The awesomeness of the XE-1 Pro Joystick

[Lord Thag]

Out of the blue, my friend John decided to gift me with his PC-E XE-1 Pro HP joystick for Christmas. 

I must admit, this thing is about the last word in retro joysticks. Adjustable turbo, an adjustable 4 or 8 way microswitch joystick, a rotating button panel to adjust for comfort, independant multistage turbo toggles, and a neat 'cylon' row of red LEDs to show how fast your turbo is set. This sucker is about the best classic joystic I've ever used, and it's motivated me to knuckle down with a couple of good shooters.

Yesterday, I spent about two hours with Salamander and Image Fight, finally making it to level 5 on the latter. Damn, that's a tough game!

Anyone else have one of these sticks for the PC-E? If you don't, you should. Nothing else even comes close. They are the Caddies of the Pc Engine controller line.

[nectarsis]

The Hori PCE stick would like a word with ya

I still want a XE-1 pro stick (preferably boxed).  Your friend REALLY knows how to give kick ass Christmas presents, congrats.

[Sparky]

yes sir... i have one and me likey 

It also doubles for me as a 2nd player tap for my SuperGrafx System for playing "1941" (gots problems with my regular PCE tap)
I think there is 4 taps built into the side in total. Of coarse not as good as a regular PCE tap as you may find the 2nd player that is taped into your Pro stick left holding nothing under intense game play

Anyway a very cool stick and ya that little LED light show is a nice touch

[TR0N]

Can't say i've run into the pce one yet but i have the famicom one.

It is a nice stick has the same features as the pce one.

Though the only joystick i have for the pce right now is the (Hori Fighter Joystick) and i must say it get's the job done.

[nat]

I have one.

Funny how you didn't mention it has a built-in TurboTap, probably it's coolest feature.

[Turbo D]

He probably plays with himself.

[Lord Thag]

He probably plays with himself.

Har har 

Yeah, I did forget to mention the turbo tap. It is the stick's best feature, which I rarely use, as I have very few friends who are into the retro gaming thing. I occasionally drag this kid I mentor into the game room and play a few rounds of bomberman, but he starts glaring at me after ten minutes.

My buddy Nick, however does like the TG/PCE and we occasionally play. I really need to get a few more PCE sticks though. I only have the one regular pad on the PC Engine.

[Necromancer]

It is the stick's best feature, which I rarely use, as I have very few friends who are into the retro gaming thing.

Your friends obviously suck.  Get some new ones. 

[WoodyXP]

Those sticks kick serious ass.  I have one for the MSX and use the HE adaptor that allows me
to use it on the PCE.  Awesome sticks! 

[Turbo D]

It is the stick's best feature, which I rarely use, as I have very few friends who are into the retro gaming thing.

Your friends obviously suck.  Get some new ones. 

Ya, I play bomberman multi-player on pcengine for hours on end! Invite me to your house instead!

[rolins]

Yeah, I also have the Famicom one and the XE-1ST2 model. These make great arcade stick for old arcade games and shmups too, especially the 4-way stick for Donkey Kong and Pac-Man.

The XE-1ST2 is great too. Unlike the PRO, this model has 20mm buttons and no auto-fire, but it compatible with wide range of systems like the FM-Towns, PC-8801, MSX, SMS, and Genesis. I seem to do better in games with it compared to my HRAP2, so I modified mine to be neo-geo compatible minus the D button of course. With 3 buttons and start & select/coin its more than enough for a supergun too. Even made a bunch of joystick adaptors so I could play my favorite shmups on my PS2, Saturn, and MSX.