Raspberry Pi 4 - Ultrastik 360 v Servostik

[Darug]

Hi All, I have a very basic control setup that currently has a Raspberry Pi 4 attached extrenally to it. It is a Perspex box, that didn't turn out as well as I though it would, but at least now it's robust (perspex does not glue well). It has  2 (I assume) Sanwa JLF style Joysticks http://www.ozstick.com.au/product/sanwa-jlf-joystick/, which plug into their own separate zero encoder boardshttps://thepihut.com/blogs/raspberry-pi-tutorials/arcade-usb-encoder-wiring-guide, with 6 buttons each. AS yet I have yet to set the second stick up properly, as my priority is getting P1 sorted. I have a trackball (USB/PS2) that works with Missile command (though not Centipede & Millipede).
I do have Robotron working using the 2nd joystick to shoot with.

I also have a Serial DB9 Spinner, that hopefully will work, using a serial to USB adapter.

One of my next purchases should be a larger USB powered hub!

At the moment, I am looking at upgrading the P1 joystick to a Ultrastik/Servostik, as I love alll the 4 way games like Donkey Kong series, pacman, naughty boy, gyruss, bagman etc, but then I love Time Pilot.

Then there are games like Western Sherrif/Commando? that used a 'wheel puck', plus a few others that I would like to play.

Pretty much I am trying to work out what is best, as I haven't found any options yet here in Australia, and freight can be humungous. This video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_lzq7M3Yqg][url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_lzq7M3Yqg[/url] seems to point towards the servostik. I can probably buy an upgrade kit, and buy the Sanwa locally? 


I am using a Damaso front end, which was easier to setup then RetroPie/Lakka, and easier to customise. EG I have sound , but I am using the 3.5mm instead of one of the HDMI ports.



I have been dabbling with Mame since @ 1995, and at one stage had a LAI upright machine, which did not survive my divorce.

[PL1]

Then there are games like Western Sherrif/Commando? that used a 'wheel puck', plus a few others that I would like to play.

There are 6 games that use the "Taito Aim-n-Fire" or a similar controller made by Nintendo.
- Front Line
- The Tin Star
- Wild Western
- Sheriff (Nintendo)
- Bandido (Exidy -- licensed re-release of Sheriff)
- Western Gun Part II (Taito -- licensed re-release of Sheriff)

It works like an 8-way top-fire joystick where the stick is constantly held in the selected direction.
- Eight clicks per rotation = a detent every 45 degrees.

 

More details about that controller in this thread.

I do have Robotron working using the 2nd joystick to shoot with.

IIRC for the six games mentioned above you can use the 2nd stick in place of the "Taito Aim-n-Fire"-style controller by mapping all four right stick (aim) directions to the P1 Button 1 input (shoot) so the same joystick presses that aim also shoot.


Scott

[Darug]

Then there are games like Western Sherrif/Commando? that used a 'wheel puck', plus a few others that I would like to play.

There are 6 games that use the "Taito Aim-n-Fire" or a similar controller made by Nintendo.
- Front Line
- The Tin Star
- Wild Western
- Sheriff (Nintendo)
- Bandido (Exidy -- licensed re-release of Sheriff)
- Western Gun Part II (Taito -- licensed re-release of Sheriff)

It works like an 8-way top-fire joystick where the stick is constantly held in the selected direction.
- Eight clicks per rotation = a detent every 45 degrees.

 

More details about that controller in this thread.

I do have Robotron working using the 2nd joystick to shoot with.

IIRC for the six games mentioned above you can use the 2nd stick in place of the "Taito Aim-n-Fire"-style controller by mapping all four right stick (aim) directions to the P1 Button 1 input (shoot) so the same joystick presses that aim also shoot.


Scott

Thank you, I thought about  setting up the second controller like I did with Robotron. I saw their was a joystick on YT that could do it? I think I will buy a ultrastik/servostik, that can switch between 4 way/8 way. It will cost a bit bringining it to Australia, however no-one here seems to stock/import it.

[PL1]

If you haven't already done so, you may want to go through the "What type of build meets my needs?" design process in the FAQ.
(Pay special attention to steps 2 and 4.)

http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/FAQ#What_type_of_build_meets_my_needs.3F

Nailing down step 2 will help you avoid the dreaded "feature creep"    and help us give you solid advice on what you actually need for your "can't live without it" game list.

I thought about  setting up the second controller like I did with Robotron. I saw their was a joystick on YT that could do it?

Yes, either of those sticks can be configured to use in place of the Taito Aim-n-Fire -- any 8-way-capable stick will work for that.
- Be sure to configure the servo to 8-way for those games or you won't be able to shoot diagonally.

To be clear, that video talks about the 20+ Mechanical Rotary Joystick games, not the six Taito Aim-n-Fire games or the four Optical Rotary Joystick games.
- The info is outdated since he states that there is a rotary upgrade for the U360, but not for the Servostik.

The Servostik has a "clicky" Mechanical Rotary Joystick upgrade here that adds a mechanical rotary switch like the one on the SNK LS-30 used in Ikari Warriors (discontinued) or the Happ Mechanical Rotary Joystick. (still available)

The LS-30 and Mechanical Rotary sticks:
- Are normal, fully functional 8-way sticks that can return to center with no directional microswitch pressed.
- Have a 12 position rotary switch controlled by twisting the handle.
- Don't have a fifth microswitch (fire button) like the Aim-n-Fire controller.

LS-30 stick demonstration:


Happ Mechanical Rotary Joystick: (Part # 50-5618-00)


The wiki has a list of over 20 mechanical rotary games and MAME settings.
http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/Joysticks#Mechanical_Rotary_Joystick_Games_.28LS-30.2C_Happ_Mechanical_Rotary_Sticks.29

Ultimarc also offers the "non-clicky" U360 Optical Rotary Joystick upgrade here.
- I prefer having the mechanical clicks for more precise control, but YMMV.   

AFAIK there is currently no Mechanical Rotary upgrade for the U360 or Optical Rotary upgrade for the Servostik.


Scott