Need help with choosing a 360 fightstick

[cave hermit]

So I'm thinking about buying a 360 fightstick, and I have two main options: this hori stick with generic parts for $70
http://www.amazon.com/Xbox360-Fighting- ... ight+stick

or the latest mad-catz fightstick with sanwa parts for $130
http://www.amazon.com/Mad-Catz-Arcade-F ... ight+stick

My natural inclination would be to go with the higher quality stick, but given that these sticks are built with fighting games in mind, I'm wondering if high quality parts really make any sort of difference when it comes to shmups; is there any sort of general consensus here on that? If sanwa parts aren't necessary, I'd like to save $60.

[chempop]

There are many HARDWARE threads about sticks.

I wouldn't get either of those. Maybe you can get lucky on an auction for a used HRAP EX-SE http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hori-Real-Arcad ... 338a414506

Stick does need soldering to connect the wires if you are going to replace it, but buttons are easy to swap since they have quick-connects.

[cave hermit]

Thanks for the tip; I guess I'll be watching auctions now

[chempop]

These are also cheap and easy to mod supposedly

http://www.amazon.com/PlayStation-WWE-S ... l+stick360

[BareKnuckleRoo]

I know someone who has a MadCatz fighting stick. Not quite the same model I think, but very similar. I was surprised by how solid it was - I'm used to MadCatz making some not-so-good third party stuff, but in his words, he was just as surprised too, they make very good fighting sticks.

I bought the 360 version of one of those WWE sticks. The default artwork is shit, obviously, but there's templates out there for replacing it with your own. The stock buttons and stick are okay, but it's basically a cheap fightstick you buy as either a starter, or to mod with something else. If you plan on modding it to replace the art or buttons, you'll need to unscrew it which voids the warranty and is a bit of a pain (they put glue on the heads of a few of the screws I guess so it's obvious when it's been opened up). The stick isn't very large, so it doesn't rest as well on your lap as a longer one like the MadCatz does, but it works well nonetheless. I got mine super cheap on sale, via that Amazon link, but at the price they're at now, I wouldn't buy one. At 70 dollars, I'd probably just invest in a higher quality one. Note that it does have an advantage over the Hori stick you linked in that it has 8 buttons (+LB and RB) as opposed to just 6, so if you want to use it for other games too, it's better that way.

Yeah, the hardware section's probably the best place to ask.

[cave hermit]

I have no experience in hardware modding (unless you count the time I destroyed my NES trying to open and clean the pin connectors), so I'm just going to go with something pre-made with good parts. At this point I'm probably going either with that mad catz stick or the real arcade pro; as far as I can tell the main difference is the usage of Sanwa or Semitsu parts (and I have no experience with either).

[cave hermit]

Also didn't notice the hardware section

[BareKnuckleRoo]

I have no experience in hardware modding (unless you count the time I destroyed my NES trying to open and clean the pin connectors), so I'm just going to go with something pre-made with good parts. At this point I'm probably going either with that mad catz stick or the real arcade pro; as far as I can tell the main difference is the usage of Sanwa or Semitsu parts (and I have no experience with either).

Sanwa parts are okay, Seimitsu are generally considered better for shmups. The biggest difference is the stick, a Seimitsu stick is way more sensitive and feels awesome to play shmups with for quick tap dodges and such. I don't have a Seimitsu in mine, but I've played on a cab with Seimitsu parts, and the difference is absolutely wonderful. But putting a Seimitsu stick in one of 'em should be fairly easy, unscrew the case, maybe a bit of soldering...?

[chempop]

Swapping a sanwa stick for seimitsu is usually more involved than unscrewing and little soldering. Heck, if it has a 5pin connector the soldering might not be needed - but installing the correct mount plate is more of the concern I'd recommend researching a bit on.

Also, Sanwa buttons are way more responsive, and much better for games which require rapid tapping. The downside is that sometimes you might accidentally trigger them.

[emphatic]

Also, Sanwa buttons are way more responsive, and much better for games which require rapid tapping. The downside is that sometimes you might accidentally trigger them.

I have to disagree. SANWA are rather useless for mashing IMHO. You should also write that it's just in your opinion, and not a fact. They are great for hair-trigger stuff, but I don't play anything where that's a plus.

[chempop]

Okay then

I have never heard anyone say seimitsu buttons are better for rapid-tapping. I'm willing to bet that you'd be able to shoot CONSIDERABLY faster in Raiden with sanwa buttons.

[cave hermit]

In the end, do you really need high quality parts for high level shmup play, or will generic Hori parts suffice? I'm literally about to place an order on amazon, and I'm having second thoughts about making such a big investment (for the most part I'm pretty frugal with game purchases).

[cave hermit]

You know what? Fuck it, I'm buying the Madcatz stick; it's my birthday, so I'm gonna splurge

[cave hermit]

Well, just ordered it. I always feel pretty guilty after splurging like this...

[BareKnuckleRoo]

In the end, do you really need high quality parts for high level shmup play, or will generic Hori parts suffice?

I've been lazy about modding the WWE stick - I 1cc'd several games with its stock parts, and I know someone who plays shmups using the normal Xbox 360 D-Pad (he can 1cc/loop Ketsui). The fancy parts help, but the most important thing about a control scheme is being used to it. Even if you get a top of the line arcade stick, if you're not used to using it you'll still probably do better with one that you're familiar with. Good parts help of course, but with practice you could get used to using just about anything.

[emphatic]

You know what? Fuck it, I'm buying the Madcatz stick; it's my birthday, so I'm gonna splurge

You made a wise choice. HORI sticks are a pain to modify when stock parts deteriorate. Except for the Fighting Edge, of course.