I was just given an Atari 2600 for Christmas and the controllers do not work. The red trigger button works but the joystick does not, on either side. Is this something that can be corrected or is the unit defective?

It does use a slightly different controller. The joystick that comes with the Atari 5200 has 360 degrees of control while the Atari 2600 controler only give you 8 ways of motion. Teh 5200 also has a number pad and buttons for start, pause and reset.

HI,

You will have to get this repaired from local Atari Authorized Dealer

I will let you know the contact details

the 5200 had a 360 degree rotating joystick on the controller, and was introduced as a higher end complimentary console for the 2600

Well the controller ports inside of the console might be needed to be resoldered or the controller ports might be broken or it could be just bad controllers then.

Well maybe the controller ports need to be resoldered then try soldering then with a solder iron.

Sounds like a pin has come loose from the main board inside your unit. If you are handy with a soldering iron, and not opposed to opening up your console then, you can take a look at the connection between the connector and the board... If you are not comfortable with this idea, then you can find a competent electronics repair shop on the internet. You could also replace that unit with a "new" one from a number of internet shops or eBay, then retire that one. Hope this helps.

get a refund for the item

then buy a new console

Sorry but thats the only way your gunna get this to work :(

pls rate.

Superdrafan:
you sound like you have a conection problem within you atari
open the Atari up and look to see if there are any dry solder joints from the joystick ports
just dabbing the point with a solder iron shold freshen up the connection

The Gameboy: you sound like you have dirt in your joystick
open it up and clean the connections with a cloth and spirts

YES!
The joystick controllers are backwards compatible with the original 2600 system so you also technically get 2 new 2600 joysticks with this set.

I HAVE BEEN REBUILDING ATARI SYSTEMS FOR 20 YEARS AND THOUGHT I HAD SEEN EVERYTHING, AND I WOULD THINK IT TO BE A JOYSTICK PROBLEM. THEY CAN BE REBUILT WITH NEW CONTACTS, BUT I AM THINKING THE PROBLEM MUST BE INTERNAL. I CAN ONLY SUGGEST TRYING ANOTHER DECK. THERE MUST BE SOME PROBLEM WITH THE PINS IN THE PLUG PORT.

IT