Arcade controller for platform games - feedback and fact checking needed

[zoltar]

I have done a lot of reading on the various types of arcade sticks and buttons, and think I have decided what I want for my planned Arcade-In-A-Box controller.  Before I make it final, I would appreciate some feedback on the choices I've made.  I don't have access to the actual arcade equipment, so I have some questions I was not able to answer by reading forums and googling around.  Also, it would be helpful to get some experts to verify the information I have gathered.

First some background information:

My primary interest is platform games such as Contra, Bionic Commando, Mega Man, Castlevania, etc.  I also play 2D and 3D fighters, but that's of secondary priority.

Because of this, I need an all-round controller, and it is _very_ important for me that the stick is precise with regard to diagonals - I absolutely _hate_ sticks where it is easy to hit a diagonal when you mean to press up/down or left/right (and vice versa).

The Happ Competition stick has a circular orientation, so I can't feel the diagonals, right?  I assume this means that it is very imprecise, so the Competition stick is not an option for me.

The Sanwa JLF apparently has a very large throw/engage distance, which (I hear) makes it only good for fighting games, not platform games.  Correct?

Based on my research, the best all-round stick that meets my requirements is the Seimitsu LS-32.  Can anyone confirm that it is easy to hit diagonals when you want it, and _only_ when you want it with this stick?  Is it good for platform games such as Contra?

For buttons, I'm torn between Seimitsu PS-14-KN and Happ Convex.  I want buttons that I can gently rest my fingers on without triggering a button press.  Which one of these buttons is closest to a typical PC keyboard in the force required to press a key?

For button layout, I'm considering the Curved-Close layout.  I don't have anything to compare it with, but I hear that a lot of pros use this, and if they're happy with it, I'm sure I will be as well.

All feedback is greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

[Turnarcades]

Not sure about the choices you've specified, but most people will agree that an ideal stick for platformers will no doubt be poor for fighters.

However, I'm not one of those people who ever had difficulty on tight, short-throw, precise sticks whilst playing fighting games. In fact they give less fatigue due to the smaller movements needed to execute moves and sticks like the Suzo 500 have a soft, yet precise click when a direction is pushed so helps you out when playing games like MK etc. where 'tap-tap' moves are common. In fact, I've found the Suzo 500 to be the perfect all-round stick for switching between games like you describe and though many will disagree, I think it could be the way to go for you especially if like me you're not a fan of the regular 'soft-feel-long-throw' sticks that frequented many US arcades back in the day. Here in England we usually had to plump for generic (non-dedicated) cabs which usually had this stick as standard, but they were perfect as they can sure stand the abuse of a commercial setting with no spring fatigue, off-centre-ing or control sloppiness.

[zoltar]

Thanks for the tip - short throw and preciseness is what I want, so the Suzo 500 sounds like it could work for me, but I still hope someone can tell me if I'm right in what I said about the Happ Competition, the Sanwa JLF and the Seimitsu LS-32.  Since I'm not going to build this controller myself, I have to go with sticks that Arcade-In-A-Box can give me.  The Competition and the JLF sticks are standard options, and I know they have some pre-built controllers that use the LS-32, so I'm hoping that is also an option.

[Ginsu Victim]

I just know the Happ Competition is the standard when it comes to fighting games.

However, for the best of both worlds, the Suzo 500 is supposed to be a great stick.

[MrMojoZ]

JLFs have a shorter throw than any Happs I've used.

[zoltar]

JLFs have a shorter throw than any Happs I've used.

OK, this page claims the throw is about the same, but the engage distance is different:
http://www.slagcoin.com/joystick/attributes_brands.html
Specifically:
Happ Competition: engage = short, throw = medium
JLF: engage = far, throw = medium

[MrMojoZ]

The other link on that page shows a JLF and a LS-32 to be very close in throw and engage. http://www.kowal.itcom.pl/ArcadeParts_pliki/joyZESen.htm

[zoltar]

The other link on that page shows a JLF and a LS-32 to be very close in throw and engage. http://www.kowal.itcom.pl/ArcadeParts_pliki/joyZESen.htm

Huh - that's true!  Then why are people saying that the JLF is bad for non-fighting games?  Are they simply wrong?