Shmups with a flight stick?

[Le Chuck]

One thing I've always wondered about - why don't people put a trigger stick on dedicated Shmups cabinets?  I am a terrible Shmupper but I love the genre but when I'm playing I am often thinking, "I'm flying a ship (and/or magical flying emo teenager) and there are only like two or three buttons that I need, which are shots, bombs, and special.  Why isn't all this on a flight stick? 

I got it that analog these games aren't but you can make a flight stick out of any stick really.  Any reason why it never caught on? 

[mgb]

Makes sense.
Kinda like Afterburner

I think it would be nice with the Night Mission mini arcade flight stick from GGG

[Nephasth]

I had an exerion with a flight stick. I prefer to play with a regular stick and buttons. My left hand is my dominant joystick hand and I can't get the fast repetition on the trigger with my left index finger.

[Le Chuck]

Makes sense.
Kinda like Afterburner

I think it would be nice with the Night Mission mini arcade flight stick from GGG

Would really like a third button and that stick design has always seemed a bit off to my eye but I think I'm being too picky. 

I had an exerion with a flight stick. I prefer to play with a regular stick and buttons. My left hand is my dominant joystick hand and I can't get the fast repetition on the trigger with my left index finger.

I'm able to flip which hand a joy with pretty easily but I can see how that would make this a lot less useful if you need both to play.  What I really want is a CP that I can play my favorite Shumps and TRON/DOT on w/out it being all crazy looking

[yotsuya]

I think Neph is correct about the rate of fire. Most of the trigger sticks I've used aren't really suited for rapid fire. Also,  I'm wondering if the throw on those sticks is too much for precise SHMUPs.

[matsadona]

M.A.C.H 3       

[jdbailey1206]

I'm planning on using a flight stick when I make a dedicated Star Wars cab.  As of right now it works for the Star Wars Trilogy game but that was setup with a flight stick and didn't really require rapid fire.  I need to set aside time and see how well it will work with other games. 

[yotsuya]

I'm planning on using a flight stick when I make a dedicated Star Wars cab.  As of right now it works for the Star Wars Trilogy game but that was setup with a flight stick and didn't really require rapid fire.  I need to set aside time and see how well it will work with other games.

I don't think you're going to like it for the original Star Wars.

[wp34]

This is an interesting idea.  While not really a Shmup Gorf is hellafun to play with a trigger stick.

I think Neph is correct about the rate of fire. Most of the trigger sticks I've used aren't really suited for rapid fire. Also,  I'm wondering if the throw on those sticks is too much for precise SHMUPs.

I suspect you are both correct based on the games I've tried with my Tron stick.  I'm not sure it could stand the pounding either.

[harveybirdman]

Afterburner was pretty cool though....

[BadMouth]

I agree with Yots about the throw being too big.  If using an analog stick, the engage distance could be greatly reduced though. 
If you were disciplined enough to not use the restrictor, then it could work.  I am nowhere near that disciplined though.

I played around with the idea of changing the sensitivity of my optical switches when a shmup is launched, but decided I'd also need automated reduced throw which is a taller order.

[yotsuya]

I agree with Yots about the throw being too big.  If using an analog stick, the engage distance could be greatly reduced though. 
If you were disciplined enough to not use the restrictor, then it could work.  I am nowhere near that disciplined though.

I played around with the idea of changing the sensitivity of my optical switches when a shmup is launched, but decided I'd also need automated reduced throw which is a taller order.

Yeah, if I've learned anything about SHMUPs, it's that you need to be able to zip around through tight bullet hell corridors very quickly and very precisely.

[Nephasth]

Yeah, Gorf NEEDS a flight stick. No such thing as rapid fire in that game...

[Le Chuck]

I got one of those Mag-Stick Plus joys in a parts trade with another user a while back.  A toss in the box bonus if you will.  Haven't used it yet other than just to fiddle with with it and couldn't believe how short the throw is on that stick.  Is it a good Shmuper?  Can't imagine using it for much else.  I'm thinking I might pop the top off it and mod it for a flight stick. 

[Dawgz Rule]

Mag-stick plus is an excellent shmup stick.   Short throw and very precise.

[Xiaou2]

Its not just the throw... its also the lever pivot, and mechanical action.

 If you have a short throw base, but a tall handle, you still end up with longer travel... when put against the same setup with a shorter balltop handle.

 Many of the trigger stick games had additional control panel buttons you could use as an alternative.

Also note, many trigger sticks have a lot more resistance and friction. This is because they have to install stronger springs to combat the added weight, and mechanical advantage of the lever... to keep the stick returning to center properly... as well as to maintain the proper feel.  As if its too loose.. it may lead to accidental actions.

  Regarding rapidfire, using tron as an example. .. in the later level MCP rounds, you need to have crazy trigger skills to beat them.  Note, that the trigger needs to be a real leafswitch for rapidfire potential output.  Another good ex. Is Satans Hollow... when you get double or triple guns, and get dive bombed by 30 enemies in a long string...

 Many trigger stick games didnt require fast dodging... so the throw wasnt a problem. Unlike an example game of Robotron, is where fractions of a second reaction time, really makes a huge difference.

 2d Shumps are just not suited well to a trigger stick.. even if it looks and or feels cool.  A shorter handle will always out-perform them.

[Xiaou2]

Makes sense.
Kinda like Afterburner

I think it would be nice with the Night Mission mini arcade flight stick from GGG

Afterburner is an Analong stick, and the accuracy,  speed, and intensity of the enemy.. is very relaxed compared to even the easiest shump. 

 The difficulty in AB mostly comes from not being able to see whats happening... partly due to your plane getting in the way of your view... and partly.due.to smoke.trails.   Love the game, but its not a high-precision type of game.  The game feels fast, but a lot of it is to do with the music and fast scrolling... rather than the enemy intensity.

[mgb]

Makes sense.
Kinda like Afterburner

I think it would be nice with the Night Mission mini arcade flight stick from GGG

Afterburner is an Analong stick, and the accuracy,  speed, and intensity of the enemy.. is very relaxed compared to even the easiest shump. 

 The difficulty in AB mostly comes from not being able to see whats happening... partly due to your plane getting in the way of your view... and partly.due.to smoke.trails.   Love the game, but its not a high-precision type of game.  The game feels fast, but a lot of it is to do with the music and fast scrolling... rather than the enemy intensity.

yeah I know. I wasn't talking about exact gameplay, relax killer