What kind of joystick for Gorf

[Richardgregory]

I suppose playing Gorf doesn't require a flight style type joystick, but regardless I'm considering what options are out there if I wanted to put one in in a new control panel.  I could also use it for Tron as well.

Any suggestions much appreciated!

Thanks

[leapinlew]

I guess it depends on your level of authenticity. I think almost 8 way trigger stick would work well for Gorf, but this is the one I used:

https://www.amazon.com/Flight-Joystick-Console-Accessories-Trigger/dp/B09233XPML

GGG also has a good looking flight stick: https://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=91&products_id=399

This is the final product:


Adding in Tron really increases the complexity because Tron used a special membrane on their flight stick to make the corners hard to hit so the joystick would work better on the lightsycle stage.

Good luck!

[Vigo]

Here is the wiki page on the Gorf Stick. Cocktail was a standard leaf stick. http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/TRON_joystick

Only thing I would add is and Ultrastick would be a good option if you are looking for something a bit more powerful for a number of games that make use of optical. Comes in a flight stick style like the one lew posted, but it is a high quality optical.



I'm still waiting for someone to make a high quality button top joystick that isn't a grip. Would be perfect for games like gorf.

The old Wico topfire leaf joysticks were the best thing on the home market, BITD.

[wp34]

Here is the wiki page on the Gorf Stick. Cocktail was a standard leaf stick. http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/TRON_joystick

Only thing I would add is and Ultrastick would be a good option if you are looking for something a bit more powerful for a number of games that make use of optical. Comes in a flight stick style like the one lew posted, but it is a high quality optical.



I'm still waiting for someone to make a high quality button top joystick that isn't a grip. Would be perfect for games like gorf.

The old Wico topfire leaf joysticks were the best thing on the home market, BITD.

I must be the only guy on the planet that didn't like those WICO's.  I always had trouble using them vs a standard Atari controller.  I know I am in the minor on this because they are universally loved.

[bobbyb13]

Haven't had time to build one myself yet, but this (granted, rather spendy) mod/hack seems like the ultimate one for multiple purposes.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=86734.0

Hope I have linked it correctly.

[Vigo]

I must be the only guy on the planet that didn't like those WICO's.  I always had trouble using them vs a standard Atari controller.  I know I am in the minor on this because they are universally loved.

I know what you mean, as much as I loved them, it was more a comfort/quality thing, I had other joysticks that were a bit quicker to react and probably played better with them.

[Vigo]

Haven't had time to build one myself yet, but this (granted, rather spendy) mod/hack seems like the ultimate one for multiple purposes.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=86734.0

Hope I have linked it correctly.

It doesn't get any better than that! 

[Richardgregory]

SHARP Gorf cab!!! Can't top that...

Thanks for the link of the Amazon one - I'll just do that - appreciate the tip.  [Dumb question alert!: As for hooking up the buttons, so using an Ipac,  I'll just wire each of them firing buttons to an appropriate terminal on the IPac controller.

Cheers

I guess it depends on your level of authenticity. I think almost 8 way trigger stick would work well for Gorf, but this is the one I used:

https://www.amazon.com/Flight-Joystick-Console-Accessories-Trigger/dp/B09233XPML

GGG also has a good looking flight stick: https://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=91&products_id=399

This is the final product:


Adding in Tron really increases the complexity because Tron used a special membrane on their flight stick to make the corners hard to hit so the joystick would work better on the lightsycle stage.

Good luck!

[Richardgregory]

Thanks for the Wico suggestion - functional it is, but don't think it'll be too comfortable.

[leapinlew]

Thanks - I did a build thread here in case you are curious: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,161128.40.html
My opinion, nothing beats an original Gorf cabinet, but I didn't have space for another full size cabinet, so I built a cabaret sized cabinet.

As for the wiring - you'll notice only a single pair of wires come out of the joystick for the buttons, that's because both the trigger and the button on the back are wired together, so while there are 2 buttons, they act like one button. One of the wires is ground and the other one is wired to button 1 (or whatever) on your ipac.

The wiring of the joystick movement is done just like any other joystick, by wiring a common ground and each direction of the joystick directly to the ipac.

Gorf is tricky to emulate. You'll want to experiment to make sure you get the best emulation by testing out different versions of mame and romsets. I built mine from a Raspberry Pi and using the 2010 version of Mame.

[PL1]

As for the wiring - you'll notice only a single pair of wires come out of the joystick for the buttons, that's because both the trigger and the button on the back are wired together, so while there are 2 buttons, they act like one button. One of the wires is ground and the other one is wired to button 1 (or whatever) on your ipac.

You should get one from Groovy Game Gear, Paradise Arcade Shop, Ultimarc, this one, or this one instead.  EDIT: The listing for the one here that Lew linked to earlier says that it is a 3-wire version, but the picture doesn't show the third wire.   
- They have 3 wires so the trigger and thumb switches operate separately.
- If you already have one of those two wire triggersticks, you should be able to run three wires through the shaft and cut the jumper between the non-touching switch tabs so it's wired like this one from PAS.



There's also this one that is a 3-wire, but I'm not sure how the different trigger shape and having the switch on top changes the feel and ergonomics.   




Scott

[Nephasth]

Gorf is tricky to emulate.

There is no decent emulation of Gorf. If you're emulating Gorf, there is no need for a special joystick. Just use your favorite 8 way and two standard buttons, one for fire and one for shield. If that doesn't scratch your Gorf itch good enough... a trigger stick isn't going to make emulation any better, you're better off getting an original cab.

Ah ah ah... Nice try Space Cadet!

[leapinlew]

Gorf is tricky to emulate.

There is no decent emulation of Gorf. If you're emulating Gorf, there is no need for a special joystick. Just use your favorite 8 way and two standard buttons, one for fire and one for shield. If that doesn't scratch your Gorf itch good enough... a trigger stick isn't going to make emulation any better, you're better off getting an original cab.

Ah ah ah... Nice try Space Cadet!

The version I am using now seems to work pretty good. Seems to slow down in all the same places as original hardware.    The joystick just helps with the feeling. Sure an 8 way and buttons work, but I really wanted a flightstick for the controls.

Not sure what version you are using, but if it has shields, you may want to check to make sure it's actually Gorf. 

[Nephasth]

Not sure what version you are using, but if it has shields, you may want to check to make sure it's actually Gorf. 

Oops... Exerion on the mind... Another flight stick game that plays fine without a flight stick. And that one doesn't have shield either... huh.

Satan's Hollow! That's the one!