AIMING TO SPEED THE RESPONSE
Stephen Adams looks at the wide range of joysticks that are now the market.
Joysticks are a favourite weapon against space invaders, pirates and in other fighting games. They are also very useful for flight simulation, maze games like Mazog for the ZX-81 or Escape for the Spectrum. That is because they speed the response to the games by up to 300 percent and if the games have been written to obey joysticks, the response to the keyboard has probably made the game run more slowly.
Most work on one of two principles, the commonest being the switched type like the Atari joystick. The other is the proportional joystick, which instead of just indicating the direction of the joystick also sends back a report on its exact position. It does so by giving an X/Y value for the position of the stick in the vertical and horizontal directions. You can write software for those joysticks but no commercial software uses them.
The Atari joystick set a standard by being the first to be used on a video game and since then the style has changed but the connections to the game have not. The Atari joystick has a 9-pin "D" type socket on the end of it which has five pins at the top and four pins at the bottom. They are numbered from one to nine, starting at the top right-hand side - looking at the plug - and only pins 1-4, 6 and 8 are connected. Those pins are connected to five switches in the joystick, one side of the switch being connected to a numbered socket, and the other being connected to a common point, which is connected to pin on the socket.
Operating the joystick in any of the four directions makes that switch operate, connecting the common pin to the socket pin of that switch. The fifth switch is the fire button. Thus only one switch can be operated at a time, plus the fire button. That kind of switch cannot be used directly in place of the keyboard switches, as all the switches are connected together. Therefore an interface has to be used to connect the joystick to the Spectrum without damaging it.
The interfaces are of various kinds but a standard seems to have been set by Kempston, which contacted software companies before it launched its joystick to pursuade them that there should be a standard way of using a joystick on a Spectrum.
That standard way of working has now been written into some of the software by mos of the big companies as an alternative to using the Sinclair keyboard.
The software is easier to write if you have only one address to look at or to control. It is also not difficult in machine code to take one byte from an address and check that a switch has operated. It is much easier than scanning the entire keyboard for several different keys.
The address the Kempstori uses is very simple; it requires only bit A6 to be low using anIN instruction to operate the chip. Address 31 is used to read the value of the joystick. The joystick switches each operate one bit of the binary data returned from the port and as the Kempston Competition Pro joystick allows you to operate two switches directly instead of one - allowing you to go in diagonal directions as well - it is very useful. Only five of the bits are thus used and all the rest are set to 0. If one of the joystick switches is operated, that bit changes to a binary 1 and the number returned will be greater than zero.
The AGF Interface II allows you to simulate a set of keys on the keyboard but they are fixed to the cursor keys and use 0 for the fire button. It also allows you to use other devices on the back of the joystick and is available in ZX-81 and Spectrum versions.
Unlike the Kempston joystick, which works on both the ZX-81 and Spectrum with the appropriate software, keyboard interfaces for the Spectrum cannot be transferred to the ZX-81 as not only is the edge connector too big - 28 ways instead of the 23 of the ZX-81 - but the expansion port has different connections.
The Protek is also a cursor-type interface but like most of the interfaces reviewed has no PCB edge to which to connect anything else like a sound board.
The Jiles Electronics interface is a three-way, bare-board device which can he made to look like that from Kempston, a cursor-controlled joystick, or to work Psion programs. The selection is via two little pegs and is probably the cheapest solution to fitting joysticks, at £13.95.
The Sinclair joystick port in Interface Two operates either the first five or the last five of the number keys. The only software which works with the system is that from Sinclair or Psion.
Soundboards like the Fuller Box and the ZXM from Timedata also have joystick interfaces but use different addresses for them.
Programmable joystick interfaces have also begun to appear for the Spectrum which allow you to program the positions of the joystick to operate different keys on the keyboard. That allows you to operate it with any software, whether it be designed for the joystick or not.
The simplest to understand is the Pickard controller, a plastic box on which there are 40 sockets, one for each key on the keyboard. Five jack plugs, the same type as the cassette leads, are used to program the five positions of the joystick by plugging them into the appropriate sockets for the game.
At no time is the keyboard disabled. The connection to the joystick is via an Atari socket on the side and the connection to the computer is made by plugging-in plugs to the keyboard sockets inside the case. The power is obtained by plugging the power supply into the unit and then a flying lead is plugged into the computer power socket. It is a very simple and inexpensive way of doing the job and will work for the ZX81 or Spectrum.
