Fighting Game Arcade Sticks and Controllers

rufati · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 2:06 pm�� Post subject:

I tried ordering through the Capcom Store but was denied as they don't deliver outside of the US. How did yours go through?

Grr.
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Eggy · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 4:59 pm�� Post subject:

had to trick the system on the section for selecting shipping destination. The way their system works is it initially selects your billing address country as the shipping address country, but then it updates the drop down box to only have USA, Canada and Mexico. If you hit the submit button fast enough it doesn't have time to update that box and your shipping country will go through.

I took a massive gamble with this ($500+ gamble, eeeee!!!!), so me and my friend were pretty scared it would go pear shaped and we'd end up with nothing. My work friend was soooo happy when I came to work with his TE. He was using a Hori Fighting Stick EX2 on 360 initially, and after moving to the TE he said his game has improved tremendously.

The dumb thing about the Capcom Store is they have estimates for world wide international shipping, but then block it at the shipping address stage.... It's really silly.

You guys who have April JB preorders for the TE aren't going to be disappointed. You'll be in love in arcade stick heaven.

Windburn · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 6:27 pm�� Post subject:

I think I've decided to mod my FS3. Going to cap off the L2 and R2 buttons on the far right and go with the 3 button layout too,

Going to do some homework and order all the right Sanwa buttons, QDs and a JLF as soon as I can. Had a dig through the shed and turned up all the right tools, so I'm fairly sure I'm good to go.

I've even scouted out a good site that develops vinyl stickers, and they allow custom artwork. A bit of photoshop work this weekend with a few SF4 walls and Chun Li and cammy should make the final touch to my FS3 mod. I just can't be bothered waiting till June to get something decent, when I can get the same result with a little bit of sweat.
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Eggy · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 10:57 pm�� Post subject:

this should help you immensely

http://pineconeattack.com/2008/12/07/how-to-mod-the-hori-fighting-stick-ex2-with-authentic-arcade-parts-xbox-360-version/

vindk8 · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 12:35 am�� Post subject:

Hey Eggy

Now that you have both a HRAP and Tournament Edition, how do the two compare?

HRAP SA is more or less the same as the TE in terms of parts used but is there one that feels better? Perhaps more solid in construction or better built?

I got my hands on a HRAP2 SA and have a TE ordered but I worry a lot about the Mad Catz brand.... sure they have a good design on the TE and use quality parts... but its still probably the same Chinese dude who built the crap stuff that is building the new stuff.....

Eggy · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 10:26 am�� Post subject:

I would say design wise the TE is top class, but in constructions the HRAPs are better. Just yesterday when I was playing around inside my new TEFS, one of the nuts used to hold down the bolts in the top panel fell out of it's bracket, so I couldn't screw that bolt down anymore. It's like the plastic where the nut is secured in is not tight. Had to fix it with some blutac to keep it in there.

HRAPs are also packed better, since they are put in a plastic bag before being packed into the egg carton cardboard then put into the retail packaging.

The TEFS just has hard foam on each edge of the stick, which causes small scratches on the plastic top panel.... ugly.

Playing on the TEFS is better though as it sits lower and is more comfortable for me.

EDIT: One thing to add to this. The TEFS and SEFS are much easier to mod, being only 1 step process to gain access to the guts. HRAPs are a 2 step process to gain access to cuts, but I'd say that even though it's only 1 extra step, it's more like 3 to 4 times longer to get it open due to how stick is designed.

HRAP:
step 1) take off bottom panel, 8 small phillips head screws (easy)
step 2) unscrew 6 nuts holding the top metal panel to the plastic body (difficult and time consuming due to the space where the nuts are located and the size of the nuts. Also need to have the HRAP upside down to do this).

TEFS:
step 1) unscrew 6 allen key screws. DONE. (although you need a smaller allen key than the standard one used in self construction stuff, example something from IKEA. Should be in most tool kits).

The problem with the HRAP is you may strip the phillips head screws if you're not careful, while you can't strip allen key screws. Also the HRAP screws tighten on plastic wells meaning the wells can become stripped and the screws won't tighten anymore if they are unscrewed and screwed lots of times, while the TEFS tights screws into nuts locked into the plastic case.

