WTB: A Vectrex Controller ^_^

[wazzal]

I'm a recent adopter of this grand console, though I unfortunately do not have a controller, so I cannot yet play it!

Does any member on here have a controller that they would be willing to sell to me?

I live in the US and would be able to pay via paypal.
Thank you for your time

[VectorX]

Unfortunately you might have to go with Recycled Gamer for a controller. Not that they're bad or anything, it's just a bit pricey for those (the Dondzila days of his $20-25 controllers are gone, since companies aren't making new Genesis controllers any more for him to mod).

I think you're supposed to skip the modified SNES controller too, but I'm not sure; might want to wait until someone on here weighs in on that.

[wazzal]

Nov 19, 2012 0:59:02 GMT -5 VectorX said:

Unfortunately you might have to go with Recycled Gamer for a controller. Not that they're bad or anything, it's just a bit pricey for those (the Dondzila days of his $20-25 controllers are gone, since companies aren't making new Genesis controllers any more for him to mod).

I think you're supposed to skip the modified SNES controller too, but I'm not sure; might want to wait until someone on here weighs in on that.

Those modded arcade sticks catch my intrigue, though those prices do seem near to what I'd be willing to pay for an original controller.

I do plan to modify my own Genesis controller to work with it, as recycled gamer has shown here:
secure.flickr.com/photos/14482990@N08/sets/72157620164985374/
^It doesn't look very difficult to do, and it would be nice to have for 2 player capabilities (and also to give someone to play with who I wouldn't trust with an original haha)


I should specify that I am interested in buying an original controller, so as to make my Vectrex more complete.

[VectorX]

Nov 19, 2012 1:34:42 GMT -5 wazzal said:

Those modded arcade sticks catch my intrigue, though those prices do seem near to what I'd be willing to pay for an original controller.

Oh, that's good. I've just been used to the cheaper alternatives that Dondzila used to have available. Anything other than that seems expensive now!

[wazzal]

Nov 19, 2012 11:02:16 GMT -5 VectorX said:

Oh, that's good. I've just been used to the cheaper alternatives that Dondzila used to have available. Anything other than that seems expensive now!

Yeah, those seem to have been the days. Wish I hadn't of waited so long to buy a Vectrex!

During these past few months I've seen prices on ebay hitting $100 for an original controller; it is rather absurd how the prices have shot up. Earlier in the year they were around $50-60, which now I consider to be a fair price.

Until prices come down on ebay, I'll continue asking around so as not to support that market.

[VectorX]

Nov 19, 2012 21:24:00 GMT -5 wazzal said:

Wish I hadn't of waited so long to buy a Vectrex!

Oh well. Some people can't for years and years!

Nov 19, 2012 21:24:00 GMT -5 wazzal said:

Until prices come down on ebay, I'll continue asking around so as not to support that market.

Nicely said, and amen! Even if I were to stumble upon Vectrexes I still wouldn't be selling them for too much to friends that have wanted them for years but have never seen, much less been able to buy one. Besides, shipping costs so much anyway that puts a dampener on things as it is.

[gliptitude]

admin said:

I think you're supposed to skip the modified SNES controller too, but I'm not sure; might want to wait until someone on here weighs in on that.

I have his SNES controller and I use it often. Sometimes it seems like I have to press the buttons harder than I should have to, but it still is super useful for a great many games. It's among my favorite controller designs ever, so I love having it modded and available for Vectrex play.

Sectis and Protector are near impossible for me with the original GCE controller, but quite playable with the SNES pad. Gravitrex is more fun with the original controller, but I require the SNES pad to really do well. It's good for hectic games that require fast reflexes.

Also have RecycledGamer's lightpen, which is nice. Haven't used any of his other controllers, but the arcade sticks are on my Christmas list.

Good luck finding your controller wazzal. ... Probably the easiest and most cost efficient way is to just buy a complete console on ebay. You will spend a bit more, but get more too i guess. Just seems ridiculous to pay 100 for a controller when you can get a console/controller for 150. ... You might find better prices in a few months. Maybe even higher prices after people get their tax returns, but then lower after that passes. ??? That's how it is with used cars anyway.

I recommend you buy whatever appeals to you most among RecycledGamer's controllers, (if you haven't yet acquired any controller), so you can start playing Vectrex as soon as possible. I think you'll still be happy to have it around in the future.

