Sureshot Standard

The Games Machine

Overall 3/10

CENTRE BYTES THE PUNISHERS Back when Spectrums were first released, joystick owners were a breed apart. That elite group of computer owners who took their gaming seriously. Nowadays, though, with all new games machines having built-in joystick ports, there's no excuse not to have one But there's such a wide range that it's difficult to choose. Fear not, as the Centre Bytes teams look at all the popular joysticks around, plus some newer and more innovative ones ways to hand out the punishment. SURESHOT STANDARD Sonmax £10.95 An attractive stick with a moulded pistol grip handle which fits snugly in your hand. However, there is a bit too much travel on the stick which makes it feel as if it's going to break at any moment. While it's reasonably strong, it's hard to see it lasting too many vigorous goes in Hypersports. After testing on rougher games, the handle started to twist in the hand rendering the joystick useless. The shape of the base makes it virtually impossible to hold in your hand and fire at the same time, while the long travel of the stick means that in fast-moving games you put as much effort into holding the stick steady as playing the game. In view of this it would have been nice if a few suckers had been supplied. Firing action is fine but there is no audible click when the button is pressed.