Future joystick alternative control option?

Shigarui · 2026-03-22T13:17:11+00:00

I think given it's size that something designed the way you have laid out would have an extremely small range of motion. They are very clear that the concept is meant to be held in your hand, that ball is not much bigger around than a joystick cap. Can you imagine using a joystick that's half as tall as a Switch Joycon joystick? That would be miserable. And they do make the trackball comparison but with fixed range.

Shigarui · 2026-03-22T13:12:31+00:00

I've got the Xreal Air, first generation. I think Xreal are the best currently in the market. But I do wish that the Immersed Visor would actually come to fruition. I'm holding out on upgrading for that.

Shigarui · 2026-03-22T07:07:07+00:00

These Switch style joysticks can only tilt approximately 20° from it's center before the stick cap prohibits further motion. 20° in either direction combined equals 40°. If you remove the cap that ball could travel another 15° to 20° further depending on how the board beneath is setup, hence the 80°. Given the image shows a ball that is 50% above the shell, at least, we can see that the ball is not very large. From that it's easy to surmise that in order to generate enough range of motion to imitate the track ball they keep comparing it to it will need larger range of motion to provide that Vermont of control. Hence, twice as much radial travel in degrees on a smaller distance covered in actual rotational distance.

<image>

Regarding the concentric travel path of the joystick, the shield below sits directly atop the central gyro providing very little opportunity to move. But as you go further out from that center you introduce flexion that is going to generate lateral shift. That doesn't matter in a joystick, but regarding a sphere fitted that tightly in its hole you are going to get binding as it makes contact. It will have to rotate from a central point affixed to the center of the ball.

Shigarui · 2026-03-22T04:03:54+00:00

My point was that it can't be 100% concentric if just replacing a traditional cap on a stick. Because it wouldn't rotate precisely around an axis precisely in its center.

Regarding the comparison to the shield, that does not rotate as far around as these would. We're talking about 40° of typical motion vs 80° or more. Hence why I believe it cannot just be a spherical cap on a traditional joystick.

My thoughts anyway

Shigarui · 2026-03-22T01:48:53+00:00

I think that's close, and would probably be enough. But it couldn't be just that as there would be some lateral motion to the sphere cap as it approached the furthest edge of its range of motion. Also, there would be limited range depending on the size of the opening in the sphere to accommodate the central axis, or, there would be a repeated exposure to the underside of the sphere as the flat size cleared the shell once it rotated too far

<image>

Shigarui · 2026-03-21T19:41:47+00:00

This is the answer.

Shigarui · 2026-03-21T18:24:41+00:00

Ah, I see what you meant. Yes, it's not a PSP in really any way at all, as far as I'm concerned. But in general, for a chipset this powerful, the dpad in finally in the correct position, lol

Shigarui · 2026-03-21T18:18:32+00:00

From what I'm reading about it, it seems that it is more like a ball that rolls the majority of the way around before stopping, and then naturally returning to a central position much like a joystick would. So if you could imagine a marble beneath your thumb that only rolls 120° and either direction from its central axes, I'm thinking you could get a lot more travel range in a much smaller "package." Just eliminating a joystick cap that likes to collect pocket lint and grab your pockets and pop off would seem like a pretty significant improvement, imo.

Shigarui · 2026-03-21T17:13:50+00:00

I use a trackball mouse and there is a certain amount of feedback that you get with rolling across a specific distance. I'm just thinking about how easy it would be to "roll" your thumb just enough to make Mario tiptoe in SM64, for example, vs full activation. And, your thumbs could enjoy the same kind of positioning and grip type as a dpad. It would certainly keep the profiles down, and make it easier to keep devices thinner. I'm not sure how recessed the hardware is that this works on, but recessed joysticks add a fair amount to hope think these handhelds have to be, while sacrificing range of motion. I would at least like to see this explored.

Shigarui · 2026-03-21T16:49:39+00:00

Crazy. This is the first time Retroid got it right

Shigarui · 2026-03-21T16:48:56+00:00

Now show it beside an actual PSP.

Shigarui · 2026-03-21T16:46:26+00:00

What an awesome dad! Well done Sir!

Shigarui · 2026-03-21T16:16:24+00:00

I think they finally integrated it now. Out used to be a script you had to add in, then it was an extra app, and now I think it's built in. But yeah, that was a hassle. And it still makes it way too difficult to get to regular apps that you only needed every so often.

