Which U360 setup is best for 80's games?

[fytr]

Hi,

I'm about to order a couple of new U360 joysticks for my cabinet. I'm wondering what the best setup would be in terms of restrictor plates and springs for the types of games I like to play. I mostly play classic 80's games like Pacman, Dig Dug, Robotron, Joust, Karate Champ, Time Pilot, Galaga, Sinistar, etc. I will be setup to play fighting games also (Street Fighter, King of Fighters, etc.), but really I'll be playing the 80's games a lot more so that's my emphasis.

So, red ball tops are already decided, but what do you guys think is the best combination of springs (Hard vs normal) and restrictor plates (none, round, octagonal) for the types of 2, 4, and 8 way games I'll be playing the most?

Thx,
  Ken

[Ginsu Victim]

Round restrictor and hard springs.

[fytr]

Thanks for recommendation.

If you don't mind, could you expand on why the round restrictor would be better than the octagonal? Seems like the octagonal might provide better feedback in terms of slotting the stick into one of the 8 directions (not that I've ever tried either).

Ken

[Triangel7D]

I actually went through this choice in the last few months. Every post on this board seems to come to same conclusion: Round restrictor + Hard (which used to be called "medium" when Andy first launched the U360 spring). But I was a fan of the octagonal restrictor (I love the Gamecube analog stick, for example), and I had to try both. After trying the octagonal on one side and the round on the other, I have to say all the recommendations are right. I do the like the octagonal more for certain games (particularly 8-way games like Bosconian), but I found the throw just a little too short, and when you're doing dragon punches on an SF game, it feels kind of "clackety." The round feels more "classic" and works more universally -- I would also guess that it feels more traditional for friends who come over and try your setup. I was shocked how even Ms. Pac-Man feels nicer on the round than the octagonal (even after a lifetime of playing it on a 4-way restrictor).

[Triangel7D]

And to answer your question more directly, for me the U360 works so well on giving you the direction you think you're pushing that it makes the feedback the octagonal gives less significant. I'd rather have a restrictor that feels right for EVERYTHING.

[Todd H]

Agree with the others. Round restrictor and hard springs.

[fytr]

Thanks guys, that's exactly the feedback I was looking for! 

Of course, now I go to place my order and the Ultimarc site says the Red Ball Top U260s are out of stock. 

I've emailed Andy to see what the ETA for new stock is going to be. Maybe I'll get lucky and:

- They'll have the circular restrictor plate and firm spring included as standard.
- They'll be in next week

One can hope, right? 

Regards,
  Ken

[brock.sampson]

If you are in the U.S. you can order ultimarc stuff from divemaster127 in the buy/sell/trade forum.  I have bought several things from him and have been very happy.

[Ginsu Victim]

Divemaster127!

[Triangel7D]

Definitely Divemaster. I swear by him.

[fytr]

Thanks for the Divemaster tip!

Andy says he should have U360s back in stock in 3 or 4 days. As I am located in Canada I priced out the same items from both Divemaster (US based aka much closer), and Ultimarc (UK based). Surprisingly, shipping from Ultimarc was only $22 vs $39 from Divemaster's site. So, I'll be ordering from Andy to save a few bucks, these things are already hard to justify the money on when one adds the spring and esp. the restrictor plates. Seems like the hard spring should be the standard one, and the joystick should come with a single restrictor plate of your choice in the base price... 

But good to know about Divemaster's site for future reference, just wish the shipping wasn't insanely expensive. What ever happened to good old USPS.   

Thanks again guys.

Regards,
  Ken