The best joystick ever; the list to end all debate

dreamkatcha · 20 September 2015, 22:47

I'm compiling a list of all magazine reviews of 8/16bit era joysticks and aggregating the scores to see which comes out on top... because, umm, this is my idea of fun?

Anyway I've found quite a few test/round-up articles in Spectrum, Atari ST, Amiga and Commodore mags, but would welcome any suggestions to get a more accurate picture. As it is I could get some pretty skewed results if a particular joystick receives an accolade, but only from one source.

Here are the articles I've found so far...

Crash - Sticks in the Mud
ZZAP - ZZAPstick Joystick Reviews
CU Amiga - Sticky Moments
Amiga User International - Test Drive; Joysticks or Passionkillers?
The Games Machine - Centre Bytes joystick test
Amiga Power - Buyer's Guide: Joysticks
CU Amiga - Wiggle It
Amiga Power - Joystick Round-Ups
Atari ST Action - Mega-test; Tools of the Trade
Your Sinclair - Tidings of Comfort and Joysticks
Your Sinclair - Joystick Jamboree

It's a bit annoying that some of these don't include scores, only narratives so won't have any impact. Some of them I found via 'contents search' over at Archive.org and others I stumbled across through re-reading the mags, which I imagine is the only sure-fire way of tracking them all down. I noticed AMR can be quite useful for pinning down reviews for specific models too.

Some unexpected results so far, though I'll keep that under wraps for now because I don't want to ruin the surprise. Try and contain your excitement for now, OK?

Edit: the Kickstarter proposal was a success - time and effort goals were met and the results are in!

Bastich · 20 September 2015, 23:27

Thats a great idea. I will be checking back here again

ReadOnlyCat · 21 September 2015, 04:27

Good idea.
I expect a lot of bias toward "traditional" Amiga joysticks but maybe I will be proven wrong. If an arcade type joystick (which I personally favor) ends up on the top I will be happy to apologize.

This last sentence, (the one you are reading now) perfectly devoid of information, is provided to you in order to avoid the empty vertical space caused by the left sidebar.

DisposableHero · 21 September 2015, 14:27

My favourite was the ZipStick, for the record.

Nibbler · 21 September 2015, 14:33

Competition Pro, for me, was the best.

Even FACTOR 5 used the Competition PRO, so that thing HASE TO BE GREAT !!

ransom1122 · 21 September 2015, 15:02

Australian made

Star Cursor

Simply the best.

edd_jedi · 21 September 2015, 15:07

I'll go against the grain here - none! I can't stand joysticks on home computers. They are great on arcade machines where they're fixed to the cabinet, but I never really got on with handheld joysticks once I had experienced joypads.

My first joystick back in 87 was the black/red Competition Pro with my Spectrum. I remember how stiff it was!

Amiga1992 · 21 September 2015, 16:02

Edd has a point, it's a bit annoying to use a joystick not fixed to a surface.
But of all of them the nicest ones are those that didn't need much force of grabbing the base of the joystick, and had a quick response time.

Within those parameters lie the Competition Pro, the Suncom TAC-2, the Bug and the Epyx XJ500. Perhaps the Cruiser as well.
I really hate clicky switch controllers though, they are super distracting, so that narrows down the list quite a bit immediately eliminating all of them but the TAC-2.

But the TAC-2's fire buttons give strain to the hand, they are not very comfortable.

Verdict: use gamepads.

fryguy · 21 September 2015, 16:17

Tac-2 was the best imo. I'm probably not the only one who thinks they're the best.

I've seen them sell for insane prices on Tradera (swedish auction site), some went over 500SEK (apporx 53€).

crazyc · 21 September 2015, 16:42

These were my absolute favourites:

Amiga1992 · 21 September 2015, 19:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by fryguy

I've seen them sell for insane prices on Tradera (swedish auction site), some went over 500SEK (apporx 53€).

Me too, makes me regret selling mine. I want one now but I am not willing to pay the exorbitant value they ask for them.

