M Networks Tron Joystick

[etschuetz]

I was at a small used game store today and snatched up the Tron Joystick for my Atari for a mere $5. I have not seen one on ebay, nor in the wild before. Are the relatively rare?

[Pioneer4x4]

I don't know how rare, but I would like one myself. $5 seems like a great price.

[keilbaca]

They're pretty rare, known to break. They used thin plastic inside for the contacts to press down. I know this because I broke and fixed one myself.

 

They're not extremely rare, but they are kinda hard to come by. $5 is an amazing price.

[Crazy Climber]

I could have sworn the last atari2600.com newsletter said there was a big NOS find of these in venazuela recently. Just loose controllers though, no box and pack in games.

[Lord Helmet]

IMHO thats a nice find at $5.

[etschuetz]

Here is a link to my twitpic upload of the joystick.

http://twitpic.com/2rkmno

[Animan]

Looks strangely similar to the Gorf arcade joystick.

Edited September 24, 2010 by Animan

[Hydro Thunder]

Nice find!

 

It looks like a modification of one I used to have that was similar but all black, and a smaller top with a red fire button. No manufacturer was listed on it. Good grab! Love that translucent blue.

[Zoyx]

I seem to remember buying mine at atari2600.com, but they don't have any now. I think I spent around $15 for it. A fun collectors item, but not the best build quality.

[+Nathan Strum]

Mine still works, from back-in-the-day. Although I never used it all that much. Mainly because after awhile, the suction cups that held it to the table failed. I eventually found some replacements, but it mostly just sits on a shelf now, looking cool.

 

It would look even cooler with some blue LEDs in it.

[Zwackery]

I could have sworn the last atari2600.com newsletter said there was a big NOS find of these in venazuela recently. Just loose controllers though, no box and pack in games.

Yes, vol. 5, issue 7, July 2010: "In June, several new unboxed M-Network Tron Controllers from Venezuela were sold on eBay. Prices hovered around $30.00 which is market correct for a good used example."

 

$5 in Kansas is a rather good deal. The stick wasn't made with the toughest components, but it is a nice conversation piece and a nod to the glory of TRON.

[Crazy Climber]

I could have sworn the last atari2600.com newsletter said there was a big NOS find of these in venazuela recently. Just loose controllers though, no box and pack in games.

Yes, vol. 5, issue 7, July 2010: "In June, several new unboxed M-Network Tron Controllers from Venezuela were sold on eBay. Prices hovered around $30.00 which is market correct for a good used example."

 

$5 in Kansas is a rather good deal. The stick wasn't made with the toughest components, but it is a nice conversation piece and a nod to the glory of TRON.

Cool, glad you could confirm that. I was looking all over my house for the newsletter, started wondering if I really read that or not. Thanks

[A.J. Franzman]

Nice find!

 

It looks like a modification of one I used to have that was similar but all black, and a smaller top with a red fire button. No manufacturer was listed on it. Good grab! Love that translucent blue.

They were made by the same company, Champion Electronics. I think the name of the black one is the Champ, sometimes called the Super Champ (or maybe there are two slightly different models).

[Hydro Thunder]

Nice find!

 

It looks like a modification of one I used to have that was similar but all black, and a smaller top with a red fire button. No manufacturer was listed on it. Good grab! Love that translucent blue.

They were made by the same company, Champion Electronics. I think the name of the black one is the Champ, sometimes called the Super Champ (or maybe there are two slightly different models).

 

Indeed! Found a pic of the Super Champ, it was a decent stick. But not as cool by far as the Tron one.

 

[Crazy Climber]

Nice find!

 

It looks like a modification of one I used to have that was similar but all black, and a smaller top with a red fire button. No manufacturer was listed on it. Good grab! Love that translucent blue.

They were made by the same company, Champion Electronics. I think the name of the black one is the Champ, sometimes called the Super Champ (or maybe there are two slightly different models).

 

Indeed! Found a pic of the Super Champ, it was a decent stick. But not as cool by far as the Tron one.

 

I had one of those as a kid. I used to love showing people how the cord would retract into the controller and everyone always thought that was cool but I rarely ever used it for actual gameplay. The Wico command control was my blaster of choice

[Zoyx]

I have a Super Champ as well. Pretty nifty ... and I don't use it.

[Godzilla]

i got mine as part of a boxed set back in the day. wish mom hadn't make me throw away the box (taking up too much room she said.) but yea, they break easy. wish there was an easy way to fix it, its a great stick otherwise.

[thegamezmaster]

Super find! Man that is one sweet looking joystick. I'm jealous.

[A.J. Franzman]

wish there was an easy way to fix it, its a great stick otherwise.

Depending on what broke, some parts from a Champ/Super Champ can be used to fix a Tron stick.

[Godzilla]

the plastic insert inside the stick.

[Chris Leach]

edintv has access to at least one in his for sale thread..check it out seems like a nice guy to do business with so far...

[etschuetz]

Admittedly, going back to this old post...I have not used the Tron stick yet. Afraid to! It is so pretty and considering the new Tron Movie finally came out, makes it rather special.

[PAC MAN FEVER]

cool find

[Ranthulfr]

Admittedly, going back to this old post...I have not used the Tron stick yet. Afraid to! It is so pretty and considering the new Tron Movie finally came out, makes it rather special.

I don't blame ya. I bet it makes a good display piece.