Author Topic: What joysticks do you prefer and why? (Read 4015 times)

gamecaptor · « **on:** April 28, 2003, 02:41:59 pm »

I'm doing research on joysticks. I've read the reviews on
http://www.oscarcontrols.com/joycompare/joyreview1.shtmland it sounds good, but I would like more feed back from other users. I'm curious why no one ever talks about Perfect 360 joysticks (http://www.happcontrols.com/joysticks/joysticks_amusement.htm).

As for what I'm looking for, I play all sorts of games, fighters, shooter, whatever. So I'm looking for the best all around joystick.
Thanks.

anthony691 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 28, 2003, 02:52:51 pm »

There is some joystick stuff I want to hear about too (J-Stick and Pacman reunoin stick)

In my expierience the X-Gaming stick has been fine; it isn't too good as a 4-Way (It is switchable) You can't beat it's price though! It also has a good feel to it, and a nice tin-like noise.

2slk · « **Reply #2 on:** April 28, 2003, 03:30:11 pm »

gamecaptor, anthony691,

The best all around stick I have found is the j-stick. For me it represents an easy way to switch between 8 and 4 way. The 4-way is physically restricted so it feels very authentic with no 'dead zones'. It has a square feel so it's easy to hit the diagonals on fighter games. The tension is light but if you like it heavier, simply stretch or replace the internal springs. Of course, you could also go with the t-stick, which has a much harder tension and pretty much the same attributes as the j-stick. If you use either of these sticks as an all around stick, you can't go wrong.

I have also tried the reunion stick and it is nice. I still prefer my old leaf switch wico ball top though. You can get good deals on these on Ebay. They are a little difficult to mount in wood but it is possible. But I think anthony691; you have a metal CP if my memory serves me well.

gamecaptor · « **Reply #3 on:** April 28, 2003, 03:40:07 pm »

Thanks for the feed back! More from others would be helpful!

JamesMolloy · « **Reply #4 on:** April 28, 2003, 03:44:18 pm »

I'd say the J-stick because its the kind they use in modern cabs. They're used competitively in Asia everywhere from Virtua Fighter 4 to Ikaruga through to the Tetris. They're the type European players are used to too. I can't stand bat sticks.

AX · « **Reply #5 on:** April 28, 2003, 04:00:15 pm »

tstick and jstick are awsome. very durable and solid also. One thing I would rather though is direct switch contact rather than the metal tab.

BASSOFeeSH · « **Reply #6 on:** April 28, 2003, 05:13:17 pm »

You can get the j-stick with either a bat top or a ball top.

That said, I haven't used mine in 8-way mode.

radiator · « **Reply #7 on:** April 28, 2003, 07:32:29 pm »

another vote for the j-stick!

i'm a fan of the Sega Naomi cabs, so getting a j-stick was a no-brainer!

think everyone has pretty much said everything about the stick; nice restrictor, easy 4/8way changeover...

pretty much a good all-rounder

...oh, and how do you change the 'stiffness' of the stick? i read that you do something with the springs, but after having a quick look i can't figure it out...
i mean, it feels fine (nice and loose for quick movements) but i wanna fiddle with it...

gamecaptor · « **Reply #8 on:** April 28, 2003, 07:58:59 pm »

Hum, I'll have to look into these j-sticks. Now, where do I buy them at?

Gopherboy · « **Reply #9 on:** April 28, 2003, 08:08:47 pm »

Hi guys - woohoo - nice feedback on the J-sticks!!!!

I have supers which I have yet to put in my panel. I ams till debating whether they are the right option. I am in Aus so I am used to the Jap/Euro balltop sticks, like the J-sticks and only saw them after I recieved my Happ order!!!!!