Thorham · 21 September 2015, 20:26

The best:

Joy pads suck, don't even go there

Leffmann · 21 September 2015, 20:40

I liked the TAC-2, and the Slik Stik, but I really think joypads are better for most types of games.

brett71 · 21 September 2015, 20:42

My favorite joysticks for use with the Amiga were the ones that originally came with my old Atari 2600.

Bastich · 21 September 2015, 20:44

My favourite had to be The Completion Pro 5000 (only joystick to survive Daily Thompsons Decathlon) followed by the Zip Stick, The Arcade and The Bug.

Joypads have their place and I do liked them for modern games due to the extra axis and buttons but for Turrican etc they just don't work for me.

Paul_s · 21 September 2015, 21:33

Consumer grade: Quickshot QS-138F.

Can't beat a real 'arcade' stick though...

Quote:

Originally Posted by edd_jedi

My first joystick back in 87 was the black/red Competition Pro with my Spectrum. I remember how stiff it was!

God they were dreadful, playing games with that stick felt like kneading dough which was 4 weeks old.

rare_j · 21 September 2015, 21:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyc

These were my absolute favourites:

The chetah Mach 1 was my second favourite - but the best was the quickshot topstar (eBay) http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/331575618442?_mwBanner=1
That little switch makes the top button autofire, while the trigger remains single shot. Awesome skills.

zerohour1974 · 21 September 2015, 23:10

I like the Konix Speedking but I know some people disliked it

Bamiga2002 · 21 September 2015, 23:28

No competition for me: it was and is either Prof Competition (NOT competition pro 5000)

or Zipstick

I never got the love for Tac-2 or anything else. These just we're the best and sturdy 'sticks. Prof Competition would be the winner with sucky cups and autofire (Prof Competition 9000 killed the design with firebutton on top!).

eXeler0 · 21 September 2015, 23:28

What, still no mention of WICO Bathandle? I have about 4-5 of those

, I suppose TAC 2 were best for "Decathlon-type games"

20 September 2015, 22:47	#1
dreamkatcha I've got a new byline Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 1,219	The best joystick ever; the list to end all debate I'm compiling a list of all magazine reviews of 8/16bit era joysticks and aggregating the scores to see which comes out on top... because, umm, this is my idea of fun? Anyway I've found quite a few test/round-up articles in Spectrum, Atari ST, Amiga and Commodore mags, but would welcome any suggestions to get a more accurate picture. As it is I could get some pretty skewed results if a particular joystick receives an accolade, but only from one source. Here are the articles I've found so far... Crash - Sticks in the Mud ZZAP - ZZAPstick Joystick Reviews CU Amiga - Sticky Moments Amiga User International - Test Drive; Joysticks or Passionkillers? The Games Machine - Centre Bytes joystick test Amiga Power - Buyer's Guide: Joysticks CU Amiga - Wiggle It Amiga Power - Joystick Round-Ups Atari ST Action - Mega-test; Tools of the Trade Your Sinclair - Tidings of Comfort and Joysticks Your Sinclair - Joystick Jamboree It's a bit annoying that some of these don't include scores, only narratives so won't have any impact. Some of them I found via 'contents search' over at Archive.org and others I stumbled across through re-reading the mags, which I imagine is the only sure-fire way of tracking them all down. I noticed AMR can be quite useful for pinning down reviews for specific models too. Some unexpected results so far, though I'll keep that under wraps for now because I don't want to ruin the surprise. Try and contain your excitement for now, OK? Edit: the Kickstarter proposal was a success - time and effort goals were met and the results are in! Last edited by dreamkatcha; 23 September 2015 at 20:05.

