TheQuickshot II brings back a beloved classic with a powerful new design
Retro Games Ltd., together with PLAION REPLAI, has brought back a true classic. They have announced THEQUICKSHOT II, a modern version of one of the most loved joysticks from the old home-computer days. This new model keeps the famous shape and feel of the original Quickshot II but updates it with strong modern parts and simple USB support. It aims to bring the same joy to today’s players that it gave to gamers in the 1980s and 1990s.
For many players in those early years, the Quickshot II was not just another controller. It was the controller everyone wanted. Its flight-stick style and bright red trigger made it easy to spot and even easier to remember. It worked with so many popular home computers that it became a big part of gaming history. From the Commodore 64 to the ZX Spectrum, and from the Amstrad CPC to the Amiga, almost every retro platform had players using a Quickshot II.
The new THEQUICKSHOT II keeps that same retro charm but adds better comfort and modern performance. It comes with eight buttons, including two main fire buttons and six extra function buttons. Retro Games Ltd. has also added a floating ball-joint system, which helps the stick move smoothly in all eight directions. Every button and direction uses microswitches for sharp and clean control, something players today will appreciate just as much as fans did decades ago.
An auto-fire switch, which was one of the most exciting features in the classic model, is also back. This makes it easier for players to enjoy fast-paced action and go for high scores. The grip has been shaped to feel comfortable even during long gaming sessions, and the suction cups on the base keep the joystick steady on flat surfaces, making single-hand play easier.
Because the original THEQuickshot II worked on so many machines, its legacy grew with time. It became the controller that helped define the gaming feel of the Commodore 64, especially for well-known games like Summer Games, International Karate, Impossible Mission, and Uridium. Spectrum players also trusted it for games that needed very precise movement. On the Amiga, the joystick stayed popular as games became more fast-moving and detailed.
Paul Andrews, Managing Director at Retro Games Ltd., shared that the team wanted to honour everything the classic joystick stood for. He said the original Quickshot II gave players a strong and immersive feel, and the new version carries that same spirit while making it reliable for modern use. He sees it as a piece of gaming history returning for long-time fans and new players who will experience it for the first time.
THEQUICKSHOT II pricing and availability
THEQUICKSHOT II is now open for pre-orders at £29.99 and will be released on 30 January 2026. For retro gamers and new players alike, this is a simple and joyful way to bring classic arcade-style fun into today’s gaming world.
