Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: What Joystick is best for retro computer games.

  1. #1
    Insert Coin (Level 0)
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    74
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default What Joystick is best for retro computer games.

    I have the Pac Man, Ms. Pac Man, the Midway ones with all the cool old games on them and need a joystick to play them. What are some good ones on the market. Sorry if this is the wrong place to post this.

  2. #2
    Insert Coin (Level 0)
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Colorado Springs, Colorado
    Posts
    97
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    I use the Super Pro Joystick from MAS Systems. They sell one for the PC and I highly recommend it~!

    It is a very sturdy joystick, has eight buttons, a turbo, is build from HAPP parts, and the buttons are micro switched.


    SNKFan75

  3. #3
    Alex (Level 15) InsaneDavid's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Silicon Valley, USA
    Posts
    7,366
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    24
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    13
    Thanked in
    12 Posts

    Default

    If you're feeling handy you can build one yourself. If the cost of a Ultimarc I-PAC (arcade controls to keyboard socket adapter) seems to be the limiting factor then you could always build it around the board inside a PlayStation 1 controller and use a PlayStation family to USB2 converter box. I use one of those converter boxes and it allows me to use any PS Family controller, including the professional arcade sticks that have popped up in recent years. The Namco PS1 stick is also a good choice for this usage.

  4. #4
    Banana (Level 7) googlefest1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    CT - USA
    Posts
    1,473
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    your talking about PC right? not some other kind of computer
    The human operates out of complex superiority demands, self -affirming through ritual, insiting upon a rational need to learn, striving for self-imposed goals, manipulating his environment while he denies his own adaptive abilities, never fully satisfied.
    --Frank Herbert

  5. #5
    Cherry (Level 1)
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Posts
    355
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Another option would be the X-Arcade.

  6. #6
    Alex (Level 15) boatofcar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Hurricane, WV
    Posts
    7,749
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    1
    Thanked in
    1 Post
    Xbox LIVE
    boatofcar

    Default

    I have the Dual X-Arcade. It's got a lifetime warranty, and building your own is not always an option if you don't have a lot of workbench space.


  7. #7
    Kirby (Level 13) cyberfluxor's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Chesapeake, VA
    Posts
    5,560
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by boatofcar
    Dude... that looks so freaking nice! Makes me want to buy one but that price is deep in the pockets. Know of a cheaper vender on-line or a place to get something similar at a big chain retailer?
    [Website] [Gallary] [Games List] [DP Feedback]

  8. #8
    Alex (Level 15) boatofcar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Hurricane, WV
    Posts
    7,749
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    1
    Thanked in
    1 Post
    Xbox LIVE
    boatofcar

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by cyberfluxor
    Quote Originally Posted by boatofcar
    Dude... that looks so freaking nice! Makes me want to buy one but that price is deep in the pockets. Know of a cheaper vender on-line or a place to get something similar at a big chain retailer?
    Buying direct was as cheap as I could find it. I don't think you can get a 2 player stick for less than $129, anywhere, especially at the quality of the X-Arcade unit.

  9. #9
    Pretzel (Level 4)
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Posts
    909
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    sounds like you may headed into the mame world soon, in which case the sky is the limit - you can even design your own using this companys software and they'll build it for you (not as expensive you might think).

    Regardless, if you want the original experience then I would recommend getting a 4-way joystick, rather than an 8-way. I've read countless times on mame stuff that the 8-way is a little harder to play with older games (have to really push it up so that it knows you up and not up/right) that only know 4 ways (up,down,left,right).

    Personally I'm not into the original experience as much and I like the nes gamepad for any game that doesn't require more than 2 buttons and 4 directions.

    Nate

  10. #10
    Bell (Level 8) whoisKeel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Posts
    1,705
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by InsaneDavid
    If you're feeling handy you can build one yourself. If the cost of a Ultimarc I-PAC (arcade controls to keyboard socket adapter) seems to be the limiting factor then you could always build it around the board inside a PlayStation 1 controller and use a PlayStation family to USB2 converter box. I use one of those converter boxes and it allows me to use any PS Family controller, including the professional arcade sticks that have popped up in recent years. The Namco PS1 stick is also a good choice for this usage.
    I agree with this statement.

    Here's mine:
    http://www.whoiskeel.com/projects/joystick/

    The nice thing about it is I use it on my ps1/ps2/dc/saturn/pc. You just have to buy the converter thingys and it works on almost every system. I can't get it to work on the GC though because I didn't use an analogue psx controller (sucks because I really wanna play ikaruga with it).

    Build once, use on each additional console for $20-25 a pop. You can't buy quality joysticks for most consoles for that price. I love the weight of it too, nice and heavy and big. Sits in the lap nicely.

  11. #11
    Alex (Level 15) InsaneDavid's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Silicon Valley, USA
    Posts
    7,366
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    24
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    13
    Thanked in
    12 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by whoisKeel
    Build once, use on each additional console for $20-25 a pop. You can't buy quality joysticks for most consoles for that price. I love the weight of it too, nice and heavy and big. Sits in the lap nicely.
    Yup, and when something wears down it's all easy to replace arcade parts.

Similar Threads

  1. Retro computer usage?
    By Flack in forum Computer Gaming
    Replies: 20
    Last Post: 12-03-2009, 06:23 PM
  2. N64 computer joystick
    By incubus421 in forum Buying and Selling
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 01-28-2008, 12:16 PM
  3. Retro computer (mid 80's) advice.
    By DeputyMoniker in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 44
    Last Post: 03-05-2006, 05:54 PM
  4. FS/T: NEW in Box Tomy Tutor Computer/Games/Joystick
    By Roagie in forum Buying and Selling
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 01-10-2003, 02:47 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •