PlayStation Analog Joystick
The PlayStation 'Analog Joystick' is Sony's first analog controller for the PlayStation, and is the precursor to the PlayStation Dual Analog Controller. It is often incorrectly referred to as the "Sony Flightstick".
History
Announced to the public in August 1995, the Analog Joystick was released to the public in Japan on 26 April 1996.Features
The Analog Joystick used potentiometer technology previously used on consoles such as the Vectrex; instead of relying on binary eight-way switches, the controller can detect minute angular changes through the entire range of motion. The stick also features a thumb-operated digital hat switch on the right joystick, corresponding to the traditional D-pad, and used for instances when simple digital movements were necessary.A compatibility mode for the Analog Joystick was included in the Dual Analog Controller, Sony's first analog revision of its original gamepad design.
PS1 games that support the Analog Joystick have an "Analog Joystick Compatible" icon on the back cover.
The Analog Joystick has a switch to select either analog or digital mode. When in the digital mode, both sticks function as the gamepad on a regular PS1 controller. Older PS1 games that do not support the PS1 DualShock sticks can work with the Analog Joystick.
List of games with Analog Joystick support
PlayStationAce Combat 2Ace Combat 3Adidas Power Soccer 98ApocalypseArmored Trooper Votoms Armorines: Project S.W.A.R.M.AsteroidsAtari Anniversary Edition ReduxAtari Collection 2 ATV RacersBatman: Gotham City RacerBogey Dead 6, released at the same time as the Analog JoystickCrash Bandicoot: WarpedCastrol Honda Superbike RacingCentipedeCar & Driver Grand Tour Racing '98Choro Q Jet: Rainbow Wings Colony WarsColony Wars: VengeanceCyberiaDescentDescent MaximumDigital Glider Airman Elemental GearboltEOS: Edge of Skyhigh Formula 1 98Galaxian 3 Gran TurismoGran Turismo 2Gunship 2000 Independence DayIron Soldier 3Macross Digital Mission VF-X Macross Digital Mission VF-X 2 MDKMechWarrior 2: 31st Century CombatMetal Gear SolidMichael Owen's World League Soccer 99Arcade's Greatest Hits: The Midway Collection 2 Missile CommandMotor Toon Grand Prix 2 Namco Museum Vol. 4 NASCAR 98Need for Speed IINewman / Haas RacingNightmare Creatures- Panzer Front Pitfall 3D: Beyond the JunglePorsche ChallengeProject GaiaRay Quake IIRacing Lagoon RayCrisisRise 2: ResurrectionR/C Stunt CopterS.C.A.R.S.Sled StormShadow MasterSidewinder 2SlamscapeSpyro 2: Ripto's Rage! Spyro: Year of the DragonSpyro the Dragon
- Star FighterStar IxiomStar Wars: DemolitionSteel ReignSupercross 2000Syphon FilterSyphon Filter 2Syphon Filter 3Test Drive 4 Test Drive: Off-Road 3TFX: Tactical Fighter eXperimentThe Need for Speed The Operation Death WingTreasures of the DeepU.S. Navy FightersVehicle Cavalier Velldeselba Senki: Tsubasa-No-KunshouVigilante 8Wing Commander IV: The Price of FreedomWing Over 2XS MotoZero Pilot
There are other PS2 games that also can use the PS1 analog joystick, but only in digital mode. Metal Slug Anthology, Gradius III, Gradius IV and other games that normally use just the gamepad and buttons for controls.
List of games with partial Analog Joystick support
The following games support the controller's "analog" mode, but force the player to use the digital "hat switch" instead of the analog sticks:007: Tomorrow Never Dies007: The World is Not EnoughColony Wars: Red SunCrash Team RacingEcho Night (video game)FIFA 99FIFA 2000FIFA 2001KlonoaNHL 98Starblade AlphaStreet Fighter Alpha 3Strike PointAnd the following games are fully supported, but have issues that can affect gameplay:Ape Escape - the lack of L3 and R3 buttons on the controller makes some sections unplayableTempest X3 - works fully, but the game is set to auto-fire with the analog joystick connectedWorld's Scariest Police Chases - the game will not recognise the analog sticks unless a Dual Shock is connected first and then replaced with the controller
Reception
GamePros The Rat Baron praised the controller for its comfort, tight control, button layout, and analog movement, though he expressed doubt that most players would go for it given the high price tag.The Analog Joystick did not sell well in Japan, reportedly due to its high cost and bulky size.