Whats the best Shmups arcade stick?

[Aleksei]

I've got an xbox and I use this
http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Arcade- ... cade+stick

basically crap bc of the throw and it just doesn't go where i need it to go, I was trying to mod it by buying a new replacement stick but the holes don't match any Sanwa stick I want and I don't to mod it with tools so ...

Whats the best arcade stick to use for shmups? What to the Superplayers use?

And preferably under $100 but up to $200, links appreciated.

[Special World]

tbh I would just get a SE fightstick and mod it with sanwa or seimitsu parts

and if you have some extra left over you can mod it with custom artwork and paint for cheap, and it'll be something you can be really proud of

i suck shit at crafty things but i managed to do it, so you should be able to too

[drunkninja24]

Madcatz has a special this weekend to pick up one of their SF X Tekken sticks for $60 off, comes out to about $110-$120 after shipping, all Sanwa parts stocked (just use coupon code SCR60 at checkout):

http://store.gameshark.com/listCategori ... &curPage=2

However, the recommended joysticks for shmups (and what most Japanese shmup cabs are equipped with) is a Seimitsu LS-32, which you can pick up here:

http://www.paradisearcadeshop.com/en/se ... stick.html

It's just a drop in replacement that should fit right in and require nothing but a screwdriver.

[brokenhalo]

I've got an xbox and I use this
http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Arcade- ... cade+stick

basically crap bc of the throw and it just doesn't go where i need it to go, I was trying to mod it by buying a new replacement stick but the holes don't match any Sanwa stick I want and I don't to mod it with tools so ...

Whats the best arcade stick to use for shmups? What to the Superplayers use?

And preferably under $100 but up to $200, links appreciated.

that mayflash is a good stick to mod. i usually just drill holes through the top panel and mount the joystick using carriage bolts. sanwa sits a little high, so you might want spacers underneath. seimitsu sits better height wise, as they are short sticks to begin with. you'll need a dremel as well to remove some of the plastic.

there are guys on this forum who can do the mod for you for a small fee if you don't want to take it on yourself. or you can check out this guide i made if you want to see whats involved.
http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.ph ... a+mayflash

[Aleksei]

I would gladly ship this thing to someone for them to mod it with a good stick and buttons and even pay for return shipping, who do you know who can do this?

[brokenhalo]

I would gladly ship this thing to someone for them to mod it with a good stick and buttons and even pay for return shipping, who do you know who can do this?

sent you a PM

[BIOS]

I've just modded my Hori ex2 with the semitsu LS-32 and it's great. Also put 6 sanwa buttons in.

[Jeneki]

I got a Hori EX-SE not long ago for under 100. That one is straight Seimitsu. Really like the feel of it.

Although oddly enough the button placement is a little different than the Street Fighter sticks. The four main buttons are in a NeoGeo shape, may be better or worse depending on what you are looking for. In any case shmups generally come with a button config, so probably no biggie.

[Aleksei]

Looks like I'll be modifying it myself because parts are expensive.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Not to mention by further modding with cool LED internal lighting effects for both the hollow joystick shaft & clear bubble top joystick ball combo + all-clear 30mm & 24mm sized push buttons motif looks awesome in either going with an all-Seimitsu or Sanwa setup. You can change the overall main LED color scheme "on-the-fly" to your liking as well. How cool is that?

The slick Taito Concept-E prototype candy cab sported such neat LED-based backlit joysticks and push buttons on it's control panel setup back in the day (pre-cursor to the Taito Viewlix candy cab line-up).

Yep, there was a time when Amazon.com was offering such brand new & boxed Hori RAP EX-SEs for a mere $80-$85 with free shipping included as a bonus. Has the usual 2,600 gram weight (which is typical of such a HRAP setup from the PSX/PS2 era when the HRAP lineup was first introduced). Quite a bargin I'd have to say.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Astraea FGA Mk. I]

I was lucky to get into Xbox 360 shmups when the HRAP EX-SE (Seimitsu parts) wasn't incredibly hard to find or expensive, it is brilliant.
I also have a HRAP VX-SA (Sanwa parts). People here say to use Seimitsu for a reason.

[casualcoder]

I have been using the hori ex-se (ls-32 seimitsu) for a while and I'm grateful I was able to snap it up for a good price when I got it. Without it I probably would have gotten frustrated and wouldn't play all of my shmups nearly as much. I tried a sanwa modded stick for a while as well as the stock x360 pad and I have no idea how I tolerated those for so long. The sanwa in particular was a nuisance because of the wide throw and loose feel. It made me think I was playing the game properly because it was an arcade quality stick, but in reality it made my play very sloppy.

