Atari Gamestation Pro Gets a Major Controller Upgrade (vid#86)

[@nostalgicforthe70s18]

Steve, the master of adapters and the King of Controllers.

[@emmettturner9452]

Don’t forget that The400 Mini is on the way! It’s an official Atari licensed product too. :)

[@yllib2012]

It's basically a SNAC adapter for the MiSTer FPGA system. I've had very good luck using a USB-C male to USB-A female adapter along with several 2.4 Ghz USB controller receivers and the 8BitDo USB Bluetooth adapters. I try to stay with the 2.4 Ghz solutions whenever possible as they have noticeably less lag than Bluetooth. In all honesty, I wouldn't even care to own an Atari Game Station Pro if it were not for firmware version 1.30 and the ability to play other system ROMs on it. I've not tested all but, a large percentage of the MAME2000 games are playable.

[@jerednorman4265]

Great video! Can't wait to see what you do with the GPA next.

[@wiredupretro]

You and me both!

[@mechamania]

The new SEGA wired and wireless controllers-despite having two input modes (including X-Input)-which would obviously be awesome to play Genesis games. A number of aftermarket PlayStation Classic 2.4 wireless controllers I’d gotten for between $2.50-$7, when that system was taking, work *perfectly* on my GSPs-and for four-player _Warlords._

[@wiredupretro]

That's pretty awesome!

[@OGHUGO]

Great Video!

[@GustafStechmann]

can you please test paddles and trackball as well?

[@wiredupretro]

I have been attempting to figure out adapting the Atari paddles to the GSP over the course of this past week. The system has its own paddle within the wireless joystick combo controller, and getting other controllers to be recognized in the included paddle games has proven to be a bit more challenging than I had expected. I'll keep working at it.

[@OfficialTransformers]

🤩🎬GREAT VIDEO🎬🤩 I’m glad I found your channel & I MOST DEFINITELY look forward to seeing MORE of your videos🔔 📺 I do mostly TRANSFORMER Stop Motion 🎬📸🎞️ I hope you enjoy my animation‼️ 25:08

[@wiredupretro]

Hey- Thanks much. I'll check it out for sure!

[@OfficialTransformers]

@@wiredupretro No problem & Thanks‼️

[@johnnyrock9935]

Anyone know which controller is best to play a multi-button game like Xybots where you need two more buttons to turn your player to the right and left? The standard GSP controllers can't be used, correct?

[@markaes]

I actually prefer the gamestation controllers to the CX40 for single button games. Kinda feels like an 80s computer joystick like I had on my C64. But the buttons on the stick are annoying for NES and newer and the paddle feels off... I also like the Hyperkin Trooper, as I can program the extra buttons to control select, reset, menu etc. I'd like to try the adapter for my Genesis Arcade sticks though. I see they are coming out with a new gamestation controller and gamepad too.

[@wiredupretro]

The pack-in joystick is good to play the games that were meant to be played with a joystick when connected to the USB type C port. I like how the directional input feels with each change in stick direction. The paddle games work alright with the paddle, but I wish it had a knob with a larger diameter. All in all, it's a pretty good controller... and, yes, I'm looking forward to seeing the reviews on those yet to be released Gamestation Pro controllers. They look interesting for sure.

[@LouMarcotte]

Do I need to buy the X-Arcade 5 in 1 X-Adapter and hook up the Game Cube cable to the Gamer-Pro Advanced via the Bliss-Box Nintendo Game Cube cable adapter? I already own the 2 in 1 X-Adapter. Could this be used instead? I also sent you a Facebook message. Thanks!

[@wiredupretro]

Yes- what you said about the 5 in 1 adapter and GPA is correct. The 2 in 1 cable has not been tested and will require additional adapters to be able to work.

[@pb7379-j2k]

That trakball looks super jumpy which is similar to what I have experienced from the Arcade1up trakball laptop game I tried

[@johnnywebb8696]

Im having trouble with using the 8Bitdo SN30 Pro controllers on this. They work on everything, except for this console. The D-Pad for some strange reason, keeps turning the Atari 2600 games, black and white mode. ☠️

[@wiredupretro]

@johnnywebb8696 When I use my Mayflash Magic NS wireless controller adapter (yellow light mode) to wirelessly connect my Dual Shock 4 to the GSP I get this issue on certain 2600 games (my Pac-Man ROM). The controls otherwise work, though. The Xbox One doesn't have the black and white/dpad problem when it's wirelessly connected to the Magic NS. Edit: just tested again and noticed that this d-pad issue isn't just with the Magic NS wireless adapter attached to a Dual Shock 4 controller. If you remove the Magic NS, the Dual Shock 4 has this problem when it's direct-wired to the system. The Xbox One controller doesn't have this problem, though, when it's direct-wired...

[@johnnywebb8696]

​@@wiredupretro Pretty bizarre. If there is a way to switch OFF the D-Pad as a hot key to TV Black&White mode. 🤔 My Switch Pro controllers won't work at all...

[@joezar33]

I wanted to get this months ago for i can custom use the Emulator , the controller turn me off to buying the Atari Gamestation Pro. Would rock the usb Neo Geo CD controller or a usb Genesis 6 button. Do u got a video for *the Pac-Man or Mega Man HDMI plug and play* ? Those had decent emulator, but if the controller breaks that it gone forever 😑

[@wiredupretro]

Nope- no video for those plug and plays, but I have an upcoming video on using PC compatible USB controllers on the Atari Gamestation Pro :)

[@scarfade1635]

play station 5 controllers do work via usb type c

[@LouMarcotte]

Does this work for the X-Arcade Tankstick?

[@wiredupretro]

Yes it does (joystick and buttons)- connect the Gamecube connector to the Gamerpro Advanced and you're in business. The Trakball may be less easy to adapt, but I'm wondering if it can be done with a mouse adapter that's made to get PS2 console compatibility (via a PS2 connector cable and Gamerpro Advanced). Maybe a mouse adapter that works on the Nintendo Switch could also be used (no Gamerpro needed).

[@LouMarcotte]

@@wiredupretroThanks!

[@dbnpoldermans4120]

Could you measure the latency/lag? Also is there an auto fire optiuon?

[@greensseanpam5616]

I could do this for you, but as you may know latency is not relevant, its the poll rate that is. The time from button press to reading that button is near micro seconds. The poll rate is how often is asks for the data of that button being pressed. Normally 2,4,6,8,16, or 32 ms. I'd make a guess of 4 here but I can get you that exact answer if you like.

[@greensseanpam5616]

About turbo, with Bliss-Box its built in for turbo on /off press the button you want to be turbo and hold it down. : now press start 3 times. once its activate, to slow it down press the same button and hold it down. : now press start 4 times. So go back, do 3 times.

[@WaverBoy]

Can you use the 2600 trakball controller with the 5200 version of Missile Command? Or the 5200 trakball controller?

[@wiredupretro]

The 2600 Trakball works, but you'll have to use the GSP's wireless joystick to get the game started with a Start button press. Once you do that, then turn off the GSP's joystick- but there's a bit of a wait for the GSP system to recognize the Trakball as a working controller. That will result in the loss of a city or two right off the bat. Wish it was better.... oh, and right now the 5200 Trakball is incompatible but that may change soon.

[@emmettturner9452]

Around 2017 I got a kit from someone on AtariAge that adds modes for Amiga, Atari 2600, and other platforms to the 5200 TrakBall. With that, the 5200 TrakBall controller becomes the one to rule them all!

[@Lachlant1984]

I have a Logitech wireless gamepad F710, I've tried connecting it to my GSP, the GSP can see it, but the control pad/left control stick don't actually work in the menus, you can't navigate the menu system with that controller, but they work in 3D Tic Tac Toe. I don't get it. If that controller actually worked correctly with the console, it'd be perfect. I wish My Arcade would upgrade the firmware to support that controller.

[@wiredupretro]

@@Lachlant1984 The Cronusmax Plus Script for the Hyperkin Trooper 2 has a dpad/thumbstick swap implemented. That script may get your controller working... I think.

[@Lachlant1984]

@@wiredupretro Well it turns out my controller does work, but I think as you demonstrated in your video, you must use the supplied joystick to navigate through the menu system and select a game, once you have, you can then use the F710. I don't understand why this is so though. It's also worth saying that if you do have an alternative controller connected, you cannot use the first party joystick to play a game once you've launched it. I know, it doesn't make much sense. If I press the mode button on the F710 I can toggle between the control pad and left control stick. The F710 has a button marked with the Logitech logo, and if you press it while in a game, you'll be returned to the home screen. The start and select buttons are mapped to the right and left shoulder buttons inexplicably, I don't think the back and start buttons do anything.

[@wiredupretro]

@Lachlant1984 Oh- well, that's pretty good news... but odd about start and select.

[@Lachlant1984]

@@wiredupretro I know, it doesn't make sense. I also don't know what button has been mapped to the menu button.

[@oblivieon1567]

I'm curious about the built in paddle on the Gamestation Pro Controller. I've seen the controller work on a PC but apparently the paddle didn't? Have you ever tried using the joystick on a PC? I want to use the paddle for games like Tempest and Arkanoid.

[@joelm897]

Will this Gamer Pro Advanced device allow the Atari Single Player USB Fight Stick to be as a controller for the Atari Gamestation Pro?

[@wiredupretro]

It won't work with the GPA. You'll have to buy a Cronusmax Plus (preset to have PS3 controller as input and Xbox 360 as output). No GPS scripts are required at all which is very convenient. Another thing to take note of is that the controller won't work in the menus- just in the games Edit: this Arcade stick works- but only temporarily. I find that it turns off after being used for about 30 or 40 seconds (sometimes less than that). Once it turns off, you'll need to unplug and then replug to get it working again. But then it ends up turning off again.

[@triaxialnine3498]

my Razer wolverine ultimate dose not work.

[@wiredupretro]

@@triaxialnine3498 Is that an Xbox One controller?

[@majeedahmed46]

The device has been updated and everything is fine I entered a memory and unfortunately it does not appear on my device why

[@wiredupretro]

Are you in the API Tool with the Gamer-Pro Advanced plugged into your PC? I'll need more details on the issue in order to help out.

[@majeedahmed46]

Yes, additional games and SD memory Atari 2600 file name And I put the Atari games inside the file And put it in the memory file And I inserted it into the device Unfortunately, the device could not read the memory

[@wiredupretro]

@majeedahmed46 Ah- I see what you're talking about. GenXGrownup has a good video on upgrading your Gamestation Pro. Watch that and maybe it will help you figure out what's going wrong. I have yet to upgrade my system to that firmware, so I'm probably not the best one to give advice on this issue. Hopefully you can get it figured out...

[@majeedahmed46]

@@wiredupretro THANK YOU

[@juliazdanowicz9772]

Would that Magic NS controller adapter work if you just wanted to connect your Xbox controller to the gamestation pro without any of the other equipment?

[@wiredupretro]

That will work for sure, but the controller will only work in the games I think (not the menus).

[@juliazdanowicz9772]

@@wiredupretrothank you, ordered!

[@volcanicdragon83]

Does this actually work for the original 2600 paddle controllers? Can it do 4 player games like warlords? The dials on the stock controllers are small enough you loose your finite control.

[@wiredupretro]

Doesn't work with the paddles as of now (5-6-24), but here's your paddle solution: kzbin.infoyGM6dEdDvRY?si=P2UZkOzOnpaspHxU

[@volcanicdragon83]

@@wiredupretro Amazing! Love it!

[@martinezq1]

can you play 4 users for example in MULE games

[@RETRONuts]

Have you tried to use the Atari2600 Plus as a Joystick, plug its USB-C in to AGSP so AGSP powers it, use a USB-C data cable plugged into the A2600 Plus (Color=Color, Reset+Power)

[@wiredupretro]

Don't have that joystick as of now... and I'm not sure I'm really wanting that joystick now that I've heard some complaints about how it controls certain games...

