Why can't I find a good 4-way joystick?

[bluevolume]

OK, so I've looked online, and been to our local arcade parts store twice, and I keep coming up empty.  Maybe I'm expecting something that isn't possible.

When I think of a 4-way dedicated joystick, I'm thinking that the joystick will only move in a cross pattern, and physically will not move in diagonal directions.  Sort of like a gear shift control, that only moves within defined channels.  But every 4-way joystick I pick up doesn't work that way, they still let you move the stick to the corners, but no contacts are closed there.

Help!

[RayB]

...our local arcade parts store...

Ask for the "ms pac/galaga reunion" joystick. It's the only modern 4-way I know of (besides the cheap sanwa imitators), and well built as well.

[Zero_Hour]

The cross pattern isn't the issue. It's the ability of the joystick to actuate only one of the 4 switches at any given time. Think about it... What classic arcade game did you play that actually felt like a gear shift when you moved it. That would actually have made Pac Man near impossible if you had to return the stick to center before moving in another direction. As long as the stick restricts the movement of the joystick such that you move from one direction to the next without actually connecting 2 switches simultaneously, 4 way games will play much as you remember them in the arcade.

I'd love to pick up a Wico Leaf-Switch 4 way stick, but I'll probably save myself a lot of aggravation, and just pick up the Reunion 4 way RayB mentioned.

[bluevolume]

I guess I was thinking about the Galaga joystick, a 2-way that truly only moved 2 ways. 

[NoOne=NBA=]

The closest stick to a gear shift pattern would be the Seimitsu.
It has a clover-leaf shaped restrictor that makes the stick push out from the diagonals, and drop into the primary directions.
I don't really care for that feel, so I grind mine down though.

Most of the others have a diamond shaped restrictor that prevents the stick from hitting diagonals, but allows straight travel from one primary direction to another.

[genesim]

I love the Ultimarc J Stick.   Though I am sure it is not as good as the reunion MS. Pacman..it still is a nice bottom mounting arcade stick.

The key is having a RESTRICTOR plate.   There are 2 way restrictors if that is your bag.

As for having a dedicated two way...never understood that.   It is kind of hard to go up or down.    Definetly not as easy to mistake like the 8-way/4-way problem.

Though I am all ears when it comes to reasoning this out.

[mcfreak]

I have the Tornado Terry's Ms Pac Man joystick and it restricts diag and feels great.  Find it on this page: http://www.tornadoterrys.com/surplus.htm

[bluevolume]

I have the Tornado Terry's Ms Pac Man joystick and it restricts diag and feels great.  Find it on this page: http://www.tornadoterrys.com/surplus.htm

Which joystick is it?  The only thing I see with "Ms PacMan" is an adapter plate.

[CheffoJeffo]

I have the Tornado Terry's Ms Pac Man joystick and it restricts diag and feels great.  Find it on this page: http://www.tornadoterrys.com/surplus.htm

Which joystick is it?  The only thing I see with "Ms PacMan" is an adapter plate.

"Ms Pac Man joystick with adaptor plate & Hardware" -- although you probably don't need the adaptor plate.

It's a Happ stick, so you can probably get it from the usual sources here if, for some reason, you don't want to order from TT (I have and would recommend TT anytime).

[bluevolume]

So is it just a HAPP super?  I can get one of those from Amusements Plus.

[mcfreak]

I have the Tornado Terry's Ms Pac Man joystick and it restricts diag and feels great.  Find it on this page: http://www.tornadoterrys.com/surplus.htm

Which joystick is it?  The only thing I see with "Ms PacMan" is an adapter plate.

"Ms Pac Man joystick with adaptor plate & Hardware" -- although you probably don't need the adaptor plate.

It's a Happ stick, so you can probably get it from the usual sources here if, for some reason, you don't want to order from TT (I have and would recommend TT anytime).

He has two kinds, one is restricted and the other is switchable between 4/8 by switching out a part.

The restricted one is better.

[CheffoJeffo]

So is it just a HAPP super?  I can get one of those from Amusements Plus.

Nope ...

http://www.happcontrols.com/joysticks/5060841125r.htm

IIRC, TT does have longer handles available (if, say, you are mounting in wood) for this stick.

[xmenxmen]

I need one of these just for the looks.  Currently have a super in dedicated 4way.  Might get one of these someday.  But so far, I found the super in 4way to be quite decent.  But again, I only play pacman on it.

[Kaytrim]

If anyone is looking for leaf switch 4 way sticks LizardLick has some available, they have leaf switch buttons too.

TTFN
Kaytrim

[CheffoJeffo]

For those thinking of buying Chinese knockoff leaf sticks, you may want to read this first:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=41573.0

[Kaytrim]

Thanks for the info Jeffo.  I didn't realize that the Chinese knock offs were so bad.