The AGF version also programs it manually by using a set of crocodile clips, one for each data line and one for each address line. It now seems a complicated way of doing things, as it is not as easy to understand as the Pickard, but it does not involve entering the computer. A set of cards is provided to mark the positions of the clips for each game, which seems to prove the point. The unit also tends to be unstable and programming it during a game can crash the system.
Cambridge Computing and Stone- chip have employed a different method to program the joystick. They have used 1K of RAM to store the positions of the keys where the joystick should operate. In the Stonechip design you can even have the diagonals operating different keys, giving nine positions.
The Stonechip is also the easiest to operate and has the advantage over the Cambridge in that it will also operate the Microdrive interface, Interface One. To use it all you have to do is push a three-position switch to PROGRAM on the front of the unit and, while holding down the key for that position, operate the joystick. A quick flick is all that is required for each position of the joystick. Then move the switch to NORMAL and LOAD the game.
To use the joystick just switch it to PLAY and the game will respond to the joystick. The review model also disabled the keyboard when in use but the company says a small modification will be done to all the current units to prevent that and will be informing all customers so far as to when to return units for free modification.
The Cambridge unit requires you to LOAD a tape first, which takes you through a menu to program the joystick. If you touch the joystick while LOADing the program, it crashes. It also appears to crash after programming the joystick completely as it NEWs itself to be ready for the next program and that is not mentioned in the instructions - but the joystick still works.
The joystick settings can also be viewed and recorded on tape. The menu program still has to be LOADed first. It has also a rear edge connector so that other things can be plugged-in. The interface is intended to work with the joystick which accompanies it but can still be purchased separately if you want to use an Atari joystick.
The advantage of using your own is that you not only have an eight-position joystick but two independent fire buttons for games at a cheaper price than Atari. Cambridge says it will change software when it can obtain a Microdrive on which to test it.
Electrotech also uses the same system to program its joystick but its interface board is uncased and will work only with its joystick console. The console contains a four-position joystick and three large 1in. fire buttons and looks as if it should belong in an arcade game. It is very robust but costs at least half as much again as the other two.
Joysticks tend to be personal things, so I asked a few friends at a computer club and my children for their options on the range available. The result is clearly for the Kraft joystick, with Cambridge Computing second with its two fire buttons. The Kempston Competition Pro joystick is a good all-rounder with its eight positions.
The others go to show that an increase in price does not always provide easier control. The Jiles Electronic joystick is probably the least helpful, as its stick becomes more like a flexible toy in use. The Atari shows how much joysticks have developed, as it now seems very stiff and unresponsive compared to the newer types.
[ZXSR NOTE: The overall scores are an average of the marks given individually by the three reviewers over the three games tested (Daley Thompson's Supertest, Wanted: Monty Mole and The Way of The Exploding Fist). The actual reviewer scores are included in the review text.]
IT'S A STICK UP!
Are you still scraping by using a keyboard on the latest arcade games - and scraping the skin off the ends of your fingers into the bargain? What you need's a 'stick to bring the joy back to your gamesplaying. To help you choose the right one for the job, we asked three YS readers to take a grip of themselves and review the top ten. Peter Shaw joined them and came in for some stick!
How d'you go about choosing a joystick? We're all guilty of believing that a joystick is a joystick is a joystick - so why not plump for the cheapest. After all, they all work in the same way, don't they? No, they jolly well don't. Even leaving aside an obvious novelty like the Suncom Joysensor, you'll find that each 'stick has its own feel, almost its own personality. (What is yours called? Ed). There are big 'uns and little 'uns, some with flexible shafts, others stiff. You'll come across some real neat ones and some that are just plain ugly.
And, to make things even more complicated, you'll soon suss out that a joystick that hits the heights on one game is of no earthly use on another. In an ideal world, you'd have a different joystick for every game in your collection - but then in an ideal world we'd be picking pound notes off the pavement! So, if you play more than one game, you're now faced with a very tricky bit of decision making. Do you pick a joystick that'll allow you to excel on your fave rave but only lets you plod along with pedestrian scores on the rest - or do you choose an all-rounder that'll give you better than average scores on a variety of games? But then you'll have to resign yourself to the fact that you may never receive the ultimate accolade of being chosen as one of Hex's Heroes.
Of course, for most of us, our minds are made up by the weight of our wallets. (What's a wallet? Ed). But whichever way you want to choose a joystick, you'll find all the information you need in our comprehensive review of the top ten. Each 'stick; has been thoroughly put through its paces by three great games players who've been hand picked from Hex's Heroes. And then they did the rough stuff on three very different types of game - a platform, Monty On The Run, a hand-to-hand combat, Way Of The Exploding Fist and a joystick waggler, Daley Thompson's Supertest.
