Hi! At Ace Amusements, we stock a large variety of arcade video game joysticks and arcade flight sticks. We use them for the build of our multi game machines and for when refurbishing original dedicated game machines.
Most customers are only slightly aware, or not aware at all, of the wide range of joystick requirements and the resultant number of specialized arcade joysticks available.
So, this page is offered to shed some light on the complex world of arcade video game joysticks.
Just so we will know with certainty what we are discussing, here is a photo of one of the most well known classic arcade video games of all time - Ms. Pac-Man.
Located center of the control panel is the joystick.
In the case of Ms. Pac-Man, there is only one joystick (not two), it is red ball top (not black and not knob top), 4-way action (right-left-up-down, not 8-way), and with leaf switches (not micro switches).
Also, the joystick base is of a unique design unlike any joysticks being manufactured today.
Consequently, it is not possible to exactly mimic the "feel" of the original joystick with any other classic or modern joystick.
See Classic Joystick No. A below for all the Pac-Man joystick details.
And, there you have a glimpse of what we mean when we say the "complex world of arcade video game joysticks."
The modern and classic joysticks that we frequently use can be found at bottom of this page. There you will find a full description of each joystick.
First, some background about arcade video games and their joysticks:
A. Say your favorite two classic games are Galaga and Space Invaders. Those games were designed for two-way right-left character action. Thus, the machines were built with an appropriate 2-way right-left joystick.
B. Say your favorite is Ms. Pac-Man or Donkey Kong. Those games were designed for 4-way (right-left-up-down) character action. Thus, the machines were built with an appropriate 4-way joystick.
C. Say your favorites are fighting games like Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat. Those games were designed for 8-way (right-left-up-down and diagonal) character action. Thus, the machines were built with an appropriate 8-way joystick.
D. Say your favorite is Defender or Stargate. Those games were designed for 2-way (up-down) character action. Thus, the machines were built with an appropriate 2-way up-down joystick.
E. Say your favorite is Q*bert or Congo Bongo. Those games were designed for 4-way diagonal character action. Thus, the machines were built with an appropriate 4-way diagonal joystick.
F. Say your favorite is Sinistar or Robotron: 2084. Those games were designed for smooth movement of the character in all directions. Thus, the machines were built with an appropriate 360-degree joystick.
H. Say your favorite is Tron or Ikari Warriors. Those games were designed to require specialized joysticks that provided the correct directional character movement as well as other functions, such as a fire button.
I. Say your favorite is Gorf or Zaxxon. Those games were designed to require specialized joysticks that provided the correct directional character movement as well as a fire button. These joysticks were presented in a flight stick style configuration to compliment the game play.
Some miscellaneous info:
A. A few early games used push buttons instead of a joystick to control character movement (think Asteroids and Astro Blaster).
B. While an 8-way joystick will play most 4-way games suitably, you may prefer the original "feel" of the 4-way for games like Ms. Pac-Man.
C. If a joystick becomes resistant to movement, it probably requires a cleaning and/or lubrication.
For lubrication, disassemble the joystick and use white lithium grease. Or, for quick lubrication, spray a little WD-40 at the joystick top where the shaft enters the bearing housing.
For cleaning, sometimes forcefully spraying Windex into the joystick top where the shaft enters the bearing housing will do the trick. Then, follow with WD-40.
D. Be careful not to lose any of the joystick parts, because parts are usually not interchangeable between one make and another. Especially, the joystick shaft will vary in length and diameter between makes. Thus, the e-clip, rocker spacer, switch activator, ball, and sleeves will not be interchangeable. And, one part, the e-clip, which you would think to be standard in size and design, is not.
E. For joysticks with a rocker spacer, be careful that the large diameter end of the rocker spacer faces into the top side of the joystick. It is a common mistake to reverse the rocker spacer (small diameter end facing into the joystick), resulting in the joystick being non-functional.
As you can see, there is not a one-size-fits-all arcade video game joystick:
Consequently, when ordering one of our multi game machines, you will want to confirm that the games you want to play will have their correct joystick.
