Cocktail Cabinet - Should I use 4 or 8 way Joystick?

[xmrkite]

Hello, I am building a cocktail cabinet and am going to put 2 players and 2 buttons each. I am wondering if I should get an 8 way or a 4 way joystick.

What are the pros and cons. I'm leaning towards the 4 way stick as the old classics are all 4 way, but if I go with a 4 way stick, what big games would i not be able to play?

-Thanks

[Osirus23]

I've never had a problem playing 4-way games with an 8-way stick, but YMMV. With an 8-way you can use it for later classics like Gaplus (Galaga 3).

[opt2not]

...and if you like SHMUPS, an 8-way is better. My suggestion would be to see if a switchable joystick would fit your needs - for example the Mag Stik, or Omni Stik.

[leapinlew]

I've never had a problem playing 4-way games with an 8-way stick

This sounds impossible to me that you haven't noticed. Have you played Ms Pacman? All those 4 way games handle diagonal inputs differently. Ms. Pacman freezes until you recenter the joystick and push in one of the cardinal directions. Mr. Do freezes too.

Assuming the orientation of the monitor is vertical, I'd go with a 4 way restricted joystick to give an authentic feel.

[8lords]

I've never had a problem playing 4-way games with an 8-way stick

This sounds impossible to me that you haven't noticed. Have you played Ms Pacman? All those 4 way games handle diagonal inputs differently. Ms. Pacman freezes until you recenter the joystick and push in one of the cardinal directions. Mr. Do freezes too.

Assuming the orientation of the monitor is vertical, I'd go with a 4 way restricted joystick to give an authentic feel.

Thanks for the info.