Help me identifying an arcade game

[gilad_no]

When I was young, I remember going for the arcade for a specific game: you played a soldier (it was for 1-2 players) in a jungle (could be Vietnam style, but can't remember for sure). The controller was green and you could rotate it 360. Somehow similar to Shock Troopers, but it's not this one. I'm trying to find which game was it for quite a while, any help is appreciated!!!

[opt2not]

Ikari Warriors

[adder]

or Guerrilla War

[PL1]

Welcome aboard, Gilad_no.   

When I was young, I remember going for the arcade for a specific game: you played a soldier (it was for 1-2 players) in a jungle (could be Vietnam style, but can't remember for sure). The controller was green and you could rotate it 360. Somehow similar to Shock Troopers, but it's not this one. I'm trying to find which game was it for quite a while, any help is appreciated!!!

Here are some rotary joystick titles from the wiki that might be the one you're thinking of:
(there's a more complete list here)

    Guerilla War
    Heavy Barrel
    Ikari III - The Rescue (This is the only rotary game that uses three player buttons.)
    Ikari Warriors
    T.N.K. III
    Time Soldiers
    Top Gunner (bootleg)
    Victory Road


Scott

[harveybirdman]

Caliber. 50

[PL1]

Caliber. 50

Good call, HBM.   

I was thinking of the "clicky" yellow-handled mechanical rotary (LS-30) joystick instead of the green-handled optical rotary (Loop-24) joystick.



Loop-24 optical wheel



Scott

[gilad_no]

OMG guys, you are awesome, it was indeed Caliber. 50!!! As soon as I saw the hens running around - I got a major flashback, lol!

I'm now getting all the info to build my own arcade, but couldn't find any info whether the available controllers (https://www.amazon.com/Jiu-Man-Classic-Joystick-Illuminated/dp/B01N09SO20/ref=pd_ybh_a_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=E7E4TSQPV74G4M5SCA5C) are 360 rotatable. Any clue?

And thanks again you all!!!

[PL1]

I'm now getting all the info to build my own arcade, but couldn't find any info whether the available controllers (https://www.amazon.com/Jiu-Man-Classic-Joystick-Illuminated/dp/B01N09SO20/ref=pd_ybh_a_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=E7E4TSQPV74G4M5SCA5C) are 360 rotatable. Any clue?

Those are just 8-way sticks -- you can turn the handle all day, but it won't do anything.   

They have no slotted optical wheel/sensor on the bottom of the shaft like you see in the Loop-24 pics above or the Happ pic below.

Optical rotary joysticks are pretty rare since only 4 games ever used them.

Three choices for optical rotary joysticks:

1. Find some used Loop-24 sticks. (KLOV, e-bay, etc.)

2. Buy the Happ version (50-5619-00) from Divemaster's site here or other Happ reseller. (more info here on the Suzo-Happ site)



3. Ultimarc makes an "UltraStik 360 Rotary Joystick Upgrade" (related threads here and here)

http://www.ultimarc.com/rotaryjoy.pdf

Wiring the Loop-24 or Happ sticks -- The microswitches wire up like a standard 8-way stick and you'll need an optical encoder for the 4-pin rotary connector (5v, Ground, Data A, and Data B)


Scott

[gilad_no]

Thanks PL1. I guess I can replace the original joystick with the Happ one and still use it for other "regular" games? How will it work with the original USB interface?

I'm not much of a hardware guy, more of a software one

Thanks for all the info!! It's been my dream to build a full arcade since I was a kid, last week I've decided I'm going to do it now!!

[PL1]

I guess I can replace the original joystick with the Happ one and still use it for other "regular" games?

Yes.  It handles like an 8-way Happ Super since that is the base that the Happ rotaries use.

How will it work with the original USB interface?

The Happ works the same electrically as the other joystick, the difference is the Happ microswitches have Quick Disconnects (QDs) instead of Dupont pins.

Since you're not using the sticks and have to change the joystick wiring, you might want to seriously consider using a better encoder/buttons/wiring instead of the chinese "ZD encoder" bundle.

Regardless of which encoder you use for the 8-way and buttons, you will also need an optical encoder like an Opti-Wiz or StefanBurger's Illuminated Spinner control board firmware if you want to go the Arduino Pro Micro route.


Scott

[PL1]

Have you gone through the "What type of build meets my needs?" design process in the FAQ yet?

https://web.archive.org/web/20160809113045/http://newwiki.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?title=FAQ#What_type_of_build_meets_my_needs.3F

It can help you with aspects you might otherwise overlook.   


Scott

[gilad_no]

Thanks PL1!!! I just did and it answered many of the questions I had!! 

[Crowquill]

Does anyone sell a push-down spinner? Would still work in Cal50 and would also work to play Tron, Tempest, Arkanoid, and driving games. Seems like you could have a control scheme similar to Forgotten Worlds if you have enough real estate on your CP.

I haven't been following what's available in spinners these days.


Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

[PL1]

Does anyone sell a push-down spinner? Would work with Cal50 and let you play Tron, Tempest, Arkanoid, and driving games.

GGG has the TurboTwist Hi-Low.



You can use the optional 5" or 6" wheel for driving games.


Scott

[megamoze]

I built my most of my cab around Ikari Warriors/Victory Road, one of my favorite games as a kid.  I used the setup seen here:  http://www.ultimarc.com/rotary.html.  It was a bit tricky to get working but now it's great.

[gilad_no]

Hi megamoze, could you please share your input? Which controllers did you used, what were the challenges etc? Thanks!

[PL1]

Hi megamoze, could you please share your input? Which controllers did you used, what were the challenges etc? Thanks!

Keep in mind that the rotary encoder he linked to is for mechanical rotary (LS-30) sticks, not optical rotary (Loop-24) sticks.

Pros:
- Plug-and-play simple
- Works with the original wiring harness of LS-30 and Happ mechanical rotary sticks

Neutral:
- The output keystrokes are fixed (non-programmable)

Cons:
- Only handles the rotary switch part of the stick, you'll need a separate encoder for the joystick/buton microswitches
- Relatively expensive

If you choose to go with a mechanical rotary stick, there are less expensive "combination encoder" (rotary + microswitch) options like the GGG GP-Wiz40 (gamepad-style encoder with rotary support) or the KADE miniArcade 2.0. (keyboard-style encoder with rotary support)


Scott

[megamoze]

Keep in mind that the rotary encoder he linked to is for mechanical rotary (LS-30) sticks, not optical rotary (Loop-24) sticks.

If you choose to go with a mechanical rotary stick, there are less expensive "combination encoder" (rotary + microswitch) options like the GGG GP-Wiz40 (gamepad-style encoder with rotary support) or the KADE miniArcade 2.0. (keyboard-style encoder with rotary support)

That's all correct.  I went with that encoder instead of the combo encoder because I also have a trackball and spinner, and I got a combo encoder for those instead.  So that meant I had to get a rotary controller by itself.