But weren't 2600 joysticks the most unresponsive, blister-inducing joysticks ever? But that aside, I can definitely relate to your problem... my hate-hate relationship with joypads started with the stupid little card that came with the Sega Master System; thinking "why oh why isn't this a proper stick?!?" - frankly I'm amazed that they've taken over like they have, I guess that's what 15 years of domination by Japanese consoles will get you.
What I did once, and I know this isn't for everyone, but I got a genuine old 8-bit era joystick from a pawn shop and a cheap PC gamepad, pulled the guts out of the gamepad and wired it into the switches of the joystick... hey presto...
Of course nothing beats a good solid arcade stick and buttons, mounted securely on a a big heavy thing of some sort.
What I did once, and I know this isn't for everyone, but I got a genuine old 8-bit era joystick from a pawn shop and a cheap PC gamepad, pulled the guts out of the gamepad and wired it into the switches of the joystick... hey presto...
Of course nothing beats a good solid arcade stick and buttons, mounted securely on a a big heavy thing of some sort.