Thumb on top, or firm grip?

[Unbeliever]

Nope...not that kind of post (that would be inappropriate), but a simple question when you hold your Atari 2600 joystick. Do you grip the stick and play that way, or do you place a thumb on top for better control?

[opeygon]

I usually hold the stick with my thumb and fore finger about halfway down the joystick. Only on rare occasions do I play with my thumb on top.

Edited January 30, 2013 by opeygon

[Schizophretard]

I hold it like I hold a pen and control it like I'm writing.

[Stan]

I play with a TAC2, so none of this bullshat is important to me. It's too boss for this discussion.

[adam242]

I play with a TAC2, so none of this bullshat is important to me. It's too boss for this discussion.

 

My controller of choice as well.. I use something of a modified 'pen grip'. Between my thumb and index finger.

[+save2600]

Neither, but the pen style is close.

[Gorfy]

I'll cast a lonely vote for the thumb-on-top method.

 

Greater range of motion (ROM) at the thumb joints = increased precision of joystick movements

[shadow460]

Pen method unless I'm playing Decathlon.

[karokoenig]

There are really people out there who still play Decathlon? I do have a cart, but I'm scared to destroy my joysticks - like I used to do to quite a few back when I was a kid. They don't make'em anymore, y'know...

[Unbeliever]

The reason for this post is to try and find a more comfortable way for me to play for extended periods. The "thumb on top" method isn't working out as well as it used to. Thumb constantly "cracks" and that drives me nuts. Thanks for the posts so far. Keep 'em coming (I know, you can only discuss this so far. How about some illustrations?)

[solidcorp]

Thumb on top!

 

I used to have a ring shaped blister on my right thumb and I've worn the rubber off the top of one stick. It popped off like a popcap and then it really hurt to use.

[Unbeliever]

From what I remember from the "olden days", this is the way I used to always play Atari, with the thumb on top of the stick. I tried the "pure grip" method last night and felt uncomfortable playing Ms. Pacman for about 20 minutes. Does anyone else have a different method, depending on what game they play?

[BassGuitari]

I don't know, I don't really think about it. I think I sort of lightly pinch the stick between my thumb and index finger somewhere between the middle and the top. I prefer table-mounted so I can press the fire button with my left index finger, otherwise it's the thumb.

[Aamp]

Grinding gears method. Tron Deadly Discs, "up!, shoot up, no, not on an angle, up!!" trying to run sideways at the same time

Edited January 31, 2013 by Aamp

[Ransom]

Pen method unless I'm playing Decathlon.

 

I've always used the pen method, too (except, as you note, for when it makes more sense to do something else).

[VectorGamer]

thumb on top

[opeygon]

I've always used the pen method, too (except, as you note, for when it makes more sense to do something else).

 

Guys, what exactly is the pen method?

[Ransom]

Guys, what exactly is the pen method?

 

Well...

 

I hold it like I hold a pen and control it like I'm writing.

 

My controller of choice as well.. I use something of a modified 'pen grip'. Between my thumb and index finger.

 

In my case, I hold it just like I hold a pen -- thumb on one side, index a middle fingers on the other.

[Unbeliever]

I'll give the "pen" method a try. Thanks for all the answers so far!

[racerx]

Thumb on top for me.

 

My wife says she always played with a conventional "joystick grip." My kids, including my 5-year-olds who had never played until a couple of weeks ago, automatically gripped the whole stick as well.

 

I feel some redemption from all the thumbers here. I was starting to think I was alone.

[lokidchser]

thumb on top for me

[Jinks]

I dont know never looked down...

[Robot2600]

"Pen" method or the "use a Sega Genesis Controller" method.

[Schizophretard]

Guys, what exactly is the pen method?

 

You take your three fingers and grip the base of the stick like you are holding a pen(it is like turning the stick into a stationary stylus). Then you move your character around as if you are drawing. For an example, in PAC-MAN games it is only necessary to tap the stick in the direction of a turn and the rest of the time the stick can be centered but I always hold it in the direction I am going. I do this because I am drawing in the maze and like crayons, I'm trying to stay in the lines. It makes the controls more accurate for me because it is a skill I already use.

 

I have never understood how someone could effectively control by gripping like a flight stick. It puts most of the movements in bending your wrist instead of moving your arm. Even without a stick, if I move my wrist around in front of me, there is more discomfort and slower movements than if I moved my arm around like I was controlling a mouse. If I move my wrist around in circles as fast as I can it is painful and slow but if I move my hand in circles using my arm it isn't painful at all and super fast.

 

I prefer the StarFighter. It is perfect for holding like a pen, has all the internals of a TAC-2, and could probably even survive Decathlon.

[xybot67]

Thumb on top for me. Always felt natural.