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Super Ultra-Mega Massive 49-way Review online at Retroblast!
IreM72:
The review was very good, but I feel it would have been better with a few more additions.
I agree that gameplay is most important and most of the modes were tested with games but the 2 way and 8 way were not. I know there are lots of 8 way games that no one will ever play but a few of the more popular games like metal slug and double dragon etc. could have been tested, which would have added more completeness to the review of the drs modes
There was no mention of the 16 way mode. Did you find any use for it? I know it was originally intended for 720 but didn't work. Does that mean we will never get to play this great game with the 49-ways?
It would have been good if you were testing on a dual 49-way control panel, as it would have been great to hear how the dual 4 way and 8 way games like karate champ, robotron and Smash TV etc. play, (as it is getting very difficult to find wico 8-ways in good condition these days) but if you didn't want to play these games it doesn't matter, as you shouldn't
have to buy extra controls only for reviewing purposes.
Overall I was waiting for the review and enjoyed it. I'll be going for the 49 way.
Now I've got a few questions about discussions in this thread:
What is a restricted 4-way joystick? Is it a normal 4-way leaf wico, or an 8-way with a restrictor plate/actuator so that it behaves like a 4-way? (I'm still a newbie)
I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) that ALL low res analog games play well but the high res ones do not. Whenever the analog games are mentioned it's always the same ones like roadrunner, starwars,paperboy,
RandyT:
--- Quote from: timoe on July 01, 2005, 12:02:04 am --- Arrrrrrrgh. I guess I'll buy some but maybe we can offer a blue one? :o
--- End quote ---
Now where have I heard that before....LOL
Sorry, I'm afraid the only blue one that will be available for a while will be a really gorgeous translucent blue.
RandyT
RandyT:
I'll let someone else comment on the performance of the 8-way modes as I would just seem biased.
--- Quote from: V_x_V on July 01, 2005, 07:08:45 am ---Now I've got a few questions about discussions in this thread:
What is a restricted 4-way joystick? Is it a normal 4-way leaf wico, or an 8-way with a restrictor plate/actuator so that it behaves like a 4-way? (I'm still a newbie)
--- End quote ---
Both types have only 4 switches. The shape of the hole dictates how many can be actuated at the same time.
--- Quote ---RandyT: Why don't you do "pure 4 way mode" to address this donkey kong issue?
--- End quote ---
Because many, many hours of testing show that there is no "issue", either with Donkey Kong or any other 4-way title.
With a normal digital 8-way stick, problems arise due to the fact that they are designed to react fairly quickly to a players actions in any of the 8 possible directions. This means that when a player tries to use only the 4 primary directions, they will invariably waver into the areas that close 2 of the switches at the same time, giving an unwanted diagonal. This problem is compounded on spring centered sticks as the resistance actually decreases as the throw is increased, making it easier to mistakenly wander into those areas.
The 4-way DRS mode of the GP-Wiz49 does not suffer from these problem for several reasons:
1) Diagonal directions are impossible over the range where the stick works best for a 4-way game. This can be seen by going into the gaming options screen in Windows while in 4-way DRS mode. Make circles with the stick, starting with very small ones and slowly increase the size to see what I mean.
2) The centering mechanics of the "grommet" used on the 49-Way actually works dead opposite of the spring used in a normal 8-way stick. The further you push the stick, the more resistance occurs. If you always played at the outside reaches of the throw, you would likely become pretty tired after not much time. This has the effect of keeping you where you want to be.
3) The 49-ways have an extended throw, probably twice that of conventional digital sticks. However, the players intentions are acted upon with only the slightest off-center movement. The 4 spots where diagonals are possible are positioned so far beyond where normal gameplay occurs, one really needs to try to hit them, which is in stark contrast to the digital 8-ways, where it's almost impossible not to.
4) As was stated, you can't divide the corners between the 2 primary directions. Inaction is almost always better than unintended action, but as it is very unlikely one would hit these in error, this one is somewhat moot.
RandyT
IntruderAlert:
nice review!
now.. if only we could see that trackball roundup ;)
KevSteele:
--- Quote from: IntruderAlert on July 01, 2005, 10:42:35 am ---nice review!
now.. if only we could see that trackball roundup ;)
--- End quote ---
Yeah, yeah, yeah...
I'm working on it: Scott of MAMEroom is building my "trackball test panel" this weekend using his CNC equipment, so I should have nice, perfect mounting holes this time (Randy's complaint about my OmniStik Prodigy review
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