Best Arcade Stick?

[Rantin' James]

Hi guys...

The best Arcade Stick I've used so far is the DC one by a considerable margin. I've tried a HORI Saturn stick and found it considerably worse.

The only problem with the DC stick that I can see, is that it has a square gate for the stick, instead of a circular one. How much of a problem is this, if at all?

Does anyone have the HORI Fighting Stick EX for Xbox, and how good is it (in detail please! )?

Thankyou!

-J

[mid]

I love my DC stick when its used. The only major downside it has is that, unlike with a good PS2 stick, there just aren't the converters out there I thought there were. I'd love to use it with my PS2, Cube and XBox, but I've failed to find a way of doing so.

[dgnr7982]

The white Japanese Saturn stick with the multi coloured buttons is much better than the DC stick.

[Rantin' James]

I love my DC stick when its used. The only major downside it has is that, unlike with a good PS2 stick, there just aren't the converters out there I thought there were. I'd love to use it with my PS2, Cube and XBox, but I've failed to find a way of doing so.

I know a guy who can rip out the guts of a Gamester (Crappy, but quite cheap) Xbox stick and install them in the DC stick. I've used one of my friends converted DC sticks and it seems perfect...

So that's probably what I'm going to do -- unless someone tells me the HORI Xbox stick is really good...

-J

[mid]

Presumably its an either/or thing, though. Right now, my DC stick gets far more use than it would as an XBox stick. What I'm really after is a way to be able to control everything with the same stick.

[Rantin' James]

Presumably its an either/or thing, though. Right now, my DC stick gets far more use than it would as an XBox stick. What I'm really after is a way to be able to control everything with the same stick.

Right, absolutely, I dont even have a DC :P

At the same time, if I did, I'd just buy about 4 DC sticks and convert 2 and leave 2

On that note also, a sub-question: Where can I buy a cheap DC stick?

[mid]

Going rate seems to be ?20 to ?25 in Trading.

It occurs to me that if you really wanted to go the whole hog, Arcade spares aren't unreasonable. Simply rip the controls off a rubbish XBox or PS2 stick and replace them with real ones.

[Molloy]

I've got one of those old yellow and grey Namco sticks. It's a nice, solid metal thing and it only cost me 5 euro.

I'm kind of toying around with the idea of building a double stick with Sanwa parts. If I order an X-arcade PCB, wires etc. (which I'm told they'll sell separately) instead of the whole stick I could make something compatable with all my consoles and my PC.

Now I just need money.. and an Atro City arcade control pannel. Mmm.. arcadey.. *drools*

[Rantin' James]

I've got one of those old yellow and grey Namco sticks. It's a nice, solid metal thing and it only cost me 5 euro.

I'm kind of toying around with the idea of building a double stick with Sanwa parts. If I order an X-arcade PCB, wires etc. (which I'm told they'll sell separately) instead of the whole stick I could make something compatable with all my consoles and my PC.

Now I just need money.. and an Atro City arcade control pannel. Mmm.. arcadey.. *drools*

I've heard there are problems with the X-Arcade and some XBox games (ie SNK vs Capcom) due to some kind of strange lag issue...

Where can I get an old Namco stick like that these days? (you're going to send me to Ebay aren't you?)

-J

[Papercut]

Does anyone have the HORI Fighting Stick EX for Xbox, and how good is it (in detail please! )?

Mine arrived this morning. I had a very quick go, seems nice. I have the DC stick aswell. If you can afford the EX, I'd go for it!

The main advantage would be the funky black XBox stylings and 8 buttons instead of 6 (works with pretty much any button config out of the box).

I think I prefer the buttons slightly on the DC stick, they're slightly flatter and a little less squigy than the EX stick. There isn't much in it though.

The sticks themselves are very similar, my DC stick is a little looser but I think thats through use.

BTW the Gamester joysticks are being sold off for ?15 a pop in GAME at the moment.

[Rantin' James]

Does anyone have the HORI Fighting Stick EX for Xbox, and how good is it (in detail please! )?

Mine arrived this morning. I had a very quick go, seems nice. I have the DC stick aswell. If you can afford the EX, I'd go for it!

The main advantage would be the funky black XBox stylings and 8 buttons instead of 6 (works with pretty much any button config out of the box).

I think I prefer the buttons slightly on the DC stick, they're slightly flatter and a little less squigy than the EX stick. There isn't much in it though.

The sticks themselves are very similar, my DC stick is a little looser but I think thats through use.

BTW the Gamester joysticks are being sold off for ?15 a pop in GAME at the moment.

Just Gamester joystick stocks in GAME stores right? I might have to go grab one.

NCSX mention something about the fighting stick's buttons being a little squidgy -- but it's really not a problem right?

Does the HORI stick have a circular gate for the stick? Is it nice and big and heavy and sturdy?

Let me know more when you've had a more thorough play please 8)

-J

[Molloy]

I found the Namco stick under a mountain off dust in a toy shop. It came out when Tekken 2 and Soul Edge were new so I'd have to say ebay.

[Papercut]

Just Gamester joystick stocks in GAME stores right? I might have to go grab one.

Yep, the strange black/silver wedge shaped thing that goes for ?30/?35 elsewhere.

NCSX mention something about the fighting stick's buttons being a little squidgy -- but it's really not a problem right?

No, its only a slight difference over the DC stick. There is a bit more travel and a bit more resistance. I personally prefer the longer travel, and hopefully the resistance will wear in just a little over time.

Does the HORI stick have a circular gate for the stick? Is it nice and big and heavy and sturdy?

I think it may be circular. I'll have to check. * edit * It is big and heavy and sturdy, yes. Not as sturdy as the original Hori SNES Fighting Stick though, which had a fantastic folded metal case

Let me know more when you've had a more thorough play please 8)

Sure, I'll post some more impressions. I've had a quick go on the SCII and VF4:Evo joysticks aswell, the buttons and sticks all felt the same as the EX. I have an Evo stick of my own on the way too

[SuperBrother]

It's probably just me but I really can't get along with my DC arcade stick as the square gate makes it very difficult for me to pull of dragon punches etc.



It's not helped by the fact that one of the microswitches occasionally sticks in, I'll have to get round to opening the thing up and giving it a clean.

[Plow King]

I asked Saurian about the xbox hori stick's gate and he wasn't sure but he mentioned that he doesn't use corners as such when he plays. He only moves the stick so as to contact the microswitches so the shaft never actually touches the gate.

This is a way that a lot of arcade players play as it requires minimal movement to execute a move. Obviously, it would take getting used to instead of slamming the stick from direction to direction so maybe you could try that method Superbrother and see if it makes any difference.

I'm going to give it a try for sure anyway.