Author Topic: 4-way joystick for x-arcade (Read 9225 times)

Diet_Pepsi · « **on:** August 20, 2011, 02:55:22 pm »

Hi -- I would like to replace the joystick in an x-arcade solo with a good 4-way for playing pacman, donkey kong, etc.

Would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks!!

ark_ader · « **Reply #1 on:** August 20, 2011, 07:59:05 pm »

Open the bottom and change the restrictor to 4 way.

mgb · « **Reply #2 on:** August 20, 2011, 10:28:19 pm »

If the X-arcade sticks are like Happs where the actuator gets flipped upside down, It may be better to swap out the stick to a dedicated 4-way.
It looks like the xarcade sticks use standard bases, so it shouldn't be a big deal as long as clearance allows.

Diet_Pepsi · « **Reply #3 on:** August 21, 2011, 10:38:19 am »

Thanks for the feedback.

I am already using a modded x-arcade dual controller that I picked up on e-bay for ~$95. I'm not sure what sticks are in there as I didn't do the work, but they are excellent 8-ways (the person that modded the stick clearly knew what he/she was doing).

I have now rediscovered ms. pacman and as I get better and the game gets faster I find that the 8-way configuration doesn't cut it. I do still play 8-way games as well so I don't want to have to open up my unit every time I want to play ms pacman.

So I am thinking about picking up another used x-arcade unit and replacing the stock stick with a dedicated 4-way. I have done some research and am liking this option from Tornado Terry's -- they have a dedicated 4-way ms pacman replica stick about 3/4 of the way down this page:

http://www.tornadoterrys.com/surplus.htm

Does anyone have experience with this joystick?

mgb · « **Reply #4 on:** August 21, 2011, 01:36:20 pm »

Or you can also look at the dedicated 4-way leaf switch joys from Groovy Game Gear. or Sanwa JLWs in 4-way mode are awesome.

Show some pics of whats in your current x arcade, and you should be able to get 'em identified here.

markrvp · « **Reply #5 on:** August 21, 2011, 01:58:12 pm »

The joysticks from Tornado Terry should pop right in. Terry is a great guy and I highly recommend him.

Quote from: Diet_Pepsi on August 21, 2011, 10:38:19 am

Thanks for the feedback.

I am already using a modded x-arcade dual controller that I picked up on e-bay for ~$95. I'm not sure what sticks are in there as I didn't do the work, but they are excellent 8-ways (the person that modded the stick clearly knew what he/she was doing).

I have now rediscovered ms. pacman and as I get better and the game gets faster I find that the 8-way configuration doesn't cut it. I do still play 8-way games as well so I don't want to have to open up my unit every time I want to play ms pacman.

So I am thinking about picking up another used x-arcade unit and replacing the stock stick with a dedicated 4-way. I have done some research and am liking this option from Tornado Terry's -- they have a dedicated 4-way ms pacman replica stick about 3/4 of the way down this page:

http://www.tornadoterrys.com/surplus.htm

Does anyone have experience with this joystick?

mytymaus007 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 21, 2011, 03:33:40 pm »

This is what you want. I did exactly what you did and wasnt satisfied. If you buy Terry's 4 way which is a modded HAPP 4 way (decent) but doesnt get the job done. The way the shaft is designed you have 2 settings to lower or higher to your preference. Pacman is better lower. One problem when you lower it you'll need to cut a hole in the bottom of the Xarcade because it wont fit. After cutting hole it still doesnt feel right because when the shaft is lower it feels very stiff to move. The best single option is to buy and original Bally/midway 4 way leaf switch and connect it to ipac or anyother encoder and mount into a box (control panel) if you cant build one search for blank control panels.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MS-Pacman-Arcade-Game-Orig-Control-Panel-and-Joystick-/270798460355?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f0cd895c3

mytymaus007 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 21, 2011, 06:16:51 pm »

Quote from: mytymaus007 on August 21, 2011, 03:33:40 pm

This is what you want. I did exactly what you did and wasnt satisfied. If you buy Terry's 4 way which is a modded HAPP 4 way (decent) but doesnt get the job done. The way the shaft is designed you have 2 settings to lower or higher to your preference. Pacman is better lower. One problem when you lower it you'll need to cut a hole in the bottom of the Xarcade because it wont fit. After cutting hole it still doesnt feel right because when the shaft is lower it feels very stiff to move. The best single option is to buy and original Bally/midway 4 way leaf switch and connect it to ipac or anyother encoder and mount into a box (control panel) if you cant build one search for blank control panels.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MS-Pacman-Arcade-Game-Orig-Control-Panel-and-Joystick-/270798460355?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f0cd895c3

Here is a better one http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ms-Pacman-Video-Arcade-Game-CONTROL-PANEL-Atlanta-/390340774054?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5ae21f88a6

mgb · « **Reply #8 on:** August 21, 2011, 10:16:54 pm »

Yeah but won't something like the GGG 4-way leaf or a Sanwa JLW fit?
in the video shown, it appears to be a comp (or similar) in there. I don't think these other sticks are deeper.

