More Uncommon? Seimitsu stick w/ fighters or Sanwa w/ shmups

[MrOldSchoolCool]

I'm not referring to the buttons here. Just the stick itself. Which is more uncommon to see?

A Seimitsu stick being used for fighting games or a Sanwa stick being used for shmups?

[gray117]

A Seimitsu stick being used for fighting games is less common simply due to the more common proliferation of sanwa sticks in general.

... however in certain situations you may find exceptions - such as certain neo geo cabs that I think had stock seimitsu sticks [where the majority of games would tend towards/include fighters over shumps] - which could skew things if you're narrowing down a niche.

... Now that being said (and depending on your reason for asking ?), the majority of shmups players if given the choice would probably opt for seimitsu. Whereas the majority of fighter players may opt for sanwa. Eitherways, I doubt there would be complaints - making sure whatever stick is in good working order is usually more important

[MR_Soren]

I'll use either stick for a fighting game, but I think sawna might be worse than a decent d-pad for shmups.

I'd assume sanwa is more common for both simply because they are far more available. I don't think any of the major stick makers (HORI, Qanba, MadCatz) even offer a Seimitsu stick right now, but the HORI EX-SE I bought for my Xbox 360 is awesome.

[DestroyTheCore]

I use the same Sanwa arcade stick for both fighting games and shmups (I installed an oversized actuator and an octogonal restrictor plate though) and I wouldn't change my current setup for another one. It's a matter of preference and habit.

[cave hermit]

Sanwa sticks are far more common than Semitsu sticks, which probably has something to do with the fact that fighting games are far more popular and well-known than shmups (You can always find a fightstick, but there's no such thing as a STGstick).

When I was shopping for an arcade stick to use with my 360, all the high-end sticks on Amazon used Sanwa parts with the only semitsu stick being the Hori EX-SE. In the end I just bought the latest Mad Catz fightstick equipped with Sanwa parts because I didn't feel like dealing with auctions for used EX-SE units or paying unreasonable amounts of money for the few sealed EX-SE units remaining.

Honestly I feel that Mr_Soren is right in that a good d-pad would work better for shmups than a sanwa stick, but I can't exactly plug my Wii classic controller pro into my 360, and there are no good d-pads for the 360 as far as I know.

Still, the sanwa stick is a far better option than the stock 360 controller, and it's easier on my thumb than a d pad.
If I could get a jumbo actuator and octogonal restrictor plate installed I think it would make the stick on par with semitsu (although I've never actually used a semitsu stick so that's more of a guess); unfortunately I'm very incompetent when it comes to mechanical stuff, and I'm not risking destroying my $200 fightstick.

[PAPER/ARTILLERY]

I think Sanwa sticks are getting a bad rap here, I do prefer Seimitsu but I've cleared several shmups with a Sanwa JLF and I really wouldn't want to try that with a d-pad. But ultimately it comes down to the same points that are often made in these threads -

1. It's all about personal preference and
2. You can learn to be good with any control type.

[amdiggywhut]

I don't think any of the major stick makers (HORI, Qanba, MadCatz) even offer a Seimitsu stick right now

Just fyi - you can purchase a Qanba Q2 with stock Seimitsu (LS-58-01) over on Arcade Shock. I got one and I love it.

[Special World]

I would much rather play a shooter with a sanwa than play a fighter with a seimitsu, personally.

[MrOldSchoolCool]

How much did the Hori Real Arcade Pro EX-SE originally retail for?

[cave hermit]

I probably should have taken a look at Arcade Shock; I only looked at amazon and ebay while shopping for my fightstick. Regardless, I like my sanwa stick a lot and I do think that it is fairly flexible in the sense that it's a good shmup stick, if not the optimal stick like a semitsu. From what I've heard Semitsu sticks are good for shmups/classic arcade games and nothing else so...

