Pinouts of Connectors

Atari 2600 Joystick connector pinout

layout
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9 pin D-SUB FEMALE connector pin-out & layout
9 pin D-SUB FEMALE connector  at the joystick

The most common joystick type in home computers have been Atari-style digital joysticks. Those joysticks are calle after Atari, because this joystick type was first introduced in Atari 2600 videogame and then adopted to the home computers introduced on ever since (VIC 20, Commodore 64, Amiga, MSX-computers and even Sinclair Spectrum joystick adapters used this joystick type).

The joystick itself consisted of five whiched which are arranged to that four of them told about the joystick direction (UP, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT) and one was for fire button. The joystick connector was 9 pin D-shell connector. Normally all of those whiches are open, but when joystick is turned from the center position, one or two position whiched are closed (according to what direction the stick is turned). The fire button worked so that it closes when button is pressed. All of the swiches are connected between ground and corresponding signal pin of the joystick connector.

Pin Color Dir Description
1 WHT <-- Up
2 BLU <-- Down
3 GRN <-- Left
4 BRN <-- Right
5 n/c - Not connected
6 ORG <-- Button
7 n/c - Not connected
8 BLK --- Ground(-)
9 n/c - Not connected

Note: Direction is Computer relative Joystick.
Note: Connect Direction/Button to Ground for action.

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9 pin D-SUB MALE connector pin-outs & layouts
9 pin D-SUB MALE connector  at the cable
Pinouts.ru > Pinouts of input devices (keyboards, mices, joysticks) >  Pinout of Atari 2600 Joystick connector and layout of 9 pin D-SUB FEMALE connector and 9 pin D-SUB MALE connector

Source(s): Classic Atari 2600/5200/7800 Game Systems FAQ, Pinout by Greg Alt, from Hardware Book
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