Let's Talk Controllers. [Archive]

kapat

11-19-2008, 05:24 AM

Um....in a week or two, i plan on treating myself to a Joystick of some sort, and i figured i should ask you guys whats up in this department before i went out and got one.

is there an AWEOSME one you recommend?
is there a most popular one i should get?
is there one to NOT buy cause it's cheap and breaks?
blah blah blah blah blah blah blah?

any input would by much appreicated.

oh and um ...i plan on hooking it up to my computer if it makes any diffrence.

EDIT: i really like amesia's setup and wanted to know what kinda joystick that was.

Rosti LFC

11-19-2008, 05:26 AM

Hori Real Arcade Pro 3 seems to be the most popular one. Along with the Virtua Stick High Grade, but they're pretty rare nowadays.

Probably new models coming out reasonably soon, but they're the main two to look at if you're splashing out.

colour_thief

11-19-2008, 05:31 AM

Don't get any Hori "Fighting Stick" controllers. The parts suck and it can't go 4-way and it'll break before you even get to use it (well mine did http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_sad.gif). Just go all the way and get a proper stick or none at all. Rosti had good suggestions, and there are good SF4 sticks coming soon as well.

Meroigo

11-19-2008, 06:49 AM

As I wrote in another thread:

The HRAP3 is bigger (I like it) than VSHG. It also has more functions; turbo and a switch which makes you being able to choose what direction input on the PS3 controller the stick should be. This can solve some problems in certain games on the PC not wanting to react if the stick is configured to be the D-pad for example. If it was a VSHG, you'd be screwed [edit: have to use JoyToKey to map buttons to the keyboard... ;S], but with HRAP3 you can just pull the switch.

The stick (seen in maaaany japanese game centers) in the HRAP3 is also the same stick as there is in VSHG. The buttons are Hori buttons, but standard Sanwa-buttons are not expensive and you can easily open up the thing and replace the Hori buttons. ...this if you REALLY want it to be 100% arcade. The Hori buttons aren't bad.

The stick can be found at http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-5ju ... -84-p.html (http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-5juo-71-99-15-REAL+ARCADE-84-p.html)

or http://www.akihabarashop.jp/developments/index.php (they also have the buttons. I bought my HRAP3:AV with eight buttons from there)

PetitPrince

11-19-2008, 11:49 AM

Anything that has japanese arcade part (Sanwa, Seimitsu) is good.

statikeffeck

11-22-2008, 05:27 AM

Anything that has japanese arcade part (Sanwa, Seimitsu) is good.

I second that. And make sure the stick is able to be placed into 4-way mode -- most Sanwa and Seimitsus are able. Happ (american) sticks generally cannot.
Some people build and SELL custom stick boxes (constructed wood box + joystick + buttons + game interface) at http://www.shoryuken.com/forums

rck

11-22-2008, 10:00 AM

Hori Real Arcade Pro 3 seems to be the most popular one.

Is it also available with USB? I only found a Playstation 2 specific one but would ideally like to use it on PS2 as well as on PC.

lee n

11-22-2008, 12:25 PM

Hori Real Arcade Pro 3 seems to be the most popular one.

Is it also available with USB? I only found a Playstation 2 specific one but would ideally like to use it on PS2 as well as on PC.
Hori Real Arcade Pro. 3 is for Playstation 3, which uses USB and hence it works on PC out of the box - no extra drivers needed or anything. The one you saw was probably Hori Real Arcade Pro. 2 which is for Playstation 2.

Now, there are converters that'll make Playