Can Anyone Recommend a Good Atari Mini 400 Compatible Controller?

Jul 15, 2023
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While I'm quite happy with my Atari 400 Mini overall, a BIG drawback (for me) is the feel of the controller that comes with it. Specifically, it's too stiff and lacks any tactile feedback from the stick.

So can anyone recommend a good 3rd party controller that's compatible with the 400 Mini? Requirements is that its USB-based and resembles/feels like an original Atari 2600 controller. (Call me a dinosaur, but I grew up with an Atari 2600 and Atari 800 computer, and never got used to the PS3 and X-Box controllers that are so popular now.) Ideal size and feel would be either an original 2600 stick that works with USB, or something like the controller which comes with the Atari Gamestation Pro which, unfortunately, is not compatible with the 400 Mini (at least AFAIK).

Any recommendations?
 
Jul 15, 2023
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For a USB-based controller that resembles the original Atari 2600 controller and works well with the Atari VCS 400 Mini, you might want to check out the "Retro-Bit Atari 2600 USB Controller." It's designed to look and feel like the classic Atari joystick, with a simple layout and responsive buttons. It should provide that familiar gaming experience you're looking for while being compatible with modern systems like the Atari VCS 400 Mini.
Great! Thanks for the reply.
 
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Jun 6, 2024
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Retro-Bit makes a great Atari 2600 USB controller that mimics the original perfectly. It's wired, so no worries about wireless lag, and offers that familiar clicky joystick you crave.
 
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Jan 1, 2023
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I totally get where you're coming from – I grew up with the Atari 2600 and still love that old-school feel. The controller that comes with the Atari 400 Mini just doesn't cut it for me either, especially with how stiff it is and the lack of feedback. I ended up picking up a USB version of the Atari 2600 joystick from RetroBit, and it’s been a game changer. It has the same classic feel, nice movement, and no issues with compatibility. It might not be exactly like the original, but it’s pretty close and definitely a step up from the stock one.
 
I am nothing of the sort, though sometimes I wish I had an SNES for playing Rock N Roll Racing and the Super Star Wars games.

My coworker is though. One of the hospitals we do for a few times a year had a few kids rooms with a lot of different, and old, gaming systems. The hospital recently chose to get rid of the systems (I don't know why, but possibly for newer ones) and bought every system they were going to get rid of and picked up at least one of each NES, XBOX, XBOX 360, Wii, N64 and Gamecube. He got about 12 systems in total. No SNES though.
 

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