Sega Control Stick

The Control Stick (Model No. 3060) is a joystick peripheral released in 1987 for the Sega Master System. It is distinguished by its rounded, squarish knob and the layout of its controls.

Why It Sucks

 * 1) The action buttons are too small and work pretty much the same way as the ones on the standard Master System control pad.
 * 2) The fact that the joystick is on the right-hand side and the buttons on the left makes it rather impractical.
 * 3) It's not so hot for games that require precise movements.
 * 4) It doesn't have turbo-fire like its contemporary, the NES Advantage, does.
 * 5) *That being said, some Control Sticks came packaged with the Rapid Fire Unit, which gives any controller that is plugged into it a turbo-fire function.
 * 6) With its visual design and the right-handed layout of its controls, it is seen by most as a novelty.
 * 7) It has foam rubber feet on the bottom, but the controller itself is too light to stay in place if you intend to use it on a flat surface.
 * 8) The joystick knob is secured to the shaft on the inside via a screw, and it would get loose easily over time. You'd have to take the joystick knob itself apart in order to re-secure it.

Redeeming Qualities

 * 1) Some versions of the Control Stick advertise that it is compatible with the Atari 2600, as well as with home computers that use DE-9 controller ports, such as the Commodore 64 and VIC-20, and the Atari 400 and 800.
 * 2) The Control Stick is fine for slower-paced games, but not so much for action games.

Videos
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Trivia

 * The Arcade Command Stick, an unreleased, high-end arcade joystick for the Sega Master System with built-in turbo-fire functions, action buttons on a rotating base, and a left-handed layout, features a similar squarish knob.

External Link(s)

 * Control Stick at Sega Retro