the 555 was my 1st integrated circuit that I ever used as a kid. made many circuits with it.
here is some circuits like many in electronics magazines
http://www.talkingelectronics.com/projects/50%20-%20555%20Circuits/50%20-%20555%20Circuits.htmlhad a TRS-80 from santa, but lusted after the C64 for it's better color set. till saving up for one.
static electricity was the killer of computers at the time , so I did keep out of the $$ hardware if I did not know the circuit.
but software was safe to play with.
BASIC language the only code I used.
yes the two x & y pots was used to give the game v and h player sprite value inertia. space invaders was the game to emulate at the time.
your joy v and h laser cannon sprite move horizontally back and forth . but y gave added bonus up down to your game.
laser cannon sprite can be made to wraparound or pop over the screen so if your h over-shoot the end of the screen
play like space wars. trick was trying to code inertia known as inertia mechanics today. the touch screen swipe.
however BASIC was slow to run the more lines you added to it. I did love the floaty FX of inertia mechanics in a games code.