Author Topic: Everyone's Favourite Joystick? (Read 6371 times)

gord · « **on:** April 18, 2006, 08:11:59 pm »

Hey guys!
LOOOOOOOOONG time reader, first time poster. I've always thought what you guys do is so cool, and it's taken me a long time to realize I might be ready to tackle my own project. I know it's completly an objective opinion, and that's what I want. What's everyone's favourite joystick?

I'm going to be playing mostly nes, snes, and n64 games, but there's always room for the classics, so I think a switchable 8/4 is what I need. Are there any that have a switch that isn't tucked underneath the CP? Anyways, debate away!

deadkenndys1105 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 18, 2006, 08:46:21 pm »

I use a mag-stik. I love the fact that its switchable. The throw is kinda far and my mom hates it because its not a ms. pacman stick but I like it. Its a great stick for fighters. Mine is kinda new but I have been playing it hard. I was playing galiga and I pushed the screws holding it out but the stick is well made. I kinda wish I would have got the mag-stik plus but I didnt want a magnet centered joystick.

TOK · « **Reply #2 on:** April 18, 2006, 08:47:37 pm »

Welcome, Gord.

My favorite sticks are Wico leafs and Happs Competitions.
I tried the 4/8 way switchable from above T-Stick Plus' from Ultimarc, but didn't like the stiff feel and super short throws. In fact, the short throws kind of negated the 4 way feel of the sticks to the point that I do better with the Competitions in 8 way mode. A lot of people like them, and they have been updated since the version I have, so they might be better now.

I have a set of Suzo inductive sticks ready to go in my current project. They take 5v from the power supply and don't use any microswitches or leafs. They feel very smooth and I like the travel of them, but they're ugly looking (fat ball and stick is tapered fatter at top than bottom).

markrvp · « **Reply #3 on:** April 18, 2006, 10:00:10 pm »

Happ Perfect 360s are as good as any that you can buy new. Wico 8-way leaf joys are my favorite, though.

dabone · « **Reply #4 on:** April 18, 2006, 11:12:00 pm »

On 1 cab I have Tstick Pluses (plural??), on 3 other cabs I have 360s.
(one is a multiwilliams, and the p360 are pretty good for robotron)

The 360's just feel more natural for american players, (If you are american that is). The others have more of a jap, short throw feel to them.

(I'd replace the tsticks, but I'd have to redo the entire control panel... nonstandard mounting size.)

Later,
dabone

brophog · « **Reply #5 on:** April 19, 2006, 12:10:47 am »

Quote from: deadkenndys1105 on April 18, 2006, 08:46:21 pm

I use a mag-stik. I love the fact that its switchable. The throw is kinda far and my mom hates it because its not a ms. pacman stick but I like it. Its a great stick for fighters. Mine is kinda new but I have been playing it hard. I was playing galiga and I pushed the screws holding it out but the stick is well made. I kinda wish I would have got the mag-stik plus but I didnt want a magnet centered joystick.

The mag-stk and mag-stik plus are the same stick, with different switching mechanisms. Therefore, if you are really using a mag-stik, then you are already using a magnet centered joystick.

deadkenndys1105 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 19, 2006, 12:45:53 am »

I must be think of a diffrent stick because i could have sore that the mag-stik is spring centerd.

Kremmit · « **Reply #7 on:** April 19, 2006, 02:24:13 am »

My personal favorites are the Wico leafswitch joysticks.

Quote from: gord on April 18, 2006, 08:11:59 pm

I think a switchable 8/4 is what I need. Are there any that have a switch that isn't tucked underneath the CP?

If that's what you want, there's only three choices: The GroovyGameGear Prodigy, The Ultimarc Mag Stik Plus, and the now-discontinued Ultimarc T-Stik Plus, which you may be able to find used on this forum.

(The T-sticks used a spring to center, the Mag-sticks use a magnet. Otherwise, they're pretty similar.)

destructor · « **Reply #8 on:** April 19, 2006, 06:55:25 am »

P360 (with balltop and shorter stick as on SlikStik) - airshoters
Sanwa (J-Stik on ultimarc) - fighter walking

NoOne=NBA= · « **Reply #9 on:** April 19, 2006, 09:30:52 am »

Wico leafs for most stuff.

dpz147 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 19, 2006, 10:53:38 am »

I'm using 3 p360's, but I have 1 of them set up as a dedicated 4-way, so there's no switching necessary. It's only been a few weeks but it's been working out great! I agree, Robotron does play great with them!

gord · « **Reply #11 on:** April 19, 2006, 11:21:04 am »

great suggestions! I'm kind of thinking about the 360s now. Is there anyway to get the balltop? I have the cabinet visual all planned out, but the 360s aren't matching that. Is there an easy fix or is surgery necessary? Keep the ideas coming though, I like having lots of options! Thanks for the ideas so far!

psychopanda · « **Reply #12 on:** April 19, 2006, 11:23:40 am »

I bought two Happ Ultimate joysticks to start with. Those are quickly getting replaced. I was thinking of using one for a dedicated 4-way, but I opted for a Happs Topfire instead and it feels alot better. I purchased one P360 to try as one of the main joysticks. I'm pretty sure that I will buy another P360 to round out my cab.

dpz147 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 19, 2006, 11:46:25 am »

You can just replace the stick with a balltop. Retroblast has a great review here.

You wouldn't be disappointed with the p360!

JDShaffer · « **Reply #14 on:** April 19, 2006, 12:08:00 pm »

I really like the Happ 12 position rotary, but then again my favorite games need the rotary switch.

Lilwolf · « **Reply #15 on:** April 19, 2006, 01:47:29 pm »

I would consider a happs 49 way and the 49keywiz encoder. Why? it does a great job for 4 way (better then most 8/4 switchables) . does a GREAT job in 8way mode...

but more for you.... does a very very passible job in analog for most console games. Allows you to run at different speeds playing mario (not just stop / full speed). This makes a HUGE difference in many many games.

Anyway, add a rotary interface on that and you have yourself the best all around joystick out there.

Level42 · « **Reply #16 on:** April 19, 2006, 02:08:50 pm »

Quote from: TOK on April 18, 2006, 08:47:37 pm

Welcome, Gord.

I have a set of Suzo inductive sticks ready to go in my current project. They take 5v from the power supply and don't use any microswitches or leafs. They feel very smooth and I like the travel of them, but they're ugly looking (fat ball and stick is tapered fatter at top than bottom).

Since I'm from Europe and grew up with Suzo's, they are my favorite weapons. Especialy the Inductive's ! I've got a set in my CP now, and they feel nothing short of brilliant. I don't care about the looks (but I'm used to that shape since I got my 1983 home-LEAF !-Suzo), it's how they play that's important. I totaly hate japanese joysticks, and also joysticks with LOOOOOOOOOOONG travel. For me, long travel means a stick is too slow to follow me

There's one more very positive aspect about the inductives: I found a setting of the potentiometer (that adjusts between 4 and 8 way) that plays fine in both genre games !
I never need to switch or adjust. Of course I can hit "wrong" directions this way, but only if I delibaretely do so.

Suzo's out of stock on the big (38 mm) handle inductives', but still have quite some 32 mm. I had to get my second 38 mm from the US (that one made a LOOOONG round trip back to nearly it's building city

) Anyway got it from http://www.tntamusements.com/ for less then 18 bucks excluding shipping. That's actualy a lot cheaper then a P360 and even cheaper then I got it directly from Suzo !

Grasshopper · « **Reply #17 on:** April 19, 2006, 02:25:37 pm »

There is no right or wrong answer.

In pure gameplay terms I'd say that the Suzo 500 joysticks are the best I've tried. However, the Wico leafs are the best if you want maximum authenticity for older games.

The Suzo sticks certainly look ugly if you mount them in the way they were intended to be mounted with the pivot point/fulcrum showing above the CP. However, if you mount them underneath a thick wooden panel they look a lot better IMHO as most of the long tapered shaft is hidden.

Incidentally Level42 how much did TNT charge for shipping? I live in the UK so I guess I'd have to pay about the same as you.

Level42 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 19, 2006, 03:20:50 pm »

Price was USD 17,99 and shipping USD 14 and the delivery was lightning fast. Mail Todd at Tntquality@aol.com

kowal · « **Reply #19 on:** April 19, 2006, 03:40:25 pm »

Then truth. I got Suzo Inductive Joystick today. Type of rotation is octagonal (similarly how Sanwa JLF) He is superprecise and tender. This the best stick to Shooter. Very good to fighter 2D. I used to shumps modified P360 (new stick&actuator)

he after my modification had short throw and the range of diagonals 50 degrees! This was ideal to shootings. I thought that nothing has better already. but Suzo Inductive Conduktor he amazed me again. He was yet better! Best stick 4 shumps game.
my ranking 4 shumps:
Suzo Inductive Conductor
P360 (MOD)
Mag-stick
Seimitsu

lettuce · « **Reply #20 on:** April 19, 2006, 05:46:34 pm »

Quote from: Lilwolf on April 19, 2006, 01:47:29 pm

I would consider a happs 49 way and the 49keywiz encoder. Why? it does a great job for 4 way (better then most 8/4 switchables) . does a GREAT job in 8way mode...

but more for you.... does a very very passible job in analog for most console games. Allows you to run at different speeds playing mario (not just stop / full speed). This makes a HUGE difference in many many games.

