4-Way Joysticks

[M6A4TS]

Well, I've caught the addiction, and am knee-deep in my own Mame Cab.  My cabinent will be a 4-payer cab, with 4 8-way joysticks.  I understand that 8-Ways have trouble playing 4 way games, as the diagonals complicate things.  Having never played the classics in the arcade, (I'm young) will I notice the problems with the 8 ways performing in a 4 way intended game?  I really would like to avoid putting a 4 way smack dab in the middle of my CP, but I will if it would be worth it.

[NoOne=NBA=]

If you've never used a 4-way, you may not notice the problems with the 8-way.
I would probably leave room for a 4-way, just in case though.
If you ever DO use a 4-way, you will want one.

[spystyle]

You could always get a "switchable" 4/8 for player one.

(or players one and two)

Check out the Omni Sticks at www.groovygamegear.com

Or the T-Stik Plus at www.ultimarc.com

Groovy ?
Craig

[RayB]

Well you might play crappier at games like Ms Pac, but you won't know why.   A 4-way feels "tighter".

[Spaced Invader]

Playing a 4-way game with an 8-way stick is a crime against nature!!!  

Seriously, there is a BIG difference...

If I were building a four player cab I would use three standard OMNI-Stiks and one 4/8-way selectable (from the control panel) OMNI-Stik Prodigy. That would keep the look of the sticks consistent and keep the panel clean. (You could also use three T-Stiks and one T-Stik Plus)...um basically what spystyle said!  

[XtraSmiley]

I CANNOT play Burgertime with an 8 way, the character keeps getting stuck on the ladders.  I'm not sure about other games, but in general I think the 8 way blows for 4 way games.

[FractalWalk]

"Having never played the classics in the arcade, (I'm young) will I notice the problems with the 8 ways performing in a 4 way intended game?"

You can play golf with only a 5-iron. And if you've never played before you won't necessarily notice any problems. But you will enjoy the game much more and do better if you use a full set of clubs.

[Apollo]

Yes you will notice, some of the games are almost unplayable with an 8 way.

[dabone]

On my cab I went with 2 tstick pluses and 1 dedicated 4 way balltop.

I like the feel of the tsticks in 8way and it gives me the option of balltop or teardrop for my 4 way games.


Later,
dabone

p.s. Ms Pac SUCKS with a 8way.

[Apollo]

He he MsPacman sucks with any joystick, lol.

[RayB]

You guys are bringing up an interesting dilemma.

I only have room on my small CP for 2 joys, 4 buttons each (diamond configuration) and one other controll in the middle.

A trackball won't fit, but a spinner will.
...OR... a 4 way stick.

Which should it be? 4 way or spinner? (and don't say I can get a t-stick for the other 2 joys... I will have Wico's with top firebutton ball tops).

[Spaced Invader]

You guys are bringing up an interesting dilemma.

I only have room on my small CP for 2 joys, 4 buttons each (diamond configuration) and one other controll in the middle.

A trackball won't fit, but a spinner will.
...OR... a 4 way stick.

Which should it be? 4 way or spinner? (and don't say I can get a t-stick for the other 2 joys... I will have Wico's with top firebutton ball tops).

There are way more 4-way games than either trackball or spinner games...but it really comes down to what you like to play. I'd choose a 4-way over a spinner no question.

A restrictor plate is another option...  

[Apollo]

It really depends on what you would miss playing the most. Tempest and Arkanoid etc or PacMan and Donkey Kong etc. Remember you can also use a spinner as a steering wheel so things like Pole Position become playable as well if you have spinner. Are you sure you can't fit a spinner and 4 way one above the other?

[Lilwolf]

I would go with a tstick ultimate (?) the one that youc an switch from the top.

And a spinner... or look to see if it will fit a 2 1/4" trackball.  Cheaper and you can put a real pool 8ball in it... for added coolness factors.

You guys are bringing up an interesting dilemma.

I only have room on my small CP for 2 joys, 4 buttons each (diamond configuration) and one other controll in the middle.

A trackball won't fit, but a spinner will.
...OR... a 4 way stick.

Which should it be? 4 way or spinner? (and don't say I can get a t-stick for the other 2 joys... I will have Wico's with top firebutton ball tops).

[NoOne=NBA=]

RayB,

I personally would go with a T-stik Plus on the left, Wico top fire on the right, and put a spinner in the middle--whether you want to hear it, or not.

That will let you play ALL the spinner games properly, as well as the 4-way games.

Alternately, maybe you really need to look into a modular panel, if your CP is that small.
That way you could have 4-ways, 8-ways, 2-ways, trackballs, spinners, Tron sticks, a steering wheel, etc....

[RayB]

Are you sure you can't fit a spinner and 4 way one above the other?

I'll have another go at my layout. It may be possible to fit both in the middle. It might be real awkward though.

[rchadd]

i am going to use TStick pluses!

[kujina]

Is it possible to connect an extra 4-way joystick or any joystick for that matter to the same inputs as another joystick on the I-PAC, obviously you couldnt use them at the same time but would it workout ok?

[NoOne=NBA=]

Yes.

Both joysticks can actually be used at once--which can be a problem if your buddy thinks you're doing too good, and decides to play around with the other stick.

You can put a switch to cut off the ground wire to the unused joystick to prevent this though.

[kujina]

So thats goes for buttons too?

[Spaced Invader]

So thats goes for buttons too?

Yep, same thing applies...as a digital joystick is just buttons with a handle!  

[hulkster]

hey i'm back, i finally got the internet at my apartment after getting married, and just couldnt resist helping out some fellow mamers again!  i said id be gone for a while and i kinda was....about a month, but well...once youve been "bitten" you stay that way!

anyway, i have a monster cab with a 4 player cp...all 8 ways.  im 23 and old enough to remember playing some of the classics like ms. pac man and donkey kong.  however, if you are younger than me your fondest arcade memories are likely ninja turtles and street figther/mortal kombat so all of your experience is with 8 ways.  it was a good analogy about the 5 iron and golf...but theres a big difference here.  if you grew up playing the games i talked about just above with 8ways then youll likely try to play old school games like pac man and donkey kong for about 10 min. until you die and then play something else.  the old games are more fun for nostalgia, but not really longevity and deep gameplay.  some will argue that of course and they are right in some games, but lets face it, making a yellow pie looking thing swallow dots in different patterns isnt terribly complex.  (i know its hard, chill out old guys)  but you know what im saying....anyway, point is, i debated whether or not to put a 4 way in and ultimately decided not to because i dont spend a whole lot of time playing the games needing a 4 way, and even if i do, the 8 ways are bearable.  no its no where near the same, but you can still play it.  dont expect to have super accurate controls, but you wont notice a difference.

[M6A4TS]

Thanks everyone for your replys. I really liked the golf analogy.

Hulkster, you seem to hit it right on the dot, I grew up playing Mortal Kombat, The Simpsons, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  While I really enjoy Pac-Man and the like, since I will most likely be spending my time with the 8-way games, I think I might just leave out the 4 way.  I will put a spinner in there for sure (can't live without my arkanoid, man do I love that game), and will leave room for a 4-way to maybe add later (after I get frustrated trying to play the classics).