I thought what the op wants to do is just swap the stick in the x arcade, not build another panel.
Though I agree that a pacman stick is the best choice.

boardjunkie · « **Reply #9 on:** August 22, 2011, 10:17:30 am »

A real Pacman stick in *good* condition is the best choice. But....they can be real worn as far as the red sleeve that goes over the stick just under the ball top due to the top metal plate acting as one restrictor. The rubber centering grommet can be hosed as well. You may need to buy 2 or 3 of them just to get parts to build 1 good one. Plus, they aren't designed to be mounted into a wooden panel. The stick itself is fairly short, so this is generally a losing battle.

I would get a Wico 4 way leaf switch stick (NOS preferably) and call it a day. They work great and will drop right in to his X arcade thingy. I know...I have one in my X arcade. Actually its not a regular X arcade since I bought only the empty wood box from them and put my own stuff in it.

http://www.quarterarcade.com/Game.aspx/4246

Spendy from them, but if ya gotta have it *now*, they have 'em.

Diet_Pepsi · « **Reply #10 on:** August 22, 2011, 01:09:37 pm »

Thanks for all of the input!

I'm not sure that I can go the authentic route -- I'm on thin ice with the wife as it is. She already doesn't understand why I am interested in this hobby and more parts would cause problems.

I am flexible in terms of joystick feel and am happy with the joystick that I have now but what bothers me is the instability of the 8-way configuration in 4-way games.

Would the Wico stick would be better than Terry's option? Spending an extra $20 doesn't really bother me as long as the value is there.

Diet_Pepsi · « **Reply #11 on:** August 22, 2011, 04:30:06 pm »

Would this option fit?

http://www.mikesarcade.com/cgi-bin/store.pl?sku=JOYRBLS4W8W

Diet_Pepsi · « **Reply #12 on:** August 22, 2011, 05:03:09 pm »

Never mind -- they are out of stock.

I've ordered the WICO and will let you know.

Thanks again

boardjunkie · « **Reply #13 on:** August 23, 2011, 11:11:16 am »

You won't be sorry. The Wico 4 way works great. Keep in mind you may need to adjust the leaf switches for optimum performance. The way to do it on a 4 way is, when going through the directions in a circular fashion, no 2 adjacent switches should be closed at the same time. So, while following the "diamond" restricted pattern, when one switch *just barely* opens, the next one should *just* close. That way you get the best sensitivity without 2 switches closing at the same time and screwing up input to the computer.

Diet_Pepsi · « **Reply #14 on:** August 27, 2011, 08:55:16 pm »

I had some spare time this afternoon so I decided to open up my x-arcade dual to see what was in there. Can someone help to ID?

I will post more updates once I receive the WICO.

Thanks!

mgb · « **Reply #15 on:** August 28, 2011, 09:05:43 am »

Thats a happ (or IL) competition.
worst stick for 4-way games. Where some happ sticks have a so-called 4-way feature where you can flip the actuator, the comp is strictly eight way.
personally I like them for 8-way games but they are not very good for 4-way games like pacman.

boardjunkie · « **Reply #16 on:** August 28, 2011, 03:15:31 pm »

There is no good 8 way for 4 way games....

mgb · « **Reply #17 on:** August 28, 2011, 04:24:50 pm »

Quote from: boardjunkie on August 28, 2011, 03:15:31 pm

There is no good 8 way for 4 way games....

I know that, but to me, the comps are particularly bad for them

TPB · « **Reply #18 on:** August 29, 2011, 09:04:47 pm »

Quote from: mgb on August 28, 2011, 09:05:43 am

Thats a happ (or IL) competition.
worst stick for 4-way games. Where some happ sticks have a so-called 4-way feature where you can flip the actuator, the comp is strictly eight way.

In my X-arcade user manual, it had instructions for opening up the case, and changing the restrictor on the joysticks from the default 8 way mode, to 4 way mode.

I've never opened it up, so I can't vouch for whether the sticks actually have a 4 way restrictor setting. But the user manual said they do.

mgb · « **Reply #19 on:** August 29, 2011, 09:43:32 pm »

it looks like the op x arcade may have had the stick changed. I may be wrong, but I believe the sticks that are normally in the x arcades are more like a happ super, where you can flip over the actuator for a so-called 4-way mode. its not a true restricted 4-way mode, meaning you can still move the stick diagonaly but the actuator won't activate more than one switch at a time.
the stick that the op shows is strictly an 8-way stick. that actuator can not be turned over for 4-way.

BadMouth · « **Reply #20 on:** August 29, 2011, 09:59:07 pm »

Quote from: mgb on August 29, 2011, 09:43:32 pm

it looks like the op x arcade may have had the stick changed. I may be wrong, but I believe the sticks that are normally in the x arcades are more like a happ super, where you can flip over the actuator for a so-called 4-way mode. its not a true restricted 4-way mode, meaning you can still move the stick diagonaly but the actuator won't activate more than one switch at a time.
the stick that the op shows is strictly an 8-way stick. that actuator can not be turned over for 4-way.

