Hi, I recently got an Apple IIe and Apple IIc. Unfortunately I have not joystick and from what I read online Atari Joystick are not compatible. Also I found that for some reason the games I tried will simply not play on the keyboard. MS Packman goes left and right but not up and down. Pirates will not play at all without a jostick, so I think I need one.
My question is, where is the best place to buy an Apple II joystick (other than ebay), is there an online store like Amigakit.com for Amigas? What do people do these days to solve their joystick problems?
Thanks
Hello Ogien,
I don't know any supplier for Apple //e joystick.
But you can try to convert a PC joystick into an Apple one.
The only other place I recommend buying Apple stuff is from Dr. Ken:
http://www.blujay.com/?keywords=apple&page=profile&profile_username=drkenb&Search.x=27&Search.y=17
Other than that keep looking at fleaBay for a good deal.
Cheers
Javster
Make sure you don't get the apple joystick with the orange buttons. They have a manufacturer's defect. The springs that push down on the tact switches get metal fatigue and stop working.
Interesting. I have two of them and the buttons work fantastic, have for years. Guess it is like anything else from that era with issues, sometimes you get the bull and sometimes you get the horns!
I think that's a general issue with all Apple branded joysticks Some TLC is required for long-term use.
Regarding the adapter that I built (see the link to the VC Forum), it works OK once you follow the original directions and not falsely assume they contain errors. So far I only got one button to register, but it seems the games I tried so far only require one button. Your milage may vary, but over here I find analog PC joysticks with DB15 gameport connectors a dime a dozen, while a genuine Apple ][ joystick would be hen's teeth and priced accordingly.
Gravis brand PC analog joysticks are probably capable of outlasting the owner. They have lots of room inside them to put in the capacitors and re-wire for Apple use. One problem for you folks in the US is that they are Canadian made, so you'll need a green Robertson screw driver to open them. Probably not a lot of those at the local hardware store. In any case, if you decide to use the best joysticks ever made, be careful not to remove the 4 screw on the bottom that are visible, they fix the gimbal together. Only remove the 4 screws that are under the feet.
OK, I know, it's an very old thread... but has anyone ever tried building and using this Atari to Apple II Joystick Adaptor?
https://lukazi.blogspot.com/2009/04/game-controller-atari-joysticks.html