Has anyone here owned a LAPCAT or LAPCAT Pro controller?

[captainblack]

I found this ad in an old post, wondering if anyone has any experience with these:

 

[dilinger]

Have found a similar device, not sure if this is the same brand.

[captainblack]

1 hour ago, dilinger said:

Have found a similar device, not sure if this is the same brand.

The Japanese style buttons lead me to assume this was made sometime after the 90s as only American style were available then, so probably this was made by an independent creator who was a jag fan or because it was commissioned by a jag fan.

Edited June 10, 2021 by captainblack

[sirlynxalot]

Was the lap cat pro something you were supposed to be able to buy in a magazine in the 90s?  Or was it something that a user here at atariage custom built?  At any rate, with the bulk of it and the fact its made out of wood, it looks like something that would have been custom built by a hobbyist or jaguar fan rather than something that a company stamped out 1000s of.

[captainblack]

49 minutes ago, sirlynxalot said:

Was the lap cat pro something you were supposed to be able to buy in a magazine in the 90s?  Or was it something that a user here at atariage custom built?  At any rate, with the bulk of it and the fact its made out of wood, it looks like something that would have been custom built by a hobbyist or jaguar fan rather than something that a company stamped out 1000s of.

It was listed on a Jaguar FAQ that can be found here: myatari.net : Jaguar 64 F.A.Q. (exxoshost.co.uk)

 

It seems like it was one guy making them but it seems pretty professional so maybe a situation like MAS where it was 1 guy making a lot of them in high quality. The FAQ was described as "old" back in 2005 but not exactly sure when they were in production.

Edited June 11, 2021 by captainblack

[sirlynxalot]

That faq seems to be from 2001, so I guess the lapcat predated that.

 

There seem to be a wide variety of other arcade sticks custom built by people that are mentioned in the faq. You've got the lapcat and lapcat pro by Ben Aein

 

Quote

LAPCAT. Joystick controller. Lap/table-sized joystick controller. 12" x 11.5" x 3". Arcade-quality build, with steel joystick shaft and reed contact buttons. Six large fire buttons are provided, and all Jaguar controller keys are available. Available in left-handed or right-handed models (fire buttons on the side of the hand). A "Lapcat Pro" is also available. Write to Ben for pricing details.

 

The Pro Stick by Demand Systems

 

Quote

PRO-STICK. Joystick controller. An arcade-quality joystick and buttons, mounted on a large base. Suitable for lap or tabletop use. A Jaguar controller is attached to allow use of the keypad and other buttons.

 

The Jaguar Jamma Joystick sold by the Goat Store

 

Quote

JAGUAR JAMMA JOYSTICK. Joystick controller. Arcade-quality joystick for the Jaguar made with authentic arcade JAMMA components. Available on regular and LX configurations.

 

The JJJ Game Controller sold by Songbird Productions

 

Quote

J.J.J. Game controller. The J.J.J. is an arcade-quality joystick for the Jaguar made with authentic JAMMA components. Manufactured by Team 13, and sold through Songbird Productions.

 

That's 4 varieties of custom built arcade sticks for the jaguar by 2001!  That seems like a lot.

Edited June 11, 2021 by sirlynxalot

[captainblack]

@Songbird Got any old pictures of the JJJ Game Controller?

[Songbird]

Wow, that is from a long time ago! Not sure if I still have any decent photos, however I believe this might be it.

 

Carl

Edited June 12, 2021 by Songbird

[sirlynxalot]

Here's a blurb about the lapcat stick from a circa 2005 topic on this forum. Sounds like the lapcat was maybe sold while atari was still trying to sell the jaguar.

 

Quote

 

Before Atari folded, there was a guy called Ben Aein who sold quite a few sticks

for the Jaguar in a woodeen housing, with arcade controls. In fact, he helped me

get in contact with some developers who kitted me out with my first Alpine etc..

 

Edited June 12, 2021 by sirlynxalot

[sirlynxalot]

The user "Crash" mentions owning a lapcat in this forum topic from 2007

 

He last visited the forum in September 2020, so maybe you can contact him for more info:  https://atariage.com/forums/profile/8517-crash/

 

Also, what the heck is the "Jaguar Extreme Flight Joystick from Visual Dimensions 3D"?  I'd like to see a picture of that!

Edited June 12, 2021 by sirlynxalot

[K3V]

Wow, that is from a long time ago! Not sure if I still have any decent photos, however I believe

.
 
Carl

Ha nope that’s my custom arcade joystick/rotary controller. It’s now part of my Jag kiosk!