Nyko Classic TrackBall PS-80072

Archie
Site Admin
Posts: 144
Joined: 31 Jan 2019 15:27

Nyko Classic TrackBall PS-80072

Post by Archie » 29 Jan 2023 21:26

Ball size: 21/4" (56.53mm)
Interface: PSX
Year: 1998

Image


Device was designed for the first Sony PlayStation, and is also compatible with PlayStation 2 and PSX. As far as I know, it is the only trackball ever manufactured for PlayStation platform. So, using the word "classic" in its name apparently was justified not by long previous history of success, but by Sony's desire to re-release classic arcade games (like Centipede etc) for PlayStation. Interestingly, despite large amount of units produced I was unable to find any pictures of its internals on the net.

According to the maker's history page, the company started with obtaining the license from Sony to produce compatible gadgets: 1996. Nyko Technologies Inc. was officially formed by Herschel Naghi and receives the Sony® license for several PlayStation® accessories. Later, the accessories for other gaming platforms were added to the portfolio, that now also includes the headsets.

Image Image

Image Image


Typical "2 shafts / 5 ball bearings" scheme is implemented. It was claimed this device is based on Atari system, or even its molds - but as long as stand-alone trackballs are concerned, it doesn't seems to be correct: both CX-22 and CX-80 looks totally different inside:
Spoiler
Show
Image Image
Left- and right-side buttons are connected in parallel, so logically it's a 2-button device, with provision to be equally accessible with either hand. The buttons are of rubber dome kind, so they're not clicky. The mechanics have relatively rough feel: shafts are not polished, and in combination with thin-walled casing it makes the device quite noisy. Labelling is done with printed color stickers glued to the case, so overal impression is a "nothing to phone home about", on par with cheap Chinese stuffs. On the other hand, 696CV ball bearings made by NSK are of high quality, and don't even require oil change. Only one side have a shield (in assembled state, inner one), making them easy to service.

Image Image


Device uses Microchip PIC16C62 controller. Funny enough, its factory marking is scraped off almost completely in attempt to hide it - but PCB have "16C62" silk-screened next to the IC. Quadrature sensors are looking like DIY thing, made from pieces of raw PCB material soldered together. Calculated resolution is 228 PPR (32 CPI).

Connector pinout:

Image Image


The NYKO Chooses Video Game Expo To Launch NewPlayStation "Classics" Accessory article published in the magazine of 1998 "World Of Atari" event in Las Vegas, where the PS-80072 was first represented:
https://trackballs.eu/media/Nyko/World ... 2, p20.pdf

Early reviews:
https://www.psillustrated.com/psillustr ... ation.html
https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/08/20 ... ic-control

Out of curiosity I've connected it via PlayStation to USB converter, designed for PS controllers. Windows recognized it, but ball movement was converted to Z-axis and Z-rotation instead of X and Y. L and R buttons were detected as buttons 8 and 7 respectively, and moving "Turbo" slide switch to the "On" position made them auto-repeat the clicks continuously.

Image Image


Device could easily be converted to the 4-button computer pointing device by controller replacement and proper polishing of shafts. The buttons are a bit too far apart, so simultaneous clicking of LMB+RMB would not be convenient - but in general the device seems to be suitable for ordinary use.

Factory packaging:
Spoiler
Show
Image Image

Image Image
Manufacturer's old and new logos:

Image Image