coleco gemini joysticks

[RangerG]

Does anyone use the combination joysticks/paddles that come with the coleco gemini? I passed on them at the flea market last weekend, but I do like the idea of combining a joystick and paddle and reducing wires and effort. Sears also made a combination joystick for their system II. Anyone know about these or other combination joystick/paddles? Are they worth getting or is nothing really better than using the old reliable regular Atari joystick and switching to paddles when neccesary? -- RG

[Nukey Shay]

I once made a Vic20 "Tron"-type game that used the combo. Pretty easy to repair, as well. But nothing beats the Slik-Stik.

Zircon had a pretty good idea for a stick (with the Fairchild console), it could be moved in the standard eight directions, twisted left/right, and pushed/pulled...but the lack of a seperate fire button made it a dud (besides the fact that none of it's games could even come close to Atari's).

I never really cared for Wico's...they were designed to survive anything short of a sledgehammer, but using them was kinda like using oars in a rowboat.

Score : slightly below the standard Atari sticks (but better than all other consoles' sticks of the time...including ColecoVision's doorknobs).

 

[ 09-25-2001: Message edited by: Nukey Shay ]

[Ze_ro]

I actually leave a set of Gemini joysticks plugged in all the time... I think they're great. Some have complained that the grooves on the handle hurt, but I've never had a problem. Also, the paddle is completely jitter free.

 

When you play paddle games though, you have to sort of be careful about the button... the button on the controller does not work as a paddle button, instead you have to hit right on the controller (This sounds crappy, but when you hold a Gemini stick, you'll realize why it's not a big problem)

 

--Zero

[Charlie_]

RangerG: How much were the Gemini controllers? If they were cheap like 5 bucks each, could you pick them up for me? I would pay you for everything. I have one for my Gemini but the stick is a little beat up.

Let me know.

 

Charlie@netlane.com

[Mindfield]

I used to own a Gemini. The combo stick/paddle idea was great, and the sticks themselves, functionally, were fairly responsive, if cheaply made. Ergonomically, they were comfortable to hold. To play, they were... painful. The sticks and paddles both have serrated edges, ostensibly for improved grip on the otherwise hard moulded-plastic. Unfortunately, hard, serrated, moulded-plastic also describes the plastic knives you get in those little polypropelene baggies at KFC with the fork, napkin and wet nap, and that's a little like what the joysticks begin feeling like after extended play: plastic knives. If they'd rubberized the grip, it would probably be a lot more comfortable, but as it stands, they're decent sticks if you're only planning on using them for short bursts of play.