Another joystick thread...yes I know

[Tiger-Heli]

Wow, that's a lot been said, and of course most people don't agree    that's the thing with these pesky subjective questions.

I'm planning on doing a 4 player panel, and as of now, i'm thinking the happs perfect 360's for players 1 and 2, as I will be playing mainly fighters, and metal gear, and stuff like that.  But i do want the 4 players for xmen, ninja turtles, simpsons, and i also figured i'd use a good 4/8 way stick for players 3&4.  mainly the players 3&4 sticks will be for xmen, ninja tutles and the simpsons, but also when I need a good 4 way for classics.  as i won't be playing fighters or anything else like that on playser 3&4 it'll be for the games i listed above, and the 4 way for classics, what do you guys feel is best for that?  i was thinking t-sticks plus.  cost really isn't that big of a deal as I'd really like to do this best once. 

I can see a lot of problems with a 4-player panel with P360's for P1&2 and T-Sticks for P3 and 4 .  I think the short-throw long throw will make someone feel they are at a disadvantage in TMNT or Simpsons, etc.

If you've got the space (on a 4-player you should) and cost isn't an option, I would use Supers for P3 and P4 and a dedicated 4-way for the classics, probably the Ms.Pac reunion from what I've read.

[jer2665]

are there any favored 4/8 way switchable joysticks?

[Tiger-Heli]

are there any favored 4/8 way switchable joysticks?  primarily my time will be spent on fighters and other 8 way games, with the occasional 4 way, and occasional 4 player, so i didn't wanna put the money and space into a dedicated 4 way.  How about the omni stick? or any other favorite 4/8 way joysticks anyone has?

I think you'll find that the money for a dedicated 4-way ($20 for a reunion), ($13 for a J-Stick) or Omni-Stick, will be less expensive than your other options.  Space is something you'll have to decide for yourself how to work around.

As far as a favored 4/8 way switchable - that's what this thread is about (well largely).

The top panel switchable ones are the T-Sticks and Prodigies - both have a similar short throw (from what I can tell), but T-Sticks have much stiffer springs (switches?).  Omni-Sticks are the same as the Prodigies without the top panel switches.  I think either would feel awkward compared to a P360.

J-Sticks are supposed to have the same throw as a Happ Super, but very light springs.  Could be okay, if you don't mind reaching below the CP to change modes, and if the spring feel wouldn't bother you.

E-sticks are another similar option, but really ugly base, IMNSHO.

possibly a 49 way?

49-ways are currently DA BOMB, if you can get around the price point.

Similar throw to a Happ Super, Rubber centering grommet like the old Wico leafs, excellent control in 49-way games (Sinistar, Arch Rivals, PigSkin, Blaster), excellent 8-way play, 4-way play, rotated 4-way play (Q-bert, congo-bongo), 2-way vertical or horizontal play.

Only real drawback is the lack of true restriction in 2-way, 4-way modes, and the price (and maybe having to switch modes manually instead of through software, but that's true of any other stick as well).

RandyT did a bang-up job getting the GP-Wiz49 Eco interface under $20 and the Sticks for $33.

I would really like to add these on my panel or at least try them, but I have a hard time justifying more than the price of a HotRod SE for two joysticks and interfaces, but if you've got the green . . .

[cholin]

So many choices!  Im basically considerring between the Super and the T-stik Plus as of now.  I origionally wanted a T-stik beacuse of the 4/8 way thing-a-ma-bob, but people having problems with short throw and the rest, I dont know what to do!

[jer2665]

49-ways are currently DA BOMB, if you can get around the price point.

Similar throw to a Happ Super, Rubber centering grommet like the old Wico leafs, excellent control in 49-way games (Sinistar, Arch Rivals, PigSkin, Blaster), excellent 8-way play, 4-way play, rotated 4-way play (Q-bert, congo-bongo), 2-way vertical or horizontal play.

Only real drawback is the lack of true restriction in 2-way, 4-way modes, and the price (and maybe having to switch modes manually instead of through software, but that's true of any other stick as well).

RandyT did a bang-up job getting the GP-Wiz49 Eco interface under $20 and the Sticks for $33.

I would really like to add these on my panel or at least try them, but I have a hard time justifying more than the price of a HotRod SE for two joysticks and interfaces, but if you've got the green . . .

