I'm looking to get my first arcade stick, used mainly on a PC and for playing shmups. Any recommendations? I've heard a lot of positive things about Seimitsu sticks, in particular their short "throw", but what does the term "throw" mean? Also, are there any arcade sticks that come with a Seimitsu stick pre-installed (as opposed to modding one in yourself)?
Looking around play-asia.com, I found two Saulabisticks at good prices. Does anyone have any experience shmupping with them? I'm used to ball-tops at the arcades, but those two use a different kind of stick (are they what's called "bat-tops"?), are they also comfortable for playing shmups?
First off, Seimitsu sticks are great for shmups because of the throw (which you mentioned). Throw means it takes less time from when you move the stick one direction and the ship moves in that direction; you don't have to move the stick as much.
I know people use Saulabis for fighting games, but I haven't heard of anyone who uses them for shooters, that's just me. If you are used to ball-tops, I would say stick with what you are used to. Semitsu ball-tops would be fine.
People I have dealt with successfully: bleem (x2), spazicon, sven666, sparky, iatneH, Dragon1952, kozo, Ghegs
I just want to add that there's "throw" and there's also "deadzone", aka "enagement"... e.g. you can have a 'short' throw but also a 'large' deadzone... throw is basically maximum travel from centre to edge; and engagement is travel needed to 'trigger' a particular direction and occurs before you reach this "edge"...
I've tried a Fanta stick (I believe they come with Saulabis, but what you get varies from what I've heard). I tried the Fanta in a modded Tekken 5 case; mine had Gersung microswitches and a light rubber 'neck' for resistance instead of a spring... It was great for fighters; not bad for shooters, a bit on the 'loose' side... It doesn't have a gate; its restriction is circular... Overall, better for fighters, IMO...
"All that matters really is taste. He might like the game, he might not." - Anonymous
Thanks for the replies. overkill's definition of "throw" seems to be j^aws definition of "engagement", which is the right term?
I mainly play danmaku shmups, so I'm looking for something that's easier to make small and precise movements with. I think I'd prefer a stick that presses back against movements somewhat (is this what people normally refer to as "tight"?), rather than one that doesn't press back much ("loose"?), since I tend to overshoot my intended positions using the latter kinds in the arcade. I'm not too concerned about the range of movement of the stick from edge to edge, so long as it's not unreasonably small. Not sure what other properties of a stick I should be taking note of before I decide on what to get, maybe you all could tell me more about them?
I wouldn't get too concerned over what is the 'correct' term as long as the description is consistent. I typically use deadzone and throw; but someone else could use throw and overthrow or loose/ light, tight/ stiff etc...
There are lots of things that can change the properties of a stick; a lot of it is personal preference... IME, twitch games like shmups are better played with short throws and deadzones; desired properties being accurate and fast directional changes, return-to-neutral and double-taps, e.g. f, f.
You can can learn to compensate and adjust to different sticks and it's probably better to try more than one to find a preference...
Seimutsu have a range of sticks that seem to match these requirements; I personally don't have one but I have a custom/ modified one tuned to these properties though. There was a recent thread on different types of sticks:
