Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Lilwolf on May 25, 2008, 10:10:34 pm

Title: Lock on controller?
Post by: Lilwolf on May 25, 2008, 10:10:34 pm

Is a lock-on controller the same as a starwars controller?  I'm looking for handles and one gear, and might have access to a lock-on controller, but don't have any pcitures to see if the internals are the same.

thanks!

Title: Re: Lock on controller?
Post by: NoOne=NBA= on May 26, 2008, 12:09:15 am

I've got a Lock-on controller, and a friend of mine has a dedicated Star Wars, and I can't tell any difference between the two internally.

I haven't ever tried to exchange parts, but don't think it should be a problem for you.

Title: Re: Lock on controller?
Post by: Kremmit on May 26, 2008, 05:02:11 pm

I don't think the handles are quite the same.  Star Wars handles are angled so that the top of the handles point in towards each other; Lock-On (and Apache 3) handles point straight up & down.  I think they have the same diameter mounting holes, though, so you probably could use one or both Lock-On handles until you found a proper Star Wars one.  Look for an older Road Blasters controller for Star Wars handles; the early machines shipped with those instead of the blue plastic ones they used later.

Title: Re: Lock on controller?
Post by: NoOne=NBA= on May 26, 2008, 07:19:38 pm

Quote from: Kremmit on May 26, 2008, 05:02:11 pm

I don't think the handles are quite the same.  Star Wars handles are angled so that the top of the handles point in towards each other; Lock-On (and Apache 3) handles point straight up & down. 

Data East apparently had two different styles that they used.
Some of their machines used the Atari-style yokes, and others used the Tatsumi-style.
I don't think there was a real pattern to which game got what.

The pics below show two different Lock-on machines, each with the different style controller.

Title: Re: Lock on controller?
Post by: Kremmit on May 27, 2008, 03:30:18 pm

Quote from: NoOne=NBA= on May 26, 2008, 07:19:38 pm

Quote from: Kremmit on May 26, 2008, 05:02:11 pm

I don't think the handles are quite the same.  Star Wars handles are angled so that the top of the handles point in towards each other; Lock-On (and Apache 3) handles point straight up & down.

Data East apparently had two different styles that they used.
Some of their machines used the Atari-style yokes, and others used the Tatsumi-style.
I don't think there was a real pattern to which game got what.

The pics below show two different Lock-on machines, each with the different style controller.

Either that, or the one in the bottom pic has had original parts replaced with Atari parts.  Either way, something to watch out for if you're after handles specifically.

Title: Re: Lock on controller?
Post by: NoOne=NBA= on May 27, 2008, 07:28:30 pm

Mine's exactly like that bottom one.
As near as I can tell from inspecting it, it shipped from the factory as-is.