Best joysticks for virtual pilots | Global Sources
by Melanie Victoriano (Content Editor)
Image source: Getty
Joysticks have come a long way since the iconic controller of the Atari 2600 was introduced in 1977 and laid the foundation for the directional movement standards PC gaming consoles use today. Like its variant, the analog stick, the joystick allowed a more intuitive and smoother feel when executing complex player and camera movements in video games, though both remained less popular than the control pad during that era.
Today, however, gamers are raving about joysticks. They have become an indispensable part of the realistic and immersive experience for flight games such as Elite Dangerous, Star Wars: Squadrons and Star Citizen, and home flight simulators, such as Microsoft Flight Simulator (MFS). Flight games enthusiasts consider these joysticks – called flight sticks – to be the most important hardware for virtual pilots.
Currently, gamers have a choice of three types of flight stick, with their purchase decision depending on gamer level and interest, desire for realism and immersive quality, and the type of games they prefer. These three types are the standalone joystick, the Hands-on Throttle and Stick (HOTAS), and the yoke and throttle.
Novice or casual players tend toward the standalone or all-in-one flight stick, with the throttle and trigger on the stick and buttons and switches on its base. More serious gamers prefer the HOTAS controller or the yoke and throttle, which feature a throttle quadrant for finer control.
At the high end in terms of price and features are HOTAS controllers that approximate the look and feel of the real thing on an aircraft, with metal casings and 20- to 30-plus buttons, hat switches, toggles, and metal flip switches in the throttle quadrant.
The number of switches and buttons means a wide array of programmable controls in the flight controller to equip the gamer with all the possible tools to face in-flight challenges.
Models that are made of metal not only have a more authentic look but are also heavier and consequently more stable during difficult maneuvers. Those made of plastic or rubber are lightweight and use suction caps or clamps for support.
Z-axis rotation is also a much-desired capability that enthusiasts look for on a stick, as some models only allow this feature to be programmed in the controls found on the throttle quadrant.
While accuracy of control and smooth action are essential, ergonomic design and lefty-friendly features are qualities that create added value in a flight controller.
Other features, such as a safety lock switch to prevent accidental firing of weapons and a dedicated eject button, are also appealing for space or aerial combat games enthusiasts.
A variation of the throttle and stick flight controller is the yoke and throttle controller. The use of a yoke instead of a stick attracts enthusiasts of home flight simulators as it mimics the controls of a typical real-world light aircraft, with some models being replicas at a scale of 1:1. Yoke and throttle controllers also offer a more ambidextrous setup, and compatibility with MFS on the Xbox videogame console series is a plus.
Despite the demand for flight sticks in the PC gaming market, especially with the recent release of MFS, industry observers note that the supply of joysticks remains low due to supply chain issues created by the Covid-19 pandemic. This has resulted in higher prices for these products than their recommended selling prices.
Joysticks are a segment of the gaming controller market whose value in 2020, according to Emergen Research, was $1.78 billion. The market research firm forecasts the sector to have a CAGR of 8.9 percent to reach $3.49 billion in 2028.
