. The wires must be stripped back and soldered into an Atari joystick connector as follows: SEGA GUN ATARI JOYSTICK PORT Blue wire Pin 1 stick FWD Gray wire Pin 6 trigger Green wire Pin 7 +5 volts Black wire Pin 8 Ground Because of the close fitting connections for the XEGS ports, don't wire in a DB9 female connector that has "ears". Most joysticks don't have wires for unused signals, so cutting up an old joystick cable may not work. Specifically, an Atari joystick does not need the +5 volts, so there isn't likely to be a wire connected to Pin 7. However, you can find joystick extension cables at Radio Shack, which have all nine pins wired from male to female. Antic disclaims responsibility for any damages that might occur during improper implementation of this, or any, hardware modification project we publish. Once it's all hooked up, you'll notice that gun fires when you release the trigger, which is annoying. The Sega trigger wiring is the opposite of what the Atari light gun uses. To rewire the trigger switch, remove the five screws (one is under the Sega logo on the side). Find the trigger micro-switch with three connections. Wire to the normally closed contacts instead of normally open. ================================================================ Still needed: People to send me their extra carts. =) List of games and circumstances under which the 7800 does not play 2600 games. (You will be asked to submit DETAILS). ---- End of Classic Atari Video Game FAQ End Of Line -- Andrew K. Heller - Making the world safe once again. heller@akh104.rh.psu.edu ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carts: 2600 104; 5200 28; 7800 20 (MINT); Lynx 5; Vectrex 20 Systems: 2600 1; 2600A 2; 2600JR 1; Sears SVA2 1; 5200 2; 7800 2; Lynx 1; 800 2; 1200XL 1; 600XL 1; 800XL 7, 130XE 1; Vectrex 1 w/Pen & 3d ELO listenin', Dr. Pepper, Kool-aid, and Red Devil drinkin', Atari lovin', cags-faq writin', FLYERS watchin', fuji worshiping Ghoull-Man.