So, if you're in the market for a new 'stick, turn the page and get stuck into the full reviews from our team of joyriders.
HIT & MISS STICKS
DALEY THOMPSON'S SUPERTEST - OCEAN
This is the ultimate game that'll push any joystick to its limits. If a 'stick can cope with a day's pounding from DT then you can be sure it's tough. And it's not just the shaft - The fire buttons need to be good too - easily accessible and very responsive for that last minute press before taking a penalty or diving from the spring board.
Quickshot II
Martin: I like the reactions with this one an' it's got some of the best positioned fire buttons of all the sticks.
On The Stickometer: 8/10
HIT
Darren: I don't think this joystick wanted to co-operate and building up speed was tricky.
On The Stickometer: 2/10
MISS
Noel: The length of the shaft tires your arm out too quickly with all that waggling. Not keen on this one at all.
On The Stickometer: 6/10
MISS
Gunshot 1
Martin: Quite a good design but not as good as most joysticks. I don't think the omission of rapid fire matters.
On The Stickometer: 6/10
HIT
Darren: Not exactly a special joystick - very standard 8-directional. Still I did get some good scores with it.
On The Stickometer: 7/10
HIT
Noel: Looks too much like the Quickshot for my liking, and I don't reckon it'll take the strain of Supertest
On The Stickometer: 5/10
MISS
Formula 1
Martin: A good joystick with a good reaction time. The fire buttons are also well positioned. Where can I find fault?
On The Stickometer: 9/10
HIT
Darren: It's a good joystick - what else can I say? The colour's a bit garish but that doesn't bother me.
On The Stickometer: 9/10
HIT
Noel: Oh dear, this one's deafening me! The reaction's
OK, but the size of the shaft made my arm ache.
On The Stickometer: /810
HIT
Formula II
Martin: Wonderful design job and a really good response to back it up. This has it all apart for big buttons.
On The Stickometer: 8/
HIT10
Darren: Great stick. Well designed, good response and above all, the fire buttons are in the right place!
On The Stickometer: 9/10
Noel: This one's too flimsy. I prefer a good stiff stem, and this joystick definitely hasn't got what it takes.
On The Stickometer: 3/10
MISS
Kraft
Martin: Don't think much of this one. The design's too fragile and it just ain't good with Supertest.
On The Stickometer: 3/10
MISS
Darren: I reckon it's good. I prefer the small 'sticks as long as the control's still in there.
On The Stickometer: 9/10
HIT
Noel: This joystick is just right for Supertest. A short shaft means less work for me and it's tough enough.
On The Stickometer: 8/10
HIT
Micro Stick
Martin: Not much cop for this sort of game. The rotation of the shaft makes it pretty awkward to use.
On The Stickometer: 5/10
MISS
Darren: Don't really like this one - the fire button is much too stiff to be of any use in this game.
On The Stickometer: 7/10
MISS
Noel: Well it's very nice but it tires your arm out after only a few waggles of the shaft.
On The Stickometer: 7/10
HIT
The Champion
Martin: It's got nice fire buttons and a good reaction but it doesn't seem to work with Supertest too well.
On The Stickometer: 5/10
MISS
Darren: Well it's easy to grip and easy to fire. I quite like the stylish design too.
On The Stickometer: 7/10
HIT
Noel: It's got very quick reactions and an excellent grip. I'll go for this one any day.
On The Stickometer: 8/10
HIT
Le Stick
Martin: Oh it's so easy to win on Supertest - you only have to shake the joystick vigorously!
On The Stickometer: 10/10
HIT
Darren: Excellent joystick to use with Supertest - I've got my best score ever on nearly all the games.
On The Stickometer: 10/10
HIT
Noel: Ideal for this game, you only need to wiggle the joystick - it's that simple!
On The Stickometer: 10/10
HIT
Command Control
Martin: Well it's a good joystick and it's got a decent sized base to grab hold of. Bigger is better, eh?
On The Stickometer: 8/10
HIT
Darren: I don't think the vigorous action of Supertest is going to do this one any favours!
On The Stickometer: 5/10
MISS
Noel: Brilliant joystick to use with Supertest - very sturdy and reactions are fast.
On The Stickometer: 9/10
HIT
Suncom Joysensor
Martin: Ugh. It's terrible. Too much like using a ZX81 keyboard. There's no real control at all.
On The Stickometer: 1/10
MISS
Darren: It's really useless for this game - how can you do left/right quickly on a membrane?
On The Stickometer: 4/10
MISS
Noel: It reacted well but took the skin off the end of me finger while rubbing.
