hanavin@udel.edu (Chuck Hanavin) (07/31/90)
Well after 5 years of owning an Amiga 1000, I broke down and bought some games. Now I need to buy a joystick, and I'm not sure which brand to buy. Can someone on the net recommend a joystick for me to buy. The ones I am considering range from $14.94 to $89.95. The games I have are Challenger, Persercutor, and fireblaster, but I will be buying a flight simulator, car/ motorcycle simulator and Ice hockey. Preferablly I would like one joystick to work well with all these games. Thanks-Chuck
spierce@pnet01.cts.com (Stuart Pierce) (08/01/90)
I have a Wico bat-handle joystick that I bought many years ago for my Atari 800. It has made it through thousands of gaming sessions, and it still feels superb! Then buy Turrican.
zolten@hogbbs.fidonet.org (Zolten Coldia) (08/02/90)
hanavin@udel.edu (Chuck Hanavin) writes: > Well after 5 years of owning an Amiga 1000, I broke down > and bought some games. Now I need to buy a joystick, and I'm > not sure which brand to buy. Can someone on the net recommend > a joystick for me to buy. The ones I am considering range from > $14.94 to $89.95. The games I have are Challenger, Persercutor, > and fireblaster, but I will be buying a flight simulator, car/ > motorcycle simulator and Ice hockey. Preferablly I would like > one joystick to work well with all these games. > > Thanks-Chuck > In my 6 years of Commodore Computing (5 with a 64, 1 with Amiga) I have found the best joystick for any game is the Epyx 500XJ. I've had one for 3 years and not a single problem. I'm not sure if they still sell them (I believe epyx went bankrupt) but I got mine for $14.99 and I'm going to pick up one from a friend for $3. Best buy.
rickh@metaware.metaware.com (Rick Herrick) (08/03/90)
In article <26213@nigel.udel.EDU> hanavin@udel.edu () writes: >not sure which brand to buy. Can someone on the net recommend >a joystick for me to buy. The ones I am considering range from >$14.94 to $89.95. The games I have are Challenger, Persercutor, I would recommend the really cheap kind. They cost about $6 at Software, Etc. I can't remember the name. I always just called them ugly sticks. But they have a square base with a short little handle with a ball on the end. I've had a number of the "ergonomic" joysticks, the kind that fit your hand. The problem I have with them is they almost ALL use microswitchs. These click everytime you use the stick. It's really annoying, and after awhile it's really hard to be precise with them. The ugly stick uses pressure pads (I guess they're piezoelectric) that don't click, and for me are MUCH better on filght simulator games. They're more precise, and easier to use. Also, they seem to last longer, and when they do break, you can get another one cheap. I've never seen any extra features on a joystick that justify spending $50 or up on one. After all, you just play games with it. -- -Echo The Potato-Salad-Eatin' Fool. INTERNET: rickh@metaware.com AT&T: (408) 427-9814 home UUCP: ...ucbvax!ucscc!metaware!rickh (408) 429-6382 x3086 work
david@starsoft.UUCP (Dave Lowrey) (08/04/90)
>In article <oPs9m2w162w@hogbbs.fidonet.org> zolten@hogbbs.fidonet.org (Zolten Coldia) writes: >hanavin@udel.edu (Chuck Hanavin) writes: > >> Well after 5 years of owning an Amiga 1000, I broke down >> and bought some games. Now I need to buy a joystick, and I'm >> not sure which brand to buy. Can someone on the net recommend >> a joystick for me to buy. The ones I am considering range from >> $14.94 to $89.95. The games I have are Challenger, Persercutor, >> and fireblaster, but I will be buying a flight simulator, car/ >> motorcycle simulator and Ice hockey. Preferablly I would like >> one joystick to work well with all these games. >> >> Thanks-Chuck >> > > >In my 6 years of Commodore Computing (5 with a 64, 1 with Amiga) I have >found the best joystick for any game is the Epyx 500XJ. I've had one for >3 years and not a single problem. I'm not sure if they still sell them >(I believe epyx went bankrupt) but I got mine for $14.99 and I'm going to >pick up one from a friend for $3. Best buy. I have an Epyx 500XJ also. It is very good in MOST CASES. However, it is extremely bad for any game that requires "diagonals". I mean that if you think of a joystick "up" as "north, "down" is "south", etc, the diagonals would be NE, SE, SW, and NW. Several games that I have tried to use this joystick with are almost impossible. These are "Fiendish Freddy's Big Top 'O FUN" and Turrican. Both of these games require you to have accurate use of diagonals, and that is nearly impossible for the 500XJ. It uses micrositches, and has no "stops" to accurately position the stick in the appropriate position to cause both switches for a diagonal to close. For the above mentioned games, I use an el-cheapo $5.00 joystick that allows me to jam it in a diagonal quickly and accurately. Other that the problems with diagonals, the 500XJ is an excellent joystick. -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- These words be mine. The company doesn't care, because I am the company! :-) Dave Lowrey | In Texas: {uhnix1,moray}!starsoft!david Starbound Software Group | The World: dwl10@uts.amdahl.com (amdahl!dwl10) Houston, TX |
elaine@hpmtlx.HP.COM ($Elaine_May) (08/07/90)
> I would recommend the really cheap kind. They cost about $6 at > Software, Etc. I can't remember the name. I always just called > them ugly sticks. But they have a square base with a short little > handle with a ball on the end. Are these the "Suncom" joysticks? I've used the Epyx 500, the Wico 3-way (three different handles), the original Atari 2600 joysticks and the Suncoms. Of the 4, I prefer the Suncom. It feels the best, gives me the highest scores and is the cheapest solution. What a deal! The Wico is built like a Sherman tank, but it is too large & bulky to be comfortable. The Epyx just didn't seem to "fit well" -- I had a hard time using it.
