Saturn shmups : Pad or Stick ?

Cugel · Post by **Cugel** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 1:48 pm

So, for Saturn shmups do you use a pad or stick for your high scores?

I find the Saturn pad to be excellent especially for Radiant Silvergun. All of the shots are mapped to buttons without the need to chord buttons like the arcade version.

I'm thinking about getting this converter for my HORI RAP:

http://tinyurl.com/67e6e

professor ganson · Post by **professor ganson** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 2:51 pm

I have the same question about the DC. I find the standard controller's analog control very slippery for my thumb and was wondering whether I should buy an arcade stick.

Davey · Post by **Davey** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 3:03 pm

I know the standard official Japanese Saturn pad is supposed to be the Greatest Thing Ever. But how does the US Nights pad compare? That's the only Saturn pad I've ever used. Aside from the analog functionality, how are the two different? Is it just shape and ergonomics, or are there differences in responsiveness? I ask because nobody ever raves about the Nights pad, and if I can blame my crappy scores on it, more power to me.

And as I understand it, that 3-in-1 USB coverter (PS, DC, Saturn) is supposed to be the best converter out there. Can anyone confirm this? I always have this feeling that the sketchy $10 Hong Kong converters might not always match the pinpoint accuracy of the thing you plug into them.

EDIT: I've also heard that the Saturn USB pad that comes with Puyo Puyo Fever isn't as good as a real Saturn pad. Anyone care to share their experiences (or with the PS2 Saturn pad)?

adam76 · Post by **adam76** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 5:21 pm

professor ganson wrote:I have the same question about the DC. I find the standard controller's analog control very slippery for my thumb and was wondering whether I should buy an arcade stick.

I can second that very same query! Ive just started playing on my DC again after an extended sabbatical. Now, after literally months of the saturn's perfectly-formed, curvacious 'lil pad sat snugly in my hands, the cumbersome monstrosity that is the DC's controller feels alien and clunky. Also, when the pressures on and panic sets in(cheers giga wing level 5

), my thumb slips off the cross due to 'over-sweatage'!

Ive considered buying an arcade stick but they're quite expensive so an expert opinion is what i need to sway my mind or that copy of zero gunner 2 i've ordered is gonna be made redundent bloody quickly!

professor ganson · Post by **professor ganson** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 5:43 pm

Nice statement of the problem, Adam76. I hope people in the know will have some suggestions. I haven't looked into prices for the arcade stick yet-- will have to do that.

it290 · Post by **it290** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 5:44 pm

I know the standard official Japanese Saturn pad is supposed to be the Greatest Thing Ever. But how does the US Nights pad compare? That's the only Saturn pad I've ever used. Aside from the analog functionality, how are the two different? Is it just shape and ergonomics, or are there differences in responsiveness? I ask because nobody ever raves about the Nights pad, and if I can blame my crappy scores on it, more power to me.

The Nights pad is a nice pad. The dpad is made of a different plastic than the model 2/JP pad, but it has a similar feel. Before I got some model 2 pads, I used my 3D pad rather than my model 1's.

Cugel, I'll be getting that converter soon -- I'll let you know how it is... if it works as well as the Neo-Geo classics converter, it should be fine.

raiden · Post by **raiden** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 5:57 pm

I can definitely recommend getting an arcadestick for the Dreamcast. The official Sega one is not so bad, although there are better ones, but every converter involved means a slight loss of signal quality, and there are worlds of responsiveness between the DC pad and stick. Especially when you are playing games that need several buttons like Zero Gunner 2, Gunbird 2, Ikaruga or, to go slightly offtopic, Virtua Fighter 3tb.
Getting used to an arcadestick takes a little time if you´ve only played with pads before, but if you need a motivation: the best thing about playing with a stick is that your hands don´t tire as quickly as they do with a pad. Say goodbye to painful thumbs.

Cugel · Post by **Cugel** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 6:27 pm

I've been using the Total Control Plus with VMU port. It has three settings for pad, wheel, and HORI RAP. I can definitely say that it introduces no lag and is great for Ikaruga or Border Down.

The Sanwa stick on the HORI is a great complement for Japanese shmups.

http://tinyurl.com/4f6tp

adam76 · Post by **adam76** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 7:28 pm

raiden wrote: the best thing about playing with a stick is that your hands don´t tire as quickly as they do with a pad. Say goodbye to painful thumbs.

You've sold me-I can totally empathize with the sore thumbs scenario. After a 4 hour session with Gunbird 2 last weekend, my thumb felt like it needed a skin graft come monday morning! I've been on e-bay and theres a wealth of choice so it looks like i'm gonna lose my joystick 'cherry' sooner rather than later! Cheers for the help!

TWITCHDOCTOR · Post by **TWITCHDOCTOR** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 8:06 pm

professor ganson wrote:I have the same question about the DC. I find the standard controller's analog control very slippery for my thumb and was wondering whether I should buy an arcade stick.

Do what I did...Heat up a butter knife and gently press it onto the thumb pad in different area's. The result will be a pad that has irregular rough surfaces, which is perfectly comfortable and you can get a good thumb grip. If you make it too rough, you can always heat the knife up again and "spread" the plastic more evenly...like applying frosting on a cake.
Really, it will work!

Or, you can also buy a converter and use another controller all together. I'll sometimes use an X-Arcade dual.

On Topic...
I use the original Japanese styled pad for my Saturn gaming. Although, I would love to make an arcade stick for it using parts from HAPP.

professor ganson · Post by **professor ganson** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 8:28 pm

TWITCHDOCTOR wrote: Do what I did...Heat up a butter knife and gently press it onto the thumb pad in different area's. The result will be a pad that has irregular rough surfaces, which is perfectly comfortable and you can get a good thumb grip. If you make it too rough, you can always heat the knife up again and "spread" the plastic more evenly...like applying frosting on a cake.
Really, it will work!

Excellent suggestion! In the case of the Saturn, I've always been quite happy with the Nights pad, as it fits my thumb perfectly. Perhaps some hot butter knife action will make the DC controller a fit.

TWITCHDOCTOR · Post by **TWITCHDOCTOR** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 8:45 pm

You could also try using "Grip-Tape". Its sort of like sand paper, and its used for the tops of skatebaords. You can cut some small pieces with a hole punch or something, then stick em on the thumb pad. However, I still think that the butter knife trick is more effective and cheaper. PLus, you won't have to go to a "cool" skate shop and buy stuff.

jp · Post by jp » Sat Apr 02, 2005 9:17 pm

Depends on what I'm playing:

Blast Wind - 3D controller. I don't know why, but it just feels "right".

Radiant Silvergun - Bomberman controller. The D-Pad is just awesome.

Souky - Regular controller

And then there's more, but I'm lazy.

Neon · Post by **Neon** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 2:31 am

Stick is the only way to go.

A good stick though, with quality parts. None of the Virtua Stick bs.