In common practice, when custom outfitting a multi game machine, you will often have as many as four to five different type joysticks on your machine's control panel. And, these joysticks would be in addition to some of the controllers mentioned in the next section.
After all, you do want to be able to play your favorite classic games correctly, as designed, and as you remember.
In addition to joysticks, there are other common controllers:
A. There are the trackballs for games like Centipede and Golden Tee Golf.
B. There are spinners for games like Arkanoid and Tempest.
C. There are steering wheels for driving games like Off Road and Spy Hunter.
D. There are guns for shooting games like Duck Hunt and Hogan's Alley.
You can find descriptions for these common controllers in other sections of this website.
And, there are very specialized controllers, such as for Star Wars (yoke), Paperboy (handle bars), and Lunar Lander (lever).
There are original joystick design and appearance considerations:
A. Ball top or knob. Most classic games had ball top joysticks (Ms. Pac-Man). Knobs were introduced primarily for competition games (Street Fighter).
B. Color of ball. Most classic games had red ball top joysticks (Ms. Pac-Man). But, several had black (Donkey Kong). And, a few had other colors (Joust).
C. Height of ball above the control panel surface. Most had a couple inches clearance above the panel (Ms. Pac-Man), but a few were closer (Defender).
D. Size of ball. Most were average size (Ms. Pac-Man), but some were smaller (Nintendo) and a few were larger.
E. Type of switch. Most had leaf switches (Ms. Pac-Man), but many had micro switches (Nintendo). The "feel" of movement and sound is different between the two.
F. Control panel material. About one-half of classic game panels were made of formed 1/8-inch sheet metal (Ms. Pac-Man), but the rest were made of wood (most being 3/4-inch thick - Williams, and some 5/8-inch - Donkey Kong).
These factors can weigh significantly on joystick selection for classic machine restoration projects.
About the joystick mounting plate hole pattern:
A. Most classic game joysticks have what we call a "standard" mounting hole pattern. They employ a standard rectangular mounting hole pattern, spaced about 2-3/4" wide x 3" long.
Consequently, most modern joysticks provide the standard hole pattern.
B. Classic era joysticks were also introduced, mainly by Nintendo, with slightly narrower mounting plates having mounting hole spacing of about 1-3/4" wide x 3" long. We call this a "narrow" mounting plate. For an example, see Joystick No. 1.
C. Now, most modern joysticks offer both mounting hole patterns. We call them "universal" mounting plates. For an example, see Joystick No. 2.
D. Of course, back in the classic era, there were many exceptions to the standard. Most notably, the Midway joystick for the Pac-Man series of games had a mounting hole pattern and joystick construction unlike any other joystick before or since.
About joystick switches:
A. Classic (American) joysticks used leaf switches. Leaf switches were readily available since they were the standard (only) switch used in pinball machines.
Leaf switches operate very smooth and quite. Classic game purists insist on leaf switches.
But, leaf switches are not for the average game machine owner. Leaf switches require a lot of tedious maintenance. The several leaf bend and break. And, the contact points pit and oxidize.
B. Nintendo (Japan) introduced micro switches. While micro switches click when actuated, they require no maintenance and they last practically forever.
If a micro switch does happen to fail, it is very easy to replace. There is no micro switch maintenance.
Send me an email if you have any questions: [email protected]
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Following are specs and photos of the many different joysticks and flight joysticks, modern and classic, that we commonly provide with our new and refurbished arcade video game machines.
MODERN JOYSTICKS:
JOYSTICK No. 1 -
A 2-4-8-way adjustable joystick.
Shaft length is available long or short to suit metal or wood control panel.
Narrow mounting plate. Screw-on ball.
This joystick comes with choice of the ball top color - red, black, pink, or green (see photo at joystick no. 9).
Comments: Suitable for all 2-way games, suitable for certain 4-way games, and somewhat suitable for 8-way games.
Source code: CN
This is a photo of the 2-4-8-way adjustment plate located at the bottom of the joystick. It has been removed from the joystick to show the two phillips head screws that attach the adjustment plate to the joystick.
