Controlling your shmups

[Devilsheep]

I was just wondering what many of you fellow shmup players use control-wise on your games. Joysticks, pads, etc.

I have never gotten around to, or had enough money, to purchase anything ideal for my games. I am a HUGE shmup fan and play tons all the time. The real sin is....well....is that I use a keyboard. Yes...you heard me right. I even dare to use analog controls on my console systems.

So the question is, does it really matter what you use as long as you're good with it? Or is it just proper etiquette to respect the ways of the arcade tradition and use an authentic scheme?

Either way, when I get enough money I'm gonna go and purchase one of those GoPodular pads. They look delicious.

Btw, I read here often, I just never post. I feel too ashamed to even call myself a fan.

[Pirate1019]

People here use keyboards at least sporadically. It's not a sin, just kind of a limitation on yourself. Personally I use a simple $16 Logitech gamepad for my pc shmupping and the basic GC controller for my console shmups (I only own a GC).

[Arvandor]

I own a Hori Real Arcade Pro, but only use it for fighting games. I can't use it to play shmups at all, it's pretty sad. It has this irritatingly large dead zone which makes it insanely difficult to twitch dodge. I generally just use my PS2 controller for my PS2 and PC shmups, Saturn pad for my Saturn shmups, DC controller for my Dreamcast shmups etc.

[CIT]

So the question is, does it really matter what you use as long as you're good with it?

No, it doesn't matter at all. Just use what you feel most comfortable with.

Personally, I like using both. I use a pad (Saturn Pad for all SS, DC, PS, PS2 and PC shooters) most often though, because I find the controls to be generally more precise and my wrists start hurting after extended joystick usage.

Or is it just proper etiquette to respect the ways of the arcade tradition and use an authentic scheme?

With some people on this forum this may well be true.

But honestly, anybody who tells you this or that is the "correct" or "true" way of playing a shooter is an idiot. Only you yourself can decide what the correct and true way of playing is for you.

[Icarus]

Using a Saturn-style pad for the PC and most consoles (PS1, PS2, DC, yes even Saturn) at the moment. Saturn pads give great comfort and have a nice, tidy D-pad and a decent button layout.

I'm shifting to a Hori Real Arcade Pro stick once I get it though, and modding it with better parts. The only problem with joypads come with games that need four or more buttons like Espgaluda, or MAME-based shooters where I set up custom buttons for autofire and other stuff. Using a stick will negate that problem.

[gavin19]

I used to have the arcade stick for the DC years ago but I never felt as comfortable as I did using the pad. Even the handful of times I have played on a cab recently I didn't feel in control. Then again it's probably that I'm not used to using a stick at all.

The only problem with joypads come with games that need four or more buttons like Espgaluda, or MAME-based shooters where I set up custom buttons for autofire and other stuff. Using a stick will negate that problem.

Slight deviation, but I finally got a button layout for galuda that I liked; using square/x for shot(s) and R1/2 for barrier/kakusei. Completely useless info, but what the hell.

[BulletMagnet]

I've never been able to get used to anything other than a controller...I don't have a whole lot of time or money to devote to "customization" on that front, so usually I just use whatever the default pad for the system is, though I bought a simple pad for the PC.

[landshark]

Clicky:

[benj]

Just the standard first party pads for consoles and a N64 controller for everything on the PC.

[PooshhMao]

I have both a Hotrod arcade stick, and twin wireless Logitech rumblepads.
I really love the Hotrod (and play very well with it - much better than my friend's X-Arcade) but it's not very practical to keep hooked up in my appartment, so I usually only take it out of the closet for those special occasions.

[Daigohji]

HRAP 1 modded with clear Seimitsu buttons and balltop.

[freddiebamboo]

I have a Hori Tekken stick, but I barely use it these days cause the PS2 pad is more comfortable for me.

For PC mameing I just use the keyboard, I never bothered with a USB adapter and now I actually don't mind using keys.

[sjewkestheloon]

I tend to use either my Namco Arcade Stick or my Street Fighter Anniversary PS2 saturn style pad. I am looking to mod the Namco stick soon though as the throw on the stick is a bit too long for my liking. I wonder if i could tighten it up somehow?

[SuperGrafx]

A hori stick whenever possible.

[professor ganson]

I use:

Saturn pad for PS1, PS2, and (of course) Saturn.

ASCII pad for DC.

And atm Street Fighter pad for XBOX, though I'm getting a convertor so I can use my Saturn pad.

I don't play PC games. I'm not a big fan of sticks, though I do like the Namco Stick for PS1. For every system prior to PS1/Saturn, I use the standard pads.

