Stick advice, which restrictor gate?

[neue]

Buying a stick and was wondering what is the best restrictor gate for shmups?
Going for a Qanba Q4 from arcadeworlduk so my options are

• Default Square
• GTY-Octagonal
• Qanba Octagonal
• Qanba Round

Cheers!

[emphatic]

Buy one of each, it's not that expensive? I would rule out the round one though.

[gray117]

I believe octagonals and rounds are primarily for flowing movements that may be preferred by some fighters. I would presume that square choice was favoured by shmup players... But of course to each their own.

[matrigs]

square

[neue]

Cheers shmuppers!

[speedlolita]

I believe octagonals and rounds are primarily for flowing movements that may be preferred by some fighters. I would presume that square choice was favoured by shmup players... But of course to each their own.

You shouldn't be riding gates anyway.

I had an octogate for a bit when I was getting used to sticks and after a short while it just felt terrible.

Square gate ftw.

[LEGENOARYNINLIA]

I believe octagonals and rounds are primarily for flowing movements that may be preferred by some fighters. I would presume that square choice was favoured by shmup players... But of course to each their own.

No, the other way around. Square gates are the best for fighters. Some people are just never satisfied with stock controls and need to pimp everything.

[drauch]

Eh, not really. I always used an octo for fighters and have known plenty that preferred them. Definitely a preference thing, along with other stick components.

[chempop]

I like octo-gates on my seimitsu LS-56/58 for shmups. I've heard the sanwa gates increase the throw which has prevented me from trying them, seimitsu's reduces throw which is nice. I like gate-ridin'

[Lord of Pirates]

Eh, not really. I always used an octo for fighters and have known plenty that preferred them. Definitely a preference thing, along with other stick components.

Seconded. I use an octagate for shmups and fighters without issue and I much prefer the feel over a square gate.

[emphatic]

I like octo-gates on my seimitsu LS-56/58 for shmups.

+1.

I like gate-ridin'

Me too! Especially in Out Zone!

[Krooze L-Roy]

I got a Madcatz stick for Christmas and it has completely rejuvenated my interest in shmups. I don't want to overhype it for you, but for me personally, the difference has been like night and day.

As for the question, obviously I'm far from an expert, but so far, I only really notice the squareness of the stock gate when I attempt to play fighting games. For shooters, it's been a nonfactor; movement is more delicate and controlled, so the gate never even comes into play. If it does, it does so in a way that's completely unobtrusive, possibly even beneficial.

My advice would be to try the thing for a couple weeks before you start tampering with it. You'll quite possibly be perfectly happy with the stock setup, and if not, you'll at least have a better idea of what changes you'd prefer.