Let joy(sticks) be unconfined! The Quickshot II, one of the most beloved joyaticks of the 16 and 8-bit home computer era is making a return next year, in the modernized form of THEQuickshot II!
Retro Games Ltd. has teamed up with PLAION REPLAI to create a modern reimagining of the classicQuickshot II joystick, to be called THEQuickShot II.
Retro Games Ltd. says of the Quickshot II, that for “millions of players in the 1980s and early 1990s, the Quickshot II wasn’t just a controller, it was the controller. Its flight-stick profile and signature red trigger made it a ubiquitous presence across the most important gaming platforms of the time. Decades later, it remains instantly recognisable and deeply nostalgic for retro fans worldwide.”
Of course, being designed for use with modern systems, THEQuickshot II eschews the original model’s 9-pin plug in favor of a USB connection.
Key features of THEQuickshot II include: eight action and feature buttons, including two fire buttons and six function buttons for full game-pad functionality; a loating ball-joint design enabling smooth, precise eight-way circular movement; all-microswitch construction for every directional input and fire button, ensuring accuracy and responsiveness; an auto-fire switch; an ergonomic grip designed for extended comfort; stabilising suction cups for confident single-handed control on flat surfaces; compatibility with with most USB-based computer systems and retro gaming platforms; and a generous 1.8m USB-A cable, ideal for contemporary gaming setups.
Of course, THEQuickshot II will be ideal for use with Retro Games Ltd.’s own modern home computer recreations, such as THESpectrum, and THEA1200, on which we have previously reported. THEQuickshot II will also be ideal for using eith emulators of classic home computers, making it a must for fans of these formats who are looking to make their retro home computing gaming even more authentic.
“The original Quickshot II is one of the most recognizable controllers of the home-computer era. For so many of us, it was our first taste of truly immersive gameplay, it was a controller that felt powerful, precise, and built for arcade-style action. With THEQUICKSHOT II, we wanted to honor that legacy while enhancing it for the modern player. This new version stays true to the spirit of the original, right down to its distinctive ergonomics, but adds the reliability and functionality expected today. It’s a piece of gaming history, reborn for the players who remember it, and for those about to discover it,” said Paul Andrews, Managing Director at Retro Games Ltd.
THEQuickshot II is now available to pre-order priced at £29.99, prior to its release next month, on January 30th, 2026.
