Wico Command Control Joystick (Bat Style)

[SekOner]

I've had a Wico Command Control bat style controller for a while now. It's by far my favorite controller, I absolutely LOVE The arcade feeling it provides, its using old school leaf-switchs and with old arcade ports thats a must in my book. The problem however is i just cant seem to find a comfortable means to use the stick and the arcade button. If i do use the arcade button the base isnt thick enough and the controller topples. Also when im using the stick button i have to have my other hand hold down the base of the unit for the toppling effect. Even worse than that is actually trying to hold this thing if your hands. Its much too large and the leverage needed to move the stick puts alot of strain on the hand for the button. Whats the best way to use this controller? Im about to superglue this thing down to the TV dinner table that i put it on. Is there a better way of mounting this controller?

 

Edited July 7, 2010 by SekOner

[Buck]

Is there a better way of mounting this controller?

 

Slowly. Buy it a couple drinks first to make sure it has really warmed up to you.

[AJ_Maine_Man]

I had this joystick back in the day and found it uncomfortable to use also and ended up not using it much

[Scrabbler15]

I would do it this way. There's a hole cut out of the tape to allow the button to move (it's hard to see in the picture). The board is about a yard long.

 

I do like the look of your joystick.

[tz101]

Velcro's the answer. Glue a couple velcro strips to the bottom of the controller, and some matching fabric strips to your gaming tabletop. Presto, your Command Control stick will stay put, yet still be removable for storage purposes.

[+LS650]

I have two and think they are great. I hold them the same as a standard Atari stick: I hold the base in my left hand with my thumb on the base button, and hold the stick with my right hand low and close to the base. The stick-top button is useless IMHO.

[SekOner]

I would do it this way. There's a hole cut out of the tape to allow the button to move (it's hard to see in the picture). The board is about a yard long.

 

I do like the look of your joystick.

 

Ahh that's a good idea! I'm going to do this in the interim until i put some velcro on it like tz101 said, but i'm going to mount it to a board like you suggested.

 

The controller has amazing handling, i love the way leaf-switches feel, their spingy-ness. Nothing feels like an 80's Arcade cabinet joystick like a true Wico stick with leaf-switches. i also use an OEM Atari joystick as well, that i rebuilt with improved new dome switches that have 4 leg as opposed to Atari OEM 3 leg dome switches.

Edited July 7, 2010 by SekOner

[SekOner]

I have two and think they are great. I hold them the same as a standard Atari stick: I hold the base in my left hand with my thumb on the base button, and hold the stick with my right hand low and close to the base. The stick-top button is useless IMHO.

 

I Tried to do this but the leverage that i had to apply to the stick feels like im going to rip it out of my hand by toppling it over. It just doesnt feel right to hold it in my left hand, i'd need a gorilla grip just to keep it steady.

Edited July 7, 2010 by SekOner

[Rex Dart]

I have two and think they are great. I hold them the same as a standard Atari stick: I hold the base in my left hand with my thumb on the base button, and hold the stick with my right hand low and close to the base. The stick-top button is useless IMHO.

 

I Tried to do this but the leverage that i had to apply to the stick feels like im going to rip it out of my hand by toppling it over. It just doesnt feel right to hold it in my left hand, i'd need a gorilla grip just to keep it steady.

 

 

Maybe it does take more grip strength than the standard 2600 stick; I never used one of those. I only picked up my first 2600-compatible console last month and have been playing with Sega pads, but I recently picked up a Wico bat. I love the thing! I hold it against something (leg, floor, table) with my left hand, thumb on the arcade button. Just hold it down and it works great.

 

I wonder if anybody knows anything about loosening the stick, perhaps?

[Pioneer4x4]

Maybe it does take more grip strength than the standard 2600 stick; I never used one of those. I only picked up my first 2600-compatible console last month and have been playing with Sega pads, but I recently picked up a Wico bat. I love the thing! I hold it against something (leg, floor, table) with my left hand, thumb on the arcade button. Just hold it down and it works great.

 

I wonder if anybody knows anything about loosening the stick, perhaps?

I think only some can loosen up, so you can swap between the 3 handles. bat, ball, finger grip?

[SekOner]

I have two and think they are great. I hold them the same as a standard Atari stick: I hold the base in my left hand with my thumb on the base button, and hold the stick with my right hand low and close to the base. The stick-top button is useless IMHO.