EDIT 2: The button layout on the TEFS and SEFS is better than the HRAP layout. TEFS/SEFS layout can be adaptered to the angled or straight button layout, while the HRAP uses the old angled layout, but the last 2 buttons on the right angle downward in a useless way (most people use button plugs because of that).

Personally I prefer the angled button layout since it fits the natural way your fingers rest (since your fingers aren't naturally straight across).

Windburn · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 6:47 pm�� Post subject:

Hmm, so I spent the afternoon when I should have been studying, designing my background art instead. This is what I've come up with, based around a few of my favourite characters in SF4...hah. Credits go to the respective authors of these pics who I shamelessly copied+pasted from.

Originally I started with just a Chun-Li theme, as she is my favourite char (always has been) but I expanded that a bit for...aesthetic...reasons.

What do you guys think, will it work? Going to use white Sanwa buttons for the main 3, and I'm thinking of either plugging the last two, or using 2 Blue Sanwa buttons. I'm definitely looking for any criticisms/suggestions, especially as I've never done anything like these before. I'm looking to get these printed from www.stickerart.com.au, who print on outdoor vinyl.

But if anyone knows of a better place to get it printed, please let me know

Already ordered all the materials for the modding. Have a Sanwa JLF-TP-8T stick, 8 Sanwa buttons, a Seimetsu white bubble top to replace the Sanwa top with, 16 QDs and a LS-33 spring to tighten the standard sanwa (ie. ultimate jlf mod) all on the way.
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shinhawk · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 8:31 pm�� Post subject:

^
I'm totally digging the custom art. A lot of it looks like it was done by Udon people.
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My Play-Asia affiliate link.

Ciel · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 10:26 pm�� Post subject:

Ok here are my impressions on the various joysticks that I have used on Street Fighter 4 for both the XB360 and the PS3.

The joysticks I tested and played around with are the following :

PS2 Hori Real Arcade Pro
PS3 Virtua Stick High Grade
PS3 Hori Fighting Stick 3
XB360 Hori Soul Calibur 4 Joystick
XB360 Madcatz Tournament Edition

Now I know there's a few in depth articles on each joystick and since there's 5 here I'll only hit the highlights.

PS2 Hori Real Arcade Pro
- No this is not a typo I had to use an PS2 to PS3 adapter for this, and it works great, no lag inputs, didn't encounter and problems with it at all.
- Uses all Sanwa arcade parts, works great with SF4.
- The actual case which all the components are housed is the highest amongst all the joysticks, so having this sit in your lap could be trouble some, but if you fix it to a table or bench it works great no problems.
- The button layout is slight strange as the extra 2 buttons are positioned on the left most side (note the picture). That did a little getting use as opposed to the Madcatz where the extra buttons are position on the right most side.
- The stick itself is Sanwa so it's the same as pretty much any other joystick used in the arcades, Virtua Stick and the Madcatz TE. In terms of movement and special moves it was fairly easy to get use to.
- Has a metal plate on top to rest your wrists and it's built fairly solid all round.

PS3 Virtua Stick High Grade
- Buttons and joystick are all Sanwa arcade parts.
- The case rides the lowest of the 3 (apart from the two cheaper PS3 Hori Fighting Stick and Soul Calibur 4), also the heaviest.
- The button layout is really strange as clearly the game was configured for Virtua Fighter 5, but fortunately you can change them in SF4, so there's a bit of configuring to do before you start the game.
- Stick itself again is made of high quality Sanwa arcade parts, nothing to complain about here - feels pretty much the same across the board.
- Joystick is encase in metal all around except for the side panels which are plastic, because it's pretty much made of metal it's also the heaviest - but that's the price you pay for durability.
- Only grip and it's a very minor one is the top surface area is the smallest of the 3 so there's not much room to rest your wrists on.

PS3 Hori Fighting Stick 3
- Well it's been reviewed in depth before by arbok eariler, I think his write is pretty good.
- I'll add it uses Hori imitation arcade parts and there are no Sanwa quality parts used. Please keep in mind that Hori imitation parts are still fairly decent, just obviously not as good as Sanwa.

XB360 Hori Soul Calibur 4 Joystick
- This is extremely similar in build quality and performance as the PS3 Hori Fighting Stick except the button layout is only 3 top and bottom.
- Costs more than the PS3 Hori Fighting stick even though it's pretty much identical - due to Microsoft and Namco licensing fees.