[Weak Boson]

I've never actually used a proper Sanwa stick. I've recently been attempting KOFXIII with my Seimitsu LS-40, though. I love this stick for shmups but even compared to the LS-32 it seems a bit tricky for fighting game style motions. But maybe I just find fighting game style motions tricky. Maybe I should get a USB adaptor and dust off my Tatsunoku vs Capcom stick.

Hey, we all know you can go full shmup with any controller you're good with - be that keyboard, stick, pad or dance mat - but to what extent is this also true for fighting games?

[MrOldSchoolCool]

I've never actually used a proper Sanwa stick. I've recently been attempting KOFXIII with my Seimitsu LS-40, though. I love this stick for shmups but even compared to the LS-32 it seems a bit tricky for fighting game style motions. But maybe I just find fighting game style motions tricky. Maybe I should get a USB adaptor and dust off my Tatsunoku vs Capcom stick.

Hey, we all know you can go full shmup with any controller you're good with - be that keyboard, stick, pad or dance mat - but to what extent is this also true for fighting games?

I just imagined an EVO match where the first guy pulls out his Tournament Edition while the other guy is unfolding his DDR mat.

[drunkninja24]

I've never actually used a proper Sanwa stick. I've recently been attempting KOFXIII with my Seimitsu LS-40, though. I love this stick for shmups but even compared to the LS-32 it seems a bit tricky for fighting game style motions. But maybe I just find fighting game style motions tricky. Maybe I should get a USB adaptor and dust off my Tatsunoku vs Capcom stick.

Hey, we all know you can go full shmup with any controller you're good with - be that keyboard, stick, pad or dance mat - but to what extent is this also true for fighting games?

This year's EVO champion played on an old school PS1 digital-only pad

I've seen more than a couple folks using keyboards or "hitbox" controllers

I'd say it's much the same

[emphatic]

I'm not sure I understand the OP question. In what environment? In Japanese arcades? In homes where fight sticks are used?

[Legendary Hoamaru]

If I could get a jumbo actuator and octogonal restrictor plate installed I think it would make the stick on par with semitsu (although I've never actually used a semitsu stick so that's more of a guess); unfortunately I'm very incompetent when it comes to mechanical stuff, and I'm not risking destroying my $200 fightstick.

It's actually very easy to repalce the stick and gate of a madcatz stick.

No soldering or anything required, I replaced mine with a LS-58-01 and an octagonal gate a few years ago just watching a youtube video.

[MrOldSchoolCool]

I'm not sure I understand the OP question. In what environment? In Japanese arcades? In homes where fight sticks are used?

I guess I just mean for somebody who has access to both and swears by the more unpopular choice (for example, a fighting game player who swears by Seimitsu or a STG player who swears by Sanwa)

[emphatic]

People should spend more time playing games and less time worrying about stuff like this. When I grew up, your biggest concern in the arcades were if the controls worked at all... Sometimes you'd play Twin Cobra on player 2 side as the player 1 stick was glitching. Having to adjust to a stick you're unfamiliar with can be a great thing as it'll keep you alert.

[MrOldSchoolCool]

People should spend more time playing games and less time worrying about stuff like this. When I grew up, your biggest concern in the arcades were if the controls worked at all...

hahaha. So true. Still true at this arcade that I go to.

[Aquas]

Definitely prefer Sanwa for STG over Seimitsu.
Riding a square gate is just better with a JLF, which is what I do because I love hugging the gate when I play. Especially in frantic games like Dangun Feveron where you move around a lot.

I am shunned for playing like I normally would on a Sanwa on a Seimitsu because I'm too "rough" so I have to bear that in mind. Using a Seimitsu is more delicate in this reason, and precise, as some say, but I say: Go Sanwa or go home.

[MrOldSchoolCool]

Definitely prefer Sanwa for STG over Seimitsu.
Riding a square gate is just better with a JLF, which is what I do because I love hugging the gate when I play. Especially in frantic games like Dangun Feveron where you move around a lot.

