Dedicated 4-way and 8-way Joysticks

[thecountofzero]

Hey all.

I am in the process building a new (second) control panel for my MAME machine. My current control panel has two 8-way joysticks each with 6 buttons. And as everyone on this forum knows, 8-way joysticks stink for 4-way games.

In my planning phase for this new control panel, I considered using 4-way/8-way switchable joysticks, but after narrowing it down to the Mag-Stik Plus and U360, and reading countless posts on this forum, I have come to the following decisions/conclusions.

1. The U360 is pretty cool. However, I like the sound, feel and play of a clicking old school joystick. I do not want to spend the money associated with the cost of the U360. Definitely a possibility for a 3rd control panel some time down the road.

2. The Mag-Stick Plus has too short of a throw. Or at least there are way too many complaints on here about that. I really like the ability to be able to switch between 4 and 8 way without having to get inside the cabinet. Not a bad price, but I'd really prefer to try one out before buying.

With that said, I have decided that I have enough room on the control panel to do two 8-way joysticks with 6 buttons (yes again) and also put a dedicated 4-way joystick with two buttons in the middle. I originally considered a trackball, but when I got to thinking about it, I don't play any trackball games and was only considering it because I thought it was cool and wanted to take on the task. That control panel real estate has now be allocated to the dedicated 4-way joystick and 2 button setup.

What I am asking all of you experienced/knowledgeable members is what are the best dedicated 8-way and 4-way joysticks?

It's been about 10 years since I created my MAME machine and original control panel, but I think I used Happ Ultimate Joysticks. How do those compare to the Competition or Super joysticks by Happ? Are there better alternatives? What about 4-ways?

Also, if anyone has any other suggestions, advice or ideas, I would greatly appreciate it.


Thanks in advance,
Mike

[mytymaus007]

Heres the best 4 way joystick hands down cant compare and its over 30 years old. THe Original Pacman joystick leafswitch 100% accurate bullet proof. You can search google for one and from time to time you'll see them on Ebay. Or ask around here.

[BadMouth]

Heres the best 4 way joystick hands down cant compare and its over 30 years old. THe Original Pacman joystick leafswitch 100% accurate bullet proof. You can search google for one and from time to time you'll see them on Ebay. Or ask around here.

Anyone have a source for replacement parts for these? 
I have the base out of an old pacman CP that had been converted to something else, but the joystick shaft/actuator/etc. was removed when they put a new panel over the top of it.
I tried a sanwa JLW and it just didn't feel right to me.
I think I might go to a modular cp and this would be a nice addition.

[thecountofzero]

Would this be comparable?

http://cgi.ebay.com/PAC-MAN-ARCADE-BALL-TOP-JOYSTICK-JAMMA-MAME-ARCADE-NEW-/260538111712?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ca94816e0

[boardjunkie]

Those are microswitch junk......

[Donkbaca]

I think those are happ supers modified with a ball top and a physical 4 way restrictor.

the "best" joystick is sort of like asking someone who makes the best tacos in town. Its really subjective.  The old sticks were physically restricted leaf switches. As far as I know nobody is making leaf joysticks anymore, so you can try to find an old one and clean it up and restore it, or just get a 4 way, physically restricted stick like the one they sell at ggg

http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=340

[boardjunkie]

Heres the best 4 way joystick hands down cant compare and its over 30 years old. THe Original Pacman joystick leafswitch 100% accurate bullet proof. You can search google for one and from time to time you'll see them on Ebay. Or ask around here.

WE HAVE A WINNER! Those old metal Midway sticks are THE FINEST joysticks ever made. Flawless performance for 4 way games and a rock solid feel. I have those in just about all of my arcade games. Wico leaf sticks are real nice too (they are available in a 4 way version), but they pale in comparison to the metal ones. FWIW, Exidy also used those in games like Mouserap. Anyone know who made these? I've been trying to figure this out for 20 years. Closest I came was the possibility that an early incarnation of Happ Controls may have fabricated those.

For the record, the metal sticks are (were) available in an 8 way version also. Bosconian, Lazarian, and some other Midway games used the 8 way version.

I have a box full of these and parts for them. I'll prolly be buried with them........

[mgb]

I like Sanwa JLWs. They are great for both 4 and 8-way.