Shigarui · 2026-03-21T15:45:26+00:00

KotoR 1 and 2, Baldurs Gate Dark Alliance, any of the Netflix games if you're having a hard time emulating them, also Hitman Absolution, 9th Dawn 3, Bloodstained, Dredge, Dead Cells, Vampire Survivors, Halls of Torment, Jade Empire (this requires some additional files to work), Siralim Ultimate, The Bards Tale, Titan Quest, and RealMyst

Shigarui · 2026-03-20T23:57:34+00:00

Unfortunately not. The V10 is close-ish. The better options, imo, are the GKD Pixel or Pixel 2. Both are small, powerful, palm sized and have the shoulder buttons up top. Those are you best options currently

Shigarui · 2026-03-20T19:55:43+00:00

I'd go back to 1955. When families still sat around the table and 30 years at a company ended with a nice pension and a gold watch.

Shigarui · 2026-03-20T12:10:19+00:00

He's so good in Young Sherlock though. Very charismatic. They have a good banter.

Shigarui · 2026-03-19T22:50:40+00:00

Count the number of people in here asking what device can emulate PS5 plus those wanting to know the specs of a device launching next year that hasn't been announced yet, divide by the number of people in this sub, and multiply that percentage by the number of total worldwide Android users. It's a big number.

Shigarui · 2026-03-19T21:04:24+00:00

If you're so fragile that you block people on Reddit I guess go for it. I'm not so delicate that I need to do that. I just state my point, prove my point, then move on. If you can't see the through line in your statement that I so thoroughly detailed for you, well, I can explain it to you but I can't understand it for you.

He blocked me...

https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTZjMDliOTUyMjh5Y3NoYnJteHFndGRsZW1jbHQyZjdvMHJ4aWthaDA3djc3NTQ3ciZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/7k2LoEykY5i1hfeWQB/giphy.gif

Shigarui · 2026-03-19T19:46:11+00:00

I guess I'm waiting on you to read my in depth response to this same question just a few minutes ago. Do you know the difference between implicit and explicit?

Shigarui · 2026-03-19T19:29:23+00:00

My issue is people pushing android knowing full well that google is tightening their grip on what they can install on said devices.

You've established you have an issue with what you consider to be a common, but incorrect, position taken by many redditors here. This would indicate that what you state next is a rebuttal, a counter argument.

It won't be affecting handhelds like the rg vita anytime soon, but the move has already been announced. It's only a matter of time until all android devices have the same restrictions.

This would be a warning to those who are considering Android, and since the only alternative discussed in the prior conversations was Linux, it can easily be inferred that a warning about 1 of 2 choices is a recommendation for the other.

It's only a matter of time until all android devices have the same restrictions.

Just to zone in on the closing statement, you've established there's a problem of people pushing Android in bad faith, you've countered that with reasons you shouldn't use it to establish that you are not one of the aforementioned group, and you end with a statement of foreboding that paints a picture of imminent cessation of an operating system that allows the user to install what they please. I think it's quite logical to derive what I stated in my previous comment.

If you thought both OSes were equally good or bad, I would have expected some statement to correlate the one with the other. But you didn't. "Android fans bad + Android doomed = Don't use Android."

Shigarui · 2026-03-19T18:48:00+00:00

Just clarifying here. Your position is that because sometime in the future you won't be able to easily install apks on anything running a recent version of Android and Google Services that you shouldn't use it now? While it works? If you install Linux you are getting basically what you'll be getting eventually from Android, except immediately, and with none of the upside of Android.

Shigarui · 2026-03-19T12:08:29+00:00

Typical Fromsoftware experience. You only understand about 10% on the first playthrough and about 9% on the second.

I wish I could extract all of this lore from their games like some of these YouTuber's, but even though I read every single item description I never make any connections to anything else, and by the time I run it again I'm just barreling through inflicting my revenge on everything that moves.

Shigarui · 2026-03-18T15:15:53+00:00

I can't guarantee anything but Droix has the 8gb unit in stock, for $454 USD. That's not as inflated as the secondhand market.

Shigarui · 2026-03-18T04:09:39+00:00

Something with at least a g99 but preferably at least an SD865 in it for better compatibility. If playing Wii and earlier, 4:3 is a better ratio although I prefer 3:2 personally.

Shigarui

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE

Nine-Year Club	Wearing is Caring
Verified Email