A recent MSN article on the downfall of the joystick (via Slashdot Games) stirred up memories of my most favourite incarnations of this venerable gaming peripheral: Multicoin Amusement’s Starcursor series.
I actually had the second and less bulkier version of this Australian designed and made gem, the Starblazer, which served me well for years until a not-so-close friend from high school broke it with some harsh play. I was actually heart-broken when that stick bit the dust and I’m even more saddened that I can’t seem to find any pictures of it to show you.
Luckily one of my other mates (hi Niki!) wanted to sell his original Starcursor (as pictured above) and I leaped at the opportunity. That stick still goes strong today, around twelve years later, whenever I get the nostalgic urge to drag my still functioning Amiga 1200 out of the cupboard for a few rounds of The Chaos Engine. As you might guess from the picture, and the fact that it appears to survive a ferocious Koala mauling, that stick can actually take quite a pounding. But for all its harsh angles and generous proportions it was still a joy to use; great micro-switch responsiveness and well-placed two function fire buttons.
Those were the days huh?
Ha yes! And randomly, that joystick was how I first discovered Santa may have been franchising out his duties to my parents. I found the Joystick a few days before Christmas, hidden in a closet.
I’m pretty sure I have two or three of these with my old Amiga 600 somewhere
@michael – dude where do you live? and at what times are you normally not home (outside of work hours)?