Atari's VCS controller is what you would expect, but its joystick is not

[Cal Jeffrey]

Something to look forward to: Atari's VCS retro console is just around the corner. Quite a bit about the box is already known, but the company revealed some details about its controllers today that might surprise you.

Earlier this month, we highlighted some of the most memorable game controllers of the last four decades. Right at the top of the list was the Atari CX40 Joystick. It was with delight that we found the company was bringing back that iconic control stick with its upcoming VCS console. What we didn’t know at the time was how Atari was going to reshape the controller for a modern gaming audience.

On Wednesday, the company lifted the veil on both the joystick and the VCS gamepad to give us a glimpse into how both controllers work.

The gamepad, which Atari calls the VCS Modern Controller, is fairly typical as controllers are concerned. It combines features found in its competitors including Nintendo-like A/B/X/Y buttons; left and right, upper and lower shoulder triggers similar to PlayStation; and two analog sticks with the left one being juxtaposed to the directional pad as seen with the Xbox.

The VCS Classic Joystick is much more interesting. It has the same look and the same 8-way digital mechanics that the fan-favorite CX40 had, but that is where the similarities end.

To start, Atari’s refreshed stick has an extra button on the corner of the controller below the one on the surface of the base. This new button is more ergonomic and will allow users to spare themselves joystick thumb by using the trigger button instead if they wish.

The joystick has both USB and Bluetooth connectivity. Going wireless is a good move considering it is pretty much standard in most modern controllers. However, it will also help to reorient the stick for left or right-handed players without the USB cable being put in an awkward position.

As mentioned, the VCS Classic Joystick uses digital contacts. These are mapped to match the D-pad on the Modern Controller by default. More interesting though is Atari’s decision to allow the stick to rotate. This feature was included to make paddle-controlled games like Pong or Breakout easier to play. However, I wonder if a rotating joystick will interfere when playing games traditionally.

Lastly, as a further nod toward modernizing, Atari added a rumble motor to the joystick and orange LEDs that encircle the base of the stick. The lights and vibration will trigger for in-game events like crashing in Asteroids or simulating the ball hitting the paddle in Pong.

Atari says that both controllers were designed in a partnership with peripheral maker PowerA, which is in the process of getting its assembly line in order. The controllers should be going into full production by this summer.

Both controllers will ship with the VCS console before the end of the year to Indiegogo backers and retailers in 2020. Atari states that these details, while current, are subject to change. Nothing is completely set in stone until it starts shipping.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/80199-atari-vcs-controller-what-you-would-expect-but.html

 

[mcborge]

The pad and stick look pretty nice, I wonder if they are windows compatible via bluetooth.

 

[psycros]

PowerA made some of THE best Playstation 3 controllers. But why does the render of the gamepad next to the console look different from the one below it? The latter seems to have either moved the "Atari" button or is missing it altogether.

 

[mcborge]

PowerA made some of THE best Playstation 3 controllers. But why does the render of the gamepad next to the console look different from the one below it? The latter seems to have either moved the "Atari" button or is missing it altogether.

It states in the article that the controller designs aren't finalised.

 

[Cal Jeffrey]

PowerA made some of THE best Playstation 3 controllers. But why does the render of the gamepad next to the console look different from the one below it? The latter seems to have either moved the "Atari" button or is missing it altogether.

It states in the article that the controller designs aren't finalised.

That and also the lead image is from an earlier story we did on the VCS. The press release images all had white BGs which we try to avoid for the lead image. Plus they were a bit lower resolution than we prefer. The images in the body are the most recent representations of what the controllers will look like.

Another change, that I did not mention, primarily because we had not reported it previously, is the LEDs that form a circle at the base of the joystick were changed from red to orange so that it would look more like the original CX40. Additionally, the LEDs were previously raised also to be more like the CX40, but after some focus groups they decided to make the LEDs flush with the surface.

EDIT: Oh yeah and the illuminated Atari logo button was previously between the D-pad and the right analog. If you look carefully you can see it in the lead image.

 

[Mugsy]

The biggest problem with the original CX40 was how easily the "contact ring" on the plastic joystick insert broke. Hopefully, they use a more reliable material (or dump the bubbled PCB altogether.)

Allowing the stick to rotate for paddle control probably shouldn't affect "joystick" games since they rely on fixed contacts (bubble or leaf switches). But excessive wear could affect *paddle* functionality after a while, so your concern is probably backwards.

 

[Jules Mark]

The Classic is back!