Anyway, add a rotary interface on that and you have yourself the best all around joystick out there.

How do you go about adding a rotary interface? How do the 49-Way feel for 8 & 4 way play???. As i am think of having 2 49-Ways sticks, and 2 Rotary sticks, for my 4 player cab

Grasshopper · « **Reply #21 on:** April 19, 2006, 05:55:09 pm »

Quote from: kowal on April 19, 2006, 03:40:25 pm

Then truth. I got Suzo Inductive Joystick today. Type of rotation is octagonal (similarly how Sanwa JLF) He is superprecise and tender. This the best stick to Shooter. Very good to fighter 2D. I used to shumps modified P360 (new stick&actuator)
he after my modification had short throw and the range of diagonals 50 degrees! This was ideal to shootings. I thought that nothing has better already. but Suzo Inductive Conduktor he amazed me again. He was yet better! Best stick 4 shumps game.
my ranking 4 shumps:
Suzo Inductive Conductor
P360 (MOD)
Mag-stick
Seimitsu

Kowal, could you provide some details about the modification you made to your Perfect 360.

I've looked at your site and judging by the pictures there's lots of other interesting stuff there as well but unfortunately I don't speak Polish.

Hiub1 · « **Reply #22 on:** April 19, 2006, 06:59:24 pm »

Favorite sticks at the moment are my 2 Wico's with P360 adapters. Pure Robotron bliss!

dpz147 · « **Reply #23 on:** April 19, 2006, 10:54:23 pm »

How do Wicos with p360 adapters work? Are they leaf or optical?

Hiub1 · « **Reply #24 on:** April 19, 2006, 11:15:35 pm »

They are optical. Its actually an assembly that snaps on to the existing brackets for the leafs. I'll post a pic later.

Kremmit · « **Reply #25 on:** April 19, 2006, 11:40:58 pm »

Quote from: Hiub1 on April 19, 2006, 06:59:24 pm

Favorite sticks at the moment are my 2 Wico's with P360 adapters. Pure Robotron bliss!

Arcade history lesson: These, for what it's worth, are the original P360s. The Perfect 360 company originally developed and sold aftermarket adapters for Wico sticks. They later added adapters for Supers, and adapters for other sticks may exist, but I've never seen them. They also made optical buttons for a while. Later, Happ bought the company out, and they stopped selling the Wico adapters, instead making complete sticks. They also phased out the other adapters and buttons.

Hiub1 · « **Reply #26 on:** April 20, 2006, 08:37:39 am »

Wow, optical buttons. Talk about overkill... Hm, I want some!

kowal · « **Reply #27 on:** April 20, 2006, 08:44:46 am »

Quote from: Grasshopper on April 19, 2006, 05:55:09 pm

Kowal, could you provide some details about the modification you made to your Perfect 360.

I've looked at your site and judging by the pictures there's lots of other interesting stuff there as well but unfortunately I don't speak Polish.

I sended PM for 2600 which he about this asked also. I asked him to re - edit my post and put him on forum. I do not know English language to to write this with sense:P I have hopes that he will make this better. I delivered him materials (text, foto).

fl0yd · « **Reply #28 on:** April 20, 2006, 06:11:07 pm »

Quote from: lettuce on April 19, 2006, 05:46:34 pm

Quote from: Lilwolf on April 19, 2006, 01:47:29 pm
I would consider a happs 49 way and the 49keywiz encoder. Why? it does a great job for 4 way (better then most 8/4 switchables) . does a GREAT job in 8way mode...

but more for you.... does a very very passible job in analog for most console games. Allows you to run at different speeds playing mario (not just stop / full speed). This makes a HUGE difference in many many games.

Anyway, add a rotary interface on that and you have yourself the best all around joystick out there.