[chtimi-CLA]

sanwa upgraded dreamcast stick (the originals are horrible, but the base is here), or neo-geo stick. i like seimitsu for soulcalibur.

i love the buttons position on the neo stick. the stick and buttons seem to be higher quality than they're credited for, and they're incredibly durable (10 years on one neo stick and counting). i like the default small-sized ball too.
the neo stick just feels right.

the ps2 neo stick are just as good except for the poor the L and R buttons, but anyway the only time you will need them is to insert credits in toaplan shooting battle.

[Twiddle]

I own a Hori Real Arcade Pro, but only use it for fighting games. I can't use it to play shmups at all, it's pretty sad. It has this irritatingly large dead zone which makes it insanely difficult to twitch dodge.

Shame. I was considering getting one.

[Damocles]

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/532/ ... modcf6.jpg

Heavily modified T-Stik Plus with Happ buttons.

and

http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-1i- ... 0-cj4.html

The best stick out there (for me) and the best pad out there.

[Ex_Mosquito]

DC stick wired to neogeo DB-15 pinout (using the unused pins for the extra 3 puttons) modded with Sanwa stick and buttons. The only stick i'll ever need.

[Frederik]

There really isn´t a better pad for shmups than the saturn one. Too bad I broke my one. So I am using a SNES pad via converter for MAME. Converters are claimed to cause a certain lag, but playing on a Windows machine with plenty other stuff running it isn´t exactly arcade-perfect anyway.

[JJG]

I'm relearning how to play shmups using an HRAP 2.

[lynchesque]

I use the saturn pad in conjunction with the TC3 for all Dreamcast and Saturn shooters. Actually, the saturn controller is also the best for fighters and platformers et cetera imo.

[Pirate1019]

Where wouod I be able to get a hold of a Saturn-style pad? Looks like playasia was out (permanantly?) the last time I checked.

My $16 pad is nice, but it can get kind of uncomfortable if I use it for too long. The skin on my hands is beginning to peel away.

[sven666]

semitsu sticks and happ-competition-pro-blah-blah-something buttons.. very clicky, very responsive, very rigid, excellent for buttonmashing and stick-jerking...

sadly its left me somewhat handicapped cause i cant play for shit with a pad anymore ah-well..

[PC Engine Fan X!]

I use a wide variety of console specific joysticks when playing my favorite games on consoles or Supergun setup such as:

DC Agetech Stick upgraded with Seimitsu joystick and push button parts along with DB-15 Neo-Geo output support for use with Supergun setup and can even use it with transcoder box on DC platform courtesy of oxtsu... ^_~

Hori PC Fighting Stick -- best all-metal case produced Hori arcade fighting stick for the PC Engine Duo platform (that was the basis for the later produced "Fighting Stick" series for other game console platforms such as the PSX, SS, Neo-Geo, etc.) -- it had an original retail price of 7,800 yen when it appeared on the Japanese video game market back in 1995-1996...

Hori PS Fighting Stick -- solid arcade stick for the PSX/PSone/PS2 platform...only paid $7.50 USD for it used at my local Funcoland back in 2000...

The rare goatstore.com produced Atari Jaguar Deluxe Jamma Joystick with Happ arcade stick and push buttons galore that's made especially for the Atari Jag platform and even further modded with auto-fire -- is compatible with Supergun & Jag console...

The Sega produced Arcade Power Sticks I & II for the Genesis & Genesis 3 consoles in my stash...awesome arcade sticks for use with the Genesis shmups like Thunderforce III & IV...

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[UnscathedFlyingObject]

I play the best with pads, but I dust off the Hori RAP now and then for my fix. It's a little hard to control for me.

[Devilsheep]

Where wouod I be able to get a hold of a Saturn-style pad? Looks like playasia was out (permanantly?) the last time I checked.

I've looked everywhere for a reasonably priced Saturn PC (USB) Pad, but everywhere I look it is sold out. I could really really use one of these, especially with Radiant Silvergun running exceptionally well on my laptop with SSF.

[sffan]

Try the Saitek P880 for your PC. It's the best one I've tried, and I've stuck with it as my choice. Really nice D-pad, and a great feel overall.

[VNAF Ace]

I prefer controllers. I mainly use my PS2 Dual Shock 2.

[Belmont]

I pretty much use my saturn controller for saturn games ps2 pad for ps2 games etc..ohh and a 10$ usb controller for my maming....actually has a nice d pad on it.


Im currently building an arcade and was wondering if anyone has used the x arcade sticks? http://www.x-arcade.com/tankstick-arcade-game.shtml I dont know how hard it is to build your own joystick layout from happ so i was planning on going with that.