XB360 Madcatz Tournament Edition
- Sanwa parts on stick and buttons.
- I think we've covered this fairly extensively through out this thread.
- Minor grip would be the plastic used on the top surface where the Virtua High Grade and the PS2 Real Arcade Pro uses metal. I'm guessing if Madcatz used metal on their casing it would've raised an already pretty expensive joystick.

Personal preference -

Since the 3 major sticks uses Sanwa parts, there really isn't any major differences between them. Maybe a few slight differences like this button pushes down a little different than another but really nothing that would affect your gameplay (and that's REALLY nitpicking).

I do prefer the Madcatz better because it has the biggest base of the lot so it sit comfortably in your lap, table, pretty much however you want to play it - but it is the most expensive.

I would say the Virtua Stick High Grade stick is my next favourite because it's weighted down and has a very solid build. The button configuration feels slightly weird but nothing I can't use it and once it's all setup in SF4 you don't really need to mess around with it anymore. Hori Real Arcade Pro I would still rate very highly, it's still a very good quality stick but now Hori has competition.

Hori's last 2 offerings would be the PS3 Fighting Stick and Soul Calibur sticks, these aren't really terrible sticks they're still better than average. They certainly are much cheaper than the other 3 so if you're not really a hard core SF4 fan then they're more than adequate.

Eggy · Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 11:50 am�� Post subject:

Just to add to Ciel's review.

PS2 HRAP1 doesn't have Sanwa buttons. It has HORI imitation buttons. Also the top plate is not metal but in fact a thick metallic sticker.

TEFS does have a metal top plate, but it is covered by an artwork layer + acrylic clear plastic layer.

The weight of the VSHG and the TEFS are the same.

Michael Kontoudis · Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 8:31 am�� Post subject:

I've been playing with a Saturn USB Pad on PS3 for a little while now, and it works a treat. The D-Pad is sublime and it feels good to have the six buttons on the pad.

I'm thinking of grabbing a stick, too. My wallet is giving me the evil eye right now, but hey.

I think I'll sell my second Saturn USB pad because I never have anyone over who plays Street Fighter IV - a bit of a mistake, there.

I'm selling it over in the Game Exchange forum, looking to offload it pretty cheaply too if anyone's wants a good pad (better than Madcatz, that's for sure).

Windburn · Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 5:29 pm�� Post subject:

Just got my vinyl stickers printing and delivered form stickerart.com.au
They were a little pricey ($40 delivered), but the quality is superb!

Now just waiting on lizardlick to deliver my parts, and then it'll be time to get my hands dirty!
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son · Status: Offline Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 1 $poons: 0.00

Does anyone actually knows where I can buy an arcade stick for xbox 360 in Sydney?

Eggy · Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 10:14 am�� Post subject:

^
the only stick available for purchase right now is the TANK stick for 360, which Gamesmen is stocking. I also saw that a GAME near me (Melbourne) had 2 on the shelf. check out the Gamesmen website for a picture. Looks really heavy duty, but a little ugly, and not my taste (prefer japanese style stick and buttons)

It's made from US HAPP parts, so if you're looking for a japanese stick (Sanwa) there aint nothing right now. JB Online might still be taking June release preorders for the Tournament Edition FightStick ($249), but I haven' checked the status of preorder availablility lately.

ittekimasu · Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 10:17 am�� Post subject:

I've purchased a PS3 FS3 and am waiting on delivery. Is there a site that we can go to purchase Sanwa parts? A local one would be appreciated.

And i've skimmed through the pages and know that the FS3 isn't as easy as the others to mod due to the soldering but how much more difficult would a person compare it?

can the FS3 faceplate be customized as well?
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Eggy · Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 10:29 am�� Post subject:

yeah there are a few aussie stores that stock sanwa and seimitsu parts.

* Highway Entertainment
* In2 Amusements

not as much range as AkihabaraShop or Lizard Lick, but they got the basic stuff you'll need (JLF stick, OBSF/OBSN buttons etc).

Plus AkihabaraShop and Licard Lick are really far behind with orders right now, since everyone been ordering like crazy due to Street Fighter IV.

Sanwa Daishi (the manufacturer) is apparently out of stock of JLF sticks because so many people have been ordering from them. Econmic Crisis??? Street Fighter IV says otherwise.

ittekimasu · Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 12:57 pm�� Post subject:

Awesome, cheers for the links.

