Best Neo Geo stick?

[Pyongyang]

Hi all, still new here and finding my way around so apologies if this is in the wrong place.

I'm currently putting together an MVS system for home use. I currently have an MVS-1A with Universe Bios and a MAK Strike Supergun plus a couple of MVS carts to play on it.

I'm now looking for a good arcade stick for shooting games but I am reading conflicting opinions on which stick is best for these types of games. Which is better? The classic, original Neo Geo Controller stick or the 'bean' Pro Controller stick? Or perhaps the Hori Fighter II stick?

Looking forward to reading your thoughts on the above. Thanks.

[shmuppyLove]

My 2 cents - build your own and sacrifice a neo geo extension cable.

Will give you better performance and flexibility in the long run, especially if you decide to go to 6 buttons later for a CPS2 or something.

[Ganelon]

The Sigma 8000TB is the best stick available in full metal with all-Seimitsu parts and adjustable autofire but it's not incredibly easy to find; you'll need to do some minor rewiring to have all the buttons in 1 angled row but that's simple and explained in the instructions (if they're included). If you strongly prefer US sticks, Mas Systems used to make all-Happ sticks but the company seems to have disappeared; its website has been long down but I recall they tried selling directly on SRK awhile ago. That said, the original AES joystick isn't bad although I wouldn't recommend the Controller Pro unless you're on a budget.

FYI, there are no official Neo Geo extension cables so if you're making a custom stick, don't be suckered into paying high prices for some fake packaging. It would just involve repurposing a $1-10 DB15 cable.

[CulDad78]

Neither the official arcade stick (VERY light, weak ass joystick - though can be modded to be "servicable") or the Bean (a novelty item at best) are great. If one had to use something "official" i'd use the CD handheld controller over the stick and the bean.

With that said - all the above posts are right either mod one, or have one modded.

[Sumez]

My 2 cents - build your own and sacrifice a neo geo extension cable.

Fortunately those are available cheap in an electronics store, since it's using a D-sub standard.

I disagree with culdad that the stick is crap though, I really like the AES sticks, and they've always been perfect for me when playing fighters, since I'm used to them, and though I love the "stick D-pad" on the handheld Neo Geo pad, I'd never use that over the stick.

I actually bought an AES once to get two sticks for my supergun, and then sold the AES + one of the games along with the pad I had.

[CulDad78]

^ Yeah, some folks do like it for sure. I use the Agetec DC stick as the standard for first party sticks and to me anyways, this just fails in every comparison. Weight is a big thing to me, they are very light and even though response is reliable, they just "feel" chincy. And the joysticks simply are not smooth imo - not as clunky as the stock saturn stick, but not much better, again, imo.

I personally have a modded HSS-0130 Saturn Astro City stick for all my neo gaming - and that blows the Agetec out of the water. Using that, and then having to use the stock AES stick makes me not even want to play neo.

[Pyongyang]

Thanks for all the replies. I ended up buying an AES stick however I do also have a Green Goblin for my DC and a Virtua Stick Pro for my Saturn. Can I buy an adapter of some kind to use it on my MVS?

[Sumez]

The Neo Geo controller port has got to be the simplest in the history of gaming. You basically send the button signals directly to the controller port, so you don't even need any circuits to make it work.

Like, if you want to use your Saturn stick with a Neo Geo, just buy a 15 pin d-sub male connector, attach it to your stick and solder each of the button signals+GND to its respective microswitch.



(nb - you -might- need to power the Saturn controller PCB inside the stick with the 5V to avoid odd results)

[Ganelon]

No mass-produced SS-NG converters exist. There are PS-NG converters though. Tototek makes one but IIRC, the button layout is funky. Laugh makes a good PS-DB15 converter with built-in button config but it's a bit more expensive and I'm not 100% certain it's compatible with NG because it hooks up more than just the NG pins: http://www.etokki.com/PSX2JAMMA

I will warn though that if you plan to use 6-button (2x3) sticks, you'll be forced into non-standard button layouts, none of which fit for all Neo Geo games (and it may be a hassle to change it up). The most common 6-button NG formats are:

KOF layout:
ACx
BDx

NGCD layout:
CDx
ABx

VF layout:
BCD
Axx

SSVI layout:
ABC
Dxx

Alternate layout:
ABC
xxD

[PC Engine Fan X!]

The origina Neo-Geo AES arcade stick uses a special super short-throw Seimitsu branded joystick. It has a smaller actuation point compared to the general arcade production joysticks that Seimitsu currently makes. Some shmupper have expressed interest for Seimitsu to make such a smaller short-throw joystick for use in the candy cabs but they haven't done so.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~