Yeah, I've been intrigued by these 49 way, but i'm not sure how they are for fighting games, clsoe as I can tell i've heard that p360's are best for fighting game,s but how about 2 49 ways for p3&p4?  that was i can use them for 2,4,8,49 way games? and use it for some 8 way games if i really like them.  i could go with that, the gp-qiz49 and 1 ipac. 

Sound decent?

[Tiger-Heli]

Yeah, I've been intrigued by these 49 way, but i'm not sure how they are for fighting games, clsoe as I can tell i've heard that p360's are best for fighting game,s but how about 2 49 ways for p3&p4?  that was i can use them for 2,4,8,49 way games? and use it for some 8 way games if i really like them.  i could go with that, the gp-qiz49 and 1 ipac. 

Sound decent?

Well, you'd be talking about two GP-Wiz49's and two 49-ways, but it should work well.  The other thing to consider is how your CP is laid out - i.e. if you go

3   1   2   4

So player 1 and 2 are centered for fighters, than a lot of the classics (PacMan, Galaga, Donkey Kong) that used a single 4-way will feel awkward to play from the side of the CP.

[jer2665]

ahh, i didn't realize they needed a gpwiz each, but that'll work, it'll eliminate the need for the extra ipac.  i do plan on have 3124, and it will be a little awkward being to the size, but as primarily will be regular 8 way games, i think i'll put up with playing them from the side when I do. 

boy am i glad i started posting questions instead of just going forward.  so now my plan is this...

p1&p2:
p360
7 buttons

p3&p4:
Midway 49 way joysticks from ggg.com
4 buttons

4 admin buttons
4 coin buttons
4 player start buttons
1 spinner
1 trackball
9 buttons (all to same input so i can use spinner or trackball with buttons on left or right.

ex.  O O O [ tb ] O O O [sp ] O O O

unless the 9 buttons seems stupid and maybe i'll never use the last 3 let me know input. 

[Tiger-Heli]

9 buttons (all to same input so i can use spinner or trackball with buttons on left or right.
ex.  O O O [ tb ] O O O [sp ] O O O
unless the 9 buttons seems stupid and maybe i'll never use the last 3 let me know input. 

Personally, I would just use P1 buttons 1-3 with the spinner or trackball, but it's your call

[Toonces]

are there any favored 4/8 way switchable joysticks?  primarily my time will be spent on fighters and other 8 way games, with the occasional 4 way, and occasional 4 player, so i didn't wanna put the money and space into a dedicated 4 way.  How about the omni stick? or any other favorite 4/8 way joysticks anyone has?

I think you'll find that the money for a dedicated 4-way ($20 for a reunion), ($13 for a J-Stick) or Omni-Stick, will be less expensive than your other options.  Space is something you'll have to decide for yourself how to work around.

As far as a favored 4/8 way switchable - that's what this thread is about (well largely).

The top panel switchable ones are the T-Sticks and Prodigies - both have a similar short throw (from what I can tell), but T-Sticks have much stiffer springs (switches?).  Omni-Sticks are the same as the Prodigies without the top panel switches.  I think either would feel awkward compared to a P360.

J-Sticks are supposed to have the same throw as a Happ Super, but very light springs.  Could be okay, if you don't mind reaching below the CP to change modes, and if the spring feel wouldn't bother you.

E-sticks are another similar option, but really ugly base, IMNSHO.

possibly a 49 way?

49-ways are currently DA BOMB, if you can get around the price point.

Similar throw to a Happ Super, Rubber centering grommet like the old Wico leafs, excellent control in 49-way games (Sinistar, Arch Rivals, PigSkin, Blaster), excellent 8-way play, 4-way play, rotated 4-way play (Q-bert, congo-bongo), 2-way vertical or horizontal play.

Only real drawback is the lack of true restriction in 2-way, 4-way modes, and the price (and maybe having to switch modes manually instead of through software, but that's true of any other stick as well).

RandyT did a bang-up job getting the GP-Wiz49 Eco interface under $20 and the Sticks for $33.

I would really like to add these on my panel or at least try them, but I have a hard time justifying more than the price of a HotRod SE for two joysticks and interfaces, but if you've got the green . . .

Actually, you can keep the price down by going for some of the Midway sticks on eBay. I got my first one for $12 + shipping and the second one was an auction for a 2 of them that I won for $26+shipping. So now I have a spare. Considering it was $104 for 2 t-stick+ with balltops and light switches the 49 way solution with 2 solder versions and 2 eBay sticks at a total cost of about $80 is pretty damn good.

