Good games for joysticks

[Pabstblueribbon]

I had a hell of a haul at goodwill the other day, and one thing I got was a Saitek Cyborg Graphite joystick. I have never owned a decent joystick, nor have I really played any games that require one. What do you all recommend I try? More specifically, I am looking for some kind of third person space shooter that doesnt have a billion controls to remember (like x-wing/tie fighter), or a good racing game that a joystick would be appropriate for. I'm open to any suggestions though.

[BoringSupreez]

The only PC games that use joysticks that I can think of are the Flight Simulator games.

[Erik_Twice]

I think no game has used a joystick better than Space Harrier, the console ports don't make it justice. Fire it up in MAME and be amazed.

One of the niches PC had was access to the best Mechwarrior experience. Mechwarrior 4 is a great game and free and running it with a joystick instead of your mouse is really, really fun.

I can only give you titles when it comes to Space Shooters. In the end, it's a "dead" genre nowadays and the best titles are old. Some mention Privateer 2 as one of the best around. X3 is one of the few modern titles of the genre and is cheap so you can check it out. Sorry if I can't be of more help.

[Pabstblueribbon]

ahh, never thought to try Mechwarrior! great suggestion, i'm all over that right now.

edit: and free is NEVER bad!

[RyaNtheSlayA]

Wipeout would be excellent for a joystick as long as it has a little nub at the top you can use for airbrakes.

[Hatta]

Freespace 2!

[fastbilly1]

Almost all flight sims are infinitely better with a stick - there are a couple made for a mouse and a joystick just buggers it up. And like previously stated the Mech experience is enhanced with one - even better is a stick AND a trackball (and/or pedals).

GoG games that are better with a stick:
Descent 1&2 - http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/descent_1_descent_2
Descent 3 - http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/descent_3_expansion
Freespace - http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/freespace_expansion
Freespace 2 - http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/freespace_2
IL2 Sturmovik - http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/il_2_sturmovik_1946
Red Baron - http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/red_baron_pack

Two I havent tested since they are helicopter games:
http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/apache_vs_havoc
http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/comanche_vs_hokum

And two free Mechgames - just know there is a heavy learning curve but once you get it it is awesome:
Mechwarrior 4 - http://www.mektek.net/projects/mw4/
Mechwarrior 2.5/Assault tech - http://www.mektek.net/projects/at1/promo/

But if you really want a good experience, go buy Crysis or Crysis Warhead and install Mechwarrior Living Legends:
http://www.mechlivinglegends.net/
Madcat footage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnPTWPVYxP4

And that little nub is called a hat

[RyaNtheSlayA]

The Mechwarrior Living Legends mod is the best reason to own Crysis. I used to have so much fun with it.

[fastbilly1]

The Mechwarrior Living Legends mod is the best reason to own Crysis. I used to have so much fun with it.

rephrase that - it is the ONLY reason to own Crysis.

Im borrowing two Wii balance boards from friends just so I dont have to buy pedals for playing it. Its going to be sweet

[MrPopo]

There's also Independence War on GOG, but I haven't had a chance to play it yet.