Computer + Video Games - Commodore Is Awesome

THE _,119
RATINGS
EXPLAINED
In accordance with normal C-4-110
practice, all the joysticks featured
here have been graded on a scale
of I-10. For those of you who insist
on percentage marks, just add a
zero to the score. The categories
investigated are as follows:
Accuracy: Does the joystick
fire when you want it to or does it
have a mind of its own? A vital
rating, we think. After all, who
wants to move right when you
intended to go left?
Ergonomics: Never use a
simple word when a more obscure
one will do. This category looks at
design. Does the joystick look and
feel right?
Strength: Otherwise known as
the Big Red wrench test. Is the
joystick likely to fall part with the
least provocation or melt in your
hot, sweaty hands in the white heat
of battle?
Overall: Is this the biz or not?
Does it do its job properly.
The Game:To try and introduce
some consistent standard to the
tests all the joysticks were used on
ash Warriors. We were going to
use SArixion but we lost our copy
of the game.
51' CM, I
Silence in court. The Joystick Jury has assembled again to sit
in judgement on the latest batch of these essential game playing
aides. There's been a whole lot of powerful pulverising going on
as the joysticks have been subjected to trial by terror and torture.
The jury is about to return its verdicts . .
SPEED KING
PRICE: t 12.99 FOR MOST
CHINES. £14.99 FOR BBC,
LUS 4 AND DRAGON
is the joystick that's hot at the
moment. If you believe the makers and
PR hype, it's selling faster than the
speed of Ikfit.
It's designed to be hand held. There's
no base or suckers so you can't stick it
to the table. It fits sriuggty into the left
hand, forefinger curling under to hit the
fire button. The stick itself is operated
by the right hand. If you're left-handed,
forget it It's almost impossible to hold,
and you'll stand no chance in a high
speed rap sessiott
The shaft looks fairly fragile but is
very responsive and looks a lot tougher
than it appears.
All in al the Speed King is a nice
little performer. But you'd better try it
out for size before parting with your
MAGNUM
Is. PRICE: 112.50
The Magnum, Mastertronies first foray
into the world of joysficks. is another
hand-held model At least this time its
ambidextrous design should present no
problems to left-handed players.
As the name suggests, this joystick is
gun-shaped, with the fire button falling
under the thum and the shaft on top.
It fits nicely in hand and a
prolonged playing stim produces no
really bad side-effects on the hand.
Both fire button and shaft perform well.
responding instantly to action.
The one drawback is that it closet
feel too sturdy and you get the
impression it may not be able to stand
up to month after month of zapping.
It also comes with sut foot of cable.
Mastemonic claims this is more than
with any other joystick. This, of course,
enables you to stand or sit a long way
from the computer srzeett Which is
fine if you have the eyesight of an eagle
hard earned cash.
116
, to• ERGONOMICS 5
P. STRENGTH 8
A
111. OVERALL 8
Machines: C Spectrum, Spectrum
C
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R
A
C
Y
8
and 0311 still see what's happening on
screen.
0- ACCURACY
ERGONOMICS
I
, 11
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GR
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HL
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8
7
6
Plus, CBM 64, 128, Vic 20, C16
and Plus 4, Atari, BBC, Electron,
Dragon, MSX, Amstrad, Oric.
Maker: Kola Computer
Products, Unit 13, Sirhowy Hill
Industrial Estate, Tredegar,
Gwent.
Machines: All major home
computers, C16 and Plus 4 and
Sinclair Plus 2 needs adaptor.
Maker: Mastertronic 8-10 Paul
Street, London.
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