+sixersfan105 Posted April 29, 2017 Share Posted April 29, 2017 Anyone familiar with them? They appear to have been a British company back in the day, focused on the joystick/controller market for 1980s computers and video game systems. Naturally, their joysticks work with the 2600. I was thinking of picking up "The Bug." Any insight, by chance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassGuitari Posted April 29, 2017 Share Posted April 29, 2017 They also made "character"/movie tie-in joysticks such as Batman, Terminator, and Alien 3:As a fan of the Alien movies in general and Alien 3 in particular (yeah, yeah...), I must have this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+sixersfan105 Posted April 29, 2017 Author Share Posted April 29, 2017 They also made "character"/movie tie-in joysticks such as Batman, Terminator, and Alien 3: As a fan of the Alien movies in general and Alien 3 in particular (yeah, yeah...), I must have this. Wow that's amazing! Make it happen! Ah yeah looks like that's part of their "CharacteriStick" line, or "range," per the Brits. They think of everything across the pond, don't they? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassGuitari Posted April 29, 2017 Share Posted April 29, 2017 The Alien 3 stick looks like a nightmare to actually use--and prone to failure, if I had to guess; I'm betting they're pretty cheaply made with crappy little dome switches--but I need it just to display. (And occasionally use to play Alien, of course. ) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+sixersfan105 Posted April 30, 2017 Author Share Posted April 30, 2017 Wouldn't surprise me but yeah that baby's all about the display value! With the occasional Alien session, naturally, as you reference. Saw a boxed "best offer" listing on everyone's favorite auction site ha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 That "Turbo Fighter" looks a little *too much* like the Beshu Zoomer. Perhaps the same mold? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPUWIZ Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 They also made "character"/movie tie-in joysticks such as Batman, Terminator, and Alien 3: As a fan of the Alien movies in general and Alien 3 in particular (yeah, yeah...), I must have this. I have only ever seen that one once, I sold it over 10 years ago. Mine did not have that sticker though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 (edited) I have only ever seen that one once, I sold it over 10 years ago. Mine did not have that sticker though. There is a Homer or Bart Simpson one as well IIRC. A decade or more ago some guy on ebay had a bunch of them all. EDIT: Found it, it was Bart: Edited April 30, 2017 by Shawn 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+sixersfan105 Posted April 30, 2017 Author Share Posted April 30, 2017 What a riot! So have you guys ever used any joysticks by this brand? Just curious if they were decently made, etc. Again, the one I'm considering purchasing is not of the character variety, instead dubbed "The Bug." Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+SmittyB Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 (edited) For a time I had the 'annihilator' that they made for Commodore as the pack in controller for their failed Commodore GS. It was the worst joystick I've ever seen. The plastic was cheap and brittle so any kind of firm grip would just snap it, and the stick itself wobbled all over the place with no tactile feedback as to when a direction is pressed. It was so bad you could hold the base and just lean it in the direction you wanted to move (and hope it didn't roll over to press another at the same time). From what I've seen the majority of their sticks, including the moulded character ones, are based on the same shoddy designs. Maybe their other designs are a bit better but I can't imagine they would have ever produced a controller that had value outside of being a novelty. Edited April 30, 2017 by SmittyB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+sixersfan105 Posted April 30, 2017 Author Share Posted April 30, 2017 For a time I had the 'annihilator' that they made for Commodore as the pack in controller for their failed Commodore GS. It was the worst joystick I've ever seen. The plastic was cheap and brittle so any kind of firm grip would just snap it, and the stick itself wobbled all over the place with no tactile feedback as to when a direction is pressed. It was so bad you could hold the base and just lean it in the direction you wanted to move (and hope it didn't roll over to press another at the same time). From what I've seen the majority of their sticks, including the moulded character ones, are based on the same shoddy designs. Maybe their other designs are a bit better but I can't imagine they would have ever produced a controller that had value outside of being a novelty. Good to know. Thanks man! I think I will pass on purchasing "The Bug" after reading your feedback but will keep an eye out for the novelty character sticks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustinMSalvato Posted May 1, 2017 Share Posted May 1, 2017 Funny, as a kid I would have drooled at the thought of having Turbo Fighter (plane-like) controls. Now, for actual use, nah. To display? Heck yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Stephen Moss Posted May 2, 2017 Share Posted May 2, 2017 I had the 125 is it (one in the top left) used it on my ST for many years, I liked it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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