Channel F Hand-Controller

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Revision as of 08:53, 18 March 2023 by Rjt (talk | contribs) (→‎Similar Interfaces: TS 2090 Commandstick, Space Age Joystick)

Default controller for the Fairchild Channel F and Channel F System II. On the first console they're hard-wired to the system, but for the System II they use Atari's DE9 port.

It's shaped like the stick part of a joystick, which you hold with one hand, and the top has a triangular-shaped knob that can be pulled up and pushed down (2 digital buttons), tilted like a joystick (8-way digital joystick), and twisted like a paddle controller (analogue). It's pretty clever, and covers most of the popular input types of the time.

Similar Interfaces

  • Video Command - Clone for Atari VCS, Atari 400/800, VIC-20.
  • Channel F Jet-Stick - Almost identical, but has a trigger button on the front.
  • Nabu Games Controller - Official joystick for the Nabu Personal Computer. Very similar form, but adds a trigger button and removes the twisting an pulling/pushing up/down features.
  • TS 2090 Commandstick - Similar to the Video Command joystick, but with a round, metalic top. Made for the TC2068 and TS2068.
  • Space Age Joystick - Similar concept by Atari, but instead of the handle being a straight stick, it's modelled on a pistol grip, with the button being a trigger.