Best shmups controller for PS4

[dadblm]

I've been casually playing shmups on and off. I want to focus on getting my first 1cc in any game, but I keep jumping around which game to focus on. Battle Garrega is regarded as one of the best, so I've been playing it on my Sega Saturn. Yes it's hard and took me a while to click with the gameplay, but it's super fun.

I also really like the Saturn controller. So much so that I've got an 8bitdo M30 controller to use on PC and consoles with blueretro adapters. It's my go-to controller for PC shmups like Gunvein and Crimzon Clover.

I recently bought Battle Garraga for PS4 (running on a PS5), so I can make use of the better practice features, save states, coloured bullets, etc. It's really an awesome port, loving it. At first, I found the DualShock 4 controller to be a downgrade, but good enough to play until I could figure out how to connect my M30 to my PS5. Yesterday, I got a Brock Wingman FGC2, and got it to work with M30. But now I find the D-pad isn't that great! It's so sensitive, now I'm unintentionally making diagonal moves.

I'm going to return the adapter, because it's not cheap. But it's got me reflecting...

What controller do you use on PS4 to play shmups? I've never used an arcade stick, but should I consider getting one and learning it? If so, which would should I get?

[Steven]

Keyboard or leverless is likely what could be considered "the best" controller for the genre because you can change directions significantly faster than you can with a stick while also reducing the potential for accidental undesired inputs. Other than that, both PS4 and especially PS5 suck ass miserably for controller options. I use a regular PS5 controller because I hate stick, keyboard doesn't work on consoles, I'm too cheap to get a custom leverless that doesn't have that dreadful Vewlix layout, and there's little else available. The Fighting Commander OCTA is supposedly pretty good from what I have heard.

[sumdumgoy]

x

[The_Fix]

I've been casually playing shmups on and off. I want to focus on getting my first 1cc in any game, but I keep jumping around which game to focus on. Battle Garrega is regarded as one of the best, so I've been playing it on my Sega Saturn. Yes it's hard and took me a while to click with the gameplay, but it's super fun.

I am not so sure Garrega is the best game to start off on. Good luck though, I respect that moxie.

I also really like the Saturn controller. So much so that I've got an 8bitdo M30 controller to use on PC and consoles with blueretro adapters. It's my go-to controller for PC shmups like Gunvein and Crimzon Clover.

I own one too, I thought it was good at first, but it found it makes tap dodging a nightmare. It's a great run and gun controller I'd say, nice buttons. I do wish they were all the same size though.

What controller do you use on PS4 to play shmups?

The DS4, cleared many on it too. In fact, I bought 13 of them. I like it, wears out a little too fast for my liking, and I'm not liking the idea of having to pay more for them in the future.

I've never used an arcade stick, but should I consider getting one and learning it? If so, which would should I get?

I'll take this from the Tao.

"No, an arcade stick will not make you a better player. If you like stick, great, I have no problems with that, if you like pad, great. You like keyboard? Also, great. If you have played games your whole life and are now just learning about the path. Should you really change from what you were using? Are there differences between controllers? Oh yes, but that’s for another time, don’t get hung up on this. Just use what you’ve been using. There’s no input method on earth that’ll fix a scrub mindset. Play the game, and unless your control option is an analog stick, you should be fine. I’m not saying there are not bad STG controllers, there are, but way too many people think equipment will cover skill."

Have a great day man!

[PC Engine Fan X!]

I use a Qanba Crystal on the PS3 & PS4 consoles as it's a hybrid arcade stick (it's Qanba's first professional-grade/competition-level arcade stick release). The Crystal has built-in slick blue colored LEDs for all eight main push buttons + illuminating the arcade stick itself from the base (looks awesome in the dark when lit up) -- this is the first time I've seen a commercial pro-grade console-based arcade stick with built-in LEDs installed from the factory without resorting to spending more $$$ for an internal arcade stick RGB LED mod. When used with a Brook Super Convertor setup, you can use it on other gaming consoles to stretch out your Crystal purchase to it's maximum usage/potential/versatility.

Here's a sample pic of it lit up and isn't my ebay auction: https://www.ebay.com/itm/176623656241?_ ... BMooi3_adl

----------
Here's a PC-based arcade stick with factory installed LEDs on clearance for $99.99 usd from QanbaUSA: https://qanbausa.com/q8-gr/

You can use this particular arcade stick with PC, Android and Steam (even can be used with a Steam Deck setup in docked mode) -- how cool is that? This is the "top-of-the-line" tier Q8-based arcade stick that debuted back in 2023 -- not to mention for a PC-based arcade stick with LEDs installed is another impressive debut innovation that I haven't seen before and is aimed at primarily the Asian PC gamer market/user-base. QanbaUSA decided to import some G8-GR inventory to sell to the American PC gamer user-base and has made some serious inroads into that niche market.
----------

Here's a brand new mini-based PS3/PS4 based arcade stick that uses full-sized arcade parts for both the joystick and push buttons -- can be modded with either Sanwa-Denshi or Seimitsu arcade parts for greater versatility and peace of mind: https://arcadeshock.com/collections/fro ... s-ps3-4-pc

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Rastan78]

The DS4, cleared many on it too. In fact, I bought 13 of them. I like it, wears out a little too fast for my liking, and I'm not liking the idea of having to pay more for them in the future.

