Best Q*Bert, Pac-Man, Berzerk joy?

[Texasmame]

Pretty much ready to order my stuff.  Just one question -

What's the best brand/model of stick that can play 8 way games, 4 way games (without the diagonal deadspots) and has the ability to switch diagonally, for Q*Bert, WITHOUT opening up the panel.

TIA,
John in TX

[Texasmame]

I'm guessing Ultimarc's E-Stick would be good.  BUT, is the stick switchable to the diag from ABOVE the control panel or is it another one where you need to remove the panel or something similar to switch it?

[JustMichael]

I'm guessing Ultimarc's E-Stick would be good.  BUT, is the stick switchable to the diag from ABOVE the control panel or is it another one where you need to remove the panel or something similar to switch it?

No and no.  It is "swichable" via software.  It can act like a 2-way, 4-way, 8-way, 49-way or analog joystick depending upon which mapping is loaded into it.

*** Sorry, I was thinking of the ultrastik.  Note to self:  Don't post while still mostly asleep.

[Texasmame]

I'm guessing Ultimarc's E-Stick would be good.  BUT, is the stick switchable to the diag from ABOVE the control panel or is it another one where you need to remove the panel or something similar to switch it?

No and no.  It is "swichable" via software.  It can act like a 2-way, 4-way, 8-way, 49-way or analog joystick depending upon which mapping is loaded into it.

Doesn't sound like a software switchable:

From ultimarc's E-Stick page:
Another feature: the switch-plate can be rotated 45 degrees for games such as Q-Bert! Or for a more permanent 45 degree mounting, the entire joystick can be rotated.

[koolmoecraig]

This has been gone over 1000 times.

Any 8-way joystick is fine. You just configure Q*bert, Congo Bongo, etc in MAME to only trigger when diagonals are hit.

Quite simple really.

[Texasmame]

This has been gone over 1000 times.

Any 8-way joystick is fine. You just configure Q*bert, Congo Bongo, etc in MAME to only trigger when diagonals are hit.

Quite simple really.

I know about that but how about when you think you're hitting the diags but you're actually not.  That's part of why Pac-Man on the 5200 was unplayable - fully analog, pot-driven stick.  I've even tried Battlezone on my XBox and, with the analog sticks, unless you're hitting EXACTLY up or down, you get nothing.  That's what I'm trying to avoid and it doesn't sound like the software option will help that since you still have the option to PHYSICALLY MOVE the stick in the "wrong" direction. . .

[koolmoecraig]

Configured as I said, Q*bert will only move when two switches at once are hit i.e diagonal. If I just press up,down,left, or right, Q*bert wont move. Only if I press one of those with another(diagonal) at the same time, then he will move.

It's fool proof.

[Texasmame]

Configured as I said, Q*bert will only move when two switches at once are hit i.e diagonal. If I just press up,down,left, or right, Q*bert wont move. Only if I press one of those with another(diagonal) at the same time, then he will move.

I KNOW.  That's what I'm trying to avoid!

[Angry_Radish]

I understand what you are trying to say
I would say the best bet other than using multiple sticks would be a 49way.
That way you can change the mapping on the fly with no fumbling about under your cp

[CheffoJeffo]

Just replying to tell you that I know what you are talking about (there is a big difference between a restricted 4-way and an 8-way, regardless of what you do in MAME), but I haven't tried any of the "one stick to rule them all" solutions, so have no recommendation.

At some point, if I ever get around to building a Daphne cab, I am thinking of the Ultrastik 360, which may serve your needs here (althoughit is not physically restricted).

Cheers.

[Texasmame]

The multiple sticks aren't a problem since we'll have at least two on the panel.  Just would hate to devote space to a regular 4-way stick, mounted diagonally, simply for playing Q*Bert. 

Sounds like the 49 way would still give me "dead spots," no?

[CheffoJeffo]

Sounds like the 49 way would still give me "dead spots," no?

There is a huge thread on this ... sounded like Randy's 49-way interface with digital restriction worked well for applications like this:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=32747.0

And the Product Announcement thread for the UltraStik 360:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=54569.0

Cheers.