I am a very sad boy at the moment

Anyways, while using my trusty Dreamcast arcade stick (which great,) I noticed that it was really loose. I mean, it has always been loose, and that is quicker and generally easier but I couldn't help feeling that it was perhaps too loose. If anyone has a J-stick and a Dreamcast arcade stick, how do they compare? (i.e. - which is looser?)

cheers,

gb

radiator · « **Reply #10 on:** April 28, 2003, 08:11:01 pm »

http://www.ultimarc.com/ -

gamecaptor · « **Reply #11 on:** April 28, 2003, 09:00:30 pm »

Well I'm a little dissapointed, the J-Sticks only come in Red. I guess I could paint one myself (I have a 1 Player Red, 2 Player Yellow setup).

Sasquatch! · « **Reply #12 on:** April 28, 2003, 09:28:12 pm »

I have Wico ball-top leafswitched sticks as my 8-ways, and I love them. I don't care for the "discreet" cornering of most microswitched sticks, and the Wico leafswitches are very smooth. They suck as 4-ways though.

OSCAR · « **Reply #13 on:** April 28, 2003, 09:47:32 pm »

My new favorite joystick is the Happ P360 (http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=6294;start=0) with 4" Wico balltop handles. This is an expensive route to go, but now that I've used them I won't use anything else. The Wico 8-way leafs are also good and I have used them in various projects, but they don't even compare to the feel and accuracy of the balltop on the Happ P360, IMO.

I have yet to try the J-Sticks, but I have only heard good things about those, too.

http://www.oscarcontrols.com/tmp/oscar-cp2.jpg
http://www.oscarcontrols.com/tmp/oscar-cp3.jpg

JoyMonkey · « **Reply #14 on:** April 28, 2003, 09:56:12 pm »

I just came accross this review of the Happ Super and Wico Leafswitch:
http://www.arcadeparadise.org/reviews/joysticks.html

I've been using Happ Ultimates (not too happy with them) and X-Gaming sticks. I'd like a good ball-top stick thats available in black, but haven't come accross much yet. Thinking of trying some Wico microswitch sticks.

Wienerdog · « **Reply #15 on:** April 28, 2003, 10:24:19 pm »

Quote from: OSCAR on April 28, 2003, 09:47:32 pm

My new favorite joystick is the Happ P360 (http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=6294;start=0) with 4" Wico balltop handles. This is an expensive route to go, but now that I've used them I won't use anything else. The Wico 8-way leafs are also good and I have used them in various projects, but they don't even compare to the feel and accuracy of the balltop on the Happ P360, IMO.

Sure, rub in that DOT spinner...

Can I get the 4" Wico Balltop handle by itself somewhere or do I have to buy the joystick? Where is the best place to buy that stick? Is that one of the Universal Series 500 sticks at http://www.wicothesource.com/new2/pages/page88.htm ?

OSCAR · « **Reply #16 on:** April 28, 2003, 10:32:39 pm »

Quote from: Wienerdog on April 28, 2003, 10:24:19 pm

Sure, rub in that DOT spinner...

You don't want that one, it's the prototype and not as high quality as the production ones. I opted to keep that one for myself, you guys will get the good ones...

Quote

Can I get the 4" Wico Balltop handle by itself somewhere or do I have to buy the joystick? Where is the best place to buy that stick? Is that one of the Universal Series 500 sticks at http://www.wicothesource.com/new2/pages/page88.htm ?

No, do not buy the Series 500 for swapping out the handle, it is actually a Suzo 500 and not the same as the old Wico balltops.

www.arcadeshop.com has the 3.5" handles in stock, I don't know if they carry just the 4" handles. Watch eBay for new/used Robotron sticks to get a 4" handle. I bought a bunch when www.videoconnect.com still sold them. I'm not sure if the Wico microswitch joysticks used the same handle or not, perhaps they are compatible as well.

armad1ll0 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 28, 2003, 10:36:56 pm »

I totally am into the J-Stick which is an odd term for just a Japanese stick. The one on Ultimarc is a Sanwa but the Seimitsu is pretty much the same. I'm building one out of the Sanwa right now. See my site for my Capcom FP mini Stick...

