4 way joystick recommendation....???

[GroovyTuesdaY]

I am looking for a good 4 way joystick that plays more like the origial pac man style games.   I tried the happ ultimate 4 way stick and was very disappointed in the sloppy feeling of the stick.    

So, does anyone  have any suggestion as far as brand name, where to buy it and  priceing.   Links to the site would be great too!

thanks for all the help
g~

[Lilwolf]

I bought a 4way wico from www.videoconnect.com.  I like it.. I got the leaf switch version.  I have heard bad things about the microswitch wico ones.

Also consider getting Oscars restrictor plates.  They get great reviews and you can also get 2way and qbert plates.  Then you don't have to have another control panel / joystick.  

[Thenasty]

I am looking for a good 4 way joystick that plays more like the origial pac man style games.   I tried the happ ultimate 4 way stick and was very disappointed in the sloppy feeling of the stick.    

So, does anyone  have any suggestion as far as brand name, where to buy it and  priceing.   Links to the site would be great too!

thanks for all the help
g~

Get the Pacman/Ms.Pacman Joysticks from happs. Its cost about $60.00 but you will get what you wanted.

[shmokes]

Are there any significant differences between the Happ ms. pacman/galaga stick and the wico leaf stick besides clicky clicky?  I was going to get the Happ stick for my four way cos I didn't think anyone was making the leaf switch ones anymore.  Which should I get?  I want a ball-top (which I assume both are) and I think I want a shorter shaft for the classic feel (ruling out the j-stick).

[M-80]

I think I want a shorter shaft for the classic feel (ruling out the j-stick).

What type of panel are you using? Metal or wood? If it's wood the J-Stick looks like it would do (and you don't have to route) since it looks like most of the shaft would be lost anyway going through the wood (you'd get a short joystick anyway). If it's metal then go for the Happ Pac Man replacement sticks (they don't look like they'd even clear the top of 3/4" wood very well).

But then again, I'm still a newbie to this. LOL

[anthony691]

Well, I have heard only good things about the J-Stick. Maybe you would have more choice if Oscar builds that thinger.

[paigeoliver]

www.therealbobroberts.com sells clicky Ms. Pac-Man sticks pretty cheap ($16 I believe). I have a couple of them and they are awesome.

The handles are SHORT though. They need either a metal panel or a mounting plate. Mine is in a metal panel, and I measure 11/16th from the panel to the bottom of the ball.

There is enough room for plexi too. But certainly not enough room to use any kind of wooden panel.

Long handled 4-ways seem, to have too long of a throw to properly play the Pac-games. I have a few long handled 4-ways of an unknown brand (whatever Sega was shipping with their Bloxeed kits back in the day), and they are really only good for puzzle games, and 2-way games.

When I switched from those to the Ms. Pac clicky sticks my Pac-Man scores went way way up. I can get to the 8th or 9th key now. Before I was having trouble getting more than a screen or two past the first apple.

[M-80]

Ohhh... You're right, the J-Stick would have too long of a throw. Maybe there's a long ball stick out there where that aspect can be adjustable?

[GroovyTuesdaY]

I think I want a shorter shaft for the classic feel (ruling out the j-stick).

What type of panel are you using? Metal or wood? If it's wood the J-Stick looks like it would do (and you don't have to route) since it looks like most of the shaft would be lost anyway going through the wood (you'd get a short joystick anyway). If it's metal then go for the Happ Pac Man replacement sticks (they don't look like they'd even clear the top of 3/4" wood very well).

But then again, I'm still a newbie to this. LOL

I would be mounting this to a 3/4" panel. No plexi or lexan.

[Grasshopper]

I tried one of the Ms Pacman/Galaga reunion machines a few months ago and the joystick felt very close to the original Pacman stick. The clicking can't be heard in an arcade environment.

The modern japanese sticks feel very different, they have a longer throw and very weak springs.

Have you considered the Ultimarc/IL T-Stik? I think it is possibly the best joystick available. It has a short throw and heavy spring and is 4/8 way switchable. If you don't mind the bat handle then I would say it is ideal.

Try the following links:

www.ultimarc.com

www.industrias-lorenzo.com

Whatever you do, don't buy the $60 Pacman stick from Happ. It is simply the standard Ms Pacman/Galaga stick with an adaptor plate. How they have the cheek to charge $60 is beyond me.

[wee beastie]

If you're mounting it in 3/4 wood, I'd suggest the J-stick.  You don't need to route your panel out and it will be the right height as a Ms Pac joystick in a metal panel.  The "throw" might not be accurate, but IMO the stick is fantastic.

[shmokes]

I'm not worried about mounting or routing.  I can pick up a metal mounting plate from Oscar that will alleviate any problems associated with mounting any of these sticks in a 3/4" panel (routing required, of course).  I'm mostly looking for some comparison between the new Ms. Pac/Galaga Reunion stick and the Wico 4-way leaf sticks.  The Reunion sticks can be had for about half the price from Bob Roberts compared with the Wico sticks, and that will factor into the equation, but $15 extra ain't too hard to swallow for a superior stick if the leaf sticks are definitely the way to go.

Any thoughts?

[Grasshopper]

I'm not worried about mounting or routing.  I can pick up a metal mounting plate from Oscar that will alleviate any problems associated with mounting any of these sticks in a 3/4" panel (routing required, of course).  I'm mostly looking for some comparison between the new Ms. Pac/Galaga Reunion stick and the Wico 4-way leaf sticks.  The Reunion sticks can be had for about half the price from Bob Roberts compared with the Wico sticks, and that will factor into the equation, but $15 extra ain't too hard to swallow for a superior stick if the leaf sticks are definitely the way to go.

Any thoughts?

It's not an easy decision.

I think it depends upon what concerns you most - authenticity or gameplay. I think the modern Ms Pacman/Galaga stick feels very nice and plays Pacman just as well as the original sticks, possibly even better because the microswitches are more consistent than leaf switches that need adjusting from time to time.

However the Wico leafs do feel subtly different, not just because of the leaf switches, but because they use rubber grommets instead of springs to generate resistance to movement.

The wicos can just about be mounted in 3/4" wood without routing (even the ones with a 3.5" handle). However the handle will be very low.

I think on balance I'd go with the Wicos.

[paigeoliver]

Yes, you can mount a Wico in wood, but eventually it will get on your nerves, as it is fully functional, but you can barely grab onto it because there will be almost no room between the ball and the panel.

[armad1ll0]

bottom mounted Sanwa Japanese (J-Stick) stick is what I recomend. I use it as a top mount for Street Fighter games and I can flip it as a 4 way. The spring is light but that can be a good thing. If you want a short throw then bottom mount it on 3/4" MDF and you'll be golden.

[GroovyTuesdaY]

bottom mounted Sanwa Japanese (J-Stick) stick is what I recomend. I use it as a top mount for Street Fighter games and I can flip it as a 4 way. The spring is light but that can be a good thing. If you want a short throw then bottom mount it on 3/4" MDF and you'll be golden.

where can you get one of these joysticks?