Yeah, the actuator on the x-arcade sticks is a cylinder with a large and small side.
They come shipped with the large side making contact with the switches, so it can activate two at once (diagonals).
Flip it over and the small side makes contact with the switches, but it's small enough that it can only be activating one switch at a time.

Like mgb said though, there is no restriction though. The stick can still move in a big circle.

Diet_Pepsi · « **Reply #21 on:** September 01, 2011, 01:57:03 am »

So the WICO stick showed up today. I also acquired a stock x-arcade unit. I popped open the unit and I was able to remove the stock stick pretty easily and it looks like the WICO will fit right in. I was hoping to finish the project this evening but the bolts that come with the x-arcade are too thick to fit through the holes in the WICO.

I will have to go pick up some narrower nuts and bolts tomorrow.

One question -- based on what I am seeing the only way that I am thinking I can adjust the leaf switches is to bend them -- am I missing something?

ps -- just for fun I plugged in the stock unit and gave it a test drive before I opened it up (I have never used stock x-arcade sticks). I have to say that the Happs that I have in my modded unit are FAR SUPERIOR to the stock x-arcade sticks. I always thought there would be a difference but I had no idea it would be this pronounced...

mgb · « **Reply #22 on:** September 01, 2011, 07:50:55 am »

Yeah, I've never tried the xarcade sticks, but I've heard alot of complaints about the sticks being sloppy.

For adjusting leaf switches, its hard to explain the adjustment, but its kinda like bending them but further in. I can't explain it well but maybe someone else here can.
also you can google how to adjust leaf switches. usually pinball sites will have good info on this. there is actually a tool available for this but you can manage without it.

boardjunkie · « **Reply #23 on:** September 01, 2011, 09:15:31 am »

Yes, to adjust a leaf switch you need to bend the metal "leaf" parts. This is the "proper" tool to do it:
http://cf.mp-cdn.net/a8/f7/c31cde9737a65165e7b414e40488.jpg

But, you can make do with small needlenose pliers or hemostats. Just bend the switch tabs at the plastic part that holds the metal parts together. The blade of the switch must remain straight.

Diet_Pepsi · « **Reply #24 on:** September 03, 2011, 02:05:56 pm »

The joystick is finally in and fully adjusted -- it is awesome! The stick is a little stiff but I am guessing it will loosen up a over time.

In any event, I beat my ms pac-man hi score on the first try.

Thanks for the help!!

boardjunkie · « **Reply #25 on:** September 03, 2011, 03:12:12 pm »

You can get softer less stiff centering grommets via ebay in the form of X men sticks. They were real Wico 8 ways, but had micro switches and the floppy grommet. I use these in all my Wicos as I hate the super stiff ones.

http://www.classicarcadeonline.com/arcadepartsjoysticks.html

Try that guy....under the "micro switch joysticks" The softer grommets usually have a gold colored insert where the stick goes thru. The price is certainly right. There are several that look like they have the part you need.

mgb · « **Reply #26 on:** September 03, 2011, 05:27:07 pm »

Quote from: boardjunkie on September 03, 2011, 03:12:12 pm

You can get softer less stiff centering grommets via ebay in the form of X men sticks. They were real Wico 8 ways, but had micro switches and the floppy grommet. I use these in all my Wicos as I hate the super stiff ones.

http://www.classicarcadeonline.com/arcadepartsjoysticks.html

Try that guy....under the "micro switch joysticks" The softer grommets usually have a gold colored insert where the stick goes thru. The price is certainly right. There are several that look like they have the part you need.

I looked at this link and it looks like a great stock of sticks for some good prices. but I noticed up top it says that he is closed as some time in 2009, although I see the page header shows up as Mikes Arcade which I know is not closed.
any way here is the link to Mike Arcades centering grommets. I bought a couple of these not too long ago but haven't tried them yet. I believe they may be the softer ones because they have the gold center.
http://www.mikesarcade.com/cgi-bin/store.pl

edit: for some reason the link goes to the home page. just search for centering grommet there.

boardjunkie · « **Reply #27 on:** September 04, 2011, 11:24:19 am »

Thats not the same site. Your link goes to Mike Haaland's site. The other one was different....

Although it says "closed", since the page is still up I'd hit him up anyway. I'm sure if he's getting out of the hobby he wants to unload any parts he won't use.

Bravo911 · « **Reply #28 on:** September 05, 2011, 03:18:08 pm »

Quote from: Diet_Pepsi on August 22, 2011, 01:09:37 pm

I'm not sure that I can go the authentic route -- I'm on thin ice with the wife as it is. She already doesn't understand why I am interested in this hobby and more parts would cause problems.

That seems to be a struggle most of us have. I however, have a wonderful girl who encourages me to build and improve my cab. She even offered to loan me money when I needed parts and i was broke. The odd part is: I can't get her to play on it... She doesn't want to 'break it'. 3/4" plywood, with a kick plate, and she's worried.

Your wife needs to understand that people have passion for these things. Like she does for other things.

OK, enough off topic. I digress.

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