The 80s are back with a vengeance, and this time, it's all about the clicks and waggles of a beloved, albeit flawed, joystick! Remember those days of pixelated adventures and the sheer joy of a cheap, cheerful controller? Well, get ready for a trip down memory lane, because the legendary QuickShot II joystick from the early 1980s has been lovingly recreated.
It's fascinating, isn't it, how an industry so driven by cutting-edge technology can be so deeply sentimental about its past? Just like cinema and music, the world of gaming is awash in nostalgia. And to prove this point, we have a brand-new version of the QuickShot II. Now, let's be honest, the original wasn't exactly a pinnacle of gaming perfection even back then. But what it lacked in precision, it made up for in affordability and a certain undeniable charm. It actually looked like a fighter jet's control stick, complete with multiple fire buttons and a comfortable, ergonomic shaft. If you were after something truly robust and accurate, you'd probably opt for a Competition Pro. But that joystick wouldn't let you live out your Star Wars or Airwolf fantasies quite like the QuickShot II. Plus, and this is a detail that truly screams 80s ingenuity, it had suckers on its base! Yes, you could literally stick it to your cockpit control panel – or, as we likely used it, your humble MDF computer table.
But here's where it gets interesting... The new QuickShot II, brought to us by Retro Games and Plaion Replai, is an almost uncanny replica in terms of its physical dimensions. You can still wrap your hand around it, feeling the familiar grip, and your thumb and forefinger will find their home on those large, iconic red buttons. And yes, the suction cups are back, ready to adhere to your desk. The designers have even been thoughtful enough to include the original auto-fire switch on the rear – a godsend for those of us who remember the intense button-mashing required for games like Green Beret.
Tasteful updates have been implemented, though. The two fire buttons on the stick itself can now be separately configured. Oh, the hours I would have saved as a young Commodore 64 fanatic if I could have independently controlled my laser and bombs in Skramble! This feature alone is a game-changer for those who crave finer control. Furthermore, there are six buttons on the base, cleverly designed to align with the standard layout of modern joypads. And the inclusion of a USB cable means you can effortlessly connect it to a PC or any of the newer computer remakes from Retro Games, such as the C64 or Spectrum. I had a blast testing it with the latter, spending countless hours blasting through classics like Ant Attack, Pheenix, and Head over Heels.
In terms of build quality, the QuickShot II strikes a commendable balance between necessary modernizations and a respectful adherence to its roots. The stick itself has ample travel – you really have to push it quite a distance for it to register movement, just as I recall. This was precisely why the QuickShot II was famously ill-suited for rapid joystick-waggling titles like Daley Thompson’s Decathlon. The sheer distance required to move the stick back and forth could lead to both damage to the joystick and a fair bit of personal indignity. Thankfully, the designers have now incorporated microswitches, so you get a satisfying click when the stick registers movement. The fire buttons, however, retain that signature soft click, and the sound and feel of them are, for many, the most warmly nostalgic elements of the entire experience. I spent so many hours of my teenage years pounding those buttons; the sound is as deeply ingrained in my memory as the scent of school dinners or the gentle lapping of waves against a pier.
And this is the part most people miss... I also experimented with the QuickShot II on Steam, and after some straightforward calibration, it performed admirably. The auto-fire feature, however, proved a bit finicky. It was an absolute delight to play the Steam version of the classic shooter Truxton with this stick, instantly transporting me back to memories of playing in arcades in Blackpool and then rushing home to transform my humble computer desk and joystick into my own personal arcade cabinet. You might think those feelings are long gone, but sometimes, all it takes is a simple hunk of plastic to bring them hurtling back.
Now, if you're on the hunt for a serious, high-performance modern joystick, this isn't it. It's budget-friendly, a little clunky, and despite an hour of tinkering, I couldn't get it to work with the PC emulation platform RetroArch, which was a bit of a bummer, though others might have better luck. But that's precisely the point, isn't it? The *QuickShot II was never the *best joystick; it was the one we could afford. And, crucially, it looked cool.
I genuinely respect that this remake stays true to that original spirit. It's affordable and, yes, a little compromised. But if you were a proud owner of one back in the day, it's an incredibly fun item to have. In fact, the fourth star in my review is awarded purely for the absolute raw nostalgia it evokes. Every single time I see it sitting there, nestled beside my high-tech PC and expansive HD monitor, I can't help but smile. It's wonderful to have you back, old friend, with all your charming flaws and endearing shortcomings.
What do you think? Does the allure of nostalgia outweigh the practical limitations of a budget controller? Are you more of a Competition Pro purist, or do you cherish the accessible charm of the QuickShot II? Let us know in the comments below!
