Mag-Stik vs U360 - Fighting Games

[StriderDSO]

Hey everyone,

I'm starting to debate whether or not I'll need an analogue capable joystick, and the alternative I'm looking at is the Mag-Stik Plus. While I will be playing other games, I wonder if anyone can comment on how both of these sticks perform for fighting games like SF2/3/4? I'm interested also on how much of a difference the U360 restrictor plates really make. I've read some threads where people have mentioned the throw on them is long, but are we talking obscenely so, or just 'different' long? Thanks in advance!

[mgb]

I can't help much because I haven't used either, but I thought the mag stick had a short throw.
Also I have read reviews where under harsh play, there may be a bit of a clunk from the magnet on the mag stick.

[Jack Burton]

Honestly, if fighting games are going to be your main focus for a cabinet then neither of these sticks are what you want.  I suggest you research these three:

Sanwa JLF series

Il Competition joystick

Seimitsu LS-32

These three sticks are what 99% of fighting gamers use and they pretty much accept no substitutes. 

[ragnar]

The u360 is OK.  I wish I did not have them and had the Mag-Stik Pros though.  The analog is not worth it.  If you want an analog cab, get flightsticks.  They have better fidelity in my opinion.

Right now I would like to build a few more cabs.  4 player, fighting, analog only, etc.

Anyways, I'd follow the advice of others.  If you want a cab where your primary concern is fighting games, make a CP specific to that genre and get the best sticks for that genre.

[equlizer]

The JLW will fit the bill too.  Im using them in a MDF cab.  I used to use the Happ ultimates

[StriderDSO]

Hey guys, thanks for the info. The only reason I'm still leaning towards the Ultrimarc sticks is because of the ease of changing the setup from 8-way to 4-way. While the majority of games I'll be playing will be 8-way, I don't want any hassle when I switch to 4-way.

I would image that the Ultrimarc sticks must perform just as well as my old Sega Genesis controller for SF2, no? I'm not a competitive player, and just need something that I can play with as well as when I use  Sega controller or an Xbox controller. It doesn't need to be ultra responsive or anything... it just can't be bad

The u360 is OK.  I wish I did not have them and had the Mag-Stik Pros though.  The analog is not worth it.

That's what I am mainly wondering, lately. I figure analogue would be 'nice', but am I really going to miss not having it? I'm leaning towards getting the Mag-Stiks, just want to make sure they're not abysmal for fighting games...

Sanwa JLF series, Il Competition joystick, Seimitsu LS-32

If memory serves me correctly, those three other joysticks aren't 4-8 switchable the same as the Ultrimarc's are (as in on-the-fly), right? I'm leaning towards the ultrimarc's as I don't want to have to open the CP to change their operation.

[brad808]

Hey guys, thanks for the info. The only reason I'm still leaning towards the Ultrimarc sticks is because of the ease of changing the setup from 8-way to 4-way. While the majority of games I'll be playing will be 8-way, I don't want any hassle when I switch to 4-way.

I would image that the Ultrimarc sticks must perform just as well as my old Sega Genesis controller for SF2, no? I'm not a competitive player, and just need something that I can play with as well as when I use  Sega controller or an Xbox controller. It doesn't need to be ultra responsive or anything... it just can't be bad

The u360 is OK.  I wish I did not have them and had the Mag-Stik Pros though.  The analog is not worth it.

That's what I am mainly wondering, lately. I figure analogue would be 'nice', but am I really going to miss not having it? I'm leaning towards getting the Mag-Stiks, just want to make sure they're not abysmal for fighting games...

Sanwa JLF series, Il Competition joystick, Seimitsu LS-32

If memory serves me correctly, those three other joysticks aren't 4-8 switchable the same as the Ultrimarc's are (as in on-the-fly), right? I'm leaning towards the ultrimarc's as I don't want to have to open the CP to change their operation.

In my experience a jlf with an octagonal restrictor plate works awesome for fighting games and I leave it on there while playing 4 way games without any problems.

[StriderDSO]

Can sanwa JLF's be mounted below the panel, or would I have to mount them on top in a slight recess? If from below, can they be mounted without a recess into the wood, or is the stick that comes stock on them not long enough?

