Korean or Japanese stick for shmups

[Tigerschwert]

I'd like to replace my generic japanese style lever with a new one and I'm considering either getting a seimitsu (probably ls-40), or a korean lever (probably the Crazy Dongpal).

My question is, if a korean lever has any benefits or downsides when compared to a japanese one, in regards to shmups.

[To Far Away Times]

I've never heard of the Crazy Dongpal. I think seimitsu is usually considered the best type of joystick for shmups due to the travel.

[Tigerschwert]

I've never heard of the Crazy Dongpal. I think seimitsu is usually considered the best type of joystick for shmups due to the travel.

Yeah, I've heard that aswell. I was just curious if the korean granment system has some benefits for shmups.

[Acid]

I use a Korean stick. The grommet pushes the stick back to center quickly and provides good feedback.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

The general consensus is, that Sanwa Denshi sticks https://focusattack.com/sanwa-jlf-tp-8y ... lx-tp-8yt/ are for fighting based games with an octogonal gate whereas with a Seimitsu stick, those are the preferred choice to use with stgs in conjunction with a square gate. The website, https://www.arcadeshock.com, sells both Japanese Sanwa & Seimitsu arcade sticks + Korean arcade sticks as well.

The famous and well-known Seimitsu LS-32 based arcade stick is a Japanese game center staple since the mid-1990s found on the neon colored control panels of various candy cabs. Why not pick up both a Seimitsu LS-32 and a Korean arcade stick and try them both and then make your choice as to play with as your "default choice." You'll definitely see your stg scores getting higher & higher with a Seimitsu based one. It'll take a while to "break in" a brand new arcade stick if used on a daily basis + a good arcade stick grease/lubricant to keep things running "buttery-smooth" as well. https://focusattack.com/fa-dab-20-ounce ... ease-vial/

On a side note, the Neo-Geo AES arcade stick uses a Seimitsu short-throw stick whereas with the Hori Fighting Stick PC (for PC Engine), it has a rare & "out of production" Seimitsu LS-33 arcade stick installed from the get-go.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Tigerschwert]

The general consensus is, that Sanwa Denshi sticks https://focusattack.com/sanwa-jlf-tp-8y ... lx-tp-8yt/ are for fighting based games with an octogonal gate whereas with a Seimitsu stick, those are the preferred choice to use with stgs in conjunction with a square gate. The website, https://www.arcadeshock.com, sells both Japanese Sanwa & Seimitsu arcade sticks + Korean arcade sticks as well.

The famous and well-known Seimitsu LS-32 based arcade stick is a Japanese game center staple since the mid-1990s found on the neon colored control panels of various candy cabs. Why not pick up both a Seimitsu LS-32 and a Korean arcade stick and try them both and then make your choice as to play with as your "default choice." You'll definitely see your stg scores getting higher & higher with a Seimitsu based one. It'll take a while to "break in" a brand new arcade stick if used on a daily basis + a good arcade stick grease/lubricant to keep things running "buttery-smooth" as well. https://focusattack.com/fa-dab-20-ounce ... ease-vial/

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

Thanks for the answer. Do you know of any downsides or benefits to the granment system vs the spring system for shmups?

[PC Engine Fan X!]

The stock spring (and spring tension) that are used on the Sanwa & Seimitsu arcade sticks vary (and can be removed and replaced with a lighter or heavier spring -- this would up to the player's personal preference, of course).

The Crazy Dongpal arcade stick is more catered towards the FTG/fighting game crowd but it can't hurt to buy one and try it out to see if it's the right match/fit in your case: https://paradisearcadeshop.com/products ... lear-white

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Steven]

Try leverless, it's way better than any stick because it has way less travel time + higher precision due to lower chance of accidental inputs.

[jehu]

I've experimented with all kinds of Japanese and Korean levers, and I landed on the Seimitsu LS-62 as my endgame.

The grommet system in Korean levers works well for tap dodging and micromovement. However, when you really need to steer around the screen, it quickly becomes a pain. The tension on the lever remains stiff as you push into the gate. You end up having to apply much more constant pressure to the lever than you would with a spring system. The downsides of having to apply the extra force compounds if you play regularly. Play one or two runs a day, and it'll be fine. But if you play for an afternoon, or several afternoons in a row, and you'll likely start to feel the strain. Admittedly, I do a lot of movement with my thumb, so this was particularly noticeable for me. When I racked up my Gun Frontier arcade clear, I had to switch from Korean to Japanese because the thumb started bothering me. And this was even with a lower-tension grommet.

I suppose if you hold the lever differently, your mileage may vary. Just make sure you have the bat topper on it for the extra leverage if that's the way you want to go.

I'm a huge fan of the LS-62. It's low tension, short throw - feels good steering and tap dodging. Whether I'm playing Toaplan or Cave, it's what I reach for. I don't have any Korean levers installed in my builds; my small collection is just collecting dust in my closet.

[Tigerschwert]

I'm a huge fan of the LS-62. It's low tension, short throw - feels good steering and tap dodging. Whether I'm playing Toaplan or Cave, it's what I reach for. I don't have any Korean levers installed in my builds; my small collection is just collecting dust in my closet.

Thanks for the great answer! Have you tried other seimitsus aswell (mainly the ls 40, 56 and/or 58)?
If yes, why did you specifically go for the ls 62? I've heard others have also short throws and light springs.