Advice on an arcade stick solution for Sega Saturn

DaniJ · Post by **DaniJ** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 4:51 am

Hi folks, I've been lurking for a long time but finally decided to register.

Anyway, as per the topic title; I'm looking for advice on an arcade style joystick solution for use with my Sega Saturn and its superb range of shmups.

I've spent a lot of time reading up on the officially released sticks and I've not found one yet that I *think* meets all my requirements:

1) Robust/solid construction. I can get quite physical with my sticks so I need one that can stand up to the hammering it WILL get.
2) Ideally it should be fairly weighty (e.g., steel base) but not enough to prevent in-lap use.
3) Stick should be a short-throw and preferably a bat rather than ball with medium resistance.

I'm not too fussed about the buttons though concave would be preferable.

I'm not really in a position to build a custom myself (no workshop/tools) but I'm not opposed to the idea of having one built if necessary (I'm in the UK so a local builder would be ideal).

So, any advice?

overkill55 · Post by **overkill55** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 7:15 am

Get either the Hori Fighting Stick or the Japanese Virtua Stick.

What you are looking for:

Hori Stick
http://www.thewestexit.net/images/fightingstickss.jpg

Virtua Stick
http://arena.nikkeibp.co.jp/game/news/2 ... 602/01.jpg

theevilfunkster · Post by **theevilfunkster** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 7:52 am

The buttons on the Hori stick are complete shite, the stock stick however is pretty good and the whole unit feels quite good and sturdy. I've seen them pop up on ebay quite cheap.

Post by **spadgy** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 5:20 pm

I'd go for the HORI, and then replace the buttons when you can. The standard buttons are certainly useable unless you have incredible skill/standards, and the stick has the weight feel you're after, which is what I like.

In terms of the Virtua stick, make sure you get the one in the picture Overkill55 linked to and not

this one

The first is very good. The latter is very disappointing...

doodude · Post by **doodude** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 6:28 pm

spadgy wrote:I'd go for the HORI, and then replace the buttons when you can. The standard buttons are certainly useable unless you have incredible skill/standards, and the stick has the weight feel you're after, which is what I like.

In terms of the Virtua stick, make sure you get the one in the picture Overkill55 linked to and not

this one

The first is very good. The latter is very disappointing...

I second spadgy's comments on the 'latter' Virtua Stick as I made the mistake of getting one myself & it is quiet useless...

Live & learn, aye!?

After that I got one of these ASCII Saturn Sticks:
http://www.consolefever.com/customer/pr ... 167ab1aa69
While its not a great stick, its not a bad stick either & for me that fits the bill while I try to decide if I really want to hunt down, have built or maybe even build a stick of very high quality. I plan to use an adapter for my DC so this stick will do double duty.
Just a side note, I have an ASCII Fighter Stick SN that is for my SNES ( thus the SN, you reckon!? ) & I use it with an adapter for my ROMs & its a really good stick ( for me ).
So its just my opinion borne of past experience/blunders that ASCII is generally a good dependable stick.

.