[RobotronNut]

I love the Ultimarc J Stick.   Though I am sure it is not as good as the reunion MS. Pacman..it still is a nice bottom mounting arcade stick.

i have both and prefer the J-stik. it has quicker engagement. most noticeable in 2-way games like defender and galaxian.

note that my observations apply to joysticks with shafts sized for bottom-mounting, which means stock J-stik vs reunion with tornadoterry shaft. i have not compared a stock J-stik to a stock reunion.

[Crowquill]

Does the reunion stick have any kind of restrictor?

How does it differ from the Super? I'd understood they were pretty much the same base.

[markrvp]

Does the reunion stick have any kind of restrictor?

How does it differ from the Super? I'd understood they were pretty much the same base.

The reunion, instead of having a round hole, has a diamond shaped opening that the shaft rides against.  It physically restricts the shafts ability to activate two switches at once.

[Timoe]

I heard that most people prefer the nintendo 4-way,  but I dunno.   

[NoOne=NBA=]

My personal favorite 4-way is the T-stik with the RandyT mod done to it.
RandyT's mod was to unscrew the bottom of the stick, and stick some washers in to relieve some of the tension on the spring.
That leaves the throw short, but makes the stick alot friendlier for long playing sessions.

[Apollo]

The Chinese knock offs are highly flammable, have small parts easily swallowed by young children and contain high levels of Strontium, Mercury and Arsenic.

[severdhed]

i bought a Betson Space Invaders stick for my 4way needs.  It has a long shaft for mounting in wooden panels and a diamond shaped restrictor.   it was fairly stiff when i first got it, but after some use, it is feeling pretty nice now  it has a longer throw than my x-arcade sticks, but i think that is the way alot of 4way sticks are. 

betson's website is difficult to use, and i couldnt locate this stick in their online catalog (i looked under joysticks, it's not there)  but after searching their site for "space invaders" i found it.

http://www.betson.com/search/parts/space%20invaders/


their shipping is a little steep, but their customer service is great.  It cost me $32.07 with shipping.

[markrvp]

I cannot stress enough that if you want a reunion stick with a longer shaft for wood panels, then Tornadoterry's is the best place to get it.  Not only can you get the 4-way base with a shaft that's adjustable for both metal and wood panels, but you can also get different color ball tops.

[Kremmit]

The closest stick to a gear shift pattern would be the Seimitsu.
It has a clover-leaf shaped restrictor that makes the stick push out from the diagonals, and drop into the primary directions.
I don't really care for that feel, so I grind mine down though.

Most of the others have a diamond shaped restrictor that prevents the stick from hitting diagonals, but allows straight travel from one primary direction to another.

A 4-way Nintendo stick has cloverleaf restriction also.  And they're unbreakable!

[markrvp]

A 4-way Nintendo stick has cloverleaf restriction also.  And they're unbreakable!

I hear they are made of strongtanium and NEVER break.

[superart]

u mean something like this. U can find this on ebay if u search joysticks, get it from a guy called yaton66 or something i will try to find the link later. It a balltop though, but the spring return to center and it good overall. but u have to buy it in a set for $30 with 14 buttons and another joystick.

[CheffoJeffo]

u mean something like this. U can find this on ebay if u search joysticks, get it from a guy called yaton66 or something i will try to find the link later. It a balltop though, but the spring return to center and it good overall. but u have to buy it in a set for $30 with 14 buttons and another joystick.

Yaton does indeed sell them, but it is not, IMPO, a decent stick for an adult cabinet. The restrictor "plate" is soft plastic. Definitely not Strongtanium(tm) like Nintendo sticks.

 

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=70981.msg728629#msg728629

[superart]

Oh, how hard are u going to play with these sticks. I mean if u only want a four player joystick, my guess is that not matter what u do, ur not going to break these things, unless u really, really try. I mean when i had these stick i played pac man, which is the only game i used these with, and they worked fine. But i guess i would go with nintendo, put i don't have anycompliants about these if ur using them for only 4-way games. For fighting games it a different story.

Oh yeah, i think Kanieval(i think i spelled it wrong, well the guy that invinted the light up buttons idea) he said he had some sticks that were great 9i think not sure) the were kind of ball top.
http://www.knievelkustoms.com/neonmame.htm

[CheffoJeffo]

Oh, how hard are u going to play with these sticks. I mean if u only want a four player joystick, my guess is that not matter what u do, ur not going to break these things, unless u really, really try. I mean when i had these stick i played pac man, which is the only game i used these with, and they worked fine.

The issue is that the restrictor plates get worn and bent because they are soft plastic.

On a game like Pac Man you might not notice that you are hitting diagonals, but on a game like Donkey Kong you will.