Joystick for 4, 8 and 45 degrees?

[Charlie97L]

Is there a joystick out there that's capable of doing all 3 functions that's easy to change?

4 way, 8 way, 45 degrees?

Thanks!

[johnrt]

The Ultrastik 360. It's an analog programmable joystick.
http://ultimarc.com/ultrastik_info.html

[pbj]

Ultrastik does not have physical restrictors.  Nobody uses those things.

[Charlie97L]

Hm, I did see that one... Any other options?   That wouldn't be my first choice!

[Slippyblade]

For what you are wanting, the Ultra is the answer.  It *should* be your first choice.

[Charlie97L]

I've used one and it feels a bit odd, but yeah, it's the obvious choice, just making sure I'm not missing any other options. 

[Ginsu Victim]

Happ Universal

[pbj]

Yeah, I've got a Happ Universal (or j-stick or whatever the hell Ultimarc was calling them) on two cabinets.  Hate it. 

[Ginsu Victim]

Yeah, I've got a Happ Universal (or j-stick or whatever the hell Ultimarc was calling them) on two cabinets.  Hate it.

E-stik is the Ultimarc version.

I hated them as well, and replaced them with the U360s, but it fits what he's looking for.

[Charlie97L]

Could I program an 8 way to work?

[Slippyblade]

On a normal 8-way stick there is no "program".  It's a simple mechanical device that consists of 4 switches that are either connected or not.

[RandyT]

Is there a joystick out there that's capable of doing all 3 functions that's easy to change?

4 way, 8 way, 45 degrees?

It's pretty much the default capability list for virtually any square restricted 4/8 way selectable joystick.  With these sticks in 8-way mode, it's easy to find the corners for 45 degree games (like Q-bert.)  The only difference is that 2 switches are actuated instead of one.  If the switches are adjusted well, there's little difference between a square restricted 8-way, and a diamond restricted 4-way rotated 45 degrees, so long as MAME is configured properly for the game.

[8BitMonk]

Ultrastik does not have physical restrictors.  Nobody uses those things.

Ultrastiks have physical restrictor plates just like any other joystick, 4-way, 8-way, round, octagonal. Plenty of people use them, including myself, and love them.

I've used one and it feels a bit odd, but yeah, it's the obvious choice, just making sure I'm not missing any other options. 

Keep in mind the different restrictor plates and light or heavy springs, the one you tried isn't necessarily representative of what they all feel like.

[severdhed]

i use sanwa JLW / Ulimarc J-Stiks for everything and i love them.  They are excellent in 4 way mode. they work great in 8 way mode, and for qbert, use the 8way mode and remap mame to use two inputs for each direction.  _for example up in qbert = up + right on the joystick.  because of the square gate, it is incredibly easy to find the corners and this works very well.

[Charlie97L]

Is that stick bottom switchable?

[severdhed]

yes.  the stock JLW requires that you loosen 4 screws.  if you go with the J-Stik, they are modified with longer screws/springs/washers so that no tools are required

[GeoMan]

One more vote for Ultrasticks, as i use 3 of them for a long time. I wanted a joystick to play all kind of games: Analog, 8/4 way, diagonal for QBert.

I use a thick spring and a round restrictor. The stick is set to analog mode and i limit the directions by just creating a <game>.ini file, adding a joystick_map and placing it into the Mame INI folder.

For Crushroller, Pacman, Lady Bug and other 4-way joystick games -> joystick_map s8.4s8.44s8.4445

QBert diagonals -> joystick_map 4444s8888..444458888.444555888.ss5.222555666.222256666.2222s6666.2222s6666

Qix, Frogger 4-way tight control -> joystick_map 888888888.488888886.448888866.444555666.444555666.444555666.442222266.422222226.222222222.

You can also create horizontal/vertical limits or leave it in analog mode for Space Harrier. They all work perfectly!