[wazzal]

I am considering the SNES pad from RetroGamer, it sounds like it would be a fun experience.


Good news, I have an original working controller!!!
Now here's the story:
I found a BIN on ebay for a broken Vectrex with a controller for $75, so I thought it would be fun to try and fix another console for just $25 more than the price I wanted to pay for a controller alone. It took 10 days to arrive via post, but when I received it I was dismayed to find the up/down axis of the joystick to be loose, albeit left/right axis and all the buttons worked. It looked to be in rather good condition, though the Vectrex itself was pretty filthy (though all cleaned now). So I took apart the controller and cleaned out all of the black (grease/dust) as well as washed the rubber contact pad and buttons. I then popped open an Atari 2600 game [Defender] and took its spring. After what turned out to be an hour long procedure, I got it all put together and working great!
I've been playing MineStorm, Cosmic Chasm and Clean Sweep for the past 2 days, I love it!

And I also won one of Fury's StarBlast controllers on ebay! I won the cheapest one I've seen go on ebay; $39 plus shipping. Quite lucky indeed.

And if that's not enough, I purchased a VecMulti from a member on AtariAge for $80, which should be arriving near the same time the StarBlast comes in.
Needless to say, I am very excited!



I do have a few questions though:

Is the joystick supposed to feel a little wobbly? (as in moving a bit in each direction prior to hitting the spring mechanisms)
From the inside mechanism, it didn't appear to have any issues, though I am interested in whether this could be due to worn plastic or if it how it was made.

Are there any decal sticker reproductions currently being made/sold?
I did not mess up the sticker when I lifted the edges to access the screws, but I think it would be comforting to have an extra decal in case it does get damaged in future repairs.

What is the wire made of?
I extended it below my desk to rest it on my lap while playing, though when I put it back up and it coiled back as it should, I noticed 2 coils to be a little smaller than they were when it arrived, meaning it probably had more strain than it could handle. The thing is, I barely extended it, so I'm just assuming it is more fragile due to age.



Hopefully somebody can answer my questions, I tried to be as thorough as possible!
Oh, and thank you for linking me to an auction, gliptitude. It's nice to see the prices coming down and would have purchased it if I didn't win the one mentioned above

[VectorX]

Only one I can answer is no, the joystick isn't supposed to feel "wobbly".

I don't think anyone's selling Vectrex stickers but I could be wrong though.

[wazzal]

Dec 17, 2012 10:25:56 GMT -5 VectorX said:

Only one I can answer is no, the joystick isn't supposed to feel "wobbly".

Ok, thanks for letting me know! I could imagine the plastic has been worn down over the years [explaining the black powder on the inside] which is why it has a bit of looseness to it.
Overall, still very much enjoyable!

{Though I do hope this controller gets a reproduction someday; perhaps when 3D printers become more financially viable.}

[wyldephang]

Dec 20, 2012 5:26:41 GMT -5 wazzal said:

Ok, thanks for letting me know! I could imagine the plastic has been worn down over the years [explaining the black powder on the inside] which is why it has a bit of looseness to it.
Overall, still very much enjoyable!

That seems to be a problem with a lot of joysticks. For instance, the stick in a Nintendo 64 controller is flimsy and unreliable, and is designed in such a way that the stick will grind itself against the back of the housing with use. When I first opened up an N64 controller to investigate the joystick, I found white dust collected inside the housing, indicating that the stick had been well worn! I'm not sure about the Vectrex, but if enough material has been shaved off the N64 stick, it's practically irreparable. Some people wrap a small strip of plumber's tape around the base of the stick to tighten the action; the joystick will never function like new, but the fix makes the controller usable. I wonder if this would work on a Vectrex controller.

[VectorX]

Is an N64 controller self-centering? The Vectrex's is/are, if that gives you any clue...hence why they're not supposed to be the way wazzal posted about (I think they are but I'm not sure).

[wyldephang]

Dec 20, 2012 20:50:31 GMT -5 VectorX said:

Is an N64 controller self-centering? The Vectrex's is/are, if that gives you any clue...hence why they're not supposed to be the way wazzal posted about (I think they are but I'm not sure).

As a matter of fact, the N64 joystick is self-centering. The responsiveness of the stick is directly related to the amount of wear. Two of my four N64 controllers have joysticks that are especially worn out, making games like Super Smash Bros. a hassle to play!