Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: teef two on August 10, 2006, 04:43:51 am

Title: What would be/is your preferred Star Wars controller
Post by: teef two on August 10, 2006, 04:43:51 am
Now obviously it's damn difficult to get hold of the real thing (I'm talking about the oringal yoke here) and also, unless you are a bit of an engineering genius, fairly tough to build one.

Given that, what is everyone's personal favourite controller for playing this game (has to be a commercially available product)?
Title: Re: What would be/is your preferred Star Wars controller
Post by: emerica on August 10, 2006, 08:02:32 am
unfortunately I use my trackball.
Title: Re: What would be/is your preferred Star Wars controller
Post by: Havok on August 10, 2006, 09:45:45 am
I am waiting, watching, and hoping...

http://www.ram-controls.com/controller-sw.html
Title: Re: What would be/is your preferred Star Wars controller
Post by: leapinlew on August 10, 2006, 10:29:13 am
unfortunately I use my trackball.

Same here and I agree. It's unfortunate. It fixes the star wars itch, but it's lacking a bit in control.
Title: Re: What would be/is your preferred Star Wars controller
Post by: Chris on August 10, 2006, 10:39:17 am
I use the trackball too.  Not even remotely ideal but playable.
Title: Re: What would be/is your preferred Star Wars controller
Post by: ahofle on August 10, 2006, 10:57:20 am
I find with the trackball I can reach levels I never could before.  Maybe it's just because I'm older now, but I think the trackball works VERY well for Star Wars.  Makes it like playing Missile Command.
Title: Re: What would be/is your preferred Star Wars controller
Post by: Outrun on August 10, 2006, 11:04:32 am
Hi there,

So...would  guys  rate a trackball over a analogue stick for Starwars ? Been musing over the idea of which one to install in my Mame cab for games like Starwars. I was leaning towards a stick because of games such as Space Harrier, Afterburner etc.



Title: Re: What would be/is your preferred Star Wars controller
Post by: Chris on August 10, 2006, 11:12:14 am
I find with the trackball I can reach levels I never could before.  Maybe it's just because I'm older now, but I think the trackball works VERY well for Star Wars.  Makes it like playing Missile Command.
Hmm... so I take it you have the trackball set where Up is Up rather than like the original where Up is Down?

I have mine set as the original and I try to picture it as a yoke as I play, but occasionally I get reversed.  Hmm.
Title: Re: What would be/is your preferred Star Wars controller
Post by: ahofle on August 10, 2006, 11:25:51 am
Yeah, I definitely reverse the Y axis.  Give it a try and pretend you're playing Missile Command.  8)  And yes, I prefer the trackball over my analog flight joystick.  Not very authentic I know, but fun!
Title: Re: What would be/is your preferred Star Wars controller
Post by: The Man on August 10, 2006, 01:26:57 pm
I built a TwistyGrip and it works great!
Title: Re: What would be/is your preferred Star Wars controller
Post by: horseboy on August 10, 2006, 01:34:34 pm
I built a TwistyGrip and it works great!

Don't listen to this guy. He has been keeping you down.
Title: Re: What would be/is your preferred Star Wars controller
Post by: Havok on August 10, 2006, 01:48:45 pm
I built a TwistyGrip and it works great!

Don't listen to this guy. He has been keeping you down.

Stick it to him! Don't build a TwistyGrip!

 :laugh2:
Title: Re: What would be/is your preferred Star Wars controller
Post by: ArtMAME on August 10, 2006, 02:33:57 pm
I tried analogue sticks for StarWars, I tried several... some are better than others.  They were playable, but it has been a long time and I don't remeber how well they performed.  I may pull some out and test them tonight and see which ones perform better. 

I will try it with a trackball, seems like a good idea if you get used to it.  I play Tempest with at trackball because I don't have a decent spinner, and it works great.  Also, Major Havoc with a TB works great.
Title: Re: What would be/is your preferred Star Wars controller
Post by: Dreamwriter on August 10, 2006, 03:15:42 pm
I prefer my UltraStik 360 to the trackball, it's a lot more like playing with the original yoke.  I'd still rather have a yoke, though...
Title: Re: What would be/is your preferred Star Wars controller
Post by: Outrun on August 10, 2006, 03:24:39 pm
Hmm, sounds like a mixed bag then.  I supposed, when i get up to the mock CP stage , i could try them both !!

Title: Re: What would be/is your preferred Star Wars controller
Post by: RandyT on August 10, 2006, 05:54:43 pm

If anything could take the place of the original yoke, they wouldn't be so coveted by so many.

I've played with the trackball and with an analog stick.  Both will let you blow up a DeathStar or two, but neither leave you feeling very satisfied. 

By today's standards, nothing about the title is all that awe-inspiring.  Shoot-tie fighters, shoot towers, shoot stuff lining the walls of the DeathStar, rinse and repeat.  But what still makes that title worth coughing up 50 cents for is the experience the original control brings with it.  No other control has ever allowed one to have almost instantaneous pinpoint accuracy or allow you to fire faster than you could if you had only 1 button per hand.  It's a fast moving game that requires an equally accurate and fast-moving controller.

In short, the game just ain't the same on anything but the original (or something that functions much like it)

RandyT
Title: Re: What would be/is your preferred Star Wars controller
Post by: ahofle on August 10, 2006, 06:14:48 pm
I always had problems lining up the crosshairs with the ties using the yoke for some reason, especially when they are going in a diagonal direction.  Since you have to pull back the yoke and turn right almost perfectly smoothly, kinda like drawing a diagonal line with an etch-a-sketch.  Good thiing I'm not a pilot I guess.  With the trackball it's easier (for me) to chase down those fleeing ties and even get a good amount of hits on vader's tie.  8) 
Still, you're right...the SW yoke is incomparable, and if I were made of money I'd have a dedicated SW/ESB cab with the real yoke.
Title: Re: What would be/is your preferred Star Wars controller
Post by: RandyT on August 10, 2006, 06:27:30 pm
I always had problems lining up the crosshairs with the ties using the yoke for some reason, especially when they are going in a diagonal direction.  Since you have to pull back the yoke and turn right almost perfectly smoothly, kinda like drawing a diagonal line with an etch-a-sketch.

Heh.  I think I know why you had problems.  You don't pull on the yoke, you twist it toward, and away from your person.  I don't think I would do very well at this game with a normal flight yoke where you have to push and pull the yoke either ;)

RandyT
Title: Re: What would be/is your preferred Star Wars controller
Post by: ahofle on August 10, 2006, 07:15:57 pm
LOL, OK bad choice of words there, but you get my drift.  :P