Hand Controllers and Front Panel

Gopher2600 provides emulation for support the Joystick, the Paddle and the Keypad. In addition it provides support for more modern, two button controllers like the Genesis Gamepad. Collectively we refer to all of these input devices as hand controllers.

In all cases, emulated hand controllers can be used through the use of your computer's keyboard and with the exception of the Keypad, through a hardware game controller, such as an XBox360 or PS4 controller.

The other important input device for the Atari2600 is the front panel. This refers to the switches that can be seen on the console itself. The front panel is also controlled through your computer's keyboard or for some of the switches, through a hardware game controller.

Joystick

The joystick is the most common control method for Atari 2600 games. The left-side player is controlled with the following keys.

Left-Side Player
Cursor Keys	Stick Direction
Space	Fire Button

The right-side player is controlled with the following keys.

Right-Side Player
G	Left
J	Right
Y	Up
H	Down
F	Fire Button

The stick for the left-side player can also be controlled with a hardware game controller. No hardware controller support yet for the right-side player.

Paddle

The paddle for the left-side player can be controlled with the mouse or a hardware game controller. In the case of the mouse, the mouse must be captured.

To capture the mouse, press the right mouse button in the play window. The paddle can then be moved with the mouse. To release the captured mouse, press the right mouse button again. The scroll lock key can also be used to toggle mouse capture.

The paddle for the right-side player is not currently supported.

Keypad

Keypad input for both players is supported.

Left-Side Player				Right-Side Player
1	2	3		4	5	6
q	w	e		r	t	y
a	s	d		f	g	h
z	x	c		v	b	n

Genesis Gamepad

Some ROMs make use of a Megadrive/Genesis style gamepad.

For these devices the B key on the keyboard can be used as the B button for the player one pad; and the 6 key for the player two pad.

When using a real gamepad the secondary button can be used as expected (the B button on a XBox360 controller, for instance).

Atari 2600 Front Panel

The VCS panel is controlled through the function keys of the keyboard.

• F1 Select
• F2 Reset
• F3 Colour Toggle
• F4 Player 0 Pro Toggle
• F5 Player 1 Pro Toggle

If using a hardware game controller with a start button (such as an XBox360 controller) then that button will act as a Reset switch.