Atari 2600 Bar Top Cab

[billm75]

Hey all, I'm new here, and pretty much arcade stupid.  I'm trying to read and absorb as much as I can from all of you, but it's a bit over my head.  One day I'd love to build a MAME cabinet, but I'm not much on learning how to program.  So, with that said, I have a plan to build a bar top cabinet using a classic Atari 2600 to run things.

My goal is to have an arcade style control panel.  The atari joysticks only had 1 button, but I've seen some where folks have used 2 or 3 buttons.  Anyone know why and how?

I'm removing the guts from this old machine and am going to retro-fit it into my cabinet, leaving the cartridge slot exposed for changing games.  I've looked into the multi-carts, but honestly, I only have a few games I like from the old system.  (I was a kid when Atari was new, so, it's a walk down memory lane for me).  Pitfall, Pac Man, Space Invaders, and that's about it.  Maybe donkey kong and Ms PacMan. 

If anyone can give me any tips, advice, or background info, that would be great.  Otherwise, I'll keep combing the forum for ideas.  My main question right now is about the multiple buttons people add when building something based on the 2600 system, not MAME, but the actual system.

Thanks!

[javeryh]

2 or 3 buttons on a bartop that only plays atari 2600 games using original hardware and software?  That seems like overkill.  I never played a game with a controller other than the paddles and the joystick and both had one button.  Maybe they were admin buttons?  Also, I'd love a link or something to one of these projects you are describing - don't think I've ever seen one other than the 2600 handhelds that ben heck

If you are going to go through the trouble of building a bartop why not use a computer and an atari 2600 emulator?  Seems like it would be way easier and you'd get to play every single 2600 game as well as a ton more.   

[LeedsFan]

Well I'm not an expert on the Atari 2600 machine. But if the original games all used the old sticks which just had one action button then what would the other buttons be for? Only thing I can think of would be admin buttons to replace the toggle switches on the Atari console. Or if their machines emulated other consoles which needed extra buttons.

[billm75]

Here's a link to one, it's not a cabinet, but it's a control panel using arcade style joysticks and buttons.

http://www.8-bitcentral.com/joystick/joystick2600.html

And now that I'm posting it I see where they said the did it for the 7800 games......eeesh.  I told you I was stupid.


As to why I'm not doing a PC based emulator.....I don't know how to do that.  I already have a 2600 system ready to implement, and I have the 4 or 5 carts that I want to play.   Eventually I may learn about emulators and such, I would love to.  But right now, I want a Pacman/Pitfall machine.  LOL

[javeryh]

As to why I'm not doing a PC based emulator.....I don't know how to do that.  I already have a 2600 system ready to implement, and I have the 4 or 5 carts that I want to play.   Eventually I may learn about emulators and such, I would love to.  But right now, I want a Pacman/Pitfall machine.  LOL

There's almost nothing to learn.  If you can turn on a computer you can build a bartop around one.  Just the fact that you know how to post on this forum means you have the computer know-how to figure it out.  This is not an exaggeration.  If you get stuck on some details that's what we are here for.  Pac-man on MAME is just so much better than the 2600 abomination.  You can do it!   

[alfonzotan]

Ditto.  Emulation is a breeze.

Completely understand the 2600 love... But why settle for 5 games when you can have thousands?

[Well Fed Games]

I'm actually loving the idea of re-purposing old consoles. I have a PSX bartop, would love to do a 2-player bartop with a Genesis at heart for my daughter (with its bizarre 2 player Ms Pac Man port), and have even considered a 5200 one based around what remains my favorite version of (old school) Space Invaders. I would certainly consider emulation (I am using MAME for my current full-size cab project), but if a console makes sense for your build, and plays well with other components you want to use, I say go for it. Just be sure to post lots of pics here and document it!

