Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Dalgaard on January 09, 2012, 04:12:33 pm

Title: Joystick advice - What parts to get?
Post by: Dalgaard on January 09, 2012, 04:12:33 pm

I need some advice on what joysticks and buttons to get for my upright cabinet.

I will be playing a mix of many different games...fighting games, classics (donkey kong, pacman) and many more. I'll also be playing games from many different platforms including Arcade (mame), Amiga, Sega, NES, SNES etc.

Im building a wooden controlpanel (19mm including the 3mm plexi overlay).

Im considering these parts atm:
Sanwa JLF with shaft extension
Sanwa JLW with shaft extension
Happ Competition convex buttons

Also I have an old X-Arcade tankstick that I could take apart and use the joysticks and buttons from that.

I've never built a controlpanel before and im unsure what joysticks are good for all-round gaming ... Please help :)

Title: Re: Joystick advice - What parts to get?
Post by: mgb on January 09, 2012, 08:22:45 pm

If your planning on playing 8-way games such as fighters and classic 4-ways like Donkey Kong, you're gonna either want at least one stick that switches from 4 to 8 way or you'll want two 8-ways and one dedicated 4-way stick.

Title: Re: Joystick advice - What parts to get?
Post by: Cynicaster on January 11, 2012, 12:55:36 pm

Quote from: mgb on January 09, 2012, 08:22:45 pm

If your planning on playing 8-way games such as fighters and classic 4-ways like Donkey Kong, you're gonna either want at least one stick that switches from 4 to 8 way or you'll want two 8-ways and one dedicated 4-way stick.

Agreed.

If you are OK with the X-Arcade joysticks then you'd probably dig the Happ Competition.  I really like mine, and the price is right. 

As for buttons, the only advice I have is avoid buttons with vertical-mounted microswitches at all costs.  I made the mistake of buying them and they're horrible; all stiff and crunchy.  I ended up replacing them with horizontal-mounted microswitch pieces and the difference is night and day.

 

Title: Re: Joystick advice - What parts to get?
Post by: GregD on January 11, 2012, 02:31:17 pm

It is really difficult ordering joysticks without being able to compare and contrast.  if you are abuilding your first control panel you pretty much have to take a guess and try something.  I just ordered Happ Supers for my 8 ways and a Zippyy for my dedicated 4-way.  Hope I like them but I have nothing to compare them to so i will probably be just tickled.