I heard the Hori Stick wasn't that bad and that the buttons were the main things people replaced. for the Box Gate thou, could a Sanwa Oct Gate be purchased and replace it without any real modding? or would shaving etc still need to be done?
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Eggy · Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 2:42 pm�� Post subject:

Yeah mostly the buttons get swapped out, but the whole mod job is quite a big job (check out the link I posted to the EX2 mod guide a few pages back).

the main problem with using an Octo gate is that the throw of the stick increases, and charge characters become harder to use. I have not tried to use an octo gate on a hori stick, but I have modded a friends EX2 to use then sanwa square gate (because it's a little bit better than the hori square gate). with the square gate I had to drill holes through the correct parts so that I could screw it onto the hori stick.

I think if you perserve with the HORI sticks you will learn to use them, you'll have no trouble with them (as long as you don't jump to a Sanwa stick and adjust to that).

Funnily enough, I've completely removed the mods from my sanwa sticks, because over time with SFIV I adjusted to them and actually found the mods to be restrictive to my game play. It also helps that SFIV is very lenient with the command inputs. also tried unmodded in HE Remix and they performed really well in that too, when only 2 months ago I wasn't comfortable using unmodded sticks in HD Remix, so really for me it was about learning how to use the stick properly. Maybe the mods helped, like training wheels.

ittekimasu · Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 4:51 pm�� Post subject:

http://slagcoin.com/joystick/attributes_brands.html

Just to add to the list of links if it wasn't included already.

it's basically a site discussing the differences among all parts, and i thought it was an interesting read while pondering what parts i'm importing. (really wanted to know if there were any differences between the Sanwa and Seimitsu buttons.)
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mrcool37 · Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 6:31 pm�� Post subject:

Bit of an update, I've now got most of my parts together and hope to find some time next weekend to make the damn thing. There's 3 blue buttons missing from this shot, so I just need to buy some wood for the frame so here's a 'before' picture:

At this stage I'm probably just going to use the MCA Aust. plastic joysticks and buttons as that is all I ever used really used (haven't been to an arcade in years) Also for the feel/sound of the switch as well in the buttons.

However, I was given this used sega aracde panel off an old Timezone machine over the weekend, and to my surprise, everything is Sanwa. I'm unsure whether to just use the Sanwa joystick (not very fond of the buttons) and change it over if it feels too uncomfortable. The joystick itself feels very loose compared to the MCA, ie. it can can be 'thrown' almost 70% of its maximum distance before the corresponding switch is activated. Might check out these sites that have just been posted to see if anything can be done about it.

As I'll only need one of the Sanwa joysticks from the Sega panel, anybody else is free to take the other joystick, provided they pay postage.

ittekimasu · Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 9:55 am�� Post subject:

Curses both the shop's are out of JLF sticks. I'm wondering whether I should order Sanwa buttons thou, is there a difference between Seimitsu and Sanwa? because I might opt for Seimitsu to get some transparent ones.
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XtremeXfactor · Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 3:10 pm�� Post subject:

I got a TANK arcade stick yesterday... still adjusting to it. It's funny i got it in the hopes of it solving a few Street Fighter issues (on the 360 i can pull off the dragon punch + fireballs with ease.... yet i struggle to do Ken/Ryu's hurricane kick.... despite it being a reverse angle action of doing a standard fireball

) HOWEVER now just like when i was little at Time Zone i'm finding that i'm having the reverse problems again. I can pull off hurricane kicks at will..... but now i struggle to do dragon punches and fireballs

.

I've always preferred the D-Pad in Street Fighter & MK games rather than the arcade stick, easier to pull off the moves etc.

Didn't get the TANK just for fighting games, i wanted something retro for my retro games (now i won't feel so odd when playing pac-man or frogger). May also rig it up to the pc and see how i go with a few other games on that.

Endoe07 · Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 9:22 pm�� Post subject:

Anyone know where to get Hori sticks, or any decent sticks from. Preferably in Melbourne. Anyone have one the want to sell- working or not is fine.

ittekimasu · Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 7:31 am�� Post subject:

You might want to look at JB/EB and ask whether they plan on getting any in. There are some niche gaming shops around melbourne, but i'm not too sure the names/locations of them.

there's also www.play-asia.com if you become desperate.
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bigjimmystyle · Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 11:00 am�� Post subject:

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