ASCII STICK Engine
Platform:  PC/Engine, PC/Engine Duo, TurboDuo
 
 
 
 
 
 

    There were a number of factors that limited the mainstream appeal of the TurboGrafx-16 and TurboDuo outside of Japan, when the system was spread outward from the land of the rising sun many earlier design incarnations and accessories were left behind.  (not to mention killer software but that's another story)  Not too long ago I was browsing some used video game sales and came across a PC/Engine joystick strangely similar to Nintendo's classic NES joystick, the NES Advantage, and decided to pick it up.

    This joystick is near exact to the design and feel of the NES Advantage which isn't all that strange since they're both made by ASCII around the same time.  The only differences other than color and a couple button arrangements is that the Stick Engine has a slightly thinner profile than the NES Advantage.  The Joystick moves very smoothly and fits into the palm of one's hand perfectly.  It has a footprint large enough to keep it from wanting to tilt around in your hands yet is small enough to fit on your lap or a single leg.

    Standard functions that are to be expected are present such as buttons II and I, Select and Run.  In addition it features slow motion and variable turbo dials.  Now, all Duo controllers have turbo switches so this isn't a huge deal with the Stick Engine although being able to specifically dial in the degree of which turbo fire is used makes this stick a dream to use.  Rather than having an on/off button for each turbo, one more notch after the turbo is at it's lowest setting delivers a crisp snap sound and the turbo is switched off.  Having the turbo power switches integrated into the speed setting dials as well as the select, slow, and run buttons being along the top gives this joystick a cleaner look than the NES Advantage and prevents accidentally pausing gameplay.

    Stick Engine differs from a standard TurboDuo controller in plug profile and cord length.  The cord and plug are considerably less chunky than NEC's standard controllers which makes coiling up the cord and storing the joystick easier.  Also a nice change is the addition of over a foot longer cord than a normal TurboDuo controller.  Traditionally a TurboDuo controller's cord measures in at just a hair under four feet, the Stick Engine features a cord that is just over the five foot mark.  This might not sound like a lot but it is the difference between having to sit right up on top of the TV or sitting back and relaxing.

    Games that benefit from using the Stick Engine are of course arcade shooters and fighting titles.  Variable turbo settings make games like R-Type, The Legendary Axe, Cadash, and Advanced V.G. an even bigger bash to play than before.  However I get the most use out of this controller with games like Ys Book I & II and Cosmic Fantasy 2 since I can sit back and enjoy the experience of the RPG rather than being forced to sit close to the TV and worry about yanking the Duo forward with the short cord of the original controllers.

    I picked up the Stick Engine online for about $25 after shipping.  It appears to be licensed by NEC because of the large PC/Engine logo on the face.  It will work with the Japanese PC/Engine and PC/Engine Duo systems as well as the US TurboDuo.  It will not work with the TurboGrafx-16 since NEC changed the size of the controller plug from the Japanese original.  I'll probably use this for about every game I play on the TurboDuo with the exception of Final Lap Twin since driving games just aren't that fun with a joystick.  Only problem is now I'm looking for another one of these since I'm sure it'll get worn out a few years down the road.
 

Last amended 03-23-05 by David, insanedavid@classicplastic.net

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