Speed-Link and Individual Computers revive a true classic!
Date 30-Sep-2006 20:41:45
Topic: Hardware News
| Weertzen, September 2006 - Video game pioneers know it - the COMPETITION PRO for Commodore 64 (C64) and Amiga systems won the hearts of the gaming community in the eighties and soon became the most successful joystick of all times. It's extreme durability and the characteristic clicking of the microswitches ensured its brand recognition.
It's back now! In cooperation with Individual Computers, SPEED-LINK now re-creates the joystick in its classic form: The Competition Pro with a plug for Commodore, Amiga, Atari, Amstrad/Schneider CPC and MSX Systems.
When the Competition Pro was re-released for normal PCs in 2004, the main target was to be true to the original. The design was 100% adopted and characteristics like microswitches, metal stick and the choice of colours are identical. All these details paid off: The SPEED-LINK Competition Pro USB was a huge success.
"As a result of the attention that the re-release of the SPEED-LINK Competition Pro USB has attracted, we received many requests for the original version with a plug for the systems of the eighties. We learned that there are many people who still own the old systems like the Commodore 64." says Michael Eisenblätter, CEO of Jöllenbeck GmbH. "This led to the idea of reviving the old Competition Pro. The final impulse for putting the project into practice was given by the cooperation with Individual Computers. They have a lot of experience in the field of retro-computing and were of great help in realizing this project."
Jens Schönfeld of Individual Computers comments: "My personal reason for pushing this project forward is that there's hardly any supply of used Competition Pro joysticks for the C64. Even the best joysticks have to be replaced after 20 years of hard use. Owners of a working Competition Pro would not part with it. More and more people are digging out their C64s and start the old games that - despite block-graphics - have at least the same fun-factor as today's photo-realistic PC games. As a direct result, prices on eBay reach outrageous numbers. This is a very good base for a successful re-launch of a high-quality product."
More details:
A real classic, an icon of Retro-Gaming
for connection to retro-systems like Amiga, C64, Amstrad/Schneider CPC, Atari, MSX
six microswitches, two axles, four firebuttons
upper firebuttons can be switched off
cable length of two metres (6 ft.)
Powered by Individual Computers, the experts for retro-hardware
The SPEED-LINK Competition Pro powered by Individual Computers will be available starting mid-october. The recommended retail price is 12,99 EUR (prices may differ locally due to VAT differencies). Individual Computers is the exclusive distributor for this product.
For more information:
Jöllenbeck GmbH
Kathrin Bachmann
Kreuzberg 2 - 27404 Weertzen
Tel: +49 (0)4287 1251 13
www.speed-link.com
Individual Computers
Jens Schönfeld
Roermonder Str. 228 - 52072 Aachen
Tel +49 (0)241 12077
www.ami.ga
About Jöllenbeck
Jöllenbeck GmbH is one of Europe's leading manufacturers of office and entertainment peripherals. Since its formation, Jöllenbeck has positioned itself very successfully in the PC, video gaming console and handheld accessories market. The product portfolio of its own brand SPEED-LINK includes sound systems, headsets, mice, mouse mats, keyboards, gamepads joysticks and various other accessories. SPEED-LINK products impress with their novel technology combined with design excellence and outstanding functionality. Jöllenbeck can be found with SPEED-LINK in more than 30 countries throughout Europe.
About Individual Computers
Individual Computers was founded 1994 by Jens Schönfeld. The entrepreneur has two employees and specializes in computer systems of the eighties and early nineties. The Catweasel series of controllers improve the performance of emulators and is also used in professional forensic labs on a regular basis. Hardware products made in Germany for Commodore 64 and Amiga are available through a worldwide reseller network.
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