Is the mechanical keyboard good for Shmup play?

[KAG]

I've learnt that Joystick is always suit for STGs, but for some reasons I just want a keyboard to play the 7th Touhou-STG, Perfect Cherry Blossom, which needs many skillfully and accurately "graze" when someone wants a higher score. And I think I've meeted the limit of my tolerence(still I need to tolerate it) for the device I'm using.

I'm eager to know, whether a mechanical keyboard is better than a normal keyboard, in order to perform better in Shmup Play.
When the answer is yes, could YOU please give me some advices? for example is black switch the best for this playing?

btw, I'm using laptop when playing, which is a little old with WIN7 OS...

[Ed Oscuro]

edit: I can't read. I just use a bubble membrane keyboard, not a microswitched one, but it has a good feel I think. The benefit is going to come down to key engagement feel and maybe travel distance...eh not a huge thing imo

[SuperSoaker360]

Use whatever you're comfortable with.

In terms of keyboards, I prefer flat keys on my keyboards rather than ones that have elevated keys. I have a nasty habit of fumbling with my fingers when using elevated keys.

[AimeeSH]

I wouldn't think it would make too much of a difference.
Thinking the scissor switch keys would be best??
IE the ones found on most laptops.

I'm using a Topre based keyboard which is nice to type on but I don't think it helps improve shmup play.

~In general: (mm = millimeters / Key travel distance)
Membrane / Dome - 4mm to activate key / 4mm bottom out.
Cherry / Topre - 2mm to activate key / 4mm to bottom out.
Scissor Switch - 2mm to activate key / 2mm to bottom out.

[Obiwanshinobi]

I'd go someplace where different keyboards can be tried out and choose the one that would "feel" best, even without any gaming.
How it works in games for you will only show in place where you will be playing games.

[KAG]

Use whatever you're comfortable with.

In terms of keyboards, I prefer flat keys on my keyboards rather than ones that have elevated keys. I have a nasty habit of fumbling with my fingers when using elevated keys.

On the contrary, I'm used to elevated keys... maybe it's because my first keyboard is a elevated one.

@AimeeSH
thank you for the info

I'd go someplace where different keyboards can be tried out and choose the one that would "feel" best, even without any gaming.
How it works in games for you will only show in place where you will be playing games.

right. My present (external) keyboard was bought in a supermark and I have chance to try the sample one to feel if it's suitable. However I feel annoyed after thousands of MISS and therefore I want to make some changes.

[Rex Cavalier]

Not sure about which keyboard is best, but just be sure not to get any wireless keyboards, from my experiences they can have lag that can possible be very noticeable when going full shmup. >_>

[antron]

when going full shmup.

You went full shmup? Everybody knows you never go full shmup..

[Obscura]

I have a mechanical keyboard with Cherry Blues, but I still prefer playing with my pad.

I don't think it makes any real difference.

[bkk]

Certain keys (especially on laptops) seem to release slowly, making precision tapping harder. I use brown cherry switches for both typing and playing, very happy with them.

[casualcoder]

If you prefer buttons (which is all a keyboard is, a bunch of buttons), why not get a custom controller with buttons for the direction inputs (I prefer sanwa buttons so that would be my choice).

I find most keyboards are cheaply built and have strange issues when multiple keys are pressed at the same time. Could really mess with your game.

[BareKnuckleRoo]

I use a mechanical keyboard on my main computer, I rather like it for verts (don't like it so much for horis, rapid vertical dodges are easier on a USB stick/pad). The important thing isn't so much that the keys are mechanical, but that it is designed to detect multiple keypresses so you never have keys being undetected because your fingers are holding down a lot at once.

Shmups play fine on a standard keyboard for me except for 4-button shmups, where that 4th button can sometimes not register or interfere with inputs if you're holding down shot + laser + 4th. Namely it's Espgaluda that gives me trouble. The mechanical click of a keyboard is nice, but the real thing that matters in a keyboard is that it registers a lot of button inputs at once (older keyboards have trouble with spacebar + diagonals at the same time, etc).

[KAG]

@BareknuckleRoo
@casualcoder

Luckily I haven't got this problem although I've heard about it for hundreds of times from my friends. I think it's not only because the keyboard but also the laptop.


And, I think I have lernt the general idea? Mechanical keyboard doesn't make a great difference but sometimes it can help something, at least it can solve keys undetected problem.

[PROMETHEUS]

I use a mechanical keyboard and find it significantly more accurate than all my previous keyboards.

[e_tank]

here's a link to a helpful guide on mechanical keyboards that describes the different types of switches most commonly used for the keys.

also, if you plan on buying a mechanical keyboard and want to use it in something other than windows make sure to do your research before buying, some manufacturers implement nkro in a way that's only compatible with windows.

[Bonus!]

I use a mechanical keyboard on my main computer, I rather like it for verts (don't like it so much for horis, rapid vertical dodges are easier on a USB stick/pad). The important thing isn't so much that the keys are mechanical, but that it is designed to detect multiple keypresses so you never have keys being undetected because your fingers are holding down a lot at once.

This is an issue with USB. If you connect your keyboard via the PS/2 port, there is no limit to the numbers of keys you can press --- apart from the number of physical keys, or course.

[Bonus!]

Certain keys (especially on laptops) seem to release slowly, making precision tapping harder. I use brown cherry switches for both typing and playing, very happy with them.

Which brand are you using, and which ones did you look into prior to purchasing? I'm currently looking to buy a keyboard, and I'm close to splurging on a FILCO.

[Ed Oscuro]

If you prefer buttons (which is all a keyboard is, a bunch of buttons), why not get a custom controller with buttons for the direction inputs (I prefer sanwa buttons so that would be my choice).

It's an interesting idea I've considered before, but the spacing between round buttons is longer than between keyboard keys.

So maybe the controller would incorporate something like a mini keyboard (maybe a detached numerical pad) for this use.

[KAG]

here's a link to a helpful guide on mechanical keyboards that describes the different types of switches most commonly used for the keys.

also, if you plan on buying a mechanical keyboard and want to use it in something other than windows make sure to do your research before buying, some manufacturers implement nkro in a way that's only compatible with windows.

the link is very useful!
Well I decide to buy one, I don't know whether I can try different switches in shop or not.
I'm now living in Germany as a foreigner.

[bkk]

which ones did you look into prior to purchasing? I'm currently looking to buy a keyboard, and I'm close to splurging on a FILCO.

Not many, to be honest. I use a Leopold, I'm sure Filco is fine.

[superpretendo]

I use a Ducky Shine mechanical keyboard for most PC gaming and light MAME sessions. The Shine has rollover protection unlike many keyboards, so it doesn't get weird when you press multiple keys at once. Works great for Shmups and Run and Guns, but nothing beats a joystick for shmups.