Neo Geo Stick - your thoughts?

[Astraea FGA Mk. I]

As far as I know the NEOGEO was the only console that was bundled with an arcade stick as its default controller. This controller seems to be popular enough to have been released much later for modern consoles, so there must be a demand.

I always wanted a NeoGeo but I couldn't justify the cost, so I bought two PS2 Neo Geo Stick 2s to play NeoGeo games in mame through my laptop to my large TV which gives me the closest possible experience to the real thing w/o the AES.

Anyways, these sticks are all I have to play PS and PS2 games and they handle really well for what they are.
What is your opinion on this controller? Is it viable for proper shmupping? I have an obsession with getting high quality arcade sticks for all of my consoles that have arcade games and shmups.
The lever is micro-switched and feels good despite being smaller than a standard sized lever. The buttons are like over sized console controller buttons and are not micro-switched. While feeling a bit loose they do pop up quickly and are good for what they are.

Basically I want to hear your opinion on the NeoGeo AES controller and it's modern console specific counterparts, and whether you think it is viable as a primary stick for PS and PS2.

[Ed Oscuro]

Capcom's CPS Changer counts as an arcade stick, though I don't know if it actually uses arcade-spec parts.

The Neo Geo's stick feels fine, but you will get better performace picking one of the newer designs available in the twenty-odd years since the Neo Geo was released. There have been plenty of arcade controllers released for the PS and PS2 and many are easily modified with the best sticks and buttons available.

[Drachenherz]

Does it matter? Do you feel comfortable with it? If yes, isn't that the only thing that matters?

[Ed Oscuro]

If yes, isn't that the only thing that matters?

Not at all.

I'm comfortable with the NES controller...does that mean it's practically the same as the best thing available?

This is true too of joysticks (and pretty much any tool). Maybe it won't magically fix all your playing problems but playing with a better stick can let you get closer to realizing your skill.

For example, I've only used an LS-32 myself on my home systems but I can tell that for shmups I would be much happier with shorter engagement.

[gray117]

It's fine. Very good as a standard controller, especially given it's age. Remakes have varied, and no doubt there's a break-in/broken element to this discussion when comparing original to remake. The ps2 ones seem fine, the stick remains pretty tight - probably perfectly suitable for shmups, though not siemitsu tight... but I've always been more of a sanwa person myself.

However, as good as it is it remains a home console feel in my opinion - a unique and great one at that - but all neo for me. I still tend to equate a flat surface to the arcade feel, and larger push buttons - in fact the hori neo geo fight stick feel more arcade true in my opinion... Though they often seem to often have often not aged amazingly well and [whether it's wear and tear or not] the stick I had seemed a bit 'flappy' like stock dc ones...

Now in a similar note, I still never quite gel like I feel like some [say you're supposed to] do with the button layout - I tend to shift my hand during play than keeping a finger ready on each button. I never really found this to be a problem once you get used to it.

But I think I feel a little more relaxed with the 'street fighter' adaptation for fighters... Though for 3 button a button games [like mslug] I did actually make an adapter to do this to my 6 button supergun stick:

sf: 1 2 3
ng: b c d
sf: 4 5 6
ng: a b c

Allowing me to straight bottom row a,b,c and then do the bridged a, b, c, d for 4 buttons (primarily the fighters

... so for shmups, on your budget you're probably set. Like Drachenherz says at the end of the day if you're comfortable with it, then yep you're golden. But if you're feeling a little restricted, and/or are interest in non neo geo fighters then perhaps check out a sanwa hrap or similar... I don't know if the ps2 ones of those are cheaper these day?

[hermit crab]

You pretty much said everything there is to say in the first post.

The stick itself is great. The buttons are kinda meh. Ok for shmups with autofire and most other games but not the best option for "ten pushes per second" type gaming.

Overall a good controller that has been loved by many for years.

I'm comfortable with the NES controller...does that mean it's practically the same as the best thing available?

Yes! The NES controller is the best one ever made. Practical mainly for two button games though. Am I just comfortable with it because I pretty much grew up with one stuck to my hand, or is it really the best controller ever? Don't know doesn't matter.

I like to switch it up though. Sticks and pads, keyboard even. I do this to prevent strain from playing (not just discomfort but will mess with your game), and just for fun. My main stick has a Seimitsu LS-56 but I could use JLF's or anything really. The Xbox 360 controller is nice because I can switch between the d-pad and analogue stick while playing.

So I'm with Drachenherz and gray117, it's more about being comfortable with the controller than anything else. Of course a poorly functioning controller will add unnecessary difficulty to the game, just like one you're not comfortable with.

[Astraea FGA Mk. I]

Thanks for the response guys.

Here they are. The MotW edition has a larger balltop which makes it feel more like a standard arcade stick. I prefer the classic AES design though.
My friends love coming over for intense Metal Slug sessions on my 42" TV

[Drachenherz]

On a sidenote... Hehe

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.ph ... 47#p945647

[Ed Oscuro]

Gasp, you're using an LS-32! Isn't the Neo Geo stick good enough for you?

[Drachenherz]

Actually, I'm using a JLF with a JLF and a LS-32 spring - it was good, but now it's perfect.

[Astraea FGA Mk. I]

I know how to mod too

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=47208

The reason I got the Neo sticks was to get as close to the NeoGeo experience as possible without actually using an AES.
Using them on my PS2/1 is secondary.
Otherwise I would have got a HRAP and swapped out the parts.

I have around.... 6 sticks and four of them use Seimitsu or Sanwa parts.
I think it is excessive which is why I want to use these guys if they're viable, which they seem to be. I was wondering if anyone regularly played shmups with a Neo stick and their opinion.

[Ed Oscuro]

If I could use a LS-32 (or better) on my Neo I would. Nothing overrated or unsightly about using the best all the time. You're talking to a competitive community, remember?

[Astraea FGA Mk. I]

I love the LS-32 in my HRAP EX-SE. It is broken in perfectly and floats around blissfully. I play better with it than my Sanwa levers or anything else so I know what you mean.
I think my accumulation of arcade sticks is bordering on obsessive though. I am running out of space, my room is full of video game shit it is getting embarrassing.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Those original Neo-Geo AES joysticks use a distinctive Seimitsu super short-throw based joystick that has never been replicated for use in the Japanese game centers. Talk about exclusivity indeed. I bought one used off of eBay back in the day and it does have it's charm.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[undamned]

Capcom's CPS Changer counts as an arcade stick

Do you mean Capcom's Power Stick Fighter?



-ud

[shmuppyLove]

You know, I've always thought of myself as a huge Neo Geo fan, but the AES sticks looked so different from the arcade panels that I never found myself really wanting one.

THESE on the other hand ... oh baby

[Astraea FGA Mk. I]

At one point I was trying to buy an AES and some games. Then I discovered the NEO-GEO forum. SNK NEOGEO fandom is fucked up. These guys don't even play the games, they are obsessed with verifying authenticity, selling and trading and inflating prices, shit talking the numerous scammers who prey on their collective illness, e-stalking ebayers in france who sell conversions as original carts, spending tens of thousands of dollars on single games just because it is the USA region version and not the EU or JP version, screwing each other and creating absurd drama. It is like the bizarro version of this place. So fuck that.

If you didn't look at what my controller was plugged into you wouldn't notice a difference.

[Ed Oscuro]

Capcom's CPS Changer counts as an arcade stick

Do you mean Capcom's Power Stick Fighter?

Of course. "counts as having"

[undamned]

Capcom's CPS Changer counts as an arcade stick

Do you mean Capcom's Power Stick Fighter?

Of course. "counts as having"

Totally available outside of owning the changer. Even avail. in teh Americas.
-ud

[Ed Oscuro]

As far as I know the NEOGEO was the only console that was bundled with an arcade stick as its default controller.

[man9child]

The AES stick is good, but the one I bought had a sticky A button that would only register half the time.

I ended up changing the buttons out to 24mm Sanwas (the start button sized ones) and I like it much better. I put on a standard sized balltop, the stock one is small like on an NES advantage and it gives the illusion of an even smaller throw, so I guess that's a preference thing.



I own one of those huge MAS style american sticks. The one pictured above was the "mini" model. The thing is a beast. Old Happ Super that is absolutely perfect for Fatal Fury or Metal Slug. I played Ketsui on it through my supergun, and it kind of sucked though.

[hermit crab]

Sweet mod man9child.