I can assure you this retro Battlestation is fully operational.

It also includes, not depicted or easily seeable, a sd2iec adapter, an Exos V3 module and a 154i floppy disk.

Time to play some Rainbow Arts classics!

And Bubble Bobble

  • Captain AggravatedEnglish
    2·
    5 days ago

    I just ordered a sega master system controller, should be fully compatible.

    I would avoid using a Sega gamepad with a Commodore computer. 1. the pinouts are different, especially where the +5V line is. 2. Master System controllers have pull-up resistors, where Atari standard controllers just leave pins floating. This can screw with the keyboard. Apparently some controllers use active circuitry which require the +5V line. I have even heard of them borking the CIA chip in the Commodore.

    My advice would be to get a proper controller that has internal microswitches rather than the cheaper contacts that wear out.

    • f4f4f4f4f4f4f4f4@sopuli.xyzEnglish
      1·
      5 days ago

      I thought this only applied to Mega Drive/Genesis controllers, as many two-button joysticks back in the day were advertised as compatible with “Atari, Commodore, and Sega”.

      I opened my Master System controller (Model 3020) and verified that there are no resistors or components, and the Sega’s +5V pin (pin 5), and the C64’s +5V pin (pin 7) are the two wires that are not connected to anything do not even have pins or wires in the cable. So this particular pad is safe. Other pads may be wired differently!

      • Captain AggravatedEnglish
        2·
        4 days ago

        Then I see no reason that shouldn’t work. It may be Mega Drive/Genesis controllers I’m thinking of.

        Even among old microcomputer joysticks you have to keep an eye out, I think those made for Sinclair and/or Amstrad were also pinned differently.

        • f4f4f4f4f4f4f4f4@sopuli.xyzEnglish
          1·
          4 days ago

          Agreed, cheap DB-9 used for all kinds of different connections. I used this site for info: https://wiki.icomp.de/wiki/DB9-Joystick

          In the US, Sinclair and Amstrad seem to be rare. We do have the problem where Master System was uncommon but Genesis was massively popular, so many people refer to the Genesis as “the Sega”. You can’t say, “Sega controllers are OK for C64” with Master System implied, because someone will use a Genesis pad and blow up the CIA when pad buttons and keyboard keys are pressed at the same time.

          • Captain AggravatedEnglish
            1·
            4 days ago

            I’m reaching back a little before my time but I believe some Sinclair microcomputers were imported to the US under the Timex brand, but between the popularity of Japanese video game consoles and the domestic market of Atari, Commodore, Apple, Tandy and IBM, European microcomputers weren’t that popular.

            • f4f4f4f4f4f4f4f4@sopuli.xyzEnglish
              1·
              3 days ago

              You’re right. I got a “Timex Sinclair 1000” at a garage sale, it’s a 2KB modified ZX81. The other manufacturers you mention had more software available, and Commodore often played dirty.

              I’m tempted to replace the TS1000’s failing keyboard with one of those new ones with tact switches, but that’s a bit of an investment for what would sit on the shelf anyway. My C64 at least still gets played and demoscene stuff showed off!

    • macniel@feddit.orgOPEnglish
      1·
      5 days ago

      Mhm so you know a gamepad that’s fully compatible with the ç64? Playing jump and runs with a joystick just feels so utterly wrong.