[@tomsidener]

I use my old Xbox one controller on my Game station pro and it works perfectly. I went out and bought a (PowerA Wired Controller for Xbox Series X|S, works with Xbox One). This controller DID NOT work! Somehow they have those controllers locked to only windows products. It worked on my windows computer but not on my AGSP or my Mac computer. Hope this saves someone else a trip ups to return this item.

[@wiredupretro]

@tomsidener I've heard from Sean West on the Atari GSP group that the Xbox One PDP Rematch controller works well with the GSP. It's reasonably priced, so could be a first choice for some people.

[@tomsidener]

@@wiredupretro Thank you for this information. I will definitely check that controller out.

[@tomsidener]

@@wiredupretro I purchased a PDP neon for 26$ at walmart and it works perfectly.

[@wiredupretro]

@@tomsidener Good to know :)

[@DmitryKalinichenko]

So, the final order from best to worst in terms of latency is: 1. Atari-Commodore 9-pin Game Port (less than 1 ms). 2. PC 15-pin Game Port (about 3-5 ms). 3. USB 2.0 Port (about 11-17 ms, including the latency of the USB bus, traditionally connected keyboard, mouse, and joystick, plus the delay of the USB joystick controller itself). 4. Bluetooth Wireless Joystick (about 31-67 ms, including the latency of the USB 2.0 port and the Bluetooth connection). Therefore, the Atari-Commodore 9-pin game port has the lowest latency, followed by the PC 15-pin game port, and the USB 2.0 port has the highest latency among the listed interfaces. Due to the significant latency of the USB bus with the connected mouse and keyboard, as well as the additional delay of the USB joystick controller itself, many people have simply stopped playing arcade games and fighting games. They no longer enjoy playing such games. Most of these people couldn't even understand what exactly happened and why their favorite games no longer attract them.

[@wiredupretro]

@DmitryKalinichenko Good to know! The Bliss-Box Bridge really makes a difference with its LLAPI connection, thank goodness.

[@mechamania]

Correction: They fell off the face of the Earth, after the failure of the AMIGA-CD32. It totally bankrupted them, but maybe somebody with a Commodore obsession bought the brand to make it respectable, again, like Atari has. Commodore always follows in Atari’s footsteps - from separate audio and video chips (the second, behind the 1979 Atari 400/800) in the C64, not to mention the chips’ specific designers, to literally paying a higher price than Atari had contracted to pay for the Amiga (although nobody uses Amigas professionally, the way well-know musicians still (have people) seek out Atari STs/STEs/Falcons/TTS machines, for their MIDI capabilities. Yeah, the Atari 520ST is where the DAW was invented, with Cubase. Don’t remember any lasting tech initiated by the Amiga that influenced so much future tech - although, to be fair, my Amiga 500 was a great time, in the mid-/late-‘80s, until they ended...

[@andrewdupuis1151]

i just got Atari Gamestation Pro few hours ago

[@jl8138]

I swear, if MyArcade doesn't release any more firmware updates for the GSP then I'm going full retropie. Probably should anyway.

[@BodaciousGamer]

They just released one not long ago

[@wiredupretro]

@jl8138 It would be nice- but don't get your hopes up.

[@andrewdupuis1151]

controler its so cool

[@AkeruzHacks]

u wanna go deep xD

[@dennisrogers6786]

What a lot of mucking around. Just use the Xbox controller. Its the best

[@wiredupretro]

@dennisrogers6786 If you aren't a fan of joysticks, yes the Xbox One controller certainly is a real nice one :)

[@borediideath6526]

Hi, do you happen to know whether or not if the Gamestation controller itself can work on PC? I’m looking all over the internet and almost nobody has a direct answer and it’s driving me nuts.

[@wiredupretro]

@@borediideath6526 it is recognized as a joystick. Can't get the paddle working, though...

[@OGHUGO]

Great Video!