I had to swap ball tops to get the blue one on there. I have another 4 Seimitsu's ready to go into desktop control panels. For my ArcadePC, I have four Oval/Bat top Sanwa's waiting for the control panel when I get to it.

wee beastie · « **Reply #18 on:** April 28, 2003, 11:03:02 pm »

Another vote for the j-stick here too! I wrote up a semi decent sized review of it awhile back on this message board. Dig around and you may find it.

The main good points
1-restrictor works great and allows you to easily switch between 8 and 4 way. There are no kinks when moving from one cardinal direction to the other, just a smooth slide down the restrictor

2- ball top, no explanation needed.

3- I didn't route my 3/4 inch control panel and when I installed the stick, it's about the same height as a Ms Pacman joystick (this is the effect I was originally going for)

Only negative point is that the j-stick is very loose. Pac sticks (originals) were a little tight. You really had to try to push in a direction. The j-stick spring is so light, simply resting your hand too much on the stick will push it in a direction. But, really, you get over that pretty easily.

m3talslug · « **Reply #19 on:** April 29, 2003, 10:42:26 am »

I love my P360s! I like my Supers second best. I never really liked joysticks with a Square feel.

http://tobywong.50megs.com

JoyMonkey · « **Reply #20 on:** April 29, 2003, 11:35:22 am »

Can anyone tell me if joysticks come with a standard base size, or are they all different? Will the holes I drilled in my CP for an X-Gaming stick also fit a Wico Series 500 stick? Or a Happ Super?
I assume they're the same, I can't find any Wico dimensions though.

JamesMolloy · « **Reply #21 on:** April 29, 2003, 01:36:44 pm »

I'm going to order Sanwa sticks from their japanese site. i'd get the j-stick from Ultimarc but it only comes in one colour.

armad1ll0 · « **Reply #22 on:** April 30, 2003, 05:12:37 am »

You can't.

Note Ultimarc is like the only site I've found in English that you can order Sanwas from. In Japan it's not very common to use credit cards for online transactions. You need to send cash (yen) or do a bank wire transfer. This is really unrealistic for a normal person that just wants a couple of sticks. All I wanted where a few new balls in different colors ($1 each) and I can't manage.

I even have Japanese coworkers that translate the pages for me. It's not so simple.

BTW... M3talSlug, very nice CP... I'm impressed.

JamesMolloy · « **Reply #23 on:** April 30, 2003, 01:46:51 pm »

A guy from www.virtuafighter.com called Catch22 ordered Sanwa parts from their website. He e-mailed and got a reply in English. They gave him everything he wanted and threw in several limited edition VF4: Evolution keyrings for good measure.

Wade · « **Reply #24 on:** May 01, 2003, 09:19:34 am »

I use the J-sticks balltops and I really like them, that's my vote. I play 4 and 8 way games pretty regularly.

Someone who wants a different ball color could dye the red ball black or another dark color like purple maybe.

Wade

ic · « **Reply #25 on:** May 03, 2003, 12:28:00 pm »

I am a fan of the J-stick too.
Got mine from ultimarc and am well pleased.
It's a great joysick in 4 way or 8 way.

It seems a bit stiffer and a feels a bit different to the ones I have found in naomi/astro city cabs. (They usually have a green ball top.)
Maybe I have played the wrong machines or something?

After a while it does become a little looser, but still not as loose as the joysticks in naomi/astro city cabs.

For shooting games it is really recommended imo, the diaganals are really easy to hit, and it doesn't feel too springy when repeated taps are used.
I also prefer the j-stick to play virtua fighter too.

Quote from: Gopherboy on April 28, 2003, 08:08:47 pm

Anyways, while using my trusty Dreamcast arcade stick (which great,) I noticed that it was really loose. I mean, it has always been loose, and that is quicker and generally easier but I couldn't help feeling that it was perhaps too loose. If anyone has a J-stick and a Dreamcast arcade stick, how do they compare? (i.e. - which is looser?)

cheers,

gb

The dreamcast joystick is far looser m8.
The dreamcast joystick feels more like the ones I have used in naomi/astro city cabs.

