old school joystick

[elysion]

Maybe some of you guys remember the good old days in the 80's. The 8bit era, the Commodore C64, Amiga and all the different Atari computers of the that time. Some of you perhaps have also made experiences back then with Sinclair ZX Spectrum, BBC Micro or Acorn Archimdes.

I was a Commodore aficionado back then and made my first steps in the digital world with C64, C128 and some Amiga models (mostly NOT owned by me, but friends allowed me to use their gear).

I clearly remember some of the joysticks that have been used then. Most notably the Quickshot II Turbo...



... and the famous Competition Pro:


de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Competition_Pro
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kempston_joystick

Recently, I've learned that the live of the Competition Pro was much longer than I have expected. There have been various versions of it over the time and some time ago, there was also an USB version introduced by the German Speedlink corporation.

www.speedlink.com/?p=2&cat=414&pid=21296&paus=1
www.focus.de/digital/games/spielkonsolen/speedlink-competition-pro-gold-goldstueck-fuer-retro-fans_aid_602094.html
www.tweakpc.de/hardware/tests/sonst/joystick_competition_pro/s01.php
www.c64-wiki.de/index.php/Competition_Pro


Long story short: I couldn't resist and I have ordered one of the golden 25th anniversary edition models. I should get it this weekend, but very likely I can't use it as much as I want right now. I have still a lot of work at the moment and gaming isn't the top priority.



Of course, joysticks have no direct relation to computer audio, but perhaps some of you also enjoy a remembrance to the 8bit era.

[UzminiNu]

lol my only experience with early 8 bit systems is the atari 2600 found in the basement some time ago, the console had broken joysticks revealing the pretty sharp metal directional controls. Our fingers were a bloody mess playing Pong and other smash hits of the 80 ies...havent laugh't so hard for a long time.

...and the joystick looks golden

[Deleted]

...and the joystick looks golden

Does it vibrate too ?

[elysion]

I have it since a couple of weeks now. The feeling is exactly the same as with the oldschool variant form the 80's.

One problem is the limited amout of fire switches. It has only four. That's absolutely enough for oldschool games, but newer games often need more. On the other hand it has also a switch for continuous fire. I guess this switch is only available with oldschool games in C64 or Amiga emulators.

The behaviour is very much like that of a gamepad, although it looks very different physically.

And no, it does not vibrate. IIRC this feature was something that Microsoft has introduced with their "force-feedback" series of joystick. The shape of the stick would allow the use as anal butt plug though (if someone really needs that... ).

BTW: The input devices from Microsoft, especially their joystick series (which isn't available anymore) are probably the only Microsoft products which I do like somewhat. I prefer Logitech mices and Cherry keyboard, but their joysticks have been really nice. But Microsoft keyboards and mices aren't bad at all. Personally, I do like to have a choice.

Speedlink sells also the "Tornado" joystick which looks/works like a Microsoft model that was sold years ago.


I've thought about possible other uses of Competition Pro. Since we are on an audio forum, what about using it to control an audio player? Maybe a bit unrealistic, but who knows: Maybe someone find a use for it with audio equipment.

I'd also like to use it to control an USB missile launcher, but that has to wait until I find a new job. No new gadgets until I have a guaranteed income again.

An exception will be the Speedlink Tornado joystick. I've ordered that thing before I lost my job. I've ordered also the components for another PC then. These will be the last luxuries for a long time...

[elysion]

...and the joystick looks golden

It's made out of pure gold. I've spent a fortune for it.