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Author Topic: Are 4-way/8-way controls any good?  (Read 3510 times)

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dvdapex

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Are 4-way/8-way controls any good?
« on: April 13, 2002, 04:08:36 pm »
I've decided that I want to stick with my original metal control panel from the Neo Geo MVS cabinet I bought.  The control panel is only 23.5" wide.

I wanted to have 2 8-way joysticks and 1 4-way joystick, but I just don't see how this is possible with the amount of space I have to work with.

So, I've decided that I'll have player 1's joystick be one of the 4-way/8-way "universal" joysticks.  I know it's a pain to switch between 4-way and 8-way, but most of the games I'll be playing are 8-way, so I'll only have to switch to 4-way when the oldies are coming over for Pac Man, etc.

Anyway, I was wondering if this controller is very good in either of its modes.

Any comments?

Any other ideas for the layout (I was thinking about an inter-changable control panel, but I don't think I have that kind of skill).  
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 pm by 1026619200 »

aramis

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Re: Are 4-way/8-way controls any good?
« Reply #1 on: April 13, 2002, 04:32:50 pm »
Disclaimer: get a second opinion on the comments below, because I am only repeating things I have read elsewhere...I haven't actually tried the joysticks mentioned below, etc.

- Did you know that the Supers are also switchable between 4/8 way? You remove the e-clip on the bottom and flip over the hourglass. They have gotten good reviews from lots of members here, and I would think they would be more robust than the Universals. Keep in mind that no matter which one you choose, the "actuator flipping" method of 8 to 4 way doesn't physically limit the stick to a diamond pattern, it simply just makes it so two switches are not made simultaneously in the corners.

- Check out the joysticks at www.industrias-lorenzo.com
Item # AO3552 has a little lever on it, which I believe allows it to be switched from 4-way to 8-way on the fly. I also think that this is the joystick that Andy at Ultimarc will be selling when his site re-opens in the next few days.

Again, I'm only repeating what I've read elsewhere...
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 pm by 1026619200 »

tellarite

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Re: Are 4-way/8-way controls any good?
« Reply #2 on: April 13, 2002, 07:09:49 pm »
I took the generally good advice, and installed a 4 way joystick on my control panel in addition to my 8 way supers. Before I got things fully hooked up, I was testing things out with one of my supers..

Anyways, I found out out that it is indeed difficult to play pacman etc with a 8way enabled super. However it is not impossible. In fact, after a little time with it, I didn't hardly notice it. My hand finally got the hang of it, it just takes a little practice. Soon after, I was doing just as well with my 8 way on Pacman as I did with the 4 way.. granted you still have to make sure that you hit exaclty the direction you want to go.. you just have to get the hang of it.

The strangest part about it is, I actually think that practicing on the 8way has improved my game! The 8 way will teach you to be much more precise.

If I were to do the control panel over, and I did not want to make an emphasis on the 4 way games but still might want to play them every once in a while, I might just stick with the 8 way supers. If however, you want to play the 4ways a lot... nothing beats a good 4 way.

BASSOFeeSH

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Re: Are 4-way/8-way controls any good?
« Reply #3 on: April 13, 2002, 11:40:34 pm »
Just curious what your layout looks like if almost 24 inches isn't enough for an extra joystick in the middle.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 pm by 1026619200 »

Nailz

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Re: Are 4-way/8-way controls any good?
« Reply #4 on: April 14, 2002, 02:16:13 pm »
As another alternative, you might want to look at the Wico 8-way joysticks, I find that they work quite well in my cab on 4 way games, to the point that I removed my Happs ultimate 4-way and replaced it with an 8-with a trigger button for games that needed a spinner and a joystick with a fire button, ie. Tron.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 pm by 1026619200 »

dvdapex

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Re: Are 4-way/8-way controls any good?
« Reply #5 on: April 15, 2002, 12:12:40 pm »
Thanks Nailz.

BASSOFeeSH: Here is a picture of what my cabinet's control panel looks like (actually, this is my cabinet in every way--well it was :))



« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 pm by 1026619200 »

BASSOFeeSH

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Re: Are 4-way/8-way controls any good?
« Reply #6 on: April 15, 2002, 01:19:11 pm »
I only asked because I had a 24" design that fit a 3rd joystick:

Here's a pic:

I had to increase the width because I decided to add a 2 1/4" trackball.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 pm by 1026619200 »

dvdapex

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Re: Are 4-way/8-way controls any good?
« Reply #7 on: April 15, 2002, 01:42:44 pm »
Can you email me the template for your control panel (if you have it)?  I would love to give it a try.  Everything else is done or I'm clear on how to do, but this control panel is kicking my butt.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 pm by 1026619200 »

hyiu

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Re: Are 4-way/8-way controls any good?
« Reply #8 on: April 15, 2002, 02:15:34 pm »
if you want to switch a 8 way stick to a 4 way on the fly, there's also a 4 way plate that you can install.... (I forgot which company sells it....) its not exactly a very cheap solution, but it solves the problem (I looked at their web site, it looks kinda cool...).  It is because that plate will force your 8 way joystick to just go into 4 direction.

I personally have not tried it myself, but I found that using an 8 way joystick playing something like ms. pacman is hard.... (cos when I get intense, my direction is less than precise....)   :P

so, if your budget is not too tight (but your control panel is...) it might be worthwhile to take a look....

ps: I'm post the url when I found it...
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 pm by 1026619200 »
Another Brilliant mind ruined by education....  :p

hyiu

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Re: Are 4-way/8-way controls any good?
« Reply #9 on: April 15, 2002, 02:17:39 pm »
the site for the joystick restrictor....

http://www.oscarcontrols.com/index_joystick.htm

good luck...
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 pm by 1026619200 »
Another Brilliant mind ruined by education....  :p

BASSOFeeSH

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Re: Are 4-way/8-way controls any good?
« Reply #10 on: April 15, 2002, 02:20:58 pm »
Quote
Can you email me the template for your control panel (if you have it)?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 pm by 1026619200 »

dvdapex

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Re: Are 4-way/8-way controls any good?
« Reply #11 on: April 15, 2002, 02:30:26 pm »
Quote


Do you have Visio, or would you just prefer a .gif or .jpg?

Or a photoshop .psd even!?


You are quite accomidating :)  .psd, .gif or .jpg would be fine.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 pm by 1026619200 »

BASSOFeeSH

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Re: Are 4-way/8-way controls any good?
« Reply #12 on: April 15, 2002, 03:03:41 pm »
It'll be on it's way in a minute.  ;D
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 pm by 1026619200 »

Spartan

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Re: Are 4-way/8-way controls any good?
« Reply #13 on: April 16, 2002, 09:02:04 am »
Quote
I've decided that I want to stick with my original metal control panel from the Neo Geo MVS cabinet I bought.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 pm by 1026619200 »