Joysticks everywhere!

[usedelectronics]

Well, all the "competitors" have finally arrived for my joystick comparison...

I can't believe how long the list ended up!

Happs:
2 Way Ultimate (microswitch)
4 way Ultimate (microswitch)
8 Way Ultimate (microswitch)
8 Way Competition (microswitch)
4/8 Way Super (microswitch)
4/8 Way Universal (microswitch)
8 Way rotary optical (microswitch)
8 Way rotary mechanical (microswitch)
4/8 Way Perfect 360 degree (optical)
4 Way MsPac Galaga (microswitch)
4 Way Pacman (microswitch)
Analog Joystick
8 Way heavy duty trigger joystick (microswitch)
2 Way compact top fire (microswitch)
4 Way compact top fire (microswitch)
8 Way compact top fire (microswitch)
4 Way super top fire (microswitch)
8 Way super top fire (microswitch)
49 Way Joystick (Electronic)

Wico
4 Way Balltop (Leaf)
8 Way Balltop (Leaf)
4 Way Balltop (Microswitch)
8 Way Balltop (Microswitch)
4/8 Wico reproduction (Leaf)
8 Way EuroStyle oval (microswitch)
4 Way STC topfire (microswitch)
8 Way STC topfire (microswitch)

Ultimarc
(Note: T sticks tested with both "quiet" and regular microswitches)
4/8 Way T-Stick oval (microswitch)
4/8 Way T-Stick 2 1/2" balltop (microswitch)
4/8 Way T-Stick 2 7/8" balltop (microswitch)
4/8 Way T-Stick Plus oval (microswitch)
4/8 Way T-Stick Plus 2 1/2" balltop (microswitch)
4/8 Way T-Stick Plus 2 7/8" balltop (microswitch)
4/8 Way E-Stick (microswitch)
4/8 Way J-Stick Balltop (microswitch)
4/8 Way J-Stick oval (microswitch)
2/4/8 Way Euro-Stick (microswitch)

SNK(video connect)
8 Way rotary mechanical LS-30 (microswitch)

Used origional Joysticks
Defender
Tron
Discs of Tron
Xenophobe
Aqua Jack
Battlezone
720
World Series
Assault
+ more!

Anything I've missed that you guys would like to see included? Any other vendors I missed?
Your help is appreciated!

Wait till you see my joystick actuation force/actuation distance measurement setup!
(Think electronic force gauges and precision linear slides. )

[paigeoliver]

You are missing "Wico Mechanical Rotary (leaf)".

Also for common OEM sticks you are missing.

Nintendo 8-way (Vs. and Playchoice).
Nintendo 4-way (Donkey Kong series)

Data East 8-way (Robocop, Bad Dudes, and everything else that came in the dedicateds Data East cabinet).

Atari logo sticks (most Atari 8-way titles from Gauntlet to Skull & Crossbones). This is a very distinct design, available in both 8-way and 4-way. The Assault stick is based on the 4-way version.

Midway 70s style stick (8-way with skinny black stick, very common in pre-invaders games).

Artic 4-way (Came in many bootleg games, looks like an Atari 2600 joystick, I can save you the trouble though, it sucks).

And since I noticed the 720 controller (which is a modified spinner), then you might also want to add.

Sega Spinner (most Sega vector titles).

Atari shifter (used from like 1976 onwards, the Battlezone stick is a modified version of this shifter).

[usedelectronics]

You are missing "Wico Mechanical Rotary (leaf)".

Also for common OEM sticks you are missing.

Nintendo 8-way (Vs. and Playchoice).
Nintendo 4-way (Donkey Kong series)

Data East 8-way (Robocop, Bad Dudes, and everything else that came in the dedicateds Data East cabinet).

Atari logo sticks (most Atari 8-way titles from Gauntlet to Skull & Crossbones). This is a very distinct design, available in both 8-way and 4-way. The Assault stick is based on the 4-way version.

Midway 70s style stick (8-way with skinny black stick, very common in pre-invaders games).