Have you thought about replacing only the rubber d-pad membranes? You can get them for next to nothing.

That is one downside of pad. They're pretty much a consumable item. And the stiffness of the membrane can vary in feel quite a bit over time on some.

[To Far Away Times]

I’ve got Sanwa arcade sticks, 8-Bitdo controllers, etc, and my go to for shmups is still usually a PlayStation controller. I’m a big fan of the mushy segmented D-Pad.

[Starfighter]

What controller do you use on PS4 to play shmups?

I use a HORI Real Arcade Pro Kai for PS4 shmups!

I've never used an arcade stick, but should I consider getting one and learning it? If so, which would should I get?

I don't think anyone should do anything, but if you're curious on arcade sticks then I'd recommend going for something cheap (well, as cheap as you can go while maintaining some sort of baseline quality) just to try it out. To see if it's for you, you know? There's, if you ask me, no point in going for something expensive (for me and my budget something expensive is $120+) at first. And in some cases ever. *smiles in stock parts and mid-range sticks on sale*

[D]

mod your controller with an LS-56
Mod that LS-56 with a 3d printed tighter gate
and use (only) one spacer to make the travel overal shorter.

I'm not a good shmup player, but to me this feels the best

[Steven]

If you're going to use an off-the-shelf stick, you might as well get a RAP N or Fighting Stick α so you get a Noir layout instead of uncomfortable Vewlix. Not quite as glorious as Astro City 1P, but aside from the lever placement, Noir is close enough.

Hori's levers and buttons suck, though, so probably best to get rid of them and put something nice in there like Gamerfinger or whatever... or, you know, go leverless or use WASD. I used to like the Hori parts, but after buying my New Astro City and using whatever the hell parts came in it, I never want to use the Hori parts again. Still want to rip the levers out of the cabinet and put WASD in instead, but that's a different topic.

[mirkvid]

mod your controller with an LS-56
Mod that LS-56 with a 3d printed tighter gate
and use (only) one spacer to make the travel overal shorter.

I'm not a good shmup player, but to me this feels the best

This is a great set up. I was running an LS-56 for a while before switching to an LS-62 with a throw reducer. The 62 feels exactly like a 56 but with a shorter shaft. There is a great gate that you can find here:

https://www.arcade-projects.com/threads ... cer.22911/

[The_Fix]

Have you thought about replacing only the rubber d-pad membranes? You can get them for next to nothing.

It's not just that, it's awful stick drift, that even if you have no interest using the sticks gets in the way, and that horrible usb port, which I did break twice. It's not the greatest pad ever made...

But please, tell me more about replacing membranes. I'm big on DIY and always keen to learn.

That is one downside of pad. They're pretty much a consumable item. And the stiffness of the membrane can vary in feel quite a bit over time on some.

This is very true, that stick is very easy to fix and takes just seconds to replace a button. Here's a picture of my Dragon, I have no idea if I can hotlink a photo from drive: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16oFebc ... sp=sharing

[Starfighter]

Hori's levers and buttons suck, though, so probably best to get rid of them and put something nice in there like Gamerfinger or whatever...

I wouldn't know about their own levers and buttons because I don't have any, but sometimes their arcade sticks come with other brands of levers/buttons (like the Kai that has Hayabusa). Something to be aware of and I guess not write off Hori stock parts all together.

Edit: My bad, Hayabusa seems to be Horis own stuff... Well then I simply don't agree.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

In years past with the Hori Real Arcade Pro (RAP) line, some of them used the original RAP joystick base like with the RAP and RAP 2 for the PSX console, the RAP 3 lineup with the SA -- " Special Addition" (Sanwa Denshi parts for both arcade stick & push buttons) and SE -- "Special Edition" (Seimitsu parts for both arcade {LS-32 type} stick & push buttons). The general rule of thumb with Sanwa Denshi sticks & push buttons are primarily for use with "Fighting" (FTG) games whereas with Seimitsu sticks & push buttons are primarily for use with "Shooting" (STG) games -- some folks like to use Sanwa parts when playing their favorite STGs and vice versa with Seimitsu parts with FTG games -- it's just a matter of personal preference "at the end of the day".

In the Japanese game centers back in the 1990s and into early 2000s era, you could ask a game attendant to swap out a worn-out stick and/or push buttons -- and they'd do it right there on the spot for you, "talk about true customer service right there" (try doing this at an American arcade joint during same those years, it just wouldn't happen, especially with Happ Competition sticks {Happ-Suzo parts nowadays} found in those upright Dynamo cabs that were prevalent/part of the traditional American arcade scene + no "auto-fire" mods installed either -- it was just push the buttons as fast as you could like on Seibu Kaihatsu's Raiden II stg in arcades stateside back in February of 1994 grand debut).