I have built and modded my own sticks before and, word from the wise, be careful what you get yourself into. It can be rewarding in the end, but if you are not very experienced it can end up taking a long time and drive you nuts. Time and labor is money so also ask yourself how much yours is worth instead of getting a used one on eBay or a pro custom build.

[Edmond Dantes]

The best arcade stick I've ever used is MAH PENIS!

[Ghegs]

So about two inches, then?

Do try to keep it on-topic. Also moving this to Hardware.

[justice99]

I bought an Ultra Ulia arcade stick ( HRAP clone ) which come with a pc/ps3 pcb only, then i bought all the parts that i needed.

I will replace the pcb by a ps2/usb one, seimitsu joystick with sanwa buttons.

[Ed Oscuro]

However, the recommended joysticks for shmups (and what most Japanese shmup cabs are equipped with) is a Seimitsu LS-32, which you can pick up here:

I thought some people switched over to LS-56s (or 55s or 58s or something).

And then there's this: http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.ph ... 51&start=0 (where you can see emphatic's plug for the LS-56 as well).

I have a LS-32 in a stick here and I don't really like it.

[chempop]

I've mostly used LS-32, LS-33, LS-56, and LS-58.

The only one which is significantly different in my opinion is the LS-33 because the shaft is shorter. I have a hard time seeing what the differences are between the other sticks, maybe slightly softer spring in one over the other... Also, about a year ago I started using 8 way gates and I really like them!

[chronic1]

I got a Hori EX-SE not long ago for under 100. That one is straight Seimitsu. Really like the feel of it.

Although oddly enough the button placement is a little different than the Street Fighter sticks. The four main buttons are in a NeoGeo shape, may be better or worse depending on what you are looking for. In any case shmups generally come with a button config, so probably no biggie.

Hello Jeneki,

I have one of these also, and I too enjoy the hell out of it. Have you looked into modding yours for multi-console? If I can add in PS3 & Saturn, then I'll be in shmup heaven with this controller.

[Jeneki]

Actually I've never considered modding a 360 controller to other consoles. I'm one of those people who has way too many joysticks for way too many consoles. I do have a couple Cthulu PS3 pcbs sitting around though. Those are pretty small, I'd have to open up the stick and see what kind of space is in there ... maybe this is worth looking in to.

Out of curiosity, I took a look around the web for 360-to-PS3 converters. There are quite a few out there, not very expensive either, but I have no idea if they add any lag or not. That may be an easier solution if you don't want to rewire the stick. I didn't find any 360-to-Saturn converters though; it seems most people want to go the other way around (use Saturn pads on a 360).

[chronic1]

I have 2 saturn pads for my supergun, and would like to have 2 MC sticks for 360/PS3/PC/Saturn. That way I'd have all the sticks I need for some 4 player beat'em up action.

The forums/product sheet lead me to believe the MC Cthulhu has 360/PS3/PC/Saturn functionality through a RJ45<-->console terminated cable. Additionally, it looks like the PS360+ will eventually have the same capability through firmware updates.

Since I already have a HORI EX-SE, and it plays just fine for me, I'd like to get another one and mod them both. But if it is going to require buying multiple common ground 360 PCBs & MC boards...it might not be worth the time/money to make it happen.

[HydrogLox]

One extremely useful aspect of the Mayflash PS2/PS3/PC USB Fighting Stick stick is the PS2 connector - because there are so many converters available for PS2 controllers (of somewhat variable quality). When I got tired of looking for a PS2 Hori Real Arcade Pro SE (a bit late to the party I'm afraid) I worked a Seimitsu LS-32-01 Joystick and eight Seimitsu PS-15 buttons into a Mayflash. The converters I have used successfully:

• ToToTEK Saturn Joypad Converter - YouTube: Tototek Playstation to Saturn controller converter
• EMS Total Control 2 for Sega Dreamcast - you have to hold down the AUTO button on the Mayflash when the Dreamcast boots up, otherwise this combination will generate random button clicks (including the Start button!).
• Mayflash GameCube Joy Box for Nintendo GameCube (and GameCube compatible Wii's)

Haven't tried any PS2 to Xbox 360 converters as I already have an Hori Real Arcade Pro EX (with Seimitsu PS-14-GN buttons).

[Jforce]

Hi everyone,

Could someone give an advice with purchasing a proper and actual Arcade Stick for shmups?

Thanks!

[TransatlanticFoe]

To start with, we'd need to know:

What systems do you need to use it with?
Do you have soldering equipment?
How about a Dremel or similar multitool?