I am shunned for playing like I normally would on a Sanwa on a Seimitsu because I'm too "rough" so I have to bear that in mind. Using a Seimitsu is more delicate in this reason, and precise, as some say, but I say: Go Sanwa or go home.

(......puts head down and walks home)

[Ex_Mosquito]

Both are equally good for both genres, it just depends what you're used too. In the HEY! arcade in Akihabara most of the shoot em' up and 2D side scrollers had both on the one cab: 1P Seimitsu and 2P Sanwa, it may have been he other way around can't remember.

I swear by Sanwa, though.

[Aquas]

Definitely prefer Sanwa for STG over Seimitsu.
Riding a square gate is just better with a JLF, which is what I do because I love hugging the gate when I play. Especially in frantic games like Dangun Feveron where you move around a lot.

I am shunned for playing like I normally would on a Sanwa on a Seimitsu because I'm too "rough" so I have to bear that in mind. Using a Seimitsu is more delicate in this reason, and precise, as some say, but I say: Go Sanwa or go home.

(......puts head down and walks home)

Just my two cents

[MrOldSchoolCool]

Definitely prefer Sanwa for STG over Seimitsu.
Riding a square gate is just better with a JLF, which is what I do because I love hugging the gate when I play. Especially in frantic games like Dangun Feveron where you move around a lot.

I am shunned for playing like I normally would on a Sanwa on a Seimitsu because I'm too "rough" so I have to bear that in mind. Using a Seimitsu is more delicate in this reason, and precise, as some say, but I say: Go Sanwa or go home.

(......puts head down and walks home)

Just my two cents

Haha. I was just having fun. BTW, am I the only one who thinks you sound like this guy from CGR Undertow? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7a6idC9VHA

[CDexWard]

I'm with Aquas. I recently bought a Semitsu LS-56 and put it in my TE stick and I cannot make out the difference compared to the Sanwa JLF. Everyone says the Seimitsu one has a shorter throw but I can't put my finger on that. When put side to side and pushed at the same time, both sticks click simultaneously. The only difference I notice is that the the Seimitsu ist a little bit stiffer, and the octagonal gate I put on it and I am not even sure that I like it.

[dosu]

The ls-56 has a 7.5mm throw while the JLF has 8mm, but the ls-56 has a shorter engagement at 4mm while the JLF at 6mm.
I like the ls-32 for fighters like KOF and shmups because it has a 7mm throw and 5mm engagement and the spring is in between the ls-56 and JLF

[aoiddr]

When I first started dabbling in arcade PCB collecting, I built a Supergun using one of kits that come with 60in1 boards. So it had one of those Zippy controllers, which I've read are basically a clone of the Seimitsu LS-32... and while I did think it was okay for fighting games and stuff like Pac-Man... I absolutely couldn't do any kind of fine movements in shumps to save my life. It was utterly frustrating.

So, when I got my Sega Astro City cab, I put a pair of Seimitsu LS-56 joysticks in it as I was mainly playing shmups and puzzle games. And I love the way the Seimitsu LS-56 works for shmups as it's so easy to do fine movements around the screen without accidentally knocking myself into wall or ceiling.

I have an Octagonal Restrictor Plate in my Player 1 side and a Square Gate on my Player 2 side.

I'm not very good at fighters, but I do find trying to play Vampire Savior or Marvel Vs. Capcom to be really difficult with an Octagonal plate in there. It's possible...but it just makes the moves really hard to pull off a lot of the time. And when you're trying to learn a fighting game, that is not helpful at all. That said, I don't have terribly many issues playing Soul Calibur with an octagonal plate, but I guess it's due to the moves being a bit more forgiving with the timing windows.

I haven't really tried playing a shmup with a Seimitsu LS-56 with the square gate in there, though. I probably should test it out at some point again to see how it stacks up.

[KindGrind]

I have always used a Sanwa stick for shmups when playing with a stick and got to be decent with it, but all the games I could play with a Saturn pad I played with it instead.

[mastermx]

Sanwa4life