Unique "trackball" controls

[bkenobi]

I was given a couple 1-axis track balls a while back.  I'm wondering what game they might have come out of.  I'll try to post a picture later, but think of a standard track ball that has a pin stuck through the center that it rotates on.  IIRC, it has an encoder wheel and it's definitely beefy with a solid metal frame.

Any guesses?

[Xiaou2]

They are for a game called  "Kick"

 Where a guy on a unicycle has to catch balloons.

[bkenobi]

That looks like it!

http://www.gamesdbase.com/game.aspx?mame=kick

[Ginsu Victim]

Great game. It doesn't get enough respect. I'll be playing an original as soon as the arcade that burned down gets rebuilt.

[javeryh]

Can it be played with a 2-way or does that ruin it?  It looks pretty cool.

[Ginsu Victim]

Never tried it, though I played it with a spinner in MAME and it worked well. You just have to adjust the sensitivity.

[bkenobi]

I don't think I'll be building a swappable CP just for this control, but it is pretty cool.  I mainly wanted to find out what it was for so I didn't destroy a rare Star Wars Speeder Bike control or something.  

Anyone need a Kick roller or two?!   

[Xiaou2]

 
 You can use a mouse/spinner to play the game well...Though, the
Single Axis trackball does have a very unique feel to it.
 
 A digital 2way stick will not allow you to control the bikes speed well enough.
Its hard enough with a proper analog controller.  An Analog stick Might work..
but still will be a lot harder to control than an actual spinner device.

  
 I love the game.  I first learned of it via a game cartridge for my grandfathers
Commodore 64 computer.  

 It wasnt until recently, that I was fortunate enough to play the real machine at
Funspot.   Strange that It wasnt local in the 80s here, because we had a lot
of large arcades, with tons of classics.  My guess is that the Ops felt there were
better games to sink money into... and maybe it didnt earn as much as some of
the other munchers out there.

I mainly wanted to find out what it was for so I didn't destroy a rare Star Wars Speeder Bike control

 Actually, Id bet that the Kick control is far more rare than any Starwars controller.
Of course, its far less exciting or unique as a Starwars yoke.
 

[Havok]

Major Havoc is also a one axis, however it uses a Whirly-gig (is that even a word?)



There are also a bunch of Tempest conversions that use the spinner as well...

[cmoses]

Kick is a great game.  Very fun and addicting game.  Yes you can play it with a regular track ball.  I have it on my MAME cabinet and use my GGG Electric Ice-T trackball it it works great.  Didn't even have to adjust it at all. 

Since it's made by Midway, Pac-Man shows up in some of the levels to eat the ballons and help you out.