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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: Oldsmobile_Mike on January 28, 2014, 03:02:32 AM
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Got my Arcade Evolution joystick about a week ago, finally had a chance to fire it up tonight and test it out. Here's some initial thoughts:
Shipping: Took about three weeks to arrive from AmigaKit to my location. I ordered a bunch of other small stuff that I think slowed the order down a bit. Overall was well-packaged and arrived safely.
Construction: This thing is big! Definitely deserves a prime spot right in front of your TV or monitor. Acrylic case and solid buttons & shaft, seems like it will be quite durable for long-term play. Case shows fingerprints easily, probably not an issue for most but I'm kind of OCD. ;) Base could be a bit more secure on the tabletop, it slid when I pushed it from side-to-side so I augmented the four little "bumps" on the bottom with rubber feet I had in my junk drawer.
Buttons: There were a lot of comments on previous threads about "can they add a third button?" Hope AmigaKit doesn't mind that I provided a picture of the inside of this (it was just four Philips screws holding it together). The pic should provide a clear answer to this.
Personally if they were going to add a third button I'd like it to be configured as auto-fire, but I'm sure everyone would ask for something different (such as up/jump)... Amiga users sure can be difficult sometimes, LOL. ;)
Final thoughts: Growing up I always used "pistol handle" type joysticks like the Suncom TAC 50. When the little D-pad thumb controllers first came out with the NES, I hated them. Hated pretty much everything that used that kind of controller. I've got big hands and mashing that little pad with my thumb was the must frustrating experience ever. I adapted somewhat, since for a long time they were the only type of controller being made new, but always yearned for a real joystick. While I think I'd still prefer a pistol handle style, my hands adapted quickly to the Arcade Evolution and I found myself blasting around on the screen in Turrican II in no time, and even enjoyed the "fast" mode in Zool. For games like Gauntlet II is where this controller really shines, gives you 100% of that arcade nostalgia feeling. Will have to try it at some point with my 4x joystick adapter, but I'm sure since it seems to be 100% Amiga joystick compatible it shouldn't have any problems with the 4x adapter. Price was a bit high, but considering this is brand new, Amiga-specific hardware, I can't complain. ;) I ordered this thing so that if I set it in the middle of my coffee table (might need a cord extension) people who walked in would be curious and want to use it. I think it will serve that purpose!
Rating: 4 out of 5. The feet need to be upgraded so it doesn't slide, and there's some room for improvement by adding a 3rd button, but overall a very solid controller ideal for arcade-style gaming. Thanks, AmigaKit! :)
Link to order: http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1172 (http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1172¤cy=USD)
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(more pics)
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(one more pic, going back to playing Ruff-N-Tumble now, LOL)
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Thanks for the pictures, easy enough to add a new button, order arcade buttons and a switch and 5 minutes of soldering and drilling work :)