Trick for swapping Commodore 64 joystick port without removing joystick

Doge

One of the most frustrating things about playing games on the C64,
is that there was never a set standard for which port player 1 or player 2 used, unlike practically any console out there.

If you have only one joystick, it means having to physically remove it from the port each time and put it into the correct one.

Aside from the annoyance, it means more strain on the port connector and and joystick plug.


So I came up with an idea for some kind of switchable splitter cable the other day, and found this on ebay:

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/290678491927



If you could modify that cable by adding a switch it would be a good start or even build your own.

Might be tricky to get a switch that has 9 poles though, if you had a look at the pinout and wiring diagram it may only require less.


Fortunately for 1541 Ultimate users, there might be another solution.

After finding this thread on lemon 64:

http://www.lemon64.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=28314&sid=919e684ae127fa04bbdbaf8a77094e53

It appears there's a cartridge called Super Snapshot, which has a function to switch the c64 port by means of software, or a memory hack.

That particular cart is supported by 1541 Ultimate, and I'm pretty sure it is actually built into the firmware.

Going to test it out as soon as i get home, and will report back.


Here's the instructions for Super Snapshot:

http://ar.c64.org/wiki/Super_Snapshot_v5.0_Operating_Manual_Project64.txt

GAME MASTER
This new addition to SUPER SNAPSHOT is accessed as option 3 of the SUB-SYSTEM MENU.
The menu contains several features that are in-tended to make those tough games a little easier.

1) JOYSTICK PORT SWAPPER How many times have you loaded up a game,
all set to reach the highest score yet only to find out that you have your joystick in the wrong port?
The only thing to do is to shut your system off, switch joystick ports and reboot. Well, that scenario is a thing of the past.
SUPER SNAPSHOT now has the ability to switch the joystick port that is currently active.
Just select option 1 of the GAME MASTER MENU and the switch is done automatically. Now you can resume your game without manually switching joystick ports.

Doge

Have just stumbled upon another thread on Lemon 64,
where a user actually built a very nice PCB for this task:

http://www.lemon64.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=35657&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=joy+port+switcher&start=0




Not sure if he makes them anymore but you can always contact him on his site:


http://c8d.cbm8bit.com/

djsim101

Cool post dude, it is a bit of annoying changing the old ports back and fourth. Luckily I have two joysticks always to hand

Now waveform, if you could come up with a mod so I can reach the spacebar without doing a homer on it, I would be much obliged:D

Doge

djsim101 wrote: »

Cool post dude, it is a bit of annoying changing the old ports back and fourth. Luckily I have two joysticks always to hand

Now waveform, if you could come up with a mod so I can reach the spacebar without doing a homer on it, I would be much obliged:D

LOL @ The pic!

Yeah, the space bar is a balls alright. It would be great if there was some way of assigning extra buttons on gamepads or joysticks, like the mega drive gamepad, to be used with common buttons you might have to press!

Runstop and enter are often used also, sometimes even the F keys.

Had no luck with getting back into a game with Super Snapshot, must post up on the lemon and 1541 forum abut that.

LoGiE

I always had a 3rd and 4th joystick on hand as the bloody things broke so often! If I only I knew then what I know now... they are pretty simple to fix!

Still a nice solution (If slightly OTT)

Dude111

Quite interesting,i love my C64! (I find though MOST GAMES are in port 1 for player 1)