How do you go about adding a rotary interface? How do the 49-Way feel for 8 & 4 way play???. As i am think of having 2 49-Ways sticks, and 2 Rotary sticks, for my 4 player cab

I have a rotary adapter kit for the 49-way joysticks available here: www.markoates.com/rotary

telengard · « **Reply #29 on:** April 20, 2006, 09:47:44 pm »

No question... Wico leaf

~telengard

specfire · « **Reply #30 on:** April 21, 2006, 01:33:07 pm »

Level 42,

Re the Suzo Inductives that you mentioned from TNT, I emailed Todd and they only have 38mm (what you needed) but I am using a metal panel and was wondering if the 38mm would end up protruding too high above the panel? I am having a hard time visualizing if the 6mm difference between the 32mm and 38mm models would be a big deal on a metal panel.

Thanks for any advice,

spec

quarterback · « **Reply #31 on:** April 21, 2006, 01:42:54 pm »

Quote from: Hiub1 on April 20, 2006, 08:37:39 am

Wow, optical buttons. Talk about overkill... Hm, I want some!

There's a recent thread about them here:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=52857.0

horseboy · « **Reply #32 on:** April 22, 2006, 03:17:15 am »

So, can you put a different stick on those butt ugly suzo inductives.

kowal · « **Reply #33 on:** April 22, 2006, 04:37:36 am »

I in future month will try to alter in suso stick inductive. This is not straight line exchange. Stick be finished, special metal which it is actuator. I can not take off this ending and without her joystick can does not act on different stick. This actuator was successful to take off someone?

http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Image:Inductivestickopen.jpg

specfire · « **Reply #34 on:** April 24, 2006, 01:16:03 am »

Can anyone comment on the length of the suzo inductive sticks?

is 32mm designed for metal panels and 38mm for wood?

Would 38mm be ok for a metal panel?

Thanks,

spec

kowal · « **Reply #35 on:** April 24, 2006, 05:17:24 am »

32 and 38 then the difference of diameter of ball. 38 is under metal panels still. I command to mill wood because they and they stand a lot of so.
http://quarters.ca/gal1.html

DarkBubble · « **Reply #36 on:** April 24, 2006, 03:38:39 pm »

During my recent trip to Indonesia, I hit an arcade full of sit-down cabs loaded with fighters, such as Street Fighter, Vs. Series, and King of Fighters. I totally fell in love with the Sanwa that day. I'd planned on using Supers for my first project, but I think they'll have to wait.

kowal · « **Reply #37 on:** April 24, 2006, 04:22:35 pm »

square rezystor for 2D fighters? Maybe this was Seimitsu LS40 not Sanwa. It on square was played bad. 2xQFC - it was blocked in diagonal easily. I sometimes play in fighter2D on sanwaJLF but using octagonal.
Square is only for 3D fighting game.

Glaine · « **Reply #38 on:** April 25, 2006, 02:18:55 pm »

I love shiny red ball-tops. Micro-switch for easy installation, even though leafs feel good.

I don't think you will be happy with N64 games with an aracade stick most of the time.
Because you obviously can't have analog control with a digital stick.
So unless you put a 49-way or a flight-stick in there, it ain't gonna play most 64's very well. Plus the button config of a panel is hard to play 64 games that require alot of buttons. This also always makes guests uncomfortable cuz of the funky button setup.

specfire · « **Reply #39 on:** April 25, 2006, 02:52:59 pm »

I just want to post a thank you to Level42 for putting me onto such a great deal on the Suzo Inductive sticks. I just ordered two of them. Both sticks including shipping came out to the same price, before taxes, of one P360, which I would have to drive 150km to pick up from the "local" Arcade supply store.

Thanks again Level42!

specfire


Main	Restorations	Software	Audio/Jukebox/MP3	Everything Else	Buy/Sell/Trade
Project Announcements	Monitor/Video	GroovyMAME	Merit/JVL Touchscreen	Meet Up	Retail Vendors
Driving & Racing	Woodworking	Software Support Forums	Consoles	Project Arcade	Reviews
Automated Projects	Artwork	Frontend Support Forums	Pinball	Forum Discussion	Old Boards
Raspberry Pi & Dev Board	controls.dat	Linux	Miscellaneous Arcade	Wiki Discussion	Old Archives
Lightguns	Arcade1Up	Try the site in https mode		Site News


Unread posts \| New Replies \| Recent posts \| Rules \| Chatroom \| Wiki \| File Repository \| RSS \| Submit news

Author Topic: Everyone's Favourite Joystick? (Read 6371 times)

DarkBubble