With custom joysticks like this you're not building a Hot Rod panel 

The one thing you don't get with using midway sticks is the balltop (if that's what you are wanting). Yet If Specialty Plastics will make Balltops for the Midway version then you'd be looking at probably another $32.50 for a pair and you'd have old school balltops and more modes than you can get with anything else and still in the same price range as other solutions.

But in the end, feel is everything. I don't want to discourage anyone from buying Andy's t-stick+. They are a solid product and if you like a short throw stick they're great. They have been the absolute best looking stick on my Japanese sitdown cab and looked like they were original equipment.

[jer2665]

i just threw this together in a mac program omnigraffle, the panel itself is correctly sized, but a lot of the other stuff isn't, but it shouldn't be that far off that this'd be a problem.

[Tiger-Heli]

any problems or things i should tke into account before ordering my stuff? 

Lot's of people recommend having P3 and P4 oriented the same as P1 and P2, rather than parallel to the angle cut.

It's a preference thing, but I would mock it up in cardboard and test, before making the wood version.

[Paul Olson]

I think you would be better off using the 49ways as P1 and P2.  Those are the players that will use all the different modes.  I don't think any playable games that use a 49way are more than 2 players.

Paul

[jer2665]

I think you would be better off using the 49ways as P1 and P2.

[Toonces]

I think you would be better off using the 49ways as P1 and P2.  Those are the players that will use all the different modes.  I don't think any playable games that use a 49way are more than 2 players.

Paul

I think I'd have to agree with Paul. One thing you might want to do is go to a local arcade or movie theater (if there's one around you) and try out a game of NBA Jam or NFL Blitz or something else which uses the 49 way sticks to see how you like the feel. For the P360, if you already are familiar with the Happ Super, just imagine it as even smoother and a little more accurate (not sure if accurate is the correct word, sensative maybe?) since the P360 lacks the microswitches. You might just switch to all 49 ways or all P360's Sorry if I just confused things for you. I like the layout you have but think you'd probably want the 49's as 1&2. Of course, you can always move them. Not like it's a permenent mounting 

[Tiger-Heli]

I think you would be better off using the 49ways as P1 and P2.  Those are the players that will use all the different modes.  I don't think any playable games that use a 49way are more than 2 players.

Paul

oh, i figured i'd be able to change those games to think the p1 input is the p3 controls, and p2 = p4 controls, am i wrong with that thinking?

You're not wrong in your thinking (you can do it the way you are planning).  I think it's more a question of "Are the P360's THAT much better than the 49ways for fighters?" and if so - "Is slightly improved control in fighters worth more awkward gameplay in classic games?"

If both answers are yes, than you are on the right track.  If either answer is no, than take Paul's suggestion.

[jer2665]

haha, another cog in the wheels

anyone have experience with both p360's AND midway 49-ways?  what can people recomend for fighters?  i am just going by something i read in forums and retroblast.com where it really seems that the p360 is the winner by far for basically the best joysticks, if the 49 way are concidered close then i could either go 4 of them, or save some money doing p1&p2 with 49 ways, and p3&p4 with supers possibly.  i just don't want to waste the $50 for each p360 for the 3 and 4th players that will rarely be used.  anyone have experience with the p360's and the midway 49-ways that can let me know how they feel about the difference in most games?

Thanks alot.

[Tiger-Heli]

anyone have experience with both p360's AND midway 49-ways?  what can people recomend for fighters?  i am just going by something i read in forums and retroblast.com where it really seems that the p360 is the winner by far for basically the best joysticks

I don't, but I can guarantee what Retroblast said about the P360's was written prior to RandyT's GP-Wiz49 interface.  I'm not saying that the P360's AREN'T better for fighters than the 49-ways, but this was not taken into account by the review.

Perhaps 1Up or Kremmit could comment, since I think they have both used the 49-ways.

I also wanted to clarify my remarks on the Prodigies -  If you move the sticks without a game playing, the throw feels much shorter than what you remember from the arcades, however, you don't notice this much in actual games, and I played several games of PacMan last night and did not once have a miscue that was caused by the stick, something I couldn't say for the arcade game.  I won't be replacing these any time soon.