[billm75]

I'm actually loving the idea of re-purposing old consoles. I have a PSX bartop, would love to do a 2-player bartop with a Genesis at heart for my daughter (with its bizarre 2 player Ms Pac Man port), and have even considered a 5200 one based around what remains my favorite version of (old school) Space Invaders. I would certainly consider emulation (I am using MAME for my current full-size cab project), but if a console makes sense for your build, and plays well with other components you want to use, I say go for it. Just be sure to post lots of pics here and document it!

Thanks!  I was starting to feel like the outcast here with all the pro-emulator stuff I was reading.  LOL  This is a first try, and is simply for me to have a fun little project.  I am still learning about MAME and emulators and such, so until I feel more comfortable with all that, I think this is the route to go for now.

[AurorasDady]

Personaly I am glad I did not jump right into building a cabinet until I had a much better understanding of the software side of things. Had I started on my cabinet right away I would have ended up with something I would be less happy with. Do what makes you happy with the end result, or what is within your means. The advice given here may help steer you closer.

Also, I am not a fan of more is better. I prefer games that will get played to be on my machine.

[Taekwonjudo]

Hey all, I'm new here, and pretty much arcade stupid.  I'm trying to read and absorb as much as I can from all of you, but it's a bit over my head.  One day I'd love to build a MAME cabinet, but I'm not much on learning how to program.  So, with that said, I have a plan to build a bar top cabinet using a classic Atari 2600 to run things.

My goal is to have an arcade style control panel.  The atari joysticks only had 1 button, but I've seen some where folks have used 2 or 3 buttons.  Anyone know why and how?

I'm removing the guts from this old machine and am going to retro-fit it into my cabinet, leaving the cartridge slot exposed for changing games.  I've looked into the multi-carts, but honestly, I only have a few games I like from the old system.  (I was a kid when Atari was new, so, it's a walk down memory lane for me).  Pitfall, Pac Man, Space Invaders, and that's about it.  Maybe donkey kong and Ms PacMan. 

If anyone can give me any tips, advice, or background info, that would be great.  Otherwise, I'll keep combing the forum for ideas.  My main question right now is about the multiple buttons people add when building something based on the 2600 system, not MAME, but the actual system.

Thanks!

Well, I can't answer for what you've seen, but I do remember when I had a 2600 I LOVED when we got the new 2 button joystick. There was just something about having that thumb button on the top of the stick like a flight yoke that made those games just som much more enjoyable. (Combat on 31 anyone? Man thanks for the memories on THAT one! )

As has been stated before... Emulation is dead simple & I really encourage you check it out & learn everything you can... but I also agree... what's the point of emulating games that don't get played? Do what's right for you & trust that everyone here is quite helpful. I know I've found it so even being a noob myself ;p

[ChadTower]

Keep us updated!  Love my 2600 and still play it regularly.

[alfonzotan]

I'm actually loving the idea of re-purposing old consoles. I have a PSX bartop, would love to do a 2-player bartop with a Genesis at heart for my daughter (with its bizarre 2 player Ms Pac Man port), and have even considered a 5200 one based around what remains my favorite version of (old school) Space Invaders. I would certainly consider emulation (I am using MAME for my current full-size cab project), but if a console makes sense for your build, and plays well with other components you want to use, I say go for it. Just be sure to post lots of pics here and document it!

Thanks!  I was starting to feel like the outcast here with all the pro-emulator stuff I was reading.  LOL  This is a first try, and is simply for me to have a fun little project.  I am still learning about MAME and emulators and such, so until I feel more comfortable with all that, I think this is the route to go for now.

In that case, you might want to try and track down one of the mid-80's "2600 Jr" consoles... they're smaller than the original "VCS" boxes, and might be easier to integrate in a bartop build:

http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/2600/atari2600jr.html

[ChadTower]

Having fixed an awful lot of 2600s over the years I don't really think the hardware version is going to make much difference.  They're all pretty much just a couple things on a huge board, a cartridge port, a few oversized switches, and a power supply connector.