To make an adjustment, the only tool needed is a phillips head screwdriver for only the two screws.
The adjustment process is quick and simple before joystick installation. But, difficult after installation.
This photo is of the 2-way action setting.
This photo is of the 8-way action setting.
This photo is of the 4-way action setting.
JOYSTICK No. 2 -
A dedicated 4-way adjustable ball height joystick.
Universal mounting plate. Ball molded to shaft.
Available in ball colors - red, blue, yellow, and black.
Comments: Very suitable and designed for Pac-Man series of games.
Source code: TT
These are photos of the assembled joystick top and bottom views -
This is photo of joystick disassembled, showing all parts in their relative position, the dual height shaft, and the long sleeve used for wooden panels -
JOYSTICK No. 3 -
A dedicated 8-way top fire button joystick. Also, available as dedicated 4-way.
Required for play of games with three simultaneous hand functions, such as Tron - fire, direction, and rotate.
Very smooth operation and fast action. Tulip style flared top for comfortable handling.
Universal mounting plate.
Available only in black.
Suitable for wooden or metal control panel.
Comments: Fire button strike plate poorly designed and always requires adjustment to function properly.
Source code: SH
Photos are the top view, and profile view of the joystick -
JOYSTICK No. 4 -
A dedicated 8-way competition style knob top joystick.
Noticeably textured finish knob for a good grip.
Universal mounting plate.
Available only in black.
Suitable for wooden or metal control panel.
Comments: Very smooth operation and relatively fast action. A top competition joystick.
Source code: CN
Photos are the assembled profile view, and disassembled view of the joystick -
JOYSTICK No. 5 -
A dedicated 8-way flight joystick.
Two independent buttons - one wired for thumb control, and the other wired for trigger control. Or, wire together for two button single action.
Wiring for stick with 3 wires (shown in photo) - green is common, red is thumb, and yellow is trigger. Typically, trigger is for fire (tab #22), and thumb is for launch (tab #23).
Wiring for another type stick with 4 wires - green is trigger (button A), yellow is thumb (button B), red is +5 VDC, and black is common.
Required for play of games with four simultaneous hand functions, such as Ikari Warriors - fire, launch, direction, and rotate.
Fast action and good grip.
Narrow mounting plate.
Fits only a metal panel. Wood panel possible with special mounting devise.
Comments: More compact than the typical large flight joystick. Better for tight spaces.
Source code: CN
Photo is of side view -
JOYSTICK No. 6 -
An adjustable 4-way 8-way joystick.
Universal mounting plate.
With long shaft, suitable for wooden or metal control panel.
This joystick comes with choice of the ball top color - red, black, pink, or green (see photo at joystick no. 9).
Screw on ball.
Exchangeable restrictor plates available - one for 4-way or 8-way movement, and the other for 360-degree movement.
Comments: Good all around versatile joystick.
Source code: CN-P
Photos are of top profile, bottom, and diagram -
Exchangeable restrictor plates:
Left - Plate with circle shaped hole - 360-degree movement.
Center - Plate with square shaped hole - rotate counter-clockwise to square looking shape for 8-way movement.
Right - Plate with square shaped hole - rotate clockwise to pyramid looking shape for 4-way movement.
JOYSTICK No. 7 -
An adjustable 4-way 8-way joystick.
Narrow mounting plate.
With long shaft, suitable for wooden or metal control panel.
This joystick comes with choice of the ball top color - red or black.
Exchangeable restrictor plates available - one for 4-way or 8-way movement, and the other for 360-degree movement.
Bottom same as joystick no. 6.
Comments: Good all around versatile joystick.
Source code: CN-M
Photos are of top profile, and diagram -
JOYSTICK No. 8 -
An adjustable 4-way 8-way knob top joystick.
Universal mounting plate.
With long shaft, and with short and long rocker spacers provided to adjust knob height for proper clearance above a wooden or a metal control panel.
This joystick comes with choice of the knob top color - red or black.
Lightly textured finish knob for a good grip.
Fast smooth action and strong spring for fast self-centering.
Bottom similar to joystick no. 4.
