I'm torn... 4-Way joystick related

[Timstuff]

A while back I purchased a Happ Universal joystick with the intention of putting it in 4-way mode and using it as my dedicated 4-way joystick, because of the "rotation" feature that lets you put it at a 45 degree angle for games like Q*Bert. But now, I'm starting to wonder if I'd be better off with a Ms. Pac-Man/Galaga Reunion 4-Way, because I am not entirely satasfied with the way the Universal feels in 4-Way mode (it's still possible to press diagonals, ontop of it). The Reunion joystick would have more solid 4-way functionality, and it also has a ball-top which would make it feel more authentic.

On the other hand, would i be alienating a hardcore Q*Bert fan by not having a 4-Way diagonal stick avalible on my CP? I myself never really played the game much, so I'm not entirely sentimental about it. On on the other hand, I shelled out nearly 80 bucks for a Tornado Spinner, even though I've never even seen a spinner game in an arcade. I do NOT want to have 2 dedicated 4-Ways on my panel, that I can already be sure of. Not only would I have to re-work my CP design to accomidate it, but it would also be more expense, and for just one game that I won't even play that much.

Can someone give me some advice? Should I use the Universal that I already have and have Q*Bert play the way it ought to, or should I order a Reunion, and have better and more authentic controls for the games I'm actually going to play regularly?

[Tiger-Heli]

IMHO, Q-bert plays just fine with my Prodigy joys in 8-way mode, but I just occasionally play the game, and the Prodigies have somewhat of a square feel in 8-way mode.

Depending on what your 8-way sticks are, I would probably get the reunion and not worry about the universal for Q-bert.

That said - you might be able to bend the leaf switches on the Universal so you can't press the diagonals and still be able to use it for 4-way games.

[Timstuff]

My Universal uses microswitches, not leaves, so the idea of bending them wouldn't work, but thanks for the advice anyway. I'm going to be using Happ Competions for my 8-way sticks. The Reunion joystick is looking mighty good to me right now. Any more opinions?

[Farmboy90]

Are you a huge fan of the fighter games?  Just curious since you said you were getting the Happ Competition sticks...

[Tiger-Heli]

My Universal uses microswitches, not leaves, so the idea of bending them wouldn't work, but thanks for the advice anyway. I'm going to be using Happ Competions for my 8-way sticks. The Reunion joystick is looking mighty good to me right now. Any more opinions?

Comps have a square actuator, making them easy to feel the corners, so that should work well for a Qbert stick, I think.

[Timstuff]

Are you a huge fan of the fighter games?  Just curious since you said you were getting the Happ Competition sticks...

Yup. I love me some Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat.

[rlemmon]

Have you thought about a mag stick plus ? That way you have real 4 and 8 way play because of the rotating restrictor plate. I got one a week a go and i love it.

[Xam]

The Ultimarc E-stick is another option. Uses restrictor plate for 4 way action and can be turned to accomadate games like Qbert and Congo Bongo.

You can check out the magstik and e-stick here.

http://www.ultimarc.com/controls.html

Xam

[RobotronNut]

The Ultimarc E-stick is another option...

The E-stik is identical to the Happ Universal, which he has and doesn't like.

If Qbert isn't a priority, go for the Reunion, and use your 8-ways for Qbert.

I love both Qbert and many old 4-way games, so I have 2 reunions in my panel. They are excellent. For details on 3rd-party replacement ball-top shafts to fine-tune the height of your reunion, click the link in my signature.

[hypernova]

If Qbert isn't a priority, go for the Reunion, and use your 8-ways for Qbert.

I'll second that notion.

Though I'm like you robotronnut.  I got two reunions.  Even did it just for Q-bert on the diagonals.  Never played the others yet.  Will try them once it's up and running.

[mccoy178]

Go with 49 ways and a reunion.  Don't forget the "O" and "K" buttons.

[pointdablame]

Get the reunion. there is NOTHING that can replace a dedicated 4way.  In fact, I'd get a NOS 4way WICO if you can swing it.  If not, the reunion is a great stick.  I had one in my last machine, and will probably be putting one in my current catastrophe machine   Might wind up with a WICO I have sitting around though

As for Qbert, if you set it up correctly, it plays ok on an 8way.  Unless you're a big, big Qbert fan, you'll be fine.

[Kremmit]

As for Qbert, if you set it up correctly, it plays ok on an 8way.  Unless you're a big, big Qbert fan, you'll be fine.

On a square-restricted 8-way, that is.  Not so hot on a round-restricted 8-way like a Super or a Wico 8.

[quarterback]

Get the reunion. there is NOTHING that can replace a dedicated 4way.  In fact, I'd get a NOS 4way WICO if you can swing it.  If not, the reunion is a great stick. 

I just played with a Nintendo 4-way (like found in Donkey Kong) and forgot how sweet they are. 

I like the Nintendo 4-way action better than my reunion stick.  I haven't compared them side-by-side so I'm not even sure what the specific difference is, but the Nintendo seemed more authentic... probably because it's what I was using when I played DK as a kid.