Multiplayer with a Single Joystick?

[chemikalguy]

I'm planning a build, and for now was thinking that I could just build an X-Arcade like controller using an i-PAC2 and the USB cable. I was thinking that I could keep it small, get the wife hooked on it, and then build a larger controller, or full cabinet later on. I was planning to just install a single joystick and set of 6 buttons, plus 1player, 2player, coin, and ESC buttons.

My question is this - can you play two player games if you just have a single joystick? Obviously, not with games that the two players play simultaneously but games like Galaga where you take turns?

Looking forward to the build. 

Thanks!

Scott

[BobA]

Any of the old style games such as Ms Pacman, Pacman, Galaga, Donkey Kong, BurgerTime, Frogger, Space Invaders, Dig Dug, Bomb Jack etc play well with a single stick because they are turn based.  They do not play well with an 8 way stick so a 4 way is recommended.   You might want to have both a 4 way and an 8 way so you can play the games that require 6 buttons.   Either that or a switchable 4 way 8 way.

[paigeoliver]

There are just as many classic games that use 8-way sticks as there are ones that use 4-way ones.

Any of the old style games such as Ms Pacman, Pacman, Galaga, Donkey Kong, BurgerTime, Frogger, Space Invaders, Dig Dug, Bomb Jack etc play well with a single stick because they are turn based.  They do not play well with an 8 way stick so a 4 way is recommended.   You might want to have both a 4 way and an 8 way so you can play the games that require 6 buttons.   Either that or a switchable 4 way 8 way.

[BobA]

That is why a switchable 4 or 8 way was recommended as well as both sticks since the number of buttons indicated that he also wanted the whole range of games including fighters.

[chemikalguy]

Cool. I was hoping that I could get away with a single stick and button set, but I may have found a good alternative. I was looking at a package deal on eBay that includes 14 buttons and two Haff Competition joysticks. They're 8-way, and I don't think they're switchable. I'll investigate that further. I could build something like the X-Arcade Twin Stick controller for a total of about $60 including wood, plus I get to paint it to look however I want instead of spending $100 for a controller with the X-Arcade logo splashed all over the front.

[PL1]

As you suspect, the Happ Competitions aren't switchable.

Happ Supers are, but you have to pull the e-clip and flip the actuator. (Not a quick and easy change.)

The Omni2, J-Stick, or a JLW will allow you to change with a twist of the restrictor like this.



Don't worry about getting a package deal on a stick and buttons--you're almost certain to get stuck with something other than what you really want.

Most people end up placing orders with several suppliers to get the exact components that they want for their cab.

Take your time, do the research, and get the stick(s?) and buttons that fit your desired game list and your budget.


Scott

[chemikalguy]

I guess now I have the age old question of whether I want to have 8-way sticks, 4-way sticks, or switchable.

BTW, the package on eBay is basically just 14 Happ buttons and Competition joysticks (you select what colors you want), along with the microswitches. It comes out a lot cheaper than buying the individual items, but you're right, the joysticks might not be what you're after.

[BadMouth]

For casual play, an 8-way stick works for 4-way games.
Most people who aren't into this stuff wouldn't notice anything.

The issue is that when going from say right to down, the 8 way will be registering both when it hits the corner between the two.
In some games, this causes your character to not move until only one direction is registering.
If you push the joystick through the corner instead of moving it directly from one direction to the other,
Mario won't get his butt up the ladder or pacman will miss a turn you wanted to make.
The restrictors on 4-way sticks prevent you from moving into the corner.

Casual players whose game only lasts 2 minutes anyway won't notice it. 
People trying to beat their high score or get to a higher level will.

If I were building something like this for my own personal use, I'd spend the extra $10 on a JLW.

[paigeoliver]

Competitions perform terribly on classic titles.

Cool. I was hoping that I could get away with a single stick and button set, but I may have found a good alternative. I was looking at a package deal on eBay that includes 14 buttons and two Haff Competition joysticks. They're 8-way, and I don't think they're switchable. I'll investigate that further. I could build something like the X-Arcade Twin Stick controller for a total of about $60 including wood, plus I get to paint it to look however I want instead of spending $100 for a controller with the X-Arcade logo splashed all over the front.