Artic 4-way (Came in many bootleg games, looks like an Atari 2600 joystick, I can save you the trouble though, it sucks).

And since I noticed the 720 controller (which is a modified spinner), then you might also want to add.

Sega Spinner (most Sega vector titles).

Atari shifter (used from like 1976 onwards, the Battlezone stick is a modified version of this shifter).

Thanks!
I have the nintendo 4/8 ways..

Is this the Data east style stick?


as well as the atari logo 8 ways(microswitch)

I don't have the midway style you described though...
I mostly wanted to cover the "currently available new" sticks.

As for 720, I included it because It's one of the only spinners that has a joystick-type handle.

I will have a listing of the spinners currently up for review soon...(yet another large list )

Anyone else?

[paigeoliver]

Ack, could you show the Data East stick from the other side?

The easily distinguishing mark on the Data East sticks is that they have about a 2" round raised part on top.  In the dedicated cabinets this part pokes up through the panel (while there are no joystick bolts visible).

I do have a pair of the Midway 70s style sticks. But I don't particularly want to part with them. I only mentioned them because they used to be a really common stick.

Anyway, if that is a Data East stick, then it appears you have all the common sticks.

Except one more that just came to mind. Seen them in multiple applications (and they came with the Bloxeed kit for sure, might be a Sega stick). It is a microswitch based 4-way with a long handle, long throw, black textured balltop and plastic microswitch activators/levers. I have seen them around quite a bit in conversion cabinets and in boxes of random sticks. I MIGHT have one. A quick comment about them though is that they are awesome for Puzzle games and pretty much unsuitable for most other games (the throw is too long for most 4-way titles).

There are a lot of other OEM joysticks that I have seen around quite a bit, but I can't pin manufacturers on them, so I guess I am not much help in identifying them.

Oh, just thought of another VERY common OEM leaf switch stick. The Monroe. Characterized by short handles, shiny black balltops, bronze bases and smooth 360 action (no corners). These were used in a lot of Konami Classic games like Gyruss and Time Pilot and also came in lots of different conversion kits (like Double Dragon).

Will you be reviewing the classic Wicos with both long an short handles installed? The length of handle changes the feel.

FINALLY, what are you doing with that Defender stick when you are done with it? I have a Defender project that is still missing a stick, and would love to trade for one.

I have available for trade (only gonna mention sticks you don't seem to own).

1 Wico mechanical rotary.
1 OLD Pac-Man replacement stick from an unknown manufacturer (is 4-way and has the Pac bolt pattern, but is not a Midway stick, or any of the modern replacements).
1 (Sega?) 4-way puzzle stick.
A couple of unknown 8-way leaf sticks.

[Stingray]

Atari logo sticks (most Atari 8-way titles from Gauntlet to Skull & Crossbones). This is a very distinct design, available in both 8-way and 4-way. The Assault stick is based on the 4-way version.

I'd like to see this one included as well.

-S

[Jakobud]

GEEZ dude you have ALL of those joysticks???  And you are going to do some sort of super lengthy review of them???  Wow that is amazing and awesome.  You and Kevin from Retroblast should hook up and join forces.  Especially considering that he is doing a big joystick review right now with all the most popular new joysticks.

[spidermonkey]

Semitsu
MCA

Both of these sticks are fairly common as I have seen them in a few cabs in the examples section. I would say Sanwa too but I think the Ultimark sticks are Sanwas. (not positive though)

[usedelectronics]

Semitsu
MCA

Both of these sticks are fairly common as I have seen them in a few cabs in the examples section. I would say Sanwa too but I think the Ultimark sticks are Sanwas. (not positive though)

Do you have a source for these sticks?
Any help is appreciated!

[OSCAR]

Semitsu
MCA

Both of these sticks are fairly common as I have seen them in a few cabs in the examples section. I would say Sanwa too but I think the Ultimark sticks are Sanwas. (not positive though)

Do you have a source for these sticks?
Any help is appreciated!

Didn't OzStick used to use the MCA sticks in their controllers a while back, I don't know, maybe I'm thinking of someone else?  Might be worth sending Chris a quick email, maybe he has a few around still if it was him.

