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ROTARY T-STIK PLUS (PLUS) - Willy Wonka Edition
mr.Curmudgeon:
To answer both the above, the rotation is extremely smooth. It rotates easily, since I didn't over-tighten the pulley. I just played Ikari and Heavy Barrel this weekend at the arcade w/ the rounded yellow joystick (which I think are not the original SNK rotaries, though) for a comparison, and the only difference I found was the arcade joys clicked when you turned them. I'm working on a few ideas to easily add this function though. The game play seemed exactly the same.
When I first built the Wonka hack I thought spinning the ball-top was a little awkward, but compared to the barrel joy at the arcade, I found it was easier to use in the end. I scored higher and played longer (per life) on both games using the Wonka hack.
In Mame32, I've had to adjust the sensitivity settings to find a comfortable level of control ('Tab', 'Analog Controls' then 'Dial Sensitivity', set to 80% or so). I think you have to do this with any rotary-like control though. Not sure.
As for Arkanoid/Tempest, since this hack is basically a spinner in disguise, YES you could use a Wonka enabled T-Stik as a spinner (4-in-1 solution??). I played them both just fine with it, the only potential issue is that you have to avoid moving the joystick left/right/up or down while you spin, since that activates the controls as well. It's not that hard to avoid though, since the T-Stik requires a good amount of pressure in any direction to engage the microswitch.
Oh, it doesn't "freespin" though, but I could never figure out why people need their spinner to spin freely for two mintues straight anyhow?! ???
I happen to have a "Nasty" spinner, but it isn't hooked up right now. I'll try to get it going over the next few days, so I can directly compare the Wonka Hack with a spinner.
Kremmit:
--- Quote ---I just played Ikari and Heavy Barrel this weekend at the arcade w/ the rounded yellow joystick (which I think are not the original SNK rotaries, though)
--- End quote ---
Correct. The rounded yellow-tops are Data East rotaries. The SNK models had Octagon shaped tops. The Data East models use a Wico Leafswitch base, while the SNK ones are made by Semitsu and use microswitches.
Minwah:
--- Quote from: mr.Curmudgeon on June 07, 2004, 10:19:42 pm ---I just played Ikari and Heavy Barrel this weekend at the arcade w/ the rounded yellow joystick (which I think are not the original SNK rotaries, though) for a comparison, and the only difference I found was the arcade joys clicked when you turned them. I'm working on a few ideas to easily add this function though. The game play seemed exactly the same.
--- End quote ---
I wouldn't do anything about the clicking. Some games it would be nice for (ie ones that used mechanical rotaries like Ikari), but I think it might not be too great for some other which originally used optical rotaries (like Caliber 50).
mr.Curmudgeon:
I'm only thinking about adding the clicking as an option, since some people my want it. Plus, it's fun developing stuff. Personally, playing with the hack over the last few days, I've become accustom to not having it and it's not really missed.
hyiu:
sorry to jump in like this... but your mod to the joystick is VERY INSPIRING !!!!.... it kept me thinking.... and thinking...
and I come up with the following idea in my mind....
(that is basically a slight variation of your idea....)
its kind of like a clicking version of your mod....
and it only involves 2 microswitches....
the only thing is the gear..... I will need a 12 groove metal gear.... anyone knows where I can search for those ??...
(I know... probably places that do models cars and stuffs... but I was never into model cars and stuff.... so, donno any places like that....)
also... does that looked like a workable solution ??