PS2 Saturn pad hits streets on March 24th

[DantesInferno]

BLAM!!



Click it!

[Neon]

*drools* where can I preorder? Doesn't seem to be listed at playasia.

[DantesInferno]

Not sure yet..they have a really wicked Virtua Stick too coming out the same day..

[Cugel]

Wow, it's nice. I just ordered two Sega USB control pads. I may have to order the PS2 pad as well.

[mannerbot]

Sweet, my left thumb'll thank me when I order this.

[bigbadboaz]

Bump. These appeared for preorder today at NCS and Play-Asia. They're only $32 and change at P-A and I was amazed to see I could get a pair shipped to the US for only $8. So I ordered a pair for under $80. Pretty freaking awesome after months of anticipation.

Now to see which is the truth about these reissues - some say they're wonderful; others claim they don't feel anything like the originals (PC USB version). God I hope I'm not disappointed.

Tempted by that Virtua Stick too, but I can't really justify it when I'm waiting on a Hori Real Arcade Pro Special Edition...

[Cugel]

Which RAP Special did you order?

My friend in Japan pre-ordered the Seimitsu SPECIAL EDITION for me. This is the preferred stick for Japanese shmups fans.

I already own a Hori RAP which I'm going to mod with Sanwa buttons as soon as the buttons arrive from himura games.

[captain ahar]

does anyone know if those SE Rap sticks are going to be available on Play-Asia or NCSX or anything?

[bigbadboaz]

Yeah, I want the Seimitsu RAP as well. I haven't actually ordered yet; I'm waiting on them to be "pre-orderable" somewhere. Isn't the release not until the end of March?

I have heard NCS will be stocking them, but I really don't know for sure.

[Cugel]

The Seimitsu Special Edition comes out on March 31. I asked NCSX earlier and they stated they intend to allow pre-orders of the Special Addition and Special Edition.

Since these are limited edition sticks and since the pre-orders closed in Japan, it's anyone's guess on what's going to happen.

[bigbadboaz]

Hey Cugel, is the top of the RAP sloped like a Namco stick? I'm having a hard time telling from pictures if it has a sloped surface or if the base has a trapezoidal shape. If it IS sloped, the thing should be damn near perfect.

How's the Sanwa in the original model? Sure hope the Seimitsu is indeed preferable.

[Cugel]

bigbadboaz,

Yes, the Hori RAP is slightly sloped. The Special Edition uses the same design except for color and components. I wouldn't say it's as angled as an X-Arcade or Hanaho but it's ergonomic enough.

When I play shmups, I have the Hori RAP sitting on my keyboard tray (perfect fit and height). I can play either MAME (via USB adapter) or my PS2 (dodonpachi dai-ou-jou) via my Hori Upscan Converter 2 (excellent product btw).

The Japanese shmups fans are raving about the Seimitsu stick. They claim it's more accurate and sensitive than the Sanwa. Sanwa is nothing to sneeze at. The Sanwa stick in the Hori RAP is looser but much more sensitive than the Happ Supers. Heck, after playiing with the Sanwa I can truly say that I can't go back to Happ Supers. I'll keep my Hanaho to play Robotron and Crazy Climber and old 80s arcade games, but I'll use my Hori RAP for everything else.

The buttons on the Hori RAP are good, but I've ordered Sanwa buttons as replacements.

[bigbadboaz]

Thanks for the info, C. Very much looking forward to this stick.

I am now done hijacking the thread.