[spidermonkey]

http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=2;action=display;threadid=9198

This guy might still have a couple Seimitsu sticks. However I think they went out of business because I had Seimitsu's website in my list of favorites and I clicked on it to find that their page is gone. .   As far as the MCA sticks go, I would e-mail the guy at Ozstick like Oscar said.

[GroovyTuesdaY]

(Think electronic force gauges and precision linear slides. )

What kind of linear slide are you using? I am just curious.    I work at PHD,INC. and wonder if you are using one of their slides lol. Actually i am one of the SLIDE builders at phd.


groovY~

[spidermonkey]

http://cgi.aol.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3271616438&category=13718

Here's am MCA stick for you Usedelectronics.  This is the 2nd time this stick has been listed by ecoinop. I guess no one wanted it the 1st time so you might be able to grab it on the cheap.
Good luck

[spidermonkey]

Pretty sure this is a Seimitsu.
http://cgi.aol.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3271543673&category=13718

[Tiger-Heli]

Semitsu
MCA

Both of these sticks are fairly common as I have seen them in a few cabs in the examples section. I would say Sanwa too but I think the Ultimark sticks are Sanwas. (not positive though)

Do you have a source for these sticks?
Any help is appreciated!

Didn't OzStick used to use the MCA sticks in their controllers a while back, I don't know, maybe I'm thinking of someone else?  Might be worth sending Chris a quick email, maybe he has a few around still if it was him.

No, OzStick used to use Supreme Exim sticks, but I think Supreme Exim is Out-of-Business, and OzStick is using Sanwa's now.

You might also want to add the Prodigy joystick from www.groovygamegear.com

[spidermonkey]

http://cgi.aol.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3270777838&category=13718

These are definately Sanwa sticks because I e-mailed the seller but I still don't know what those other ones I posted are ...yet

[usedelectronics]

(Think electronic force gauges and precision linear slides. )

What kind of linear slide are you using? I am just curious.    I work at PHD,INC. and wonder if you are using one of their slides lol. Actually i am one of the SLIDE builders at phd.


groovY~

The slide and Differential screw is from Parker. Pictures coming soon.

[usedelectronics]

Thanks for the heads-up Spidermonkey...
I have a Chris from Ozstick trying to source a MCA stick for me. He is a really helpful guy!
I think I am going to have to hire a damn assistant to help me with this many reviews...

And my wife is already threatening to kill me if  "more" packages come every day.

[blakbuzzrd]

Having slugged my way through the Sanwa site (as translated by Babel Fish), I wondered if anyone could answer a question about the various Sanwa joystick models.

Sanwa makes the JLF series joysticks (JLF-TP-8Y used in the Versus City Virtua Fighter machines, and by Catch22 in his joysticks), and another series, the JLW.

John of modeverything.com clued me in that Ultimarc's J-stick is a modified JLW stick (longer handle, swapped griddle, etc.).

So what *are* the functional differences between the JLW and the JLF series? Has anyone out there played with both? Is there a reason to go with the JLF for fighting games over the JLW, beyond the fact that VF4 machines have the former?

Thanks!

-Randall

[GroovyTuesdaY]

(Think electronic force gauges and precision linear slides. )

What kind of linear slide are you using? I am just curious.    I work at PHD,INC. and wonder if you are using one of their slides lol. Actually i am one of the SLIDE builders at phd.


groovY~

The slide and Differential screw is from Parker. Pictures coming soon.

Parker hannifen sucks compared to PHD ! LOL.  Our stuff is rated to last alot longer lol, but it does tend to cost a little more. so, choose your death lol.

groovy~

[m3talslug]

http://www.starburstcoin.com

they stock Sanwa joysticks that I purchased recently.  They're in Mississauga, Ontario.

[Larry Smith]

The only thing else I can ink of is 49 way old style with the centering spider instead of a spring. It was used on sinistar and a few others.

[usedelectronics]

The only thing else I can ink of is 49 way old style with the centering spider instead of a spring. It was used on sinistar and a few others.

Got one.