So remember when I said this whole project began because I wanted to play pong? Well Pong requires paddle controllers and figuring out how to get working paddle controllers is actually difficult.
So remember when I said this whole project began because I wanted to play pong? Well Pong requires paddle controllers and figuring out how to get working paddle controllers is actually difficult. I have 2 pairs of paddles for a total of 4 controllers. The only solution that worked was using the 2600-daptor and while using them I came to the conclusion that the original paddles are just not very good. They are not "silky smooth" and they all have a least a little jerk and jitter no matter how much they are cleaned.
There is an online store called Best Electronics and they seem to sell some upgraded paddles, but at $46 I'm not sure if I should go that route or try the Ranger Paddles for the RetroN.
| 2600-daptor | Original Paddles WORK |
| RetronN 77 | Original Paddles do not work |
| Atari Flashback 8 | Original Paddles do not work |
| Atari Flashback Blast! Vol. 3 | This is just crap |
Fixing your Original Paddles
Any search on getting Atari 2600 paddles to work anywhere leads you articles on how to clean the potentiometers. If you have never done anything similar it might be a bit daunting but it's not that bad and a great introduction to the world of fixing old equipment. I'm just going to refer you to the site where I learned.
Atari 2600 Paddle Controller Fix: Potentiometer Cleaning or Replacement
Retro Game Start
2600-daptor
So you have the Stella emulator running on your PC but you really want to use an original joystick or paddles. Welcome to the 2600-daptor.
This solution works
But I need some better paddles. After playing a bit and testing all 4 paddles, they all had one issue or another. Since none of them failed in the same way I'm thinking I've run into the hardware limits of the old paddles. Things like a very small dead zone or occasional jerkiness.
2600-daptor
USB Adapter for Joystick and Paddle
2600 daptor
RetronN 77
So close, but no, Original Paddles do not work with the RetroN 77 out of the box or with the more updated firmware from Atari Age.
Both paddles I tested had the same issue where the paddle would work on the left hand of the screen and then at the midpoint it would jump to the far right.
As this happened identically on two different paddle controllers I'm thinking there is something in the emulator hardware. I was able to get both of these paddles to work with the 2600-dapor above, so at least I know it's not the paddles.
As I mentioned before they sell a Ranger Premium Wired Gamepad for about $25 that does have a paddle, but the reviews are mixed and I have not tried it personally.
Atari Flashback 8
No, original paddles do not work with the Atari Flashback 8.
They do not register at all. You will finds lots of conflicting information online about this. They have 4-5 versions of the Atari Flashback that have been sold, so maybe some of them work. But this one does not.
12/28/2023