Abstract: A joystick controller includes a pivotally mounted joystick having a detent plate assembly having a cam surface around the perimeter of the plate, wherein the detent plate is slidably mounted on the joystick shaft for sliding translation along the shaft and wherein the lower surface of the detent plate includes an annular channel adjacent the cam surface and which is substantially centered relative to the joystick shaft, and wherein the joystick housing includes a spaced apart array of pin receiving apertures formed in its upper wall, and one or more pins which releasably mount into the pin receiving apertures so as to extend upwardly from the upper wall around the aperture, wherein the pins engage into the annular channel when the joystick shaft is deflected so that, as a pin engages against the cam surface as the shaft is deflected, and the pin slips into the annular channel.