Commonly called "Spanish" joystick.
E-clip can be installed in one of two clip grooves depending on the size of the rocker spacer being used.
Comments: A top 8-way competition joystick with a more robust feel than joystick no. 4.
Source code: CN
Photos are of top profile, bottom, diagram, and disassembled -
Disassembled view shows long rocker spacer installed for wooden control panel use, with switch activator installed in position for 8-way action, and with e-clip fastener facing the two possible clip grooves.
JOYSTICK No. 9 -
An adjustable 4-way 8-way joystick.
Narrow mounting plate.
With short shaft, suitable for metal control panel only.
This joystick comes with choice of the ball top color - red, black, pink, or green.
Screw on ball.
Exchangeable restrictor plates available - one for 4-way or 8-way movement, and the other for 360-degree movement.
Features a wiring interface pcb (the white tab) with wiring harness.
Comments: Wiring pcb fragile, easily broken, and often arrives damaged in transit.
Source code: CN
Photos are of top, bottom, side profile, ball colors, and wiring harness -
JOYSTICK No. 10 -
An adjustable 4-way 8-way joystick. Adjusts by flipping switch activator.
Universal mounting plate.
With long shaft only, suitable for metal or wood control panel, but ball-to-panel clearance not adjustable.
This joystick comes with molded red ball top. Black ball and other color joysticks available.
Large diameter shaft gives a robust feel.
Comments: Very strong spring and the rocker style mechanism makes 4-way and 8-way action respond sluggishly. For 8-way competition action, there are faster joysticks.
Source code: TQ
Photos are of side profile, and diagram -
JOYSTICK No. 11 -
An adjustable feel 8-way joystick. Adjusts by exchanging switch activator from a square shape activator (linear feel) to a circular shape activator (360-degree smooth feel).
Universal mounting plate.
With long shaft only, suitable for metal or wood control panel. Knob-to-panel clearance adjustable by re-locating spacer between shaft bottom or shaft top.
This joystick comes with molded competition style knob top, with lightly textured finish for a good grip.
Available in 8 colors shown in photo below: green, white, purple, yellow, orange, red, blue, black. Matching color pushbuttons also available.
Comments: Very smooth operation and relatively fast action. A top 8-way competition joystick. Based on range of adjustments and number of colors, the smartest 8-way competition joystick available.
Source code: CN
Photos are of joystick bottom view, exploded view of joystick components, and the 8 colors for joysticks (which have matching colors for pushbuttons) -
JOYSTICK No. 12 -
An 8-way flight stick with trigger and two buttons.
Larger size mounting plate.
Suitable for metal or wood control panel. Can be affixed at top or bottom side of control panel.
This joystick comes with molded plastic handle, with lightly textured finish for a good grip.
Available in black.
Comments: Large, heavy duty, smooth action flight stick, similar to Tron, Gorf, and Zaxxon flight sticks.
Source code: SH
Photos are of the flight stick and its specs -
CLASSIC JOYSTICKS:
JOYSTICK No. A -
Midway's Pac-Man series of games joystick. (See the Ms. Pac-Man photo at top of page.)
Structurally, this joystick is a tank. For the smooth Pac-Man feel, it is absolutely unbeatable. But, for maintenance, it is an on-going nightmare.
These photos show the joystick:
Note, it is not a Universal hole-pattern mount, molded ball is only red, and can only be used with a metal control panel.
Views - Top. Side. Bottom.
These photos highlight the joystick's several maintenance issues:
1) Due to direct contact with the metal housing, the joystick shaft molded plastic cushion wears thin and breaks (aggravating other issues).
Views - Some wear, but okay at top. Broken at bottom.
2) The joystick shaft is supported by a flexible rubber grommet that eventually breaks with use (significantly impacting the feel of the joystick).
Views - New at left. Broken at right.
3) The four leaf switches contribute to the joystick's smooth feel. But, leaf switches require lots of maintenance - contact cleaning, blade straightening, blade replacement, and re-soldering of broken wiring connections.
Views - Okay at left. Needing blade straightening and blade replacement at right.
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