Tag: Atari 7800

Want to play Warlords four-player on a MiSTer FPGA? The iCode Duo Ultimate reads both paddles on each of its two DB9 ports and presents them to MiSTer as two USB gamepads — giving you all four paddles. This quick-start walks you through the exact device and core settings, including the one button-mapping trick that trips most people up.

What You’ll Need

• iCode Duo Ultimate adapter
• Two pairs of Atari paddles (CX-30) — one pair in Port 1, one pair in Port 2
• A MiSTer FPGA with the Atari 7800 core installed
• A USB keyboard connected to the MiSTer (for the menus)

Step 1 — Configure the Duo Ultimate

On the adapter, set the following (save to a preset so it’s one-tap next time):

1. Emulation Mode → Classic. This is the most reliable mode for MiSTer — it presents a controller identity MiSTer maps correctly out of the box.
2. Console → Atari, and set each port’s device to Paddles (or Stick+Paddles for auto-detect).
3. Dual Paddles → Combined. Each port becomes one USB gamepad carrying its two paddles.
4. Function → Left Analog. This routes the paddles onto the left-stick X and Y axes — the axes MiSTer’s paddle support reads. (On the right stick or triggers, MiSTer ignores them.)

Plug the Duo into the MiSTer’s USB port. You now have two gamepads: Gamepad 1 = Port 1’s paddles (X = Paddle A, Y = Paddle B), Gamepad 2 = Port 2’s paddles (X = Paddle A, Y = Paddle B).

Step 2 — Configure the Atari 7800 Core

Load the Atari 7800 core, open the OSD (F12), and go to the Peripherals menu:

1. Port1 Input → Paddle
2. Port2 Input → Paddle
3. Allow Multi Paddles → Yes (this lets each gamepad supply two paddles — one on X, one on Y)

Then run a Hard Reset (or reload the game). This is required — it clears any previous paddle assignments so the next steps start clean.

Step 3 — Map the Buttons (the important part)

Directions and paddle buttons are defined inside the core’s own setup — and the directions are mapped by turning the paddles, not by pressing anything, because in Combined mode each paddle is a stick axis. Keep both paddles at 12 o’clock except when a prompt asks you to move one, and always return to 12 o’clock before the next prompt.

1. In the Atari 7800 core OSD, open “Define Atari 7800 buttons.”
2. RIGHT: turn Paddle 1A (yellow dot) clockwise, then back to 12 o’clock.
3. LEFT: turn Paddle 1A (yellow dot) counter-clockwise, then back to 12.
4. UP: turn Paddle 1B (blue dot) counter-clockwise, then back to 12.
5. DOWN: turn Paddle 1B (blue dot) clockwise, then back to 12.
6. FIRE 1 — skip it (press Space on the keyboard, or the User button).
7. FIRE 2: press the Paddle 1B fire button.
8. Select and Start / Reset: press the black and white buttons on the Duo.
9. Skip any other prompts you don’t need.
10. At the very end it asks for PADDLE BUTTON — press the Paddle 1A fire button.

Step 4 — Assign the Four Paddles

With both ports set to Paddle, Multi Paddles on, and the core freshly reset, load Warlords and assign each paddle by turning it fully to its stop, then back to 12 o’clock. Watch for the on-screen “Assigned” confirmation after each one, and do them in this order:

1. Turn Port 1, Paddle A fully → Paddle 1A Assigned (Player 1)
2. Turn Port 1, Paddle B fully → Paddle 1B Assigned (Player 2)
3. Turn Port 2, Paddle A fully → Paddle 2A Assigned (Player 3)
4. Turn Port 2, Paddle B fully → Paddle 2B Assigned (Player 4)

Order matters — the paddles fill the four slots in sequence, so assign them one at a time and wait for each confirmation. Keeping the other paddles centered at 12 o’clock while you do this prevents the wrong paddle from grabbing a slot. That’s it: four players, four paddles.

Quick Reference

• Emulation Mode: Classic
• Dual Paddles: Combined  |  Function: Left Analog
• Core (Peripherals): Port1 = Paddle, Port2 = Paddle, Allow Multi Paddles = Yes
• Display dots: yellow = Paddle 1A, blue = Paddle 1B — keep paddles at 12 o’clock unless actively turning one
• Buttons (Define Atari 7800 buttons): directions = turn the paddles (Right/Left = 1A yellow CW/CCW, Up/Down = 1B blue CCW/CW, each back to 12); skip Fire 1; Fire 2 = Paddle 1B button; Select/Start = Duo black & white buttons; Paddle Button = Paddle 1A button
• Assign order: Port 1 A → Port 1 B → Port 2 A → Port 2 B (turn each fully, wait for confirmation)
• Always Hard Reset the core after changing paddle settings.

Related

• • Atari Dual Paddles as Independent Gamepads? Here’s How the iCode Ultimate Adapter Has the Answer