21 September 2015, 14:33	#5
Nibbler namm namm AMIGA Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Austria Age: 44 Posts: 734	Competition Pro, for me, was the best. Even FACTOR 5 used the Competition PRO, so that thing HASE TO BE GREAT !! Last edited by Nibbler; 21 September 2015 at 14:35. Reason: little typo

21 September 2015, 16:02	#8
Amiga1992 Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: ? Posts: 19,645	Edd has a point, it's a bit annoying to use a joystick not fixed to a surface. But of all of them the nicest ones are those that didn't need much force of grabbing the base of the joystick, and had a quick response time. Within those parameters lie the Competition Pro, the Suncom TAC-2, the Bug and the Epyx XJ500. Perhaps the Cruiser as well. I really hate clicky switch controllers though, they are super distracting, so that narrows down the list quite a bit immediately eliminating all of them but the TAC-2. But the TAC-2's fire buttons give strain to the hand, they are not very comfortable. Verdict: use gamepads. Last edited by Amiga1992; 21 September 2015 at 16:08.

21 September 2015, 16:42	#10
crazyc Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Gravesend - UK Posts: 927	These were my absolute favourites: Attached Thumbnails

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20 September 2015, 23:27	#2
Bastich Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: UK Posts: 341	Thats a great idea. I will be checking back here again

21 September 2015, 04:27	#3
ReadOnlyCat Code Kitten Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Montreal/Canadia Age: 52 Posts: 1,178	Good idea. I expect a lot of bias toward "traditional" Amiga joysticks but maybe I will be proven wrong. If an arcade type joystick (which I personally favor) ends up on the top I will be happy to apologize. This last sentence, (the one you are reading now) perfectly devoid of information, is provided to you in order to avoid the empty vertical space caused by the left sidebar.

21 September 2015, 14:27	#4
DisposableHero Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: England Posts: 188	My favourite was the ZipStick, for the record.

21 September 2015, 15:02	#6
ransom1122 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Omnicorp Age: 45 Posts: 5,813	Australian made Star Cursor Simply the best.

21 September 2015, 15:07	#7
edd_jedi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: London / UK Posts: 420	I'll go against the grain here - none! I can't stand joysticks on home computers. They are great on arcade machines where they're fixed to the cabinet, but I never really got on with handheld joysticks once I had experienced joypads. My first joystick back in 87 was the black/red Competition Pro with my Spectrum. I remember how stiff it was!

21 September 2015, 16:17	#9
fryguy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Skarabörg, Sweden Age: 44 Posts: 1,019	Tac-2 was the best imo. I'm probably not the only one who thinks they're the best. I've seen them sell for insane prices on Tradera (swedish auction site), some went over 500SEK (apporx 53€).

21 September 2015, 20:26	#12
Thorham Computer Nerd Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Rotterdam/Netherlands Age: 47 Posts: 3,751	The best: Joy pads suck, don't even go there

21 September 2015, 20:40	#13
Leffmann Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sweden Posts: 2,269	I liked the TAC-2, and the Slik Stik, but I really think joypads are better for most types of games.

21 September 2015, 20:42	#14
brett71 Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ames, IA, USA Posts: 521	My favorite joysticks for use with the Amiga were the ones that originally came with my old Atari 2600.

21 September 2015, 20:44	#15
Bastich Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: UK Posts: 341	My favourite had to be The Completion Pro 5000 (only joystick to survive Daily Thompsons Decathlon) followed by the Zip Stick, The Arcade and The Bug. Joypads have their place and I do liked them for modern games due to the extra axis and buttons but for Turrican etc they just don't work for me.

21 September 2015, 23:10	#18
zerohour1974 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Swindon UK Posts: 202	I like the Konix Speedking but I know some people disliked it

21 September 2015, 23:28	#19
Bamiga2002 BlizzardPPC'less Join Date: May 2004 Location: Finland Age: 46 Posts: 3,210	No competition for me: it was and is either Prof Competition (NOT competition pro 5000) or Zipstick I never got the love for Tac-2 or anything else. These just we're the best and sturdy 'sticks. Prof Competition would be the winner with sucky cups and autofire (Prof Competition 9000 killed the design with firebutton on top!).

21 September 2015, 23:28	#20
eXeler0 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Sweden Age: 50 Posts: 2,946	What, still no mention of WICO Bathandle? I have about 4-5 of those , I suppose TAC 2 were best for "Decathlon-type games"

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