Main > Main Forum

Choosing the right joystick...So many options

Pages: << < (4/7) > >>

rCadeGaming:

I'm surprised no one's mentioned iL yet.  If you want an American style stick, I'd go with the iL Eurojoystick (yes, the name sounds odd, bear with me).  iL used to be partnered with Happ at some point, so their sticks are very similar.  Happ now outsources production to China, so quality is not quite as good.  The Eurojoystick is kind of a higher quality Happ Competition.


--- Quote from: Dekieon on January 27, 2013, 10:11:14 am ---After putting some thought into it, I am guessing I want the main 8way sticks choosen for the fighting games like Mortal Kombat, and Street Fighter.
--- End quote ---

IMHO, if you're serious about Street Fighter and other 2d fighting games, you really need a JLF.  They are smoother and more accurate than American sticks, due to a hemispherical pivot, unlevered microswitches, and tighter build quality.  At stock, they have a fairly long engage and throw, and do not have the short-throw-accidental-input problem described above.  A JLF is by far the best stick for fighters (again, IMHO).

(engage = distance the stick must be moved to actuate the microswitch and input a direction)
(throw = distance the stick can be moved until it hits the restrictor and can't be moved any further)

For most other genres besides fighters, the JLF's long engage/throw is undesirable, especially shmups (flying/space shooters).  I made a mod that will reduce its engage and throw, while still maintaining smoothness and accuracy, making it possibly the best shmup stick, and a fantastic all-around 8-way stick.  A link is in my signature.  I don't think the shortened engage/throw is bad for fighters.  It just takes a round or two to get used to it and avoid any accidental inputs.

The main complaint of newcomers to Japanese sticks is that they feel "loose and cheap."  The perception of looseness is largely due to being accustomed to overstiff American-style sticks, but they do have a pretty low spring tension, especially the JLF.  I use a slightly increased tension, simply by inserting two small nylon washers (this step is shown with my mod, and can be done on its own).  You can also use other springs for more tension.  As for cheapness, JLF's actually have about the highest build quality.

If you want to know what's available, this should be mandatory reading:

http://www.slagcoin.com/joystick/attributes_brands.html#JOYSTICK_MODELS

Really, the whole site should be read "cover to cover."  Also search for Kowal's joystick ratings.

Afterburner:

I have not seen it mentioned yet, but if you want to play Ikari Warriors or Guerrilla War or Heavy Barrel, etc. you will want an 8way rotary joystick.

I have two rotaries in my cab because that genre of games allows for simultaneous 2 player action.

Mine are old take-out bought used from eBay a decade ago.   They use micro switches.  If the servostik came in a rotary version I'd be all over a pair of those.

CheffoJeffo:


--- Quote from: Xiaou2 on January 28, 2013, 12:57:32 pm ---2)  Supers Stink.   They were stiff, and awkward... and the leaf style micros often bent to the point where it made diagonals
inaccurate.  Adjusting the leafs usually just made things worse.  The problem with those style of leafs, is that they use a
very thin and flimsy 'tin like' metal.  It does not maintain its shape well.   But worse, is that once you bend the lever too much,
it breaks the switches functionality...Often popping right out of the switch itself.   I love classics, but I also love fighters too,
and I can tell you that Id never play a fighter on a Super ever again.  The stiff-moving stick, is way too fatiguing and slow..
and those micro-leafs, are not precise nor durable enough.

--- End quote ---

There is no physical way you can bend the switch levers (which are specifically NOT MicroLeafs and are definitely not flimsy) without breaking the housing  ... and I've seen a broken Nintendo Storngtanium(tm) stick. You are full of ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- on that one.

I don't find them particularly stiff (indeed, the motion is smooth and light), but I can see how fighter fans (or people with weak wrists) might get tired.

EDIT: I see RandyT called you on it as well.

PL1:


--- Quote from: rCadeGaming on January 28, 2013, 05:18:16 pm ---Also search for Kowal's joystick ratings.

--- End quote ---

Is this the one?  (NOTE: Many pages there are in Polish, some have English translations.)

Another source is Retroblast's Joystick Roundup.

Retroblast's summary PDF is available here for easy side-by-side comparison.


Scott

rCadeGaming:

Yup, that's Kowal's site.  Google translate is needed sometimes, so Slagcoin is the more common recommendation.

I'm not impressed by Retroblast's stick reviews.  Totally biased to American-style parts; big lack of emphasis and measurements on accuracy and build quality too.  Note the Slagcoin chart's columns for pivot quality, neutral precision, and engage precision.

EDIT:  Link fixed above to point to the comparison chart.

Pages: << < (4/7) > >>

Go to full version