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Where Are the Joysticks For Retro Gaming?
Doctor O writes "With all those nice emulators for classic gaming around (such as MAME, VICE or Stella) I want to establish monthly retro gaming evenings with some friends. The problem is I can't find any good joysticks for that purpose. There's a new version of the legendary Competition Pro, but judging from the many one-star reviews on Amazon, it's terrible. I found the USB version of the classic Atari Joystick, but it doesn't seem to be available and would have prohibitive shipping costs to Germany anyway. So, Slashdot to the rescue — where are the suitable USB joysticks for retro gaming?"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcade_controller#In_the_home
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namco_Arcade_Stick
etc. (there are also resources to build them)
Generally quite close to classic joysticks, only much better. They are slightly on the expensive side, but OTOH will be, most likely, the only link with you for your great-great-great-great-grandchildren / etc.
One that hath name thou can not otter
Devices based on V-USB (software only USB implementation for AVR microcontrollers) are probably worth a look because designs you can copy are so numerous.
This is one of the most versatile. I doesn't support the Apple IIc yet but the BBC joysticks had a similar capability so the only difference is likely to be in the adapter lead:
http://denki.world3.net/retro_v2.html
Perhaps you don't want to make your own circuit board. If so, I had a quick look at the retro's schematic and reckon you should be able to get the retro firmware running on an off the shelf board such as the one adafruit sell.
http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=16&products_id=174
I've got one of these and its a great little board. I built a temperature logger using one and I got it running (hardware and software) in about four hours. That said I did spend another three building the programmer!
Finally there a gallery of lots of HID devices made using cheap AVR controllers:
http://www.obdev.at/products/vusb/prjhid.html
The best joysticks for retrogaming are of course the original ones with a Retro Adapter.
It has support for most original joysticks and gamepads: C64/Amiga, Atari 8-bit computers and consoles, Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, Sega Master System, Sega Genesis/Megadrive, Saturn, Neo Geo, MSX, BBC Micro, PCE/TGFX, NES, SNES, N64, PSX, PS2, 3DO, CD32, PC Gameport, you name it.
My other account has a 3-digit UID.
OP here. I have seen the stick you offer (and many like it) on Amazon, but those a) usually are analog (digital sticks are much easier to operate) and b) can only be used standing on a desk etc., not hand-held. I'm going to connect the 'puter to my plasma and want to go for the "living room style" gaming. Even the old Quickshots were shitty in this respect because you'd need a book or something to put them on.
And you're spot on - I want a stick, not a pad. At 35, I'm in the pre-pad gaming generation and despise pads to the very day. No matter how much I practice, I just don't get the level of control of a nice, handy digital joystick.
Who is General Failure and why is he reading my hard disk?
You want X-Arcade sticks.
Actual arcade hardware. USB connector, or the option to stick in modular controllers for PS2, PS3, Xbox, Xbox360... you name it. Lifetime warranty and EASY user servicing, too. Shoot them an email if any component fails, they'll mail you the replacement part, you stick it in yourself, easy as can be.
I bought a pair years ago, been upgrading them (very cheaply) as new systems came out. Love them and highly recommend them.
Almost forgot: some people will say "yeah but those are expensive." My response: I've had over a decade of use on my pair, and they are still working flawlessly today. Just imagine the number of crap sticks (like those cheaply made piece of crap "Street Fighter IV Fighting Sticks" that wandered out from Crapcom for 360 and PS3, and ONLY work on their respective consoles) you'd buy over the years keeping up.
Pay a little more up-front to have something high-quality, that has a lifetime warranty on parts, that you can easily repair yourself without voiding the warranty, and that is cheaply upgradable to work when you update your console. It's well worth it.