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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'
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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!
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