The great shooter joystick debate

corbie · Post by **corbie** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 3:30 pm

When I bought my Egret 2 it came with a Sanwa JLF stick on it, which I thought was great since I had installed them on my Neo Candy years ago and have really loved them for most genres of games.

But after playing Ibara with the Sanwa JLF stick for awhile, I noticed that there was a bit of a lack of responsiveness needed to make the intricate movements that many bullet hell shooters require.

I went online to see if anyone else had a similar problem and that's when I began seeing that many shooter fans preferred the Seimitsu LS-32 stick when it came to shooters.

I bought and installed a Seimitsu LS-32-01 stick on my Egret II cabinet and I've got to say, it works much better for me personally with shooters.

I'm curious to see how other shooter fans feel and what your favorite sticks are when playing shooters.

Here's the pic I took before I changed the joystick out and afterwards with the LS-32 stick installed. (And for those wondering, the red on the actuators is just red electrical tape to give it a softer touch.)

jpj · Post by **jpj** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 4:08 pm

i'm with you, LS-32 all the way

and how did you own a neo cab a whole 25 years ago...?
(just kidding, but that's how i read it at first

)

dmauro · Post by **dmauro** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 4:33 pm

My Astros are stocked the same: LS32 with Sanwa buttons.

brokenhalo · Post by **brokenhalo** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 4:33 pm

stock jlf for me.

i see the logic behind the ls-32 as the better shmup stick, but i like the jlf better. it has a longer throw, but a softer touch. i think it comes down to that i don't like the added resistance of the levered microswitches the ls-32 uses. the jlf just seems to get where it's going a lot smoother.

corbie · Post by **corbie** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 4:37 pm

I agree that the JLF is a smoother feeling stick. It's probably why I love it so much for all other genres of games. I just couldn't get used to it with the bullet hell shooters for some reason. And my cabinet has Sanwa buttons as well.

320x240 · Post by **320x240** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 5:02 pm

Does anyone know what model of Sanwa stick Ultimarc stocks? I've had one for a number of years but never got around to build it into a full system.

http://www.hardmvs.com/html/SanwaJoy.htm

corbie · Post by **corbie** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 5:05 pm

It looks like a Sanwa JLW stick to me. But I'd have to see it in person to know for sure.

emphatic · Post by **emphatic** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 5:27 pm

It depends on the cab also. I have Seimitsu LS-32-01 (make sure you get this and not the LS-32 if you're switching out a stock EGRET Sanwa stick as the little PCB on there is compatible with the 5-pin quick connector) in my EGRET II, but I have nothing against Sanwa sticks when playing at someone elses house. But for some cabs, the Seimitsu sticks is too short (I think that Astro's for example have a lowered platform to fasten the stick, thus the Seimitsu is way too short).

If you switch from Sanwa to Seimitsu, you can always use the Sanwa spring with your Seimitsu stick to "smoothen the ride".

dmauro · Post by **dmauro** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 6:04 pm

emphatic wrote:But for some cabs, the Seimitsu sticks is too short (I think that Astro's for example have a lowered platform to fasten the stick, thus the Seimitsu is way too short).

My 1P Astro City CP had normal mounting plates, but my 2P6B had taller plates that required a different mounting plate. I switched it out for a 2P12B that I got from Akibashop and it had the normal mounting plates like the 1P CP.

Dragoforce · Post by **Dragoforce** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 6:26 pm

Seimitsu LS-32 all the way. But to be honest I haven't noticed any huge difference between Seimitsu and Sanwa when it comes to the sticks. The big difference is the buttons. The springs in the sanwa buttons kicks back to damn slowely compared to Seimitsu, making it nearly impossible to button-mash.

dmauro · Post by **dmauro** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 6:32 pm

Dragoforce wrote:The springs in the sanwa buttons kicks back to damn slowely compared to Seimitsu, making it nearly impossible to button-mash.

o_0
The reason I like Sanwas over Seimitsu, besides preferring the "feel" of them, is that it's easier to mash them for rapid-fire.

Dragoforce · Post by **Dragoforce** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 6:37 pm

dmauro wrote:[The reason I like Sanwas over Seimitsu, besides preferring the "feel" of them, is that it's easier to mash them for rapid-fire.

Well then. One of us is clearly buttonmashing the wrong way

dmauro · Post by **dmauro** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 6:42 pm

Yes, but that would be my friend that uses the underside of the small knuckle on his fingers (if you can imagine how that works), instead of the pad of his fingers, to mash.

Jockel · Post by **Jockel** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 7:04 pm

My vote goes contra-sanwa buttons as well.
They react too quickly so you have to lift your finger completely off, if you want to mash. On other buttons you can keep your finger down and just "rattle" away.

dmauro · Post by **dmauro** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 7:14 pm

But the distance to activate it is less, and the resistance is less, so it's a tiny rapid flick of the finger. :/

Jockel · Post by **Jockel** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 7:33 pm

Resistance is too low for me.
I mean i have some really low quality sticks and HAPP buttons (i guess) in my cab, but i am kinda used to the deadzone the buttons have.
I like the stock buttons in Naomi cabs, too.

emphatic · Post by **emphatic** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 7:40 pm

dmauro wrote:Yes, but that would be my friend that uses the underside of the small knuckle on his fingers (if you can imagine how that works), instead of the pad of his fingers, to mash.

