Best joystick for fighting games?

[Kremlar]

I'm looking for an arcade control best for fighting games, specifically Street Fighter.  I always liked the controls that felt 'notched' in the diagonals.

After doing some reading, it seems that those controls have what's called a 'square gate'.

What sticks can I buy that will have this?  Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[bamarquez226]

You mean the actual travel limits of the joystick. So, when you go all the way around with the 'stik, it makes a square shape?

[fjl]

Well I don't know about those notched feel joysticks, but I've heard that Happs Super Joysticks are favored among fighter fans. They are 8 way joysticks that can easily be changed to 4 way.

[Kremlar]

I'm not sure exactly, but I remember back when I used to play in the arcades certain sticks had an almost 'notch' in the corners, so if you moved your stick all the way around, you would 'feel' that you were in the diagonal position.  Those are the ones I always liked.

After searching the web a bit, it seems that those sticks have what's called a "square gate", I guess they say it's popular in Japanese sticks.

I found this:
The thing that turns off most people at first with JP sticks is the square gate.  Whats a square gate?  It is a plastic plate that goes on the buttom of the stick that restricts how far the shaft can travel, as shown here: http://www.hsinpao.com.tw/sanwa.jpg  Now, other than restricting movement, whats with the square?  The square is a guide.  When you hit a diagonal, youll know because you will 'feel' the stick in the corner of the square gate.  Each corner is a diagonal.  If the square doesnt fit with you, you can customize it further.  (Sanwa only)  On Sanwa sticks, you can remove the square gate and replace it with an octagon so every direction (up, down, right/up, etc) has a notch, not just diagonals. 

So I guess I'm just trying to find out what model I should order...

[steveh]

are the programable joys good for this like the 49 way's (with an encoder) or the ultrastick.  or that new stick coming out from ggg

[xmenxmen]

Not sure about what U are looking for, but I can tell U this.  Original SF games uses Happ Ultimate.  Most people don't use them on their build because they break easily. 

The choice when it comes to SF around here and including me are the Happ competition.  I have tried the Super (have them just for 4way), I like the competition more.

Re-learning the dragon punch is totally a different story.  Back in the day, there's no way anyone can jump on me without feeling the punch.  But with age, that has change quite a bit......

[Kaytrim]

are the programable joys good for this like the 49 way's (with an encoder) or the ultrastick.  or that new stick coming out from ggg

I have Midway 49-way joysticks and they have a long throw.  I don't have Randy's encoder cards yet but I think that these sticks will take a bit to get used to.  I like this option for the versatility however and is the main reason I went with the 49-way sticks.

Randy's 49-way sticks and cards will be out when he feels they are ready but I think he is in the home stretch on these.

If you want a joystick just for fighters I'd head over to the BST forum and buy a pair of Happ Competitions from divemaster.  ($7.95 each plus shipping)

TTFN 
Kaytrim

[destructor]

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=61820.0

[Xiaou2]

The Notched joys are ones with Square Actuators.

 The best one of those is the Happs Competition Joys.  (imop)

 Most all SF games came with those  "Comps."  installed in them.

 Supers have round actuators and are hard to tell if you hit diagnals,
and sometimes, the diagnals are either hit on accident, or dont
register when you want them too.   This is why many prefer the
square actuators for fighters.