Pengo - Rebuild joystick or buy new one ?

ScumBum

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The joystick on my Pengo is sloppy as hell . I picked up a new grommet from klov member generic and it did improve , but still sucks .

Are there other parts I can replace to try and rebuild this joystick , or should I just buy a new one from Bob Roberts ?

I've never messed with rebuilding a joystick .
 
Ensure the switches' prongs are all straight like the one I sent you.

If you don't feel ready to tackle rebuilding it, just buy a new one and let someone else do it.
 
All depends what kind of joystick you've got.. The couple pengos I've played, one being HUO all used a 4" red ball wico joystick.

If its still sloppy after a new grommet.. Your gonna need a few parts:
New actuator
New leaves if beat up
New top and or bottom halves of joystick base
Possibly a new stick if yours is worn badly on the shaft

Post a pic.
 
Buy new, sounds like too much is wrong with what you have. The original stick is a slim red balltop leaf. If this is what you have and you can't find a new one to buy, then I'd reconsider and try to restore the one you have unless the actual base where the shaft connects is all egged from wear and abuse. These sticks have a smaller red ball on the top than the main ones sold. I believe an original Dig Dug would also have this smaller top controller.
 
I'll post some pics later .

That leaf switch joystick from groovygamegear looks pretty good .
 
I'll post some pics later .

That leaf switch joystick from groovygamegear looks pretty good .

I have one in my possession and it's not a full sized joystick. Much more like a cocktail size, or scramble sized stick.
 
Be careful of the slim leaf joystick from GGG, its mounting holes are non-standard and do not line up with most games. I brought this to their attention nicely and was met with nothing but arrogance and negativity. It is also way overpriced for what it is ($18).

LeafPro_MED.jpg
 
I have two leaf pros from groovy game gear installed in a sega cocktail and they are small and work great. For a full size upright- I agree, I wouldn't use them. They are like a 3/4 size Wico.

I have one in my possession and it's not a full sized joystick. Much more like a cocktail size, or scramble sized stick.
 
I just pulled my Pengo manual and looked up the joystick.

Page 31. Item Number 17. Joystick 4-way Long Shaft

Which refers to a 4" red ball shaft found in robotrons or it could also be the long skinny shaft found in frogger and other Sega games. But like I said before, my buddy has a documented HUO (cereal contest winner) Pengo, its got a 4" red ball wico.. Another buddy has a routed one, but its original.. Also has a 4" stick..

So there ya go.. Rebuild what you have or buy a shaft from Wolfee and rebuild your base.. As fresh Wico's are a hell of a lot better than a Asian knockoff or micro switch joy..
 
if you don't mind the color, 4' light blue and violets can be found. If you are looking for red then that's going to cost a bundle or be very HTF.
 
if you don't mind the color, 4' light blue and violets can be found. If you are looking for red then that's going to cost a bundle or be very HTF.

Why not just buy the repro 4" stick (if you don't mind the larger Robotron size), then get an NOS base w leaf switches?
 
Wow every part on that joystick is worn to hell except the grommet. The shaft appears to be the thinner long shaft with the small red ball common on early Sega games or are the pictures misleading?
 
I've got the parts to make u an almost new joy.. Shoot me a pm if your interested.

Thanks for the parts , installed them the other day .

Holy Crap !! What a difference , its like having a rusty $100 car from the junk yard to a Brand New Expensive Porsche !

Super Smooth , accurate gamplay .

I'm not putting up with a worn out joystick again .

My Pengo still has a sound issue though . With the volume knob all the way down , the sound is still pretty loud and turning up the knob only makes it louder . I have read other Pengos had this problem . So I replaced the volume pot with a brand new one , but it did not fix the sound problem , its exactly the same . So it must be a problem with the game PCB ??

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Glad the stick worked out for you.. Your old one was shot.. Having a new stick is like starting from the beginning with a new game :)
 
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