etxtsg@solsta.ericsson.se (Thomas Grennefors TX/DKI) (08/07/90)
The best joystick is almost a "religious" question. It depends on what type of joy you like, if you want a joy with small movements or one with large. Well the one that i have found works best for me is the TAC-2. It has extremely short action, and i have found that it works extreamly well for me to all games i care to run. Its very durable. I have managed to break one, and i think that was due to extensive use. But it's not certian that it will be the best for you (but 95 % of my friends seams to perfer the TAC-2 over any other joy). Well thats my .02$ worth -- !Thomas Grennefors ! proud member off Armaments 2:9-21 !Ericsson Telecom,Karlstad ! THHS krfc (tlps) !Email:etxtsg@solsta.ericsson.se !Three shalt be the number thou shalt count.. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ What do you mean? An African or European swallow?
GRGREF@BYUVM.BITNET (08/08/90)
If you want a really sturdy joystick, and you can still find it, I've had a
single joystick for about 10 years (and I *do* play lots of games) and it's
never gotten unresponsive, the fire-buttons are still crisp, etc. I got it
used from a friend, so I don't know where he got it, but the label on the
back says 'Competition pro joystick, Coin Controls, Inc. (USA)'. If anyone
knows where and if these can still be found, I'd really like to get a second.
Incidentally, the design is the same as the joystick shown on the 'controls'
screen on the game Battle Squadron. (Very Good Game, btw.) Whether or not
it's actually the same I don't know, but it looks like it...
Bryan Ford GRGREF@BYUVM.BITNETsysop@tlvx.UUCP (sysop) (08/10/90)
In article <david.5510@starsoft.UUCP>, david@starsoft.UUCP (Dave Lowrey) writes: > >In article <oPs9m2w162w@hogbbs.fidonet.org> zolten@hogbbs.fidonet.org (Zolten Coldia) writes: > >hanavin@udel.edu (Chuck Hanavin) writes: > > > >> Well after 5 years of owning an Amiga 1000, I broke down > >> and bought some games. Now I need to buy a joystick, and I'm ... > >> motorcycle simulator and Ice hockey. Preferablly I would like > >> one joystick to work well with all these games. > >> > >> Thanks-Chuck ... > >found the best joystick for any game is the Epyx 500XJ. I've had one for > >3 years and not a single problem. I'm not sure if they still sell them > >(I believe epyx went bankrupt) but I got mine for $14.99 and I'm going to > >pick up one from a friend for $3. Best buy. ... > Dave Lowrey | In Texas: {uhnix1,moray}!starsoft!david > Starbound Software Group | The World: dwl10@uts.amdahl.com (amdahl!dwl10) > Houston, TX | One joystick that I don't see mentioned very often is the Gravis switch joystick (not the MouseStick). The Gravis Switch costs about $30, and has a different feel than a lot of joysticks. for starters, it has a free feel, with the tension adjustable. What I like are the large buttons, which have a short throw and nice click. I REALLY like this joystick. (The only thing it needs is support for the [true] 2nd button; someday I'll get the courage to [try to] hack the thing.) While a couple of my friends have the MouseStick, I haven't played with it enough to form an opinion. Here, it goes for less than $70, but that's still a lot for "just a joystick". (..especially considering the short life-span of them in general. :-) ... but it seems like flight simulators and perhaps driving games would really benefit from an analog-like input signal. (Yes, I wanna hear if people enjoy their games more with this one.) At one time on c.s.a. there was talk about the possibility of making a software driver that could translate an analog joystick input into mouse like events. I think this is a good idea, although I realize that many (most?) games wouldn't make use of it, in taking over the system. Still, if it worked for a couple of favorites, it might be worth it. (Falcon? :-) ------------------------ On another topic, I picked up Battle Squadron and RVF Honda at Games 'n' Gadgets for $10 each. Is this a trend? These are both very good arcade games. I can't believe the prices people pay for the video games for the dedicated systems, then see software like this. Also, the software seems to be fairly well-behaved, reasonably polished (and runs on my '010). Is this a new marketing strategy, or simply selling off stock that has sat for a certain period of time? At $10, these games simply must be bought! -- Gary Wolfe, SYSOP of the Temporal Vortex BBS ..uflorida!unf7!tlvx!sysop, ..unf7!tlvx!sysop@bikini.cis.ufl.edu
