How to choose a joystick for the computer?

Joysticks for a computer are devices from a class game manipulators. Joysticks are the most diverse, independing on what kind of games they are intended for. It is customary to distinguish between joysticks and gamepads themselves as two separate versions of these devices.

The joysticks were originally a movable handle with one single button and in its functionswere like real aircraft controllers. That's why joysticks of this type are used especially for flight simulators and space-themed games - in other types of games they were largely overtaken by gamepads.

Gamepads are designs with buttons, convenient for holding in hands. In modern models of gamepads practicallyThere are also analog joysticks - smaller versions of conventional joysticks. The presence of both buttons and mini-joysticks allows you to become a gamepad more universal device than just a joystick.

In game pads, a digital signal is used to control the buttons, analog keys are used in joysticks. The difference lies in the fact that in digital joysticks the state is described by the logical variables "yes" and "no", and analog joysticks describe the state with the help of the variables of the coordinates X and Y.

To select a joystick for the computer, you need to decide which games will be used. Most joystick for the computer is usefulfans of racing and various simulators, but fans of shooters (shooters), arcade games, strategies and quests from the joystick will be of little use. When you select a joystick for your computer, you can use the following settings:

• presence of buttons and analog levers;


• presence of feedback and vibration;


• compatibility with various platforms;


• interface connection;


• ergonomics.

Modern joysticks for computers usually combine the capabilities of digital and analog, which allows, if desired, easilyswitch from one mode to another. Depending on the model, the joystick for the computer can contain one or two analog mini-levers that can move in 8 directions.

The number of buttons on the joystick can be up to 10 or more (by the way, the buttons are programmable), although notalways in game it is necessary to use all available buttons. Therefore, it makes no sense to overpay for models with a large number of game buttons in which of these buttons at best will be used half.

The presence of feedback and vibration is an important parameter of modern joysticks. For today gamers want not justsee or hear the virtual world of computer games, but also strive to feel it. For this purpose, the joysticks for the computer can be equipped with special motors that provide vibration in certain game situations, or feedback systems, when using the servos the joystick simulates the behavior of the real steering wheel of the aircraft, for example.

Joystick compatibility issue with various platforms should be considered if, in addition to computergames are also planned on the console. In this case, it is really convenient to acquire a cross-platform joystick, so as not to buy on a separate device for every device in the house.

The interface of connecting the joystick to the computer is in most cases USB. There are also wireless models that receive the signal from a special adapter connected to the computer, or models that use a Bluetooth connection.

The ergonomics of design when choosing joysticks and gamepads plays a significant role. Planning to spend a lot of time at computergames, you should select the joystick for the computer so that it is as comfortable as possible in use. Each player, of course, his own requirements for ergonomics of the joystick, but in any case, before buying it is worthwhile to hold the device in hand, "try it on".

Thus, to select a joystick for the computer, it is enough to look at its basic performance and check how comfortable it is to work with it. With the right joystick to play computer games - it's a pleasure! Do you use joysticks and gamepads? Share your advice with the readers of the Land of Soviets!