I'm getting adventurous (in gaming) and need a joystick.
Can anyone please give me an advice?
I hate it to play with the keyboard. Some time ago I bought such a little thingie, I think it's called gamepad, it's lying somewhere eating dust.
joylox
Newbie Needs A Joystick - But Which?
(19 posts) (6 voices)-
Posted 14 years ago #
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i highly recommend the x-box 360 controller.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Whiterabbit-uk
Games GuruGot to agree with Wizzard on that one, but if you do really want a traditional Joystick, make sure it's got a USD plug on it rather than the serial plug (with 15 pins) as they are old.
As for the make a PRO Flight 2 USB (Logic3) joystick is decent and quite cheap at less than £20 (probably around 20 Euro's), but Id recommend the Cyborg evo Force Feedback Joystick which comes in a wired and wireless variety. The wireless is twice the price of the wired though at around £40.
There's quite a lot of choice though. Exactly what do you want it for? some joystiks are specifically designed to play games such as flight sims.
regards
WR
Posted 14 years ago # -
midori
MemberI asked the same question not too far back, joylox, and was all set to go for wizzard's suggestion, the x-box 360. Then there was a great deal on gogamer for a Logitech controller for only $7 (with a USB plug), so I went for that and have no complaints. Rarely use it, though! I got sooo used to the keys, but sometimes they're a hassle. Now where did I put that controller...
Posted 14 years ago # -
Deserthead47
MemberI use the 'Logitec Attack 3' joystick,basic,cheap(under £20)and easy to use,good for flying and driving games,I usually find the 'Sticks' too small and fiddley on controllers for some games,but I do have a Logitec wireless controller I use for some games i.e. 'lie back in chair' games and stick to keyboard and mouse for 'lean into screen' ones.
Posted 14 years ago # -
midori
MemberGood term, Deserthead... "lean into screen." :) I think some tend to use the words "joystick" and "gamepad" interchangeably. Whereas a joystick is really the one that looks like a car shift (or shifty-hicky as I call it, lol!) and a gamepad or controller is hand-held, with buttons and a thumb "joystick." I've only used a gamepad before with my daughter's old Nintendo64. (Boy, did I get into the Zelda games, as soon as she'd leave for school.) And as opposed to "lean into the screen," how about "jerking yourself out of your chair while the controller flies across the room from the sweat you broke into." Lol! THEN you had to break out in another sweat trying to get finished with everything you should have been doing all day. Ah, I miss that Nintendo.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Sorry, of course I should have told you what I was thinking of.
Well:
Firstly : low price
Secondly: something simple for simple games (beginning with a flight game, if there is any simple)
Thirdly: USB - of course, wireless - no
Fourthly: did I say cheap ?Thanks for your suggestions. I think I will have a look for something like that $7.-- stick for the beginning and will upgrade when I feel that I get on with those games.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Whiterabbit-uk
Games GuruThe only problem with 'most' cheap joy sticks; they don't last an aweful long time in the wear and tear department. though if you're only going to use it casually a cheap one should be okay.
WR :)
Posted 14 years ago # -
midori
MemberLol! Er... sorry... just sitting here picturing graylox rattling the heck out of her joystick with a demonic look in her eye... :D
And my $7 deal was just that... a real good deal. I think it normally sold for 3 or 4x that much. But you can get a good one (for casual) for under $20, is what I found from looking. But there's lots of deals out there, if you surf around a bit. Gogamer has an xbox 360 for $21.90 right now, but it's wireless, which I don't think will mesh with a PC. So you're right in wanting a USB compatible one.*catch a falling star*
Posted 14 years ago # -
Hi Loxy, I was going to suggest the Logitech Rumble Pads, as they're quite comfortable but they seem to be really expensive in Germany. A good runner-up might be the Logitech Precision gamepad. Doesn't have the bells and whistles of the Rumble Pad, or the dual-analog sticks (the middle stick on the Nintendo 64 controller :) but I don't expect you'll miss them anyway! I have an XBox 360 controller but I don't like the fact that it asks for drivers for every computer I plug it into, it seems to me it should just work like the others do. Good controller, though.
For reviews:
Logitech Precision Gamepad - AmazonFor buying (same as above, just cheaper!):
Cheaper Logitech Precision GamepadAnd if you're interested in seeing the more expensive one:
Logitech Rumble Pad 2 - AmazonI hope that's of some use to you! :)
-Duane.
P.S. Don't forget xpadder!
Posted 14 years ago # -
midori, xpadder emulates your keyboard and mouse so that you can use your controller in a game that doesn't normally accept controller usage. Though I don't agree with Bently's posting of the xpadder download because xpadder is no longer free. However, I can see the rationale in using the previous version as it was free. The coolest thing for me is that you can actually use the controller as a mouse on your desktop.
Posted 14 years ago # -
midori
MemberThanks, wizz... the site was definitely confusing for someone who wasn't familiar. Tho I'm so used to using the keys, I rarely think of my gamepad, or I just avoid those games if there's too many keys involved. But I do need to brush it off when I get around to opening DIRT, and several of the games you've forwarded to me. Gosh, I think I'm stocked for life here! And then there's the time factor. :)
Posted 14 years ago # -
That's not the latest version, that's just the old freeware version. Sorry if its function wasn't clear, Midori, I guess it is a bit fuzzy! I gave it to an older relative with the Rumble Pad so she could play Turtle Odyssey without hurting her fingers. She loves it. You can get the latest version (5.5) with numerous bug-fixes and support here for around $10 US, £6.
Posted 14 years ago # -
midori
MemberThanks, Bently... I had never heard of it and the site wasn't too clear on what it did. I did download the 5.3 free version out of curiosity but hadn't checked it out yet. The site you just provided is very clear, and I'm sure it's worth it for those who can't tolerate the keys. Very cool!
Posted 14 years ago # -
I have to apologise for not answering. I needed a break of some days.
Many thanks for your efforts!
When I'm able again to leave the house, I'll have a closer look at all the different systems. Expadder totally confused me - LOL. At least it worked for one game - a game I didn't like and didn't play anymore. But that was some years ago, the tool was rather new and my computer knowledge rather low. That doesn't mean, that I'm a nerd now ;)Posted 14 years ago # -
Whiterabbit-uk
Games Gurulol
Posted 14 years ago # -
Deserthead47
MemberI've been having a quick look on ebay this morning and 'joysticks's as oppossed to 'gamepads and controllers' seem to start at about £5,prices on Amazon from £15.
Expadder a great little program(GOTD should get in contact with the developer)for what it does,i.e. converting keyboard and mouse movements to a 'gamepad',but for flying games you cannot beat a proper'joystick'for control.Well must fly,picked up 'Tom Clancy's HAWXS' the other day on Amazon for £12.49,good price for what looks like being a good game.Posted 14 years ago # -
HAWX is a great game bob, well worth the price, but you probably could have had it even cheaper from other places.
Posted 14 years ago #
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