Well at least this isn't a subjective topic
1st off, you can learn to play pretty much any game with the sticks you have (or get) so saying something doesn't work is wrong and you will get people who, having used their stick long enough, are good at using it whether it's a t-stick+, suzo 500, Happ Com, Super, whatever.
Perfect 360's - this is an 8 way stick and actually isn't just 1 model so it can be misleading. One common thing you will probably find is that no matter which one you get, it will probably be one of the nicest 8 way sticks you use. The exception being the Aussie stick version (looks kinda like a Q*Bert stick but with a P-360 base). P-360's were made as upgrade kits for Wico leaf switch sticks, Happ Super, Happ Ultimate and the Australian stick. Possibly more but those are all the ones I have had or used. They also make a dedicated P360 and it is a real winner too. The only choice that I would put above a Happ Super.
Happ Super - Excellent all around stick. Be aware that if you see them very cheap it is likely to be a knock off and may not feel as nice. That includes X-Arcade which is the same basic style as the Super but probably not made by same manufacturer.
Happ Comp - Not bad. I have a set of these with custom Ball Tops for a Robotron machine. They did good but I eventually replaced them in favor of 2 original 8 way wico sticks with P-360 bases. Now that ROCKS! Original feel and increased sensitivity.
Happ Ultimate - Don't like them.
t-stick/t-stick+ - I own both ball top and non ball top versions. In the end all I can say is I don't like them. Tight controls and wrist fatigue are just not for me. It's really a shame because the idea is great and they look beautiful. Very solidly built.
Suzo500/Omni stick - Never owned the Omni but it's based on the Suzo which I have had. Pretty much same as the t-stick. A little more "forgiving"? Not sure how to express the difference but it's pretty much the same category as the t-stick.
Wico 4 or 8 way - this could apply to either the leaf or microswitch versions of their old ball top sticks. Love em. I'd put them somewhere above the Happ Super with the ultimate combination being a Wico 8 way with a P360 base. I haven't tried the 4 way with the P360 base but I imagine it would be the best 4 way in my book.
Aussie stick - Man, I cannot for the life of me remember what the heck these are called. I have 3 sitting in the garage and all they say is MCA Australia on the base. Anyways, these are 2/4/8 way adjustable by repositioning a plate at the bottom (it's screwed in so not something you do on the fly). There is also a P360 upgrade kit for this stick. In the short throw category this one falls just above the Suzo 500 for me. These are great replacements for a Q*Bert stick if you can't get an original one and I would say that is what they most feel like. Short throw but not a wrist killer. I don't think I'd use these for fighter but you could.
Sanwa 8 way - These are nice sticks. Lots of cheap knock offs that feel nowhere near as good as the originals are available for really cheap. They feel very precise with a light spring. Probably best for fighters but I've never tried a 4 way game with them. I'd rank them up with the Happ Super but they are decidedly different in feel. Most of the knock offs have way too light a spring to be useful for anything as it's too easy to be sloppy with them. The originals, although they have a light spring it's enough pressure to be accurate. I can see how you could get very good at fighters with these.
Midway 49 way - I imagine the Happ 49 way is the same but I only have the original Midway versions and the stick shafts are said to be different diameter. I don't know if that makes a difference or not. I just recently installed these in my MAME cabinet replacing a pair of month old t-stick+. WOW what a difference. My score on the first game of Robotron I played went up by 73,000. The feel is the closest to the original Wico sticks, it's accurate and the mode changes are a bonus. In 4 way games, the 4 way mode is completely usable providing better control than the Happ Super and an almost on par feel to the Wico sticks (it feels slightly heavier, something that can be cured by replacing the teardrop handle with a balltop). Better in my opinion than almost all of the other sticks available now with the exception of the P-360 for a dedicated 8 way. If you are building a new cabinet or controller I would seriously consider them as an option. Unless of course you prefer the tight throw sticks then I would probably go with the Sanwa 8 way. If you like the cushier feel then this is THE best one so far for me.
There ya have it. My opinion on all of the sticks I have used. A quick ranking would go something like this:
1 - P360. Dedicated, Wico or Super variants. Wico variant would be my #1 choice of these 3.
2 - Wico 8 way
3 - Midway/Happ 49 way
4 - Happ Super
5 - Sanwa 8 way
6 - Happ Comp
7 - Super knock offs (X-Arcade and other sold as Supers on eBay that don't specify Happ brand)
8 - Suzo 500
9 - MCA Aussie stick
10 - t-stick/t-stick+
11 - Happ Ultimate
12 - Sanwa knock offs (usually found on eBay as 2 sticks and a bunch of buttons for under $20.)
13 - Sanwa 2/4/8 knock offs (same as #12)
Man, I just realized how much I've spent on joysticks. Way too much
Hope this helps!
Toonces
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Topic: Another joystick thread...yes I know (Read 10017 times)
