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Where Are the Joysticks For Retro Gaming?

Posted by Soulskill on from the ch-flightstick-pro-was-aces-for-x-wing dept.

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?"

6 of 262 comments (clear)

  1. I hear ya.... by cormandy · · Score: 5, Interesting

    How timely, as I have been asking the same question... I used to have an Apple //c, and although I have indulged in retro Apple // gaming on various emulators over the years, it was never quite the same without using a traditional Apple analogue joystick. I have since decided to tackle this obvious problem with some electronics hackery. I recently (as in last week) purchased an original Apple // analogue joystick at auction on eBay, and I plan on building an Apple-joystick-port-to-USB-human-interface-device adapter circuit using a microcontroller such as the Microchip PIC. Should be straight forward, and if I am successful I will publish a how-to online, with schematics, parts list, microcontroller source code and Gerber data for the PCBs. Wish me luck!

    1. Re:I hear ya.... by TheRaven64 · · Score: 5, Funny

      That's nice of you, but can you wait until after he's published the schematics? Girlfriends tend to have a terrible impact on geek productivity...

      --
      I am TheRaven on Soylent News
    2. Re:I hear ya.... by MerlinTheGreen · · Score: 5, Informative

      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

    3. Re:I hear ya.... by Eudial · · Score: 5, Funny

      You should have shipped with one. Look in your pants.

      --
      GAAH! MY PRINTER IS ON FIRE!!! PUT IT OUT! PUT IT OUT!
  2. Re:Retro NES USB Controller by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Don't be silly. If he had wanted a joystick he would have asked a simple unambiguous question such as: "where are the suitable USB joysticks for retro gaming?"

  3. Re:Retro NES USB Controller by Moryath · · Score: 5, Informative

    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.