Latest Atari 2600 controller USB options

[John IV [MameUI64]]

Howdy, I had an itch to use an OEM 2600 joystick on old 4-way games in MAME like pacman and dkong.  What's the current best/preferred way to interface the db9/serial connector with a USB port?  I imagine a bog standard rs232 to USB wouldn't do it.  Thanks -

[PL1]

Howdy, I had an itch to use an OEM 2600 joystick on old 4-way games in MAME like pacman and dkong.  What's the current best/preferred way to interface the db9/serial connector with a USB port?  I imagine a bog standard rs232 to USB wouldn't do it.  Thanks -

Atari 2600 joysticks are really easy to hook to your choice of USB encoders.   
- I'd probably use a 32u4 Arduino like the Pro Micro with a gamepad/joystick firmware and a 3d printed case.  YMMV.

1. Get a DB-9 M-F extender cable -- make sure it's "straight through" NOT a "null modem" cable.

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Black-Straight-Through-Serial/dp/B00A6GIUNC/?th=1

https://www.amazon.com/YCS-Basics-Serial-Female-Extension/dp/B009WUPS92/?th=1

https://www.amazon.com/JoFong-Controller-Extension-Classic-Console/dp/B09T3K9H4V/?th=1

2. Cut off the female end.

3. Peel back the outer insulation and strip the wires.

4. Use your multimeter to find which male pin on the extender cable goes to which wire.

5. Attach wires 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 to your encoder.
- Pin 8 is the common ==> ground on an IPac/Arduino or the outer row of pins on a ZD encoder.  Since the outer pins on a ZD encoder are all tied together, you'll only need to connect one of the outer pins to pin 8 and the PCB in the joystick does the rest.  Most ZD encoders are "active high" devices so the outer pins are tied to 5v -- do not connect any of them to the outer shielding on the extender cable.


Scott
EDIT: Added several more cable links.  The three linked cables have all 9 pins wired per either the product description or a user review.

[John IV [MameUI64]]

Thanks Scott, that's quite descriptive; alas my controller building and wiring days are in the past. 
These days I was hoping for a more turnkey solution that I could plug the A2600 joystick directly into that had already done the wiring and included the encoder and just do a USB out. 
I remember some years ago these products were offered at the dawn of A2600 emulation w/ Stella, maybe they're not producing them anymore.  Would AtariAge be a more appropriate forum to fish?  Thanks again -

[PL1]

Thanks Scott, that's quite descriptive; alas my controller building and wiring days are in the past. 
These days I was hoping for a more turnkey solution that I could plug the A2600 joystick directly into that had already done the wiring and included the encoder and just do a USB out. 
I remember some years ago these products were offered at the dawn of A2600 emulation w/ Stella, maybe they're not producing them anymore.  Would AtariAge be a more appropriate forum to fish?  Thanks again -

You might want to double check on AtariAge, but the 2600-dapter series looks like the successors to the old Stelladaptor that you mentioned.

http://2600-daptor.com/

https://forums.atariage.com/topic/181321-announcing-new-2600-controller-usb-adaptor/


Scott

[John IV [MameUI64]]

Thanks I went w/ one of the 2600dapter II's.  Also interestingly, it looks like Atari is ramping up a new release of the CX40. Wonder how it'll feel compared to the originals.
https://atari.com/products/cx40-joystick

[nitrogen_widget]

I bought a hyperkin for my, 2600,vic-20,atari 800, and c64 and amiga 500 once i fix them.
feels good.

better than the quickshot and gemstar? joysticks i have after the 2600 sticks fell apart when i was a kid,.