[brad808]

Can sanwa JLF's be mounted below the panel, or would I have to mount them on top in a slight recess? If from below, can they be mounted without a recess into the wood, or is the stick that comes stock on them not long enough?

The shaft is quite small, meant to be top mounted. You can check out slagcoin for other mounting options. You can get other mounting plates but I just have the standard one and have it routed into the top of my panel

[mgb]

I mounted a JLF under mdf once but I had to recess it about a 1/4". With the JLF, you can switch it to 4-way by removing the restrictor and rotating it. Its not exactly on the fly and it also doesn't handle 4-way as good as the JLW. Also remember that the jlf comes with a smaller than standard mounting plate, though I believe you can get standard adaptor plates for them from Lizard Lick. For a strict 8-way fighter stick, I prefer the Competitions, they're fairly quite and cheap

[StriderDSO]

I'm hoping to bottom mount the sticks, which was another reason I liked the U360s.

Argh... I think trying to settle on a joystick has been the most frustrating part about getting ready to make this cab. At this rate it will be finished and I still won't have joysticks in it 

[Donkbaca]

Whats the big deal about bottom mounting?

[equlizer]

well it was a big deal for me since my cab was already built and had Happ ultimates in them.  I just went to hardware store and got some extensions.  Now its a bit too tall  ill take some pics.

EDIT:  The extender (long nut) is an M6 1.00(metric)

[Lilwolf]

btw, there isn't a 'perfect' joystick...  The best thing is to try and get joysticks that your local arcade used when you were growing up.

ALL of them are better then what you got for home joysticks.  So if you only have one type, you will be fine with them. 

Once you get multiple at home, you can start comparing... but until then, you will be happy with each. 

The real question is... do you want corners for the diagonal?  If so, I would go with happ comps instead of ultimates (there is a difference you will only notice if you compare them side by side though... I used ultimates for years, happily, before I realized they weren't as good).  If you don't, supers are good, but then again so are a lot of others.

I wasn't brought up with the Japanese joysticks myself.  Lots of people like them.  I just never used them until recently.

[StriderDSO]

Yeah I'm wondering if someone like me will really notice the difference between anything I get? I haven't played an arcade in about 10 years, so I definitely don't know how they 'should' feel or what I should be looking for, like you guys. What has been guiding me so far was ease of install and ease of use, really (provided every person that has used them doesn't say they disintegrate after a week of use ). I do appreciate all the input though, and it's definitely helping me.

[Donkbaca]

No, you won't notice a difference at all.  Joysticks are very much a personal choice, and there are LOTS of choices.  Bat top, ball top, different switches, tensions.

There are some consensus joys depending on what you want to play:

Hardcore classics players prefer a 4 way, leaf switch stick

Hardcore street fighter players prefer the japanese sticks; either the sanwa JLF or the Seimitsu LS-32.  Thing about these sticks though, they are very different than the traditional American sticks.  They are a lot more loose, and usually come with ball tops, whereas the American sticks are usually more beefy in feel and have bat tops.

Personally, I think the best joys are wico or happ perfect 360's.  If they weren't like 70 bucks a piece and if I could light them, I would seriously consider upgrading my sticks to them.

Here is pretty much the truth though, you probably won't notice the difference.  Nobody gave much thought as to what joys were in what cabinets when they went to an arcade, most operators didn't care much either.  Whatever you get will probably be fine, and you will probably adapt to whatever you have and grow to like it, unless there is some annoying quality to it; like the long throw of the U360 without a restrictor; or the loudness of the switches; or the clunkiness of a mag-stick. 

I grew up in the arcades in the 90's.  Pretty much everything I played was a bat top stick.  Then I got a hori ex2 for my xbox to play SFIV.  The hori uses hori brand parts, which are basically knock-off sanwa parts.  At first I HATED the ball top, now I actually prefer it.  I still don't like the looseness of the stick, but I prefer balls now.  On my MAME cab I have the paradise lit sticks, which are generic fight sticks and I like them a lot.  They are cheap sticks, but they are ball tops, japanese style but aren't as loose feeling as traditional sticks.

Anyhow,  joystick talk is like wine talk.  Its mostly BS about what makes something good, but in the end its all personal choice.  If you are like me, and you like a 10 dollar joystick, then hey, who's to say something would be better for you?