Top Fire Joystick Needed

[Swevicus]

Dear Arcade Controls/BYOAC,

This is my first post. I am in the process of designing (and later building) an arcade-quality controller for both retro and modern computers, and I would very much like to use a top-fire joystick (never liked triggers, hate bat tops and ball tops are comfortable but too predictable and commonplace) for the main joystick handle/shaft (it's not what you think). I live in the UK. I have searched high, low, sideways, inside and out for a TFJ but I can't seem to find one! I'd prefer one with a larger fire button. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Yours sincerely,
Swevicus.

[Slippyblade]

Problem you are gonna run into is that, overwhelmingly, top-fire sticks suck.  Here's a couple links.

Four way - https://na.suzohapp.com/products/joysticks/50-4000-10
Eight way - https://na.suzohapp.com/products/joysticks/50-8000-10

[PL1]

Welcome aboard, Swevicus.   

Like Slippyblade mentioned, there aren't many top-fire sticks out there, mostly the "tulip" style that he linked . . .



. . . or the claw-machine-style compacts. (P/N 50-7008-000)



Bryan from Paradise Arcade Shop (armi0024) also made one here using a hollow shaft usually used for LED balltops and drilled a balltop to install a button.



Good luck finding/fabricating what you are looking for.   


Scott

[Swevicus]

They suck? What's wrong with having a free fire button with your joystick? (Again, it's not a double entendre)

[CheffoJeffo]

They suck? What's wrong with having a free fire button with your joystick? (Again, it's not a double entendre)

They aren't particularly popular for arcade gaming, hence little reason for any of the things that drive better quality.

http://www.retroblast.com/reviews/joysticks/happtopfire.html is a decent enough review.

[Slippyblade]

No, no.  Not the idea of a top-fire.  The implementation is what sucks.  Because they are primarily only used in claw machines, there's not much need for them, so the engineering tends to be bottom line and the prices are high.  If you are able to find a quality top-fire at a non-outrageous price, please link!

[Swevicus]

Or I could build one... looks like it's ball top for the foreseeable future. I'll keep you posted. Thanks.