bscott@isis.cs.du.edu (Ben Scott) (11/25/90)
In article <36959@nigel.ee.udel.edu> fhwri%CONNCOLL.BITNET@cunyvm.cuny.edu writes: >I still have my AMIGA PowerStick from '83 (back when they made joysticks (as >well as the Legendary Power Board, the TRUE source of the GURU) and it >still works! Great little stick; wish that SOMEONE would bring them back out. Yes, I agree - my Amiga Powerstick (which is a little too worn out to use after 7 years!) is unquestionably the best joystick I've ever seen. Small enough to use with one hand if necessary, yet strong. Sensitive, but durable. Comfortable to use, and inexpensive. They don't make 'em like that any more. It was the only stick which held up to my style of playing Space Taxi and Raid on Bungling Bay on the 64... Of course, when I first heard that Amiga was coming out with a computer, I thought "Wait a minute, Amiga makes JOYSTICKS - isn't this a bit like Schwinn building a car here?". I'm glad I was proven so wrong... I've seen Joyboards for sale at used equipment stores but never have I found another Powerstick. What are the chances of some company finding out who (if anyone) has the rights to this design and re-releasing it? Probably zero, but one can always hope. Please note the Followup-to line, also. . <<<<Infinite K>>>> -- |Ben Scott, professional goof-off and consultant at The Raster Image, Denver| |FIDO point address 1:104/421.2, bscott@isis.cs.du.edu, or BBS (303)424-9831| |"Spent 4 hours burying the cat!" "Four || The Raster Image IS responsible | | hours?!?" "It wouldn't keep still..." || for everything I say! | *Amiga* |
jlee@pnet01.cts.com (James Lee) (11/26/90)
This might've been brought up before, but I haven't read it on BBS yet... WHY
DOESN'T AMIGA OR OTHER COMPANIES START MAKING TWO-BUTTONED JOYSTICKS?!? It is
SO SAD that the Amiga has such awesome graphics, but the joystick is terribly
sorrowful, especially when many games out such as Battle Squadron needs it.
Battle Squadron accepts the mouse for input, and the difference is tremendous.
I don't know why they still insist on having people twist the joystick once
around (which weakens the joystick and messes up the game playing). Games
like Final Flight (which is not on Amigas, I don't think) uses ALL
COMBINATIONS of the two buttons and the direction of the joystick, but when
it comes to the Amiga, they probably will reduce the moves down just because
of the one button joystick...
Any input on that? I have been puzzled by this ever since I got my Amiga...
Maybe some company can make BIG BUCKS offering a NICE game that comes with the
two-buttoned joystick for $39 or so. I'm sure SO MANY PEOPLE would want it.
UUCP: {hplabs!hp-sdd ucsd nosc}!crash!pnet01!jlee
ARPA: crash!pnet01!jlee@nosc.mil
INET: jlee@pnet01.cts.comBSJ100@psuvm.psu.edu (11/26/90)
I agree. Many games would be enhanced with two joystick buttons, something like the arcade counterparts. I, personally can think of sports games that could be created with the extra button to control baserunning or other aspects of the game that are too hard to control with just one button. Maybe someone could make it like a Nintendo stick or something. Why can't this be done?? -- Rick
spierce@pnet01.cts.com (Stuart Pierce) (11/26/90)
You can buy a Sega PowerStick at Electronic Boutique for $49.99, and it has 3 independent fire buttons and programmable rapid-fire. Stuart Pierce
jayward@eecs.cs.pdx.edu (Jay Ward) (11/27/90)
In article <5883@crash.cts.com> jlee@pnet01.cts.com (James Lee) writes: >This might've been brought up before, but I haven't read it on BBS yet... WHY >DOESN'T AMIGA OR OTHER COMPANIES START MAKING TWO-BUTTONED JOYSTICKS?!? It is I agree!! Games such as Hybris and Battle Squadron would be made so much better if they would only support a two-button joystick. I think that only one game (I believe it is Revenge of Defender -- StarRay in Europe) supports the use of a second button. And I think that you have to make it yourself! Most games that require more than one button use the space-bar or other such blasphemous garbage. To me it is totally unacceptable to do this. Take R-Type for instance. You had to hit space to send the R-Type out and to recall him. I was always dying whenever I took my hand off the joystick. Finally I stretched the keyboard of my 2000 to the floor and used my big toe to operate it! Not quite what I call elegant! Anyway it sure would be nice to see two button joysticks on the market and support for them in the games. (Oh, and don't forget support for analog joysticks in flight sims :) ) Jay Ward ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jay Ward --> jayward@eecs.cs.pdx.edu | "A waist is a terrible thing to mind" TrailBlazerWins == 11; | TrailBlazerLosses == NULL; | -- Karen Carpenter
