:: Functionality Analysis ::
     
    It is difficult rate the "feel" of a joystick, as feel is very subjective in nature and not easily measured.  I will try to limit my analysis of their functionality based on their construction and how this affects their response during gameplay.

The joysticks will be rated on the below 5 point scale in both of the categories I have examined, Construction and Functionality:

  1 - poor
  2 - below average
  3 - average
  4 - above average
  5 - excellent

The benchmark joystick will have a "3" in each category.  Note that joysticks will not be marked down for a feature that they don't claim to have.  For example, the Competition would not have a reduced rating because it lacks 4-way compatibility.  It is an 8-way joystick, so that is what is expected of it.

 
     Super Joystick

 4-way play
A marketing feature of the Super is that it is advertised as switchable between 8-way to 4-way.  This switching is accomplished by inverting the hourglass shaped actuator on the bottom of the joystick shaft.  The idea behind this switchable actuator is that the smaller side of the actuator is supposed to prevent it from contacting two microswitches at the same time.  While this does allow for only a single microswitch to be activated at a time, it is not really functional in games.

[Note:  2/27/02 - I have found this to not be completely accurate with newer Supers.  On the Super's I had ordered about 2 yrs ago (still in the original packaging), two microswitches could not be hit with the Super in "4-way" mode.  On new Supers, there have been very minute refinements to the actuator/microswitch interface that does allow for two microswitches to be activated at the same time when in "4-way" mode.  You have to be pretty precise, but you can hit the diagonals.  This later finding does not affect the results of the review of the Super.]

The joystick can still move into the diagonal positions which creates large dead zones.  This is not how true 4-way joysticks behave, which physically restrict the motion of the joystick from moving into the diagonals.  The 4-way operation of this joystick is disappointing and not the best way to approach a 4-way design.

 8-way play
For 8-way games, the Super is a good performer.  The round actuator allows for very circular motion, and all directions are easy to hit.  I can see why this joystick is preferred among the commericially available pre-built control panel/joysticks, as well as many build-your-own enthusiasts.

 Overall ratings
The rigid construction, large joystick knob, and simplistic design make this joystick probably the best general purpose joystick I have used.  While the Super doesn't excel in any particular category, it does give good overall performance.  The Super will be used as the benchmark to which all other joysticks will be compared against in future reviews.

  Construction - 3
  Functionality - 3

 
   

 

 Competition Joystick

 8-way play
The Competition is truly a "fighter" style stick.  The square actuator gives discreet diagonals which are very easy to find.  This allows combo moves to be pulled off easier than with the Super.  The actuator is physically connected to the actuator sleeve.  I believe this helps give the Competition the precise control it exhibits during gameplay.

 Overall ratings
The Competition offers precise control and rigid construction.  Combining this with the excellent actuator design and the medium spring stiffness makes the Competition a very solid performer.  So far, this is the best 8-way joystick I've used.

  Construction - 4
  Functionality - 5

 
     

 Ultimate Joystick

 8-way play
The Ultimate turned out to be a disappointment.  The light spring combined with the longest joystick shaft of the three makes for a sloppy feeling.  The square actuator makes the diagonals easy to hit, but that is about it's only saving grace.

 Overall ratings
When the Ultimate is directly compared to the Super and Competition, many of it's weaknesses quickly show up.  The base construction is lighter both in weight and design, and the shaft is a smaller diameter than the other two joysticks reviewed.  These traits tell me that the Ultimate is a lighter-duty joystick than both the Super and Competition.  If I had installed these in my own cabinet, they would have been quickly replaced.

  Construction - 2
  Functionality - 1

Note here that the Ultimate does not receive a lower ranking because it is lighter duty, but because Happ Controls advertises it as:
   "Precision Engineered for the "Ultimate" in game playing feel"
    "Rugged, yet simple, construction"
and I don't feel it lives up to either of these claims when compared against their other similarly priced joysticks.

 
     
    Coming next...
     
    I have three more joysticks here waiting to be reviewed:  Wico 8-way leaf, Suzo 500, and the Suzo Eurostyle 8-way.

Comments on the review?  Any particular trait or feature of the joysticks you would like to see reviewed?  Please send comments to Email for information.
     
     
     
     
   

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