It'd be the local Amusement/Vending Machine vendors that'd get in the latest arcade hardware/software and personally deliver/install them to the local arcades (if they wanted the "latest 'n' greatest" to keep/retain the paying arcade gamer/patron as a guaranteed source of income to remain in business). It was "business as usual" during those days of arcade lore in the USA.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[To Far Away Times]

The Hori arcade sticks had their place back when they were the best arcade sticks you could buy off the shelf in the US. I think some of the more premium models had a Sanwa stick and cloned buttons.

But once the Street Fighter IV TE stick came out, you could get a real 100% Sanwa arcade stick in a retail environment in the US. The irony of Mad Catz of all companies raising the bar for arcade sticks was really something else. We can thank Markman from the fighting game community for that initiative. That Steet Fighter IV arcade stick is pretty much the basis for all other arcade sticks on the market today.

We don’t have to settle for cloned buttons and off brand sticks now.

I bought a Monoprice Dark Matter Arcade stick (supports Xbox, PS4, Switch, PC) with all Sanwa parts for like $110 USD.

[Steven]

Hori's levers and buttons suck, though, so probably best to get rid of them and put something nice in there like Gamerfinger or whatever...

I wouldn't know about their own levers and buttons because I don't have any, but sometimes their arcade sticks come with other brands of levers/buttons (like the Kai that has Hayabusa). Something to be aware of and I guess not write off Hori stock parts all together.

Edit: My bad, Hayabusa seems to be Horis own stuff... Well then I simply don't agree.

The buttons are better than the lever, which is very loose and has a large deadzone. That's not something you want for STGs at all.

[Starfighter]

The buttons are better than the lever, which is very loose and has a large deadzone. That's not something you want for STGs at all.

I think it's because I haven't tried Seimitsu that I can't see it. I mean, I think the Kai with Hayabusa feels amazingly snappy and precise (all my PS4/PC 1CC:s are done with it) - imagine what I would feel about a... a.... well what's the Seimitsu lever that would fit in there? I guess a LS-32 or 56? I just might look into that if I ever find a seller in the EU that 1) carries those levers and 2) doesn't overcharge.

[Steven]

You can certainly play with the Hayabusa lever; I did my first Kyuukyoku Tiger 1-ALL on the Hayabusa. After switching to playing it on PCB with what I believe is the LS-32 that came in my New Astro City, I find the Hayabusa lever to be loose and floppy, for lack of better terms, and with an uncomfortably large deadzone. Might as well be playing with a bunch of lag frames because it's basically the same thing. The LS-32, assuming that that's what I have, does fit in the RAP N, but it's very short compared to the Hayabusa lever; it's not too short for the RAP N's case, but short enough for me to not like how short it becomes in there, sadly. The lever's so old that the wiring isn't compatible with the RAP N, which is a completely different problem, but if you get a newer one it should be fine.

I started playing Same! Same! Same! with the Hayabusa, but changed to a regular PS5 controller because I don't like stick and immediately saw a noticeable improvement in my performance; I can now reflex dodge through that game's insanely fast shots in a way that is 100% completely impossible on the Hayabusa lever. I posted at least one recording of this, too. Switching to controller really did make a massive difference and I can only imagine how much better I'd be with keyboard.

[Starfighter]

it's very short compared to the Hayabusa lever

That's confusing. The height of my Hayabusa lever (from the artwork to the ball top, excluding the dust plate) is roughly 23 mm, while LS-32-01-SE is 27,5 mm and LS-40-01 is 29,9 mm. They're all a few mm's taller than my Hayabusa.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

The Hori arcade sticks had their place back when they were the best arcade sticks you could buy off the shelf in the US. I think some of the more premium models had a Sanwa stick and cloned buttons.

But once the Street Fighter IV TE stick came out, you could get a real 100% Sanwa arcade stick in a retail environment in the US. The irony of Mad Catz of all companies raising the bar for arcade sticks was really something else. We can thank Markman from the fighting game community for that initiative. That Steet Fighter IV arcade stick is pretty much the basis for all other arcade sticks on the market today.

We don’t have to settle for cloned buttons and off brand sticks now.

I bought a Monoprice Dark Matter Arcade stick (supports Xbox, PS4, Switch, PC) with all Sanwa parts for like $110 USD.

Some of the premium Hori RAP offerings came endowed with all Sanwa or Seimitsu parts for both the joystick and push buttons as indicated on the outer factory boxes themselves. Sure, back in the SNES and SS/PSX era, you'd find the Hori Fighting Sticks series manufactured with generic joystick and push button components (the "Hori Fighting Stick PC" for the PC Engine {that had an MSRP of 7,800 yen back in 1993-1994} has a rare and OOP {out of production} Seimitsu LS-33 arcade stick factory installed making it a super premium arcade stick indeed).

I tried looking on the Monoprice site about the Dark Matter branded Arcade Stick, apparently it's not listed for sale anymore -- I do recall Monoprice listing it on clearance for $69.99 back in 2024.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~