pashdown@javelin.es.com (Pete Ashdown) (11/28/90)
jayward@eecs.cs.pdx.edu (Jay Ward) writes: >In article <5883@crash.cts.com> jlee@pnet01.cts.com (James Lee) writes: >>This might've been brought up before, but I haven't read it on BBS yet... WHY >>DOESN'T AMIGA OR OTHER COMPANIES START MAKING TWO-BUTTONED JOYSTICKS?!? It is >Most games that require more than one button use the space-bar or other >such blasphemous garbage. To me it is totally unacceptable to do this. >Take R-Type for instance. You had to hit space to send the R-Type out >and to recall him. As previously mentioned, R-Type does use the second button as well as the space bar. Use a Genesis joystick or roll-your-own to take advantage of this. >Jay Ward --> jayward@eecs.cs.pdx.edu | "A waist is a terrible thing to mind" -- / (Rotate head 90 degrees for full effect) | BUNGEEEEEEEE! |---------------------------------------------------------------------->=<o \ Pete Ashdown pashdown@javelin.es.com ...orca.es.com!javelin!pashdown
mental@bluemoon.uucp (Sean Kellner) (11/28/90)
jayward@eecs.cs.pdx.edu (Jay Ward) writes: > In article <5883@crash.cts.com> jlee@pnet01.cts.com (James Lee) writes: > >This might've been brought up before, but I haven't read it on BBS yet... W > >DOESN'T AMIGA OR OTHER COMPANIES START MAKING TWO-BUTTONED JOYSTICKS?!? It > > used my big toe to operate it! Not quite what I call elegant! Anyway > it sure would be nice to see two button joysticks on the market and support > for them in the games. (Oh, and don't forget support for analog joysticks > in flight sims :) ) > I totally agree that 2 button support would be very nice to have in quite a few games. But it is even more frustrating for me than most, I use a Sega control stick type of joystick (works perfectly without any mods) and it has the second button. The new one for the genesis will also work that has 3 buttons each with independent variable rate rapid fire. I have been playing Nitro and it is very difficult in the configurattion it comes in (I did win tho, all 32 levels!) When you press up, the Nitro kicks in if you bought one and is used up. Now try to steer without accidently pushing up.... Would it be that hard to allow the player to set the joystick up however was best for them, I dont think it should be. Allow normal joysticks to have up be accelerate and the button be Nitro, or have both buttons active (the second reads just like a right mouse button) if they have it. Have the option to use all three if they want!! s
dw3w+@andrew.cmu.edu (Database Work) (11/28/90)
Before you cut down no games having 2 buttons I can think off the top of my head 2 games that have support for 2 buttons: Turrican and X-out (Both Rainbow Arts, bBTW). I bought a 2 button joystick ( A joystick for the Genesis a TAC-50), and love it. Not many games support 2 buttons, but it is changing. Maybe we should start a letter writing campaign. Ryan Newman dw3w+ryman@andrew.cmu.edu
j_parsons@csc32.enet.dec.com (Jack Parsons) (12/04/90)
I notice there's been a lot of discussion lately about the Epyx 500XJ joystick here. I, too, have been looking for an Amiga-compatible version of this 'stick with no success. Does anyone know if you can use Sega (either Master System or Genesis) compatible joysticks on the Amiga? I've heard folks mention this here in passing, but no sales critters seem to have a good answer when I ask this. If Master System sticks can be used unmodified on the Amiga, then I know where you can get Epyx 500XJ sticks for the awesome price of ***$4.99***/each. If anyone has a definitive answer for this question, let me know ASAP, as I suspect these will go fast. If I don't hear from anyone soon I will go ahead and buy one (no refunds or exchanges) and figure it out for myself. Jack j_parsons@csc32.enet.dec.com
mental@bluemoon.uucp (Sean Kellner) (12/10/90)
> Does anyone know if you can use Sega (either Master System or Genesis) > compatible joysticks on the Amiga? I've heard folks mention this here in Yes any stick for any Sega system (at least SMS and Genesis) will work perfectly without any mods whatsoever. As a matter of fact, I am gonna get the nice lookin (and actin and performin) stick for the Genesis. Oh, and I use the pads and stick for the Master system all of the time