UberArcade

Well this has gotten weird. I feel like a Wal-Mart just opened up next door to undercut my price. This has definitely killed my buzz. I was excited to make these and had plans to make a Robotron one and so on if these were a hit. I'll just have to see how it goes. My intention is to make the ultimate 7800 joystick using the best parts out there. As somebody who has restored arcade games for about 17 years I know the difference in playing Robotron with an original wico stick and a cheap microswitch stick. If you aren't going to use great parts then why bother making one of these joysticks in the first place. Here is a picture of the overlays I picked up on Friday. I was going to assemble one to show, but I have a question about the black level on these and just in case the printer agrees to run some replacements I didn't want to use any yet. I'll talk to them on Monday. Going in the case will be a black ball top stick with red leaf switch buttons. The price I am looking at is between $175-$200. The parts I am using actually cost me around $120. It is an aluminum case. True short leaf swtich buttons with button holders. An awesome joystick that costs about $40. 9 foot replaceable cord. Wiring harness soldered to a 9 pin connector and that has a little pcb holding the resistors and diode. And of course the vinyl overlays which have a minimum print quantity. Even polished black joystick bolts aren't cheap ($2+shipping for 4). That may seem like it leaves a lot of profit, but it takes me a while to solder the wiring harness, drill the cases, test them (the fun part), eventually deal with payments, box them up, drive to the post office. I love the hobby, but it also needs to make sense for me to do them. I guess these will be for somebody who wants the best. You can make one cheaper. You can get an ABS plastic case pretty cheap. You can use scrap wood. Zippy joysticks are about $10, etc. I am not going to try to compete on price or try to beat the other guy to market. These are almost ready, but I can't make the joysticks show up any faster. I will build these bad ass joysticks when I get all the parts and I will gladly sell them to whoever is still interested. I'll keep you posted. Thanks,

Life is full of surprises, but people are free to make and sell whatever they want. A custom joystick isn't anything particularly hard to assemble. Now for an update: I picked up the overlays from the printer today. They look great. I will assemble one this weekend and post a picture and price. I am still waiting on a few joysticks to come in so I am not ready to ship them right now anyway. It takes a little time. These are custom joysticks. If they don't come in soon I will go with another option. Thanks

Quick update: I am waiting on a few parts to come in. I am building the wiring in the meantime. I am going to build 10, see how much time it takes me, figure out a final price. If demand is still there I will make more.

I would buy both

The overlay will be printed like most arcade stuff these days. I can't remember the name of the material (my wife does all the print stuff) but there is a textured laminate on it. It will hold up. It isn't cheap though. I have reproduced some arcade overlays before and they all turned out great. This will be one solid overlay for the entire top. Keep chiming in on the design. I felt it was a little busy, but I wanted to go ahead and throw it out there and see what everybody said.

Here is my first pass at an overlay that resembles the console. Let me know what you think. I am also going with a case that is a little wider than the one I put in the first post. The new one works better.

I can offer an option to have microswitch parts in there if you want. 4-way, 8-way switch: I have tried several of the joysticks you can change between 4 and 8 way. All the ones I tried are microswitch, and to be honest I still don't like how they feel with pac man. They are better, but they still don't feel right to me. The happ 4-way sticks used in Namco reunion cabinets are really good, but you can't switch it to 8-way. I use the happ stick in my multicade and just don't play the games that require 8-way. I realize I am one of those arcade purists so I may be pickier than most. Because of Mame new joysticks are coming out often so maybe something will come out that finally gets it right. But I can put whatever parts in there as long as they are not too tall. You just unscrew the 4 bolts and pull the crimp connectors off. Takes a couple of minutes. Colecovision: I don't have a working Colecovision right now, but this is wired like the 7800 proline with the two resistors and diode, so if those work on a Colecovision then this should. Price: Once I figure out what the overlay printing will cost me then I can give you a price on the joystick. It will be soon. I plan to have the overlay done this weekend.

I started work on an overlay that matches the 7800 look with the silver stripe. Doing the actual metal plate wouldn't work out well since it would sit up on top of the case, but I can still go for that look with a normal arcade style overlay. I'll post the design soon.

With real leaf switches you don't need turbo buttons. :-)

Ha, yeah that doesn't make much sense does it?

The placement I am still messing with a little. I did slanted buttons on one of my other ones with a case that was a little wider and it was pretty good. Scramble is the game I have been playing the most with the joystick. It really needs it. For both left and right buttons on the same stick I would need a pretty big base and at that point you get something like an x-arcade sitting on your lap, but doing left and right handed models sound like a good idea.

Those are good. I have some of those on my Mame cabinet. The color choices are also great. I just like leaf over micro switch, but maybe I can offer a choice. Problem is those have a different mounting layout so once the plates are drilled you can't easily swap it down the road.

I am hoping to do a gold ball top and buttons and a matching overlay with Atari logo. Depends on if I can get the sticks I want. I can post some overlay pics when I get something close to final. I thought about the official looking brushed metal plate thing, but I am afraid that wouldn't hold up as well with your hands resting on it.

Due to the awesome homebrews on the 7800 I have been working on some 7800 arcade joysticks. The last one I did feels about right. Powder coated metal case, 8-way leaf switch joystick and leaf switch buttons. Case is a good size and give you a place to rest your hands on it. I am also making a 30th anniversary overlay to put on there. Joystick will work on the 2600 as well. Here is a picture as a reference for size. The button and joystick color will change. Placement will change slightly for the overlay. If there is sufficient interest I will make them available for sale. If I make several at once I can get a better price on parts and printing. All new parts are used. This won't be your cheapest joystick option, but it is a really great way to play your 2600 and 7800 games. I am just looking for interest. I won't take any money till they are ready to be mailed out. Thanks

Super Cobra

Thanks for extending the cart run to 100. Looking forward to this gift!

Put me on the list for a cart please. Thanks!

Awesome! Put me down for a cart when you eventually make them. I don't have many of those games yet so it looks like a great way to play them.

I would like a copy. Thanks!

Bob is my hero. Really looking forward to these new games.

Do you know when more MVS versions of Last Hope, Fast Striker, or XYX will be up for sale?

Put me down too. I am really looking forward to this game. Thanks!

What about devs who are interested in retro programming? I will be at GDC. I am not working on any retro stuff right now. It is on my bucket list to write a 2600 game though.

I have one. Personally I think the joysticks and buttons are a little on the cheap side. Happ Ultimate sticks and buttons are better. I also had some problems doing street fighter II moves with the stock sticks.

Daniel, If you check this thread my blue and black cart preorders have been sold to Toby (Coleco_Master). The carts should be shipped to him. - Thanks