Awesome Joysticks

My joystick has a first name, it’s O-S-C-A-R; my joystick has a second name, it’s M-A-Y-E-R. Hyperkin teamed up with an unlikely partner to create the wackiest game controller of the year. The hot dog-shaped Bluetooth controller works with Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, Android, and iOS and is decorated in shades of bun gold, mustard yellow, and hot dog red.

One of the more entertaining engineering projects we’ve seen is that useless robot that un-flips its switches as soon as they’re flipped. Maker B created a similarly useless machine by fabricating a robotic joystick that records and plays back its user’s movements. The build process is impressive, but if you’re short on time, skip to 16:08 to see it in action.

The first officially-licensed Xbox wireless arcade controller looks like a winner. It has ten arcade-quality buttons and a joystick and is fully programmable. Plus 8BitDo supports modding by using standard button sizes and a Sanwa mounting plate. Compatible with Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows 10/11. Pre-orders start shipping on 6.30.2023.

LEDclaw makes all kinds of geeky lights, including this wall light inspired by an Xbox game controller. The 20″ W x 14.5″ H light is made from wood and cast acrylic and is backlit with colorful LEDs. They also make some cool lights based on floppy disks and cassette tapes.

The Backbone adds console-quality thumbsticks, buttons, triggers, and a D-pad to your iPhone. The controller cradles your phone and connects via the Lightning port for lag-free input, and it’s perfect for game streaming services. For a limited time, new members can grab a free 3 mo. subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

Italy’s Enth Creations builds these unique handmade game controllers from Iroko wood, a dense African timber. They feature authentic Sanwa arcade joysticks and buttons set into custom-cut plexiglass and 3D-printed PLA bezels. They also make all-button hitboxes for fighting games.

Joystick-based controllers are great for casual gamers, but hardcore players prefer a mouse and keyboard for precise control. Tech Yesterday shows off a custom-made gamepad with a thumb-driven optical sensor to bring mouse-like precision to a handheld controller thanks to a miniature optical circuit. (Thanks, Lambert!)

Powered by an internal Raspberry Pi 3B+, this 2-player gaming system comes with arcade joysticks, buttons, and a trackball, as well as over 100 licensed games from Atari. It includes arcade classics like Asteroids, Centipede, and Missile Command, along with games from the Atari 2600, 5200, and 7800 home consoles.

Like the Phantom Black controller, Microsoft’s latest controller features a semi-translucent shell, which allows you to see the components inside. It has a textured grip, remappable buttons, and wireless connectivity. Compatible with all Xbox One consoles and Windows 10.

Joysticks are one of the most popular and useful computer input devices. But they don’t work without something to hold their base in place. Yuichiro Katsumoto’s innovative joystick design uses servos to provide the same kinetic feedback but in mid-air.

Play today’s latest games in retro style with these awesome Nintendo-inspired game controllers. They work via Bluetooth with Windows, Mac or PS3, and the included Retro Receiver lets you play the original Nintendo and Super Nintendo consoles wirelessly.

Turn any PC or Mac into a retro arcade system with Rec Room Masters‘ Xtension control board. It packs arcade-grade buttons and joysticks for 2 players, a trackball, and 10 LED menu buttons. Preconfigured for MAME. Also available in classic game color schemes.

For those of you who don’t have that awesome poster from Pop Chart Labs, here’s another way to recall some of the greatest – and oddest – video game controllers which have kept us playing our video games since their earliest days, courtesy of Super Deluxe.

An in-depth look at how the new controller keeps the best of the Xbox 360’s along with numerous refinements, such as improved grip, rumble triggers, internal batteries, Kinect integration, and the ability to go wired for precision FPSing.

It has 6 extra buttons, 2 at the shoulders and 2 switches at the back. Map commands from the face buttons to the extra ones and you never have to take your hands off the analog sticks.

A Bluetooth gaming controller that works with Android, iOS or WinMo to return tactile control to touchscreen devices. No word yet on game compatibility, but it will look good playing them.

Uses Bluetooth to add a D-Pad and physical buttons to your iPhone or iPod Touch – this handy gadget works in both landscape and portrait modes, and works with more than 100 games. Coming soon.

The masters of arcade controls are back with a stick for 1-player. The heavy-duty joystick weighs a whopping 12 pounds, works with PC, Mac, Linux or just about any game console with an adapter.

Retro Thing’s Clear Classic USB Joystick is a true retro blast with Atari 2600 emulator w/80 games and MAME support; also: connect it to an arcade joystick plus 8 additional controls.

Tekken 6’s Limited Edition is a smorgasbord of goodies: you’ll get a wireless filght stick and artbook; Gamestop buyers will also get a Cardboard Tube Samurai courtesy Penny Arcade.

XCM’s Rumble Joystick is the first to be compatible with the PS3; beyond the rockin’ and rollin’, it includes 4 memory buttons with up to 20 moves each, rapid fire and turbo modes.

Hori’s Real Arcade Pro EX SE is as close as you’ll get to the real arcade experience; the Xbox 360 controller is made with parts from Seimetsu, who builds real arcade cabinets.

For flight sim players who can’t have too many buttons, Mad Catz’ Cyborg X joystick delivers; it features 11 programmable buttons (double that if you press the shift button).