On The Stickometer: 6/10
MISS
MONTY ON THE RUN - GREMLIN GRAPHICS
For a platform game like this, a joystick's gonna need pinpoint accuracy so you can get as close to the edge as possible. And as you'll expect to spend a fair dew hours meeting Monty's goal, you don;t want a grip that'll leave you with sweaty palms and a slippery shaft. And the button had better be big so a thumb can easily be dumped on it for those long jumps.
Quickshot II
Martin: This joystick definitely works well with platform games. It's nice and accurate with a well-designed shaft.
On The Stickometer: 9/10
HIT
Darren: This is the one I've got at home, and I'm used to the action but that's not to say it's the best there is.
On The Stickometer: 9/10
HIT
Noel: OK, so it's not bad at coping with platform games, but I still reckon that the shaft is too flimsy.
On The Stickometer: 6/10
MISS
Gunshot 1
Martin: Quite a good joystick to use on the old platforms - everything seems easy to control.
On The Stickometer: 8/10
HIT
Darren: It's got an average response and all-in-all it's a pretty average joystick. Nothing to write home about.
On The Stickometer: 8/10
HIT
Noel: Stem seems to spindly and the grip gets as sweaty as Bumpry's armpit. Not for me this one.
On The Stickometer: 5/10
MISS
Formula 1
Martin: Very easy to get used to. I like the design and its accuracy overwhelmed me. I'll take one!
On The Stickometer: 8/10
HIT
Darren: Nice shaft though it could be longer and the reaction is OK. The overall effect is good.
On The Stickometer: 5/10
HIT
Noel: This one went very well with Monty. Its reaction is very fast - not bad at all.
On The Stickometer: 7/10
HIT
Formula II
Martin:Very good. The fire buttons react very well. Overall, perfect for this kind of game.
On The Stickometer: 9/10
HIT
Darren: It's very similar to the Gunshot. I like it, the design's very hi-tech and the reaction's fast.
On The Stickometer: 8/10
HIT
Noel: It's still too flimsy for my liking but it works well with Monty though.
On The Stickometer: 6/10
MISS
Kraft
Martin: I don't rate this joystick at all. the response is OK but I find it too fragile for the game.
On The Stickometer: 2/10
MISS
Darren: It's a good joystick. I like this design more than most and the shaft's very comfortable.
On The Stickometer: 10/10
HIT
Noel: Oh, it's horrible - Monty, just doesn't work with it. I'd get more response from a garden gnome.
On The Stickometer: 4/10
MISS
Micro Stick
Martin: It's too stiffm very slow and unresponsive. But the design is quite good so I'll be gentle.
On The Stickometer: 5/10
MISS
Darren: Better in this game, possibly because everything doesn't go so fast. Still not impressed.
On The Stickometer: 7/10
MISS
Noel: It's quite good. It's got fast action and a good grip design. I like it even if they don't.
On The Stickometer: 8/10
HIT
The Champion
Martin: It's very pretty but I don't think much of the overall effect. The controls seem a bit dodgy.
On The Stickometer: 4/10
MISS
Darren: It's a smooth joystick, but I don't reckon it works to well with this game.
On The Stickometer: 6/10
MISS
Noel: It's the best desiigned joystick of the pack and to top that the reaction speed is fast too.
On The Stickometer: 8/10
HIT
Le Stick
Martin: It's a lot of hard work stopping Monty running into things when you haven't got a leg to stand on.
On The Stickometer: 6/10
MISS
Darren: It's much too awkward to use in this game - you really can't control what's happening.
On The Stickometer: 5/10
MISS
Noel: Ooops - no good for Monty as he keeps running off the end of all the platforms.
On The Stickometer: 3/10
MISS
Command Control
Martin: Directional control on this joystick is quite good. Unfortunately the top button lets it down.
On The Stickometer: 6/10
HIT
Darren: The shaft's the right size, it's the right shape and offers good control. Just right for platforms.
On The Stickometer: 9/10
HIT
Noel: Well apart from getting a little too sweaty in my paw, this one works really well.
On The Stickometer: 8/10
HIT
Suncom Joysensor
Martin: Even worse than with Supertest. The movement control is absolutely tosh. Double ugh!
On The Stickometer: 1/10
MISS
Darren: It's not quite right for platforms somehow, but it was great fun trying!
On The Stickometer: 6/10
HIT
Noel: It's useless with platforms as you can't change direction accurately enough.