 

I Tried to do this but the leverage that i had to apply to the stick feels like im going to rip it out of my hand by toppling it over. It just doesnt feel right to hold it in my left hand, i'd need a gorilla grip just to keep it steady.

 

 

Maybe it does take more grip strength than the standard 2600 stick; I never used one of those. I only picked up my first 2600-compatible console last month and have been playing with Sega pads, but I recently picked up a Wico bat. I love the thing! I hold it against something (leg, floor, table) with my left hand, thumb on the arcade button. Just hold it down and it works great.

 

I wonder if anybody knows anything about loosening the stick, perhaps?

 

Well it depends on what feel your looking for. If you want to make the throw(pressure in a direction to activate switch) shorter or longer all you have to do is unscrew the 4 screws at the bottom and adjust the leaf switches either closer together for a shorter throw or further apart for a longer throw.

 

I didnt realize that you could change the Stick but now that i think about it, i dont see why not, the stick isnt wired into anything it just applys pressure to the leaf switch. I wonder if i could fit a shorter real arcade Ball joystick in it. I think i might have to shorter its stalk but the would be better. Hmm it looks like its time to tinker

[Scrabbler15]

I've had a Wico Command Control bat style controller for a while now. It's by far my favorite controller, I absolutely LOVE The arcade feeling it provides, its using old school leaf-switchs and with old arcade ports thats a must in my book. The problem however is i just cant seem to find a comfortable means to use the stick and the arcade button. If i do use the arcade button the base isnt thick enough and the controller topples. Also when im using the stick button i have to have my other hand hold down the base of the unit for the toppling effect. Even worse than that is actually trying to hold this thing if your hands. Its much too large and the leverage needed to move the stick puts alot of strain on the hand for the button. Whats the best way to use this controller? Im about to superglue this thing down to the TV dinner table that i put it on. Is there a better way of mounting this controller?

 

 

Okay, you all have convinced me. I bought one of these today. Looking forward to trying it, once it gets shipped.

[Zoyx]

My hacky solution for my wico...

 

 

3/4" plywood. Sanded the corners. Made a cut-out for the wico base. Drilled 3 strategically located holes around the cut-out. Painted it black. Foam or cloth around the base of the wico to protect the base from rubbing. Drop into the cut-out. Threaded heavy gauge wire through the holes, and tightened.

 

Not entirely happy with this, still a bit loose. So open to a better solution.

 

I like the Wico, but it isn't meant for all games. It has more play, so I tend to hold it half-way up the shaft instead of the top of the stick. Also springier than the cx-40. So not for every game. For instance, I still prefer to use the CX-40 for Frogger.

[Lord Helmet]

While the quality of the components in the Wico sticks are great, I always found Wico sticks to be so ridiculously large that they''re pretty much useless. Why did they make them so damn big? The cx-40 is the perfect size, yet the Wico bat is giant.

[Zoyx]

@Lord Helmet - The base is bigger because they needed the extra room for the leaf switches inside. The extra length on the bat for better customized play. Like I said. I hold the stick half-way up. That's where it feels best for me. Some may prefer higher or lower... depends on how you play. Also may depend on the game.

[SekOner]

@Lord Helmet - The base is bigger because they needed the extra room for the leaf switches inside. The extra length on the bat for better customized play. Like I said. I hold the stick half-way up. That's where it feels best for me. Some may prefer higher or lower... depends on how you play. Also may depend on the game.

 

I couldn't have said it better, It really is dependent on the game. for most games i also hold it half-way up the stick and use the base button, but when i'm playing a game like Juno First, BeamRider, or Galaxian i hold the stick with my entire fist with my thumb on the stick button. I really like the ability to switch up what button i use, it gives each game a feel thats more true to the arcades of old. Even still in other games like Starmaster X-7 i pefer to use the Atari OEM controller. I like having different options and configurations. The Wico command control is a definite must for any 2600 IMHO.

[SekOner]

I've had a Wico Command Control bat style controller for a while now. It's by far my favorite controller, I absolutely LOVE The arcade feeling it provides, its using old school leaf-switchs and with old arcade ports thats a must in my book. The problem however is i just cant seem to find a comfortable means to use the stick and the arcade button. If i do use the arcade button the base isnt thick enough and the controller topples. Also when im using the stick button i have to have my other hand hold down the base of the unit for the toppling effect. Even worse than that is actually trying to hold this thing if your hands. Its much too large and the leverage needed to move the stick puts alot of strain on the hand for the button. Whats the best way to use this controller? Im about to superglue this thing down to the TV dinner table that i put it on. Is there a better way of mounting this controller?

 

 

Okay, you all have convinced me. I bought one of these today. Looking forward to trying it, once it gets shipped.

 

Which one did you get? did you get the Bat style as well? or the "Famous red ball".

[Scrabbler15]

I've had a Wico Command Control bat style controller for a while now. It's by far my favorite controller, I absolutely LOVE The arcade feeling it provides, its using old school leaf-switchs and with old arcade ports thats a must in my book. The problem however is i just cant seem to find a comfortable means to use the stick and the arcade button. If i do use the arcade button the base isnt thick enough and the controller topples. Also when im using the stick button i have to have my other hand hold down the base of the unit for the toppling effect. Even worse than that is actually trying to hold this thing if your hands. Its much too large and the leverage needed to move the stick puts alot of strain on the hand for the button. Whats the best way to use this controller? Im about to superglue this thing down to the TV dinner table that i put it on. Is there a better way of mounting this controller?

 

 

Okay, you all have convinced me. I bought one of these today. Looking forward to trying it, once it gets shipped.

 

Which one did you get? did you get the Bat style as well? or the "Famous red ball".

 

I got the bat. I think it'll work better for my Dragster than the ball would've.

[Zoyx]

I preferred the ol' CX40 for Dragster. Bat is too bouncy... need the stiffer CX40.

[Scrabbler15]

I preferred the ol' CX40 for Dragster. Bat is too bouncy... need the stiffer CX40.

Makes sense.

 

I can't keep my old CX40s working and the new CX40s, with the cheaper plastic ring inside, can't take the torque when I mount it on my board. (I snapped the ring in the new one playing Centipede.) Even the new CX40 didn't seem as tight as the old ones for Dragster.

 

I'm still anxious to try the new stick. We'll see and it is what it is.

[SekOner]

I preferred the ol' CX40 for Dragster. Bat is too bouncy... need the stiffer CX40.

Makes sense.

 

I can't keep my old CX40s working and the new CX40s, with the cheaper plastic ring inside, can't take the torque when I mount it on my board. (I snapped the ring in the new one playing Centipede.) Even the new CX40 didn't seem as tight as the old ones for Dragster.

 

I'm still anxious to try the new stick. We'll see and it is what it is.

 

One thing you should try as well is the cx40's that come with the Flashback 2, they're a tiny bit smaller (the base is anyway) then the old ones. However they aren't using the old dome switches, they use modern micro-switches which i think is the best to use with games like Dragster.

[Scrabbler15]

I preferred the ol' CX40 for Dragster. Bat is too bouncy... need the stiffer CX40.

Makes sense.

 

I can't keep my old CX40s working and the new CX40s, with the cheaper plastic ring inside, can't take the torque when I mount it on my board. (I snapped the ring in the new one playing Centipede.) Even the new CX40 didn't seem as tight as the old ones for Dragster.

 

I'm still anxious to try the new stick. We'll see and it is what it is.

 

One thing you should try as well is the cx40's that come with the Flashback 2, they're a tiny bit smaller (the base is anyway) then the old ones. However they aren't using the old dome switches, they use modern micro-switches which i think is the best to use with games like Dragster.

Thanks, I may end up doing that before it's all over with. I can't help thinking that last tenth of a second is out there somewhere.

[SekOner]

I just secured the controller to my tabletop with 2X Velcro(White velcro that holds l lb per inch), And the controller is solid as a rock! NOW it feels like im using a real arcade Switchboard! Thanks to everyone who posted their ideas, this was an adaptation of tz101 and scrabble15. THANK YOU

 

here are some pics to show you what i did.

 

Velcro(Hook side) on the bottom of the Wico Command Control:

 

 

The Velcro(loop side) on my tapletop surface

 

Me attaching Wico stick to velcro

 

[Rex Dart]

Velcro, huh? That's pretty bitchin'. I may have to head to Game Over after work & see if they have any more $5 wico sticks, velcro one up.

[Zoyx]

Velcro is the new duck tape.