That's cool, I guess I'll have to try that. I've been using the old school double tap though (as seen in the "Chasing Ghosts : Beyond The Arcade" movie) since 1987, so it's kinda hard not to do that. It's perfect for the Seimitsu buttons, on Happ buttons you'll get tired pretty fast.

Alec · Post by **Alec** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 7:49 pm

I have cabs with them each and I love them both. There is a difference between them, but I don't think theres enough to make or break my gameplay, regardless of genre. My preference tends to lean to Seimitsu, but a fresh JLF is hard to top.

corbie · Post by **corbie** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 8:35 pm

I too prefer the Sanwa buttons. They're a much softer button and I can rapid-fire a lot faster with them. I had Seimitsu buttons on my Neo 25 but I've since replaced them with Sanwa buttons as well. I guess it just comes down to personal preference.

oxoid · Post by **oxoid** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 9:05 pm

LS-32 stick and seimitsu buttons. Sanwa buttons are too sensitive for me, missing level 3 supers occasionaly in alpha 2 and EX series.

nimitz · Post by **nimitz** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 10:59 pm

Tried both for the JLF and the LS-32 for a good while, LS-32 is superior for shooters no doubt.

as for buttons i have sanwa OBSFs and I really like the responsiveness, I'm sure that these buttons saved my life often when panic bombing

PC Engine Fan X! · Post by **PC Engine Fan X!** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 1:11 am

On my Egret II cab, it's Sanwa all the way with both joysticks and push buttons. On my DC Agetech joystick, it's been modded with Seimitsu joystick + push buttons. It all comes down to what you have a preference for: either Sanwa or Seimitsu in the end. ^_~

For some folks, the good ol' Happ Control arcade parts suit the larger American's hand sizes. It's been said that you could take a sledgehammer and give a good whack at a Happ arcade joystick and it'll still work after a well placed smashing...it's that damn durable & solidly built. No shit. ^_~

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

CFO · Post by **CFO** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 6:31 am

Since I sold my astro I am using my Egret 2 for shooters for the first time and I noticed how inaccurate the JLF's feel for me. I could greatly notice how much worse I played on one. I have since replaced the 1p side with an LS-32 and left 2p original as I like JLFs much more for fighting games. Hopefully my friends don't mind the LS32 for those games

Elixir · Post by **Elixir** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 7:26 am

Yes, it's common knowledge that Seimitsu is better for shmups and Sanwa is better for fighters. I don't have much room though, so I just use a Saturn pad with my Supergun. I'm better with it and I an make precise movements that otherwise would take me many months of practice to replicate on an arcade stick. Whenever starts boasting about sticks, I just watch some of MMM's Ketsui runs. He's a pad user.

j^aws · Post by **j^aws** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 11:25 am

Current fav stick: Modified old-skool Suzo (uses rubber centering ring); too many mods to name but it has the best features of a Seimitsu LS-32, Myoungshin Fanta, HAPP Competition, Sanwa Flash and of course, an old-skool Suzo. Indeed, it's the best stick in existence for shooters and fighters...!

sven666 · Post by **sven666** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:32 pm

seimitsu LS32 and Happ competition buttons is the only way i roll.

captpain · Post by **captpain** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 2:11 pm

sven666 wrote:seimitsu LS32 and Happ competition buttons is the only way i roll.

Glad to see someone else likes the Happ buttons... seems like all of these other guys are fancy-ass Japanese button fans. Pssh!

gibbous · Post by **gibbous** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 5:54 pm

I have JLF's with octagonals on my fighting cab, love it. I'm going to have to try the LS-32's on my Astro for shooters. Fresh happ buttons have too much resistance for me. OTOH, I've had my finger down on a Sanwa OSB without even knowing it several times before. Maybe seitmitsu buttons are the happy medium.

corbie · Post by **corbie** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 6:33 pm

Yeah I love the Sanwa JLFs for fighting games, and just about every other genre other than shooters myself. I was hard-headed about making the switch, but after reading so many people rave about the Seimitsu sticks for shooters, I figured it was at least worth a try. I'm glad I tried it out now!

I also don't care for the HAPP buttons either. I had them on my Big Red when it had it years ago and they are just too stiff for my liking. I'll stick with the Fancy-Ass Japanese buttons, thank you.

PC Engine Fan X! · Post by **PC Engine Fan X!** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 12:50 am

corbie wrote:Yeah I love the Sanwa JLFs for fighting games, and just about every other genre other than shooters myself. I was hard-headed about making the switch, but after reading so many people rave about the Seimitsu sticks for shooters, I figured it was at least worth a try. I'm glad I tried it out now!

I also don't care for the HAPP buttons either. I had them on my Big Red when it had it years ago and they are just too stiff for my liking. I'll stick with the Fancy-Ass Japanese buttons, thank you.

Yep, some folks like how durable them Happ Competition buttons are...even sven666 swears by them! ^_~

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~