On The Stickometer: 4/10
MISS
WAY OF THE EXPLODING FIST - MELBOURNE HOUSE
If you're ready to face the karate challenge, your joystick will need the combined powers of both shaft and button. If the shaft won't react quickly enough, or its directional flexibility is dodgy, then a joystick can be considered worthless with a game like this. Plus you'll need a fire button that's easily accessible and very responsive - or it's the chop for you, matey!
Quickshot II
Martin: Hmmm, it;s realy easy to use with Fist, The reaction is good and the buttons are just right.
On The Stickometer: 8/10
HIT
Darren: Can't say I like this combination. Maybe it's me but it sure seems a bit unresponsive.
On The Stickometer: 3.5/10
MISS
Noel: It's got a well designed grip and fire button positioning, but the movement feels too limp and flimsy.
On The Stickometer: 5/10
MISS
Gunshot 1
Martin: Nothing special, but the reactions are fast enough to keep up with Fist and fire buttons are OK.
On The Stickometer: 9/10
HIT
Darren: Well I like it. I found it very co-operative an' I'd be quite happy having one on my Speccy. So there!
On The Stickometer: 9/10
HIT
Noel: The shaft's too spindly and I reckon it'll break if you sneeze on it. Please take it away!
On The Stickometer: 5/10
MISS
Formula 1
Martin: Not so good for use with Fist. The size of the shaft seems a disadvantage. Fire buttons are nice though.
On The Stickometer: 5/10
MISS
Darren: I think it gives you a lot of control. The fire buttons are in exactly the right position and they're BIG!
On The Stickometer: 8/10
HIT
Noel: Reacts quite well and the size of the fire buttons are a big plus in this joystick's favour.
On The Stickometer: 8/10
HIT
Formula II
Martin: This one seems made for Fist, the reaction time is good - control is easy and the fire buttons are fab.
On The Stickometer: 8/10
HIT
Darren: It's great. The case design is very smart and the reaction time is good too - I'm tempted to get one.
On The Stickometer: 10/10
HIT
Noel: It's really too flimsy. I know I keep going on about it but I rather hold a piece of raw liver than this joystick.
On The Stickometer: 6/10
MISS
Kraft
Martin: Reactions are quick enough but the shaft's too small. You won't find me buying one.
On The Stickometer: 3/10
MISS
Darren: Pretty good - it responds well with this game. I like the four-way, eight-way feature.
On The Stickometer: 8/10
HIT
Noel: Shock, horror - it reacts quite well with Fist. You wouldn't think it was the same joystick.
On The Stickometer: 6/10
HIT
Micro Stick
Martin: Don't like it a great deal, it's a bit too stiff. You get massacred using this one for Fist.
On The Stickometer: 4/10
MISS
Darren: Oh dear... maybe the fire button has actually packed up. Not a good mark in my book.
On The Stickometer: 5/10
MISS
Noel: Quite a good joystick (The fire button must still have been working! Ed). Good response.
On The Stickometer: 7/10
HIT
The Champion
Martin: It''s a pretty design but being left handed I find it quite awkward to use.
On The Stickometer: 5/10
HIT
Darren: Another one of the joysticks has packed up on me this time the directional controls are up the spout!
On The Stickometer: 3/10
MISS
Noel: It's got quite good reactions and responsive diagonal controls. Good joystick.
On The Stickometer: 8/10
HIT
Le Stick
Martin: Terrible! Very hard to judge where it is and diagonals are nigh-on impossible to achieve.
On The Stickometer: 2/10
MISS
Darren: I think it's quite good but if you get too excited then you might lose track of where you are.
On The Stickometer: 8/10
HIT
Noel: Very slow reacting - I reckon it's a miss for Fist. (More, Adrian Mole poetry huh? Ed.)
On The Stickometer: 4/10
MISS
Command Control
Martin: A good stick with an easy-to-handle shaft but the choice of etierh top or bottom fire button is naff.
On The Stickometer: 7/10
HIT
Darren: The buttons are good although I'd have preferred to use both. Works well with Fist though.
On The Stickometer: 9/10
HIT
Noel: You can really kick the proverbial out of the other player with this stick. Very responsive!
On The Stickometer: 9/10
HIT
Suncom Joysensor
Martin: It's not really very practical. As joysticks go, this one's more of a novelty than anything.
On The Stickometer: 2/10
MISS
Darren: Seems to work better with Fist than with any of the other games. Quite a good sore with this one.
On The Stickometer: 8/10
HIT
Noel: Reacts really well. I've just beaten my all-time high score. I might even buy one!
On The Stickometer: 9/10
HIT
| Overall | 5.9/10 |
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