Switchable joystick for Crazy Climber and 4-way classics like Pacman?

[robertsig]

I've been reading and I think I am running into a technical impossibility.  I need advice!

I want to build a Cocktail cabinet, but I don't need to run any games in 2 player cocktail mode.  In fact, I will use both sides as different layouts to cover as many classic arcade games as possible.

Side 1 will have dual joysticks and 5 buttons.  I hope to play 2/4-way games like Pacman, Galaxian, DK, Defender and convert the joysticks to 8-way mode for Crazy Climber. I've read horror stories that 4/8-way joysticks like the Mag-Stik Plus have such a short throw that it sounds like it would be bad for *both* of my target games!  Yes, no?

Happs doesn't seem to have any easily switchable 4/8-way joysticks, do they?  My other choice for side 1 seem to be Ultimarc J-sticks.  Would these work better?

Side 2 will have a TT2 spinner, 3 buttons and a U360 joystick. Hopefully this covers anything that needs a precision analog joystick, Tempest and some others.

Any suggestions for side 1 or side 2?  Should I just get U360's for everything?  How do the classics play with that?

[mgb]

The Sanwa JLW is nice for both 4 and 8-way. but you can't switch it from up top.
The Happ sticks really aren't good for 4-way.

Crazy Climber is a horizontal game, are you planning on running it on your vertical monitor. I know it's possible but it will be smaller.

[Nephasth]

I would suggest getting your U360 first and see how like the game play on the classics with it. If you don't like it, get the switchables, but if you do, get some more U360s. Playing the games in non-cocktail mode shouldn't be a problem, but I don't know how you would flip the screen for the games you'll be playing from the other side. It might be able to be done, but I personally don't know how to do it.

[robertsig]

The Sanwa JLW is nice for both 4 and 8-way. but you can't switch it from up top.
The Happ sticks really aren't good for 4-way.

Crazy Climber is a horizontal game, are you planning on running it on your vertical monitor. I know it's possible but it will be smaller.

I don't remember CC being a horizontal.  Its a vertical building, so I assume it was a vertical game.  'Hard to tell with MAME.

Yah, I've heard that about Happs controllers.  So the Sanwa would be good for both?  Any feedback on the Ultimarc J-sticks?

I would suggest getting your U360 first and see how like the game play on the classics with it.

I don't have any joysticks yet.  I suppose I could buy one that just fiddle with it first, but that is why I'm trying to get feedback first.

[flashiv]

According to KLOV it is horizontal.

http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=7426

[RetroBorg]

Check out this thread: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=104762.msg1152788#msg1152788

While most of them are using a MagStick you could use a Sanwa JLW.

[mgb]

Yeah CC is definately a horizontal game.
As far as I know, the J-Stick is a JLW.
JLWs are about $20 (with ball) at Lizardlick

[robertsig]

Can anyone comment on the 4-way action of the J-Stick/Sanwa JLW  vs  the shorter throw sticks like the Mag-Stik?

[mgb]

I can't comment on the Mag-stick because I've never used one but the the JLW is a great stick for 4-way (and 8-way for that matter)
I originally bought one for a customer's 60-in-1 and I very quickly bought some for myself.

[HanoiBoi]

I've got 2 Mag Stik Plus joysticks and I play Crazy Climber quite often.  I've got no problems with CC, Robotron, even Q-Bert on the diagonals.

I can't compare the Mag Stiks to anything else though as these are the only joysticks that I've had in my cab.  And at no point have I considered replacing them.

[robertsig]

Thanks mgb.  So far, it sounds like the JLW is good for my classic 4-way and 8-way games (CC to Pacman), while the U360 is good for my other needs as it is programmable and analog('ish).

I may also do a long horizontal (3rd) side to my cabinet and put in 2 players for fighting games, and my reading suggests the JLF's would be best for those.  I like the idea of having three different kinds of joysticks on each side because I want to cover as many different games as possible.

If only the UltraStik 360 had a button on top, it would make a good Tron joystick too.  I can't seem to find any analog joysticks with a fire button except a big flightstick.  I'd rather not do that.  Any suggestions there?

[Nephasth]

If only the UltraStik 360 had a button on top, it would make a good Tron joystick too.  I can't seem to find any analog joysticks with a fire button except a big flightstick.  I'd rather not do that.  Any suggestions there?

If you're handy...http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=108490.0

[robertsig]

Nice!  I'm not handy, but I'll give it a shot.

[GreatLamer]

I have Sanwa JLW but Seimitsu also offer important restrictors to their joysticks... JLW is good but not the best IMHO.

[mgb]

...JLW is good but not the best IMHO.

I'm sure there's always something better (at least for a particular use) but out of curiousity, what stick do you find better?