zeratul209923h ago

Some weeks ago I snapped the stick of my CX-78 controller that came with the Atari 7800. The CX-78 came with the console in Europe and strongly resembles the NES gamepad, and that's no coincidence. A difference is the stick that can be screwed in the dpad. And this stick snapped. I saw no chance to fix or glue it and the rest if the stick is still stuck in the thread. The controller is still perfectly usable, but quite ugly in my eyes.

1/2

#retrogaming #retrocomputing #atari #atari7800 #cx78

Show threadGabeMoralesVR23h ago
@zeratul2099 They reproduced these a few years back and it's possible to buy replacement sticks if you look around.
Show threadzeratul2099

@GabeMoralesVR Yeah. You responded faster than I could post my follow up post :D

Thats exactly what I did. I got the new wireless version.

Mar 27 at 11:21pmWeb
Show threadGabeMoralesVR23h ago
@zeratul2099 I loved controllers that had these little nubs. My launch Master System had them, and so did my Gravis Gamepads for my 486. I totally used them! I think they feel good under my thumb. I feel like the 7800's is the best of these mini thumbsticks, with Sega's being the worst since it was a ball-top that hurt my thumb. Glad you got this replaced!
Show threadGabeMoralesVR23h ago
@zeratul2099 Incidentally, as someone who has pretty much hated Atari ever since the Tramiels sold them, I have to say this latest iteration of Atari is probably the best since their golden years. They actually are mining their nostalgia well, and their original games are pretty good. Have you seen the wireless atari joystick they sell? I use it for my MiSTer FPGA, it's *awesome*. Combined stick and spinner in one!
Show threadzeratul209923h ago

@GabeMoralesVR Yes, I prefer this controller with the thumb stick. Feels better than without it. I've never seen this concept before. I went from the 2600 to the Amiga to the PC back then.

The current CEO of Atari seems to be a big retro fan and since he is in charge they seem to honor their legacy. But yeah, the company is basically Infogrames with the Atari-label on it :)

Show threadGabeMoralesVR23h ago
@zeratul2099 I remember when they were first sold to hasbro immediately after the Tramiels sold and being optimistic. Hasbro's first official act as owners of Atari was to declare the Jaguar on open system and waive all licensing fees, which is why the Jag homebrew scene thrives today. Then... it was all downhill from there lol. I like when Atari is actually awesome, it's good for the industry IMO.
Show threadzeratul209923h ago

@GabeMoralesVR I remember them being publisher of Unreal Tournament. I saw the logo on the box and was surprised: Atari still exists? :D

But then I lost track and learned the whole Atari story only a few years ago when I started getting into retro gaming.