New RetroBlast Reviews - Rollie Joystick, UAII Kit, Warrior Joystick Handles ...

[RetroJames!]

Rather than have multiple posts,


Rollie Electronics Joystick - http://retroblast.com/reviews/RollieJoystick-11232006-01.html

Warrior Joystick Handles from Dragon Joysticks - http://retroblast.com/newsitem.php?cid=3231

Mameroom Designs UAII Kit - http://retroblast.com/newsitem.php?cid=3187

GameEx Frontend - http://www.retroblast.com/reviews/GameEx_FrontEnd-11292006-02.html

and just for fun,

Retrogaming T-shirts - http://www.retroblast.com/reviews/RetroGaming_T-Shirts-11292006-02.html


Enjoy and please let us know what you think, here or there!

[DarkBubble]

Whoa, I didn't know Ponyboy was going to be producing his own sticks.  Didn't even see a mention of it in his inventory and his website still says "Coming Soon".  I really wanna know how they are next to a Sanwa, especially since they're almost half the price, and if he plans on offering a circular or octagonal restrictor plate.

[Donkey_Kong]

Wow, I just saw Mitch Gerson's video demonstration of the Rollie 2-4-8 Way!

That thing looks pretty versatile...and the price DANG!! I personally like the different colored translucent ball tops as well.

Various Diameter Balltops...NICE!! I might be in the market for some of these STICKS.

[Donkey_Kong]

Mitch, are those ball tops different diameters? Probably not, my screen I think is making me blind seriously. Just a mirage...

 

[destructor]

Installation

If you have never installed a Sanwa joystick you’re going to love this one from Rollie.

My two cents. Don't compare these sticks to Sanwa. This stick is more similiar to Seimitsu LS-40. Look at mountplate, shaft and restrictor - totally different than Sanwa, similiar to Seimitsu LS-40.

[DarkBubble]

I e-mailed Mitch, and he said that functionally, they felt nearly identical to Sanwas. 

I hadn't seen the Seimitsus from below until a few minutes ago and I see what you mean.  Definately looks like a Seimitsu clone.  Mitch had said in his review that the stick has a loose feel though, and I thought that Seimitsu was tighter than Sanwa.  Could it be that maybe it was an attempt to reach a happy medium?  Regardless, it seems that there's as much love in the fighting community for Seimitsu as there is for Sanwa.  After seeing the raving over Sanwa for several years and finally getting to sit down to an entire arcade full of them and loving them, I think it's safe to assume that I'll be fine with a Seimitsu style as well.

I think these will definately be getting used in my cab when I get around to refurbishing and outfitting it, as well as a standalone and/or my Agetec.  The yellow stick is no big deal, as that can be repainted, but it might be fun to build the motif so that the stick color fits.  I'm with Kong on the balltops too.  It's awesome that the stock balls are translucent.

[destructor]

I e-mailed Mitch, and he said that functionally, they felt nearly identical to Sanwas. 

No words. Seimitsu restrictors (as in review) will never work as Sanwa restrictors. Seimitsu has special 4-way restrictor (as in review). Please look at some Semitsu LS-40 photos:
http://www.kowal.itcom.pl/ArcadeParts_pliki/LS40.htm
Mountplates are different than Sanwa too. But mountplate isn't important here.

Most important is:
1. Restrictor. Look at square restrictor in review. It's clever. Seimitsu has clever too. Sanwa has diamond. Playing on clever is totally different than on diamond. On clever when you change direction from up to left, left to down ... you feel jump between positions. In Sanwa on diamond restrictor is no jump, move is smooth. Then I don't understand why Mitch words.
In review we see 3 restrictors in one (2, 4, 8 way) as in Seimitsu. Sanwa has separate circle, octagonal, 2-way and 4/8-way restrictors.

Next important things:
1. Actuator that looks as Seimitsu.
2. Second restrictor plate (white part). In Sanwa is not second restrictor, in Seimitsu is.
3. Shaft with cover. Sanwa has no cover. Seimitsu has.

And remember that bubble ball tops are Seimitsu products.

Maybe Mitch never saw Seimitsu joysticks? Or maybe never saw Sanwa too?

I have Sanwa and Seimitsu sticks and I know what I say.

[DarkBubble]

I hadn't seen the Seimitsus from below until a few minutes ago and I see what you mean.  Definately looks like a Seimitsu clone.

If you'll read that part from my previous post, you'll see that I wasn't disputing you and in fact stated that I'd just seen what the Seimitsu looked like and how I saw the similarities in construction.  I was simply stating how the guy said that they felt when used.  Without actually having the Rollie and Seimitsu in hand, it's hard to say if it's a straight copy or if there were some differences in certain dimensions or things like spring tension, which could alter the feel.

[destructor]

I hadn't seen the Seimitsus from below until a few minutes ago and I see what you mean.  Definately looks like a Seimitsu clone.

If you'll read that part from my previous post, you'll see that I wasn't disputing you

Yes. I say about Mitch's words in e-mail.

[Space Fractal]

There is a heavy debate about GameEX about it free or not in the software board (about Maximum Arcade and was going to off typic).

You say GameEX is free, but it can being registered for a full version. How?

How can you win a License if GameEX is free?

It not a Pros to say it free, since it contain a very annoying nag, that nearly force you to pay.

It shareware/Liteware as mostly all of us said on that thread.

[MameMaster!]

I hadn't seen the Seimitsus from below until a few minutes ago and I see what you mean.  Definately looks like a Seimitsu clone.

If you'll read that part from my previous post, you'll see that I wasn't disputing you and in fact stated that I'd just seen what the Seimitsu looked like and how I saw the similarities in construction.  I was simply stating how the guy said that they felt when used.  Without actually having the Rollie and Seimitsu in hand, it's hard to say if it's a straight copy or if there were some differences in certain dimensions or things like spring tension, which could alter the feel.

Mitch Responds! ---

I just noticed this debate...and no, until this post I've personally never heard or or seen any "Seimitsus"...but there's definitely a resemblance there.

Overall...I am familiar with Sanwa's.....and these sticks are nearly identical in feel/function to them. Heck, for the price...how could you possibly go wrong if you want to try one for yourself to see if I'm right?

Also...regarding the tops...they are all identical in size and shape. It must be a weird photo angle you're seeing there!