[Kremmit]

I'm guessing Ultimarc's E-Stick would be good.  BUT, is the stick switchable to the diag from ABOVE the control panel or is it another one where you need to remove the panel or something similar to switch it?

No and no.  It is "swichable" via software.  It can act like a 2-way, 4-way, 8-way, 49-way or analog joystick depending upon which mapping is loaded into it.

You're thinking of the U360, not the E-Stik.  The E-Stik can be changed by rotating the restrictor plate.  This can be done without tools, but you do need to be able to reach inside the panel to do it.

Tex, sounds like you want true 4-way restriction that's switchable to 8-way from above the panel, along with a properly restricted Q-bert mode.  That means you are NOT looking for a 49-way or a U360, as those sticks do not have true hardware restriction.

What you are looking for is a Mag Stick Plus, a (discontinued) T-Stick Plus, or an Omnistik Prodigy.  Those sticks have a square restrictor plate for 8-way, which can be rotated 45 degrees to make a diamond-shaped 4-way restrictor.  The non-Plus and non-Prodigy versions of the same sticks still have the switchable restriction, but not from above the panel, so they're out.

The Q-bert mode is achieved by leaving the square restrictor in 8-way (square) mode and configuring the software do diagonals only, just the way others have suggested.    A rotated 4-way (Q-bert stick) is a 4-way (diamond restrictor) rotated 45 degrees.  Guess what shape restrictor that is? Square restrictor!  The square restrictor you get in 8-way mode on the above sticks is the same thing as a rotated 4-way.  This trick only works on sticks with a square restrictor- rotate a round or octagonal restrictor 45 degrees and you've still got a round or octagonal restrictor.

[Texasmame]

I'm guessing Ultimarc's E-Stick would be good.  BUT, is the stick switchable to the diag from ABOVE the control panel or is it another one where you need to remove the panel or something similar to switch it?

No and no.  It is "swichable" via software.  It can act like a 2-way, 4-way, 8-way, 49-way or analog joystick depending upon which mapping is loaded into it.

You're thinking of the U360, not the E-Stik.  The E-Stik can be changed by rotating the restrictor plate.  This can be done without tools, but you do need to be able to reach inside the panel to do it.

Tex, sounds like you want true 4-way restriction that's switchable to 8-way from above the panel, along with a properly restricted Q-bert mode.  That means you are NOT looking for a 49-way or a U360, as those sticks do not have true hardware restriction.

What you are looking for is a Mag Stick Plus, a (discontinued) T-Stick Plus, or an Omnistik Prodigy.  Those sticks have a square restrictor plate for 8-way, which can be rotated 45 degrees to make a diamond-shaped 4-way restrictor.  The non-Plus and non-Prodigy versions of the same sticks still have the switchable restriction, but not from above the panel, so they're out.

The Q-bert mode is achieved by leaving the square restrictor in 8-way (square) mode and configuring the software do diagonals only, just the way others have suggested.    A rotated 4-way (Q-bert stick) is a 4-way (diamond restrictor) rotated 45 degrees.  Guess what shape restrictor that is? Square restrictor!  The square restrictor you get in 8-way mode on the above sticks is the same thing as a rotated 4-way.  This trick only works on sticks with a square restrictor- rotate a round or octagonal restrictor 45 degrees and you've still got a round or octagonal restrictor.

Yes, THAT'S the ticket!  I'll have to look into the Omnistick Prodigy then.  Heck, may just get 3 Mag-Stick Plus then!

Thanx, all!

[CheffoJeffo]

This trick only works on sticks with a square restrictor- rotate a round or octagonal restrictor 45 degrees and you've still got a round or octagonal restrictor.

Now THAT makes sense ... I see where KMC was going and have learned something. Thanks.

Cheers.

[Texasmame]

Dang, those "switches" on the top of the Prodigy panels are kinda a turn off for me. 

Anyone else feel similarly?

[Kremmit]

Dang, those "switches" on the top of the Prodigy panels are kinda a turn off for me. 

Anyone else feel similarly?

On the other hand, you can tell whether you're in 4 or 8-way mode just by looking at them- with the Mags and Ts, you can't tell without messing with the mechanism.  Also easier for guests to operate, and keeps them from trying to play games in the wrong mode so much. 

Comes down to personal preference, I reckon.