The sanwa j-stick I bought from ultimarc is still as nice though, the j-stick doesn't feel as quick as the dc stick if that makes any sense.

The j-stick seems to have a bit more of a quality feel about it imo.
I would prefer the j-stick to be just a little looser, but thats just my preference.
Being a bit stiffer makes doing repeated taps that little more exerting for a lazy guy like me.

Does anyone know how to make the j-stick looser apart from physically wearing it in?
Thanks.

raist0069 · « **Reply #26 on:** May 06, 2003, 03:27:34 am »

I am still deciding which to buy myself. For me it all comes down to the 4-way joy stick. Either have two 8-way and one 4-way, or have two 8-way with one capable of 4-way. I would rather have just two joys but I am concerned in how exactly is a joystick converted from 8 to 4-way etc. Does it take a while to switch it over? Seems it would be a pain to keep switching back and forth. But if it's not much of a hassle, my control panel would look less cluttered with one less joystick. Im looking at Happ p360, I have read up on it but am still confused how they are converted to 4-way. If happ p360 doesn't seem to be for me, thinking about getting T-Stick (for "easy conversion") or just defaulting with two 8-way and one 4-way.

thanks ahead of time for any advice..

CthulhuLuke · « **Reply #27 on:** May 06, 2003, 04:30:48 am »

Quote from: OSCAR on April 28, 2003, 09:47:32 pm

My new favorite joystick is the Happ P360 (http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=6294;start=0) with 4" Wico balltop handles. This is an expensive route to go, but now that I've used them I won't use anything else. The Wico 8-way leafs are also good and I have used them in various projects, but they don't even compare to the feel and accuracy of the balltop on the Happ P360, IMO.

I have yet to try the J-Sticks, but I have only heard good things about those, too.

http://www.oscarcontrols.com/tmp/oscar-cp2.jpg
http://www.oscarcontrols.com/tmp/oscar-cp3.jpg

I actually second what Oscars says about the p360s. I was sooo pissed off when I missed that super deal Happs was having for a while, gotta pay the 30 dollars extra for not getting on top o fthat one -__- but if you want the best joysticks, get the p360s. I don't actually own any of them, but my local arcade had them on the Cacpom vs SNK 2 machine, and as long as you don't get food or anything crappy like that in the light sensors, they work perfectly, even if they do get dirty, cleaning them shouldn't be hard at all, just stick a vacuum in there, call it good. They've got realllly good feeling springs, perfect response on all directions, and wayyyy fluid rotation. Definitely the premium joystick users top pick.
-Luke

raist0069 · « **Reply #28 on:** May 06, 2003, 04:48:59 am »

Am I correct in saying the Happ p360's cannot be converted from 8-way to 4-way easily? Seems you pretty much have to decide when you install the joystick? If so, looks like I will end up buying two of these and some other 4-way joystick.

shmokes · « **Reply #29 on:** May 06, 2003, 10:59:41 am »

The restrictor plates at www.oscarcontrols.com will accomplish a P360 8-way to 4-way conversion. No clicky clicky either so they would resemble the classic leaf switch joysticks in that respect.

Grasshopper · « **Reply #30 on:** May 06, 2003, 03:24:42 pm »

Different joysticks work best for different games. However, if I was forced to pick just one joystick for every game then I'd go for the T-Stik. It has a really nice feel - short throw and heavy spring, looks good - same shaped handle as the Happ Super, and is the only joystick designed to be switched between 4 and 8 way operation without having to use a screwdriver.

armad1ll0 · « **Reply #31 on:** May 06, 2003, 03:39:22 pm »

I hated the feel of the T-stick

I found that stick to be way to stiff and with a such a short throw... it was not very comfortable. If you don't tighten a Sanwa all the way down, you don't need to unscrew the 4 screws just to change the 4-8 way...


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