Madcatz Fightpad: is it any good for shmups?

[cave hermit]

I'd like to get a fightstick for my 360 sometime, but they're quite expensive. Has anybody tried one of these? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006ZT ... d_i=507846
Is it any good?

[Pretas]

I used to use one. They're a step up from the stock 360 pad, but still not great. They have difficulty registering diagonals.

My recommendation is to wait and save up for a stick with Sanwa/Seimitsu parts. You'll be glad you did.

[Thjodbjorn]

I scrunched up my face reading this. That pad really isn't very good. Madcatz has frequent sales, and they had one of their fightsticks for just $80 recently. Sure, that's more expensive than $20, but it's easily worth it.

[MrOldSchoolCool]

If you like d-pads for shmups, that one works great.

As far these fight sticks go, I honestly think that's rooted in the purism of most shmups originating in the arcades. An arcade stick takes longer to go from left to right (and vise versa) than a d-pad. Not to mention the obnoxious clicking noise most fight sticks make.

You can tell where I stand, but it's really all about what you're comfortable with.

[gs68]

Hori Turbo Pad EX2 is perhaps the best pad to use. All 360 pads in general are bloody awful, it's almost like a requirement from Microsoft that they have to be. =/

[BareKnuckleRoo]

Hori Turbo Pad EX2 is perhaps the best pad to use. All 360 pads in general are bloody awful, it's almost like a requirement from Microsoft that they have to be. =/

This. I've tried so many D-Pads for the 360 that I'm convinced the Hori EX2 Turbo isn't just the best, it's the only one with what you would call a remotely decent D-Pad (and it really it quite solid). Investing in an arcade stick might be an idea, too. Who knows why, but the 360 is cursed with a lack of controllers with a useable D-Pad. It's like they assumed everyone would just use it to switch guns or whatever...

An arcade stick takes longer to go from left to right (and vise versa) than a d-pad.

You've never used a Seimitsu stick.

[Thjodbjorn]

It's also much easier for me to move my wrist than just my thumb. But obviously some people are going to be more comfortable with a d-pad.

[DJ Incompetent]

Madcatz Fightpad is my go-to for clearing things.

[MrOldSchoolCool]

Hori Turbo Pad EX2 is perhaps the best pad to use. All 360 pads in general are bloody awful, it's almost like a requirement from Microsoft that they have to be. =/

This. I've tried so many D-Pads for the 360 that I'm convinced the Hori EX2 Turbo isn't just the best, it's the only one with what you would call a remotely decent D-Pad (and it really it quite solid). Investing in an arcade stick might be an idea, too. Who knows why, but the 360 is cursed with a lack of controllers with a useable D-Pad. It's like they assumed everyone would just use it to switch guns or whatever...

An arcade stick takes longer to go from left to right (and vise versa) than a d-pad.

You've never used a Seimitsu stick.

I'm not even going to bother because I know people will argue to the death for arcade sticks.

Whatever floats your boat dudes!

[gs68]

In a more ideal world, we'd have a Sega Saturn pad ersatz available for every modern platform. I actually use my Saturn pad more than my FSTE at home.

[Bananamatic]

I used the stock 360 pad after the sandpaper mod on DFK just fine and Gus also plays with a stock 360 pad iirc. So I guess it's not THAT bad.

[hail good sir]

I have one of the earlier fightpads, I think they've shrunk the dpad a little bit since then, but I hated it. The original launch 360 controllers had pretty bad dpads and they got a bad reputation but the new(er) ones are perfectly fine.

[Cee]

I really liked mine personally (even alongside my sticks) although it only lasted around a year before the buttons started dying.

[MrOldSchoolCool]

I really liked mine personally (even alongside my sticks) although it only lasted around a year before the buttons started dying.

Just open that sucker up and clean the contacts with a q-tip and rubbing alcohol. Should fix it.