Nice collection. I never considered putting up a gallery of the various controllers I have. Not a bad idea at all.

Some of what I have:

• Gravis Gamepad
• MS Sidewinder Gamepad (gameport)
• MS Sidewinder Gamepad Pro (USB)
• MS Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro
• Logitech Extreme 3D Pro
• Logitech Dual Action Gamepad

I also have some NES and SNES console controllers converted to USB. Thanks to RetroUSB.com.

I also own the Strategic Commander and the SpaceOrb 360 (though the latter's been largely supplanted by the 3Dconnexion SpacePilot). Thinking of picking up another SpaceOrb whenever I get another Win9x PC put together, actually; Descent just doesn't feel right with the turn speed limits.

How well does that Logitech WingMan Force-Feedback Mouse work, anyway? I've wanted to try one out of sheer curiosity. What worries me is that since it's fixed to a particular base/mousepad, it could be like the Strategic Commander in that it's more of a joystick instead of a mouse to necessitate true force-feedback (as in changes in friction, the mouse trying to move itself in a particular direction, etc.).

...And it looks like I'm right on the "mouse-shaped joystick" part, as this YouTube video shows.

7cjbill2 wrote:

This was a topic here not long ago, figured I'd show the retro gaming controllers I still have (and some that are still in use). […]
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This was a topic here not long ago, figured I'd show the retro gaming controllers I still have (and some that are still in use).

By cookiejarbill at 2012-03-20

This is my main rig (down for liquid-cooling at the moment). You can see my Microsoft Strategic Commander, the SpaceOrb 360, my Logitech G7 mouse, and Wingman FF Mouse. All still in use and still enjoyed! (That's not dust on the desk, it's POLLEN!!! I've had the window open the past few days and that's how bad it's been here in GA).

The SC gets used in my RTS games like Dune 2000 and RTW. I use the Orb for Fallout3 and STALKER, and the Wingman in Doom and Quake. All are fun to use with each game. Not in the picture is my G940 system that I use for IL2. I only set it up when I get ready to play as the desk has extendable arms I custom-built that mount to the controls.

Dug out the Advanced Gravis Phoenix Joystick. It's a bit smaller than I remember, but it still works. I used this to play Wing Commander 3 back in the day.

I have more in my "plastic bin of past controllers" but these are probably the most unusual/abnormal ones that I have.

Is it possible to use the Strategic Command in Windows 7?

I still have mine, but it's been on its box for years!

rug wrote:

Is it possible to use the Strategic Command in Windows 7?

I still have mine, but it's been on its box for years!

You'll need a third-party utility known as Strategic Engine. Unfortunately, it hasn't been updated in a few years, but it does work in Windows 7. 64-bit, even!

Because working upload links can be tough to find, I've uploaded it to my Dropbox account for you.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1837308/StrategicSetupv1.3.exe

NamelessPlayer wrote:

You'll need a third-party utility known as Strategic Engine. Unfortunately, it hasn't been updated in a few years, but it does w […]
Show full quote

rug wrote:

Is it possible to use the Strategic Command in Windows 7?

I still have mine, but it's been on its box for years!

You'll need a third-party utility known as Strategic Engine. Unfortunately, it hasn't been updated in a few years, but it does work in Windows 7. 64-bit, even!

Because working upload links can be tough to find, I've uploaded it to my Dropbox account for you.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1837308/StrategicSetupv1.3.exe

Thanks NamelessPlayer! You're a life saver!

BTW, how is it that Microsoft's dropped support for it's own hardware (Sidewinder line)?!?!?!?

Just one of those baffling Microsoft decisions like replacing DirectSound3D with something as inferior as XAudio2 + X3DAudio and not following up on that Courier concept video, I guess.

At least they still work and the other SideWinder devices have basic driver support in Vista/Win7, but without things like driver-level programming and force-feedback adjustment that were present in the original driver packages. (Good thing the titles I tend to play with the SWFFB2 have their own force-feedback settings...they'd have to considering the cult following of that flight stick.)

Yes, there is not a "whole" lot of expanse to move the Wingman FF mouse. I still like it though, however, it is primarily being used with my ultimate Win98 box almost exclusively now. I haven't felt like fussing with it in Windows 7.

Actually, I'm starting to prefer the SC in my Win98 system exclusively as well. I just don't play that many newer games that warrant getting it to work on the Windows 7 box, and the P4 Win98 machine swallows everything that I feed it!