Where can I get a Konami balltop?

[subzero23]

I played with them tonight and really liked the feel and I noticed that most Konami games used them back in the day

[paigeoliver]

Konami didn't make joysticks as far as I know. You MIGHT be talking about a Monroe joystick, which is the one on Time Pilot and Gyruss.

You might also be talking about a Wico joystick, which was the one that came with most Konami conversion kits.

[subzero23]

yeah could have been wico but I don't know for sure, I really loved it though
it was on x-men, ninja turtles and the simpsons.

It was a fat ball top (fatter than Mspacman/galaga one) and came in multiple colors.

I know they don't make them anymore so where could I get them

[paigeoliver]

Thats a wico stick. They are on ebay ALL THE TIME. Often on control panels. I have a few spare ones, but I hoard them, so you'll have to find another source.

Bob Roberts sells a nice microswitch based knock off one that uses the same handles, if you order those be sure and order a pair of "heavy springs for happ joysticks" and swap those in to get the correct feel.

EDIT.

I don't see them listed on Bob's website anymore, he must be out of them.

[subzero23]

hmm guess i'd have to wait til i see one pop up
i really want a nice blue one (new? used? I donno) so I can make a nice 6 button joystick for my computer

[paigeoliver]

hmm guess i'd have to wait til i see one pop up
i really want a nice blue one (new? used? I donno) so I can make a nice 6 button joystick for my computer

You are only going to find a blue one used. Blue ones came with some games, but most games used red, and the if you just ordered sticks with from Wico without special ordering the color you got red, and all the distributors stocked only RED.

I have owned about 30 Wico sticks, 28 red ones, one black one, and one blue one.

If I were you I would try to find an NOS (new old stock) of any color, and then swap the handle later when a blue one shows up. I DO have a blue one, but it is in a game, and the game is supposed to have a blue one, thus I am not really interested in trading.

I'd love to have some white ones myself.

[pointdablame]

I have a purple and a red one on my Xmen machine. Unfortunately P1 and P2 have been replaced with bat-style joysticks.

[subzero23]

ok thanks
so those ones on xmen and simpsons are definately wico? in pics of wico sticks I cant really tell the size but i definately want it fat like the one on those machines

not sure if i should just get a new red one since that's traditional and it's new, unless they hold up well and buying used is ok

[paigeoliver]

They hold up really well. My Kangaroo still had the original one on it, and it was perfect.

[subzero23]

that's good to hear
we went to a nickel arcade last night and all the game's controllers were shot. i swear there wasn't a single game that was barely playable.... except the balltop ones which were ok