is a senior reporter who’s been covering and reviewing the latest gadgets and tech since 2006, but has loved all things electronic since he was a kid.
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Retro Games, a company known for its upgraded revivals of iconic ‘80s and ‘90s era computers, including the Commodore 64 and Amiga, has announced that it’s bringing back another accessory from the same era. If you grew up gaming before the NES hit the US, you were probably using (or drooling over) the Quickshot II. Now, you can get a recreation of the popular controller for £29.99, or around $40. It is expected to be available starting on January 30th, 2026.
The new version of the Quickshot II, created through a partnership between Retro Games and Plaion Replai, carries forward the aviation-inspired joystick design that was frequently used in controllers before Nintendo’s first console helped popularize gamepads. Its ergonomics may look a little outdated now, but the Quickshot II’s large contoured handle was more comfortable than previous versions, and it introduced a trigger alongside its top-mounted button, replicating the controls found on many arcade machines at the time.
There’s no wireless functionality, but the new Quickshot II has six extra buttons and carries forward the original’s suction cup base. Image: Retro Games
This revamped Quickshot II looks nearly identical to the original, but with the addition of six more buttons on its base that can be remapped to accommodate modern titles, although the controller is probably best suited for playing simpler retro titles. The joystick now features a “floating ball-joint design” for smoother movement, but still relies on microswitches for detecting inputs.
The original version’s now-antiquated DE-9 connector has been replaced with USB and plug-and-play compatibility with PCs and consoles, but two retro features have been preserved. There’s still a switch on the base to temporarily activate an auto-fire mode, and on the underside of the Quickshot II you’ll find suction cups to keep it securely perched on a desk, even during intense gaming sessions.