ASCII Specialized Joystick reviewed on www.vidgames.com

ASCII Specialized Joystick
Reviewed by Nils Jacobsen

Initial Impressions

Huge box, huge stick! "Featuring Hands Free Auto and Turbo Switches. Adjustable Turbo Speed. Slow Motion Feature. Rugged Steel Control Stick and Base. 7 Foot Cord. Built Spcifically for Use with the Sony PlayStation." Ever since I tried it briefly at E3 '95, I've wanted this stick. Plugging it in was no sweat! It is a Plug'n'Play joystick! Yep, no config.sys or autoexec.bat settings! ;-) It is constructed very well, has a nice, heavy feel to it. The cable is extra long. (One feet extra makes a difference! While on the subject of the cable, it says "Space Shuttle" on it.... Maybe it is NASA approved?)

Playing the Games

First up was my favorite game, Tekken. Worked like a charm. Instanly became a better player! Moves were easier and more fun to pull off. Your hands rests on the joystick while playing, making it more comfortable than a pad. MK3 became easier, too. However, having the top buttons on both sides instead (which is unavoidable on a stick), takes some adjustment. Playing Philosoma or Raiden II using the Auto feature was nice. I'll I had to do was steer and use the bomb here and there. (Works GREAT with Galaga!)

However, trying to use this stick with games like Doom or Assault Rigs was not an easy task. For some reason it was very hard to control. Oh well, no biggie, for me this stick will be designated for fighting games. All I need now is Tekken 2 and Soul Edge!

Quality/Durability

This stick is very well built, have had no problems with it. Comes with the standard 90 days warranty.

Conclusion

Great stick, especially recommended for any fighting game nuts out there! Individual buttons for the rapid/auto fire is a plus. The long cord is a plus. Although it costs as much as a game, if you're serious about your type of game, this is what to get! Your favorite game will become even more enjoyable!

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