Best 4-way joysticks?

[shponglefan]

Having scoured the forums on the titular topic, the general recommendations seem to be either:

1) Sanwa's JLW w/ 4 way restrictor
2) Wico 4-way

I don't have the former, although could always order one from Ultramarc.  And the latter seems out of production?

I'm also wondering how the following would compare:

1) Seimitsu LS-32
2) Ultrastik 360
3) 4-way version of the GGG Leaf-Pro

I have the Seimitsu and the Ultrastik, although I've yet to test them as 4-way joysticks.

[Mental]

Assuming you want 4-way sticks for classic games, I would recommend the JLW. Also get some of the stiffer springs when you place the Ultimarc order, just to try them. I find they give a more classic feel.

[Unstupid]

On my cocktail I went with a JLW with a short shaft, but with the regular spring it was too stiff.  I wanted the joystick to feel real light like a 20 year old joystick should.  So I swapped out the regular joystick and use the spring from an IL pushbutton

[paigeoliver]

I am going to go against the common suggestions here.

The best 4-way stick is the Midway one used in Pac-Man machines although I don't think there are any NOS ones left anymore.  It isn't that there is anything wrong with the Wico model, it is just that Wico sticks are better suited to continual movement (such as most 8-way titles use) than they are to the more deliberate direction changes of 4-way games. That is why I like Wico better for 8-way and Midway better for 4-way (the relatively rare Midway 8-way wears your hand out too fast for my taste).

Of the 4 way sticks you can buy new I like the Ms. Pac Reunion stick and the Happ Universal.

[RandyT]

Of the 4 way sticks you can buy new I like the Ms. Pac Reunion stick and the Happ Universal.

I've had quite a number of folks tell me that the Leaf-Pro 4-way is the best experience they have had with "Pac" games since using the original, and that is after trying the other options out there.   You really should try one, if the gameplay of the original stick is something you are after.

It does have a different base, so slapping it into an existing machine, made for the sticks you mentioned, isn't an option.  But that's not too hard to get past.

[paigeoliver]

Randy, I do admit I haven't tried the Leaf-Pro yet. I haven't had need to order from you since before you introduced that stick. I will try to pick one up when I can.

Of the 4 way sticks you can buy new I like the Ms. Pac Reunion stick and the Happ Universal.

I've had quite a number of folks tell me that the Leaf-Pro 4-way is the best experience they have had with "Pac" games since using the original, and that is after trying the other options out there.   You really should try one, if the gameplay of the original stick is something you are after.

It does have a different base, so slapping it into an existing machine, made for the sticks you mentioned, isn't an option.  But that's not too hard to get past.

[shponglefan]

Thanks for the replies.  I'll probably snag a JLW and Leaf-pro just to try out (esp. since I have other things to order from Ultimarc and GGG anyway).  Reunion sticks don't seem as available as some of the others, though, haven't seen them on my usual go-to online shops.

[PL1]

Thanks for the replies.  I'll probably snag a JLW and Leaf-pro just to try out (esp. since I have other things to order from Ultramarc and GGG anyway).  Reunion sticks don't seem as available as some of the others, though, haven't seen them on my usual go-to online shops.

Divemaster127 has them here.

While you're at it, you can also order your Ultimarc stuff from him since Gary is an authorized reseller.


Scott

[1500points]

i'll second the midway pacman stick. i found one in a burned out cab. BEST stick I've ever used for classics. 

if you go super cheap, if you take a zippyy and then take the 8 way diamond restrictor and rotate it so the points are NSEW, works quite well.
requires drilling 2 holes in the plastic restrictor plate.

[CheffoJeffo]

i'll second the midway pacman stick. i found one in a burned out cab. BEST stick I've ever used for classics. 

Thirded, although I only have one, so it goes in the MultiPac cab and Wico goes in my classic 4-way cab.

[zanna5910]

I have JLW's with stiff springs, long shafts (because of mount) and replaced the stock switches with Adjustable Versa Micros from GGG. 

They are the cat's meow.