Atari 2600 joystick pinout |
connector or cable wiring scheme |
9 pin D-SUB female connector | The most common joystick type in home computers have been Atari-style digital joysticks. Those joysticks are calle after Atari, because this joystick type was first introduced in Atari 2600 videogame and then adopted to the home computers introduced on ever since (VIC 20, Commodore 64, Amiga, MSX-computers and even Sinclair Spectrum joystick adapters used this joystick type). The joystick itself consisted of five whiched which are arranged to that four of them told about the joystick direction (UP, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT) and one was for fire button. The joystick connector was 9 pin D-shell connector. Normally all of those whiches are open, but when joystick is turned from the center position, one or two position whiched are closed (according to what direction the stick is turned). The fire button worked so that it closes when button is pressed. All of the swiches are connected between ground and corresponding signal pin of the joystick connector.
Comment by James : A set of paddles can be connected to the 2600 for games like pong etc Note: Direction is Computer relative joystick. | 9 pin D-SUB male connector | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pinouts.ru > Input devices (keyboards, mices, joysticks) pinouts > Pinout of Atari 2600 joystick and layout of 9 pin D-SUB female connector and 9 pin D-SUB male connector |
correct | |
Source(s) of this and additional information: Classic Atari 2600/5200/7800 Game Systems FAQ, Pinout by Greg Alt, from Hardware Book | 3 reports | |
Last updated at Sat Apr 7 2007. Submit additions or corrections for this document. | Is this document correct or incorrect? What is your opinion? |