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Controllers. Good, bad, ugly?


danny_galaga

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Here is a link to the 2600 Connection controller FAQ:

 

http://www.2600connection.com/faq/controllers/faq_controllers.html

 

Featured are pretty much every single controller known. If you see some that are not listed, please let me know.

 

Tim

Great list, Tim. I saw many controllers I never knew about. I especially enjoyed seeing the Fyre-Ball in the accessory listing. I ordered those by mail as a kid and still have one of them. I've never seen them since, so that was the litmus test for your list; very impressive. However, I didn't see the Gemstik 2 on there. Here's a link to one on ebay:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Atari-2600-Gemstik-2-Joystick-Controller-/221427791942?pt=US_Video_Game_Controllers&hash=item338e1ff846

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I prefer the Competition Pro (normal size, the mini ones' switches break easily and they are too small for my hands anyway), and as a second choice I would take the Konix Speedking (aka Epyx 500XJ to those who live on the wrong side of the pond).

 

Third choice - this is a tough one - would be either a clone of the Wico bat handle stick called the Turbo Arcade (it has micro switches instead of the Wico's leaf switches and a second fire button on its base for left-handed players) and the metal cased joysticks sold as the Multi-Function 1001/2002 under different OEMs.

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I prefer the Competition Pro (normal size, the mini ones' switches break easily and they are too small for my hands anyway), and as a second choice I would take the Konix Speedking (aka Epyx 500XJ to those who live on the wrong side of the pond).

 

Third choice - this is a tough one - would be either a clone of the Wico bat handle stick called the Turbo Arcade (it has micro switches instead of the Wico's leaf switches and a second fire button on its base for left-handed players) and the metal cased joysticks sold as the Multi-Function 1001/2002 under different OEMs.

I did have an Epyx (it's in the donate to Goodwill pile now), but I broke the darn thing! I was going intently on one of my games, and I felt it "crack" on the inside. It's somewhat usable, but not too much. Nice joystick, but I'll stick with the Slik Stik!

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I try to use the classic stick when possible. Right now, the Genesis gamepad is the only decent option I have to play 7800 games (with an adaptor to get 2-button play) and I also use one in our family room. (I put a 2600 out there for the kids and we just swipe my daughter's Genesis pads.) In my room, though, the CX-40 is the king of joysticks.

 

I hated the discomfort caused by fighting with a CX-40 that had worn-down dome contacts within, so I opened it up, removed the old contacts and soldered down some momentary contact switches to the board. That and a little action with the dremel made the world of difference. The control is positively silky now with no resistance. It's clicky now, but that's hardly something I complain about given how well this stick plays on my consoles and 8-bits.

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If I remember correctly I used this (Quickshot Model no:QS-128F ), I do like the original vcs atari joysticks and remember cramp very well back then. Even stranger things can happen like people suddenly getting urges to bite the end of their stick :/

Edited by R.O.T.S
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I just bought an old Epyx joystick for $4 at a retro game store at my local mall. I never used one before... not exactly the most comfortable, but I like the "clicky" action of the joystick and button. Does that thing have microswitches inside?

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I just bought an old Epyx joystick for $4 at a retro game store at my local mall. I never used one before... not exactly the most comfortable, but I like the "clicky" action of the joystick and button. Does that thing have microswitches inside?

I believe so

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I just bought an old Epyx joystick for $4 at a retro game store at my local mall. I never used one before... not exactly the most comfortable, but I like the "clicky" action of the joystick and button. Does that thing have microswitches inside?

What kind of epyx is it? I picked up a 500xj a little while back. It does have some nice clicky micro switches. I like the stick a lot buts its still a hand cramper even though they tried to make it very ergonomic.

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Competition Pro 500. It's been serving me since 1989 or so, and is still in perfect order.

Depending on the particular piece, you might need a little lubricant under the ring between the shaft and the main body (otherwise it might "squeek" a bit), but that's about it.

 

Other than that, I like the "arcade'y" SV133 or SV135, depends on your hands' size. I modded mine a bit, as the original one was very stiff, and now it's my second favourite.

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