Major_Tom_coming_home Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 I own a few Wico "bat" controllers, and have noticed there is a similar Wico joystick that seemingly uses the same base but has a red ball and fire button instead of a bat for a handle. Was the Wico 'Ball' a different model of joystick than the bat, or was the ball handle sold to consumers as a stand alone part that could be swapped out with the bat? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0078265317 Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 I think I have one of those. I got it off eBay. But it's not removable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nutsy Doodleheimer Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 I have the bat joystick but not the ball joystick. They sold them seperatley and are not removable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0078265317 Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 Is this what you are referring to? http://m.ebay.com/itm/WICO-Command-Control-Joystick-Controller-for-Atari-2600-or-Commodore-64-/121775874137?nav=SEARCH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Opry99er Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 The "Famous Red Ball" joystick is a different model entirely. Internally, there is little difference. Ergonomically, they are very different. The bat is a solid stick, but the ball fits my gaming style better. I love the Red Ball joy... It is my childhood. I run one every time I fire up my 2600 and, while I have a matched set of bats, the ball gets used 99% of the time for 1 player games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Opry99er Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 Is this what you are referring to? http://m.ebay.com/itm/WICO-Command-Control-Joystick-Controller-for-Atari-2600-or-Commodore-64-/121775874137?nav=SEARCH That is an immaculate specimen!! Well worth the $$ IMO. If I were not on a spending freeze for a couple more weeks, Id buy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 That is an immaculate specimen!! Well worth the $$ IMO. If I were not on a spending freeze for a couple more weeks, Id buy it. Not bad, the shaft looks free of rust. Many of the Wico's I've seen are rusty and pitted. That one looks like it would clean up nicely and look nearly brand new with a little Armor All. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigO Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 Had no idea people were paying that kind of money for those. I just recently dug out my Wico ball and started using it. Mine's in pretty nice shape. Got it for a couple of bucks at a thrift store a few years ago. Kinda weird: for playing Space Rocks, I prefer the base button. For playing Commie Mutants, I like the top button. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0078265317 Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 And here is 2 more. http://m.ebay.com/itm/2-WICO-Command-Control-Joystick-Controller-for-Atari-2600-/161847739373?nav=SEARCH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Opry99er Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 I saw those, but no clear shot of the metal shafts... As Ohm pointed out, they can corrode if not stored properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Mitch Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 There are actually three different variations, the third being the grip handle. Wico also released a 3 in 1 stick that allowed you to change the handles between the three variations. Mitch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookem Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 I have a bunch of the Wico sticks, bat and ball handle, even the Boss ones (although I never liked them to actually use). I started hanging on to them and acquiring them even before I realized I was collecting... before retrogaming was even a thing. My logic was that they were worth saving/buying due to the incredibly high quality parts -- buttons, leaf switches, etc. I worked for awhile with a company that fabricated museum equipment, and those parts were super useful in all kinds of different applications. They were basically high quality general purpose parts bolted together, not proprietary/specially designed for cost savings like virtually all other controllers. The ball and bat handles were not meant to be interchangeable, although they basically were 95% the same parts. I have never personally seen the rust problems, but perhaps that is because I acquired them long ago and never stored them in a humid garage or attic... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0078265317 Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 Here you go. One more option. http://www.amazon.com/Command-Control-Joystick-Atari-Sears-Arcade/dp/B004G47GGM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thadsilverfox Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 Mmmm...I personally have never ran across one with a pitted or rusted shaft. Normally I find them with missing or crumbling rubber feet and scratched/dinged plastic bases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bohoki Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 i have the bat and ball and they had one that had the grip, ergo,bat changeable (i only have the grip grip) you can tell the difference between the real grip and the changeable with the grip grip cause the button is round on the changeable http://www.atarimagazines.com/v2n9/Anticpixcontrollers.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hizzy Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 Does anyone have a problem with a creaking Wico? What makes the creaking noise? Does something have to be oiled? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Video Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 I think it depends on the model. When I was a kid my parents got a wick that hat three interchangeable handles. A bat (club) a batwing and a ball. I know most were sold as one model but the interchangeable handle model we had was my favorite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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