With the recently released Microsoft Flight Simulator On Xbox Series X|S, now is the best time to buy flight joysticks for game consoles. As you might imagine, there are many third-party manufacturers willing to sell flight joysticks to you. But where is the fun in this?
If you have a carefully adjusted 3D printer, you can Print and assemble this joystick [Akaki Kuumeri] Directly stuck on the Xbox controller. The outstanding design utilizes the power of a 3D printer to produce flexible mechanisms or bending parts, and you don’t even need any springs or fasteners to complete the assembly.
The free version of Thingiverse only allows you to move the analog stick on the right side of the controller, but If you are willing to spend $30 on the full version, The joystick includes additional levers connected to the face and shoulder buttons of the controller for more immersive control. There is even a throttle on the left side of the controller, but it is optional if you want to save printing time.
If you want to learn more about the idea behind the joystick, [Akaki] I’m happy to introduce you to the more refined parts of the design in the video below. But the short version uses a curved part at the bottom of the joystick to open up space for the mechanical linkage for all other buttons.
This is not the first time [Akaki] 3D printed parts have been used to adjust the console controller for use in the flight simulator. A simplified version of this concept uses ball-and-socket joints to move the Xbox’s analog joystick, and he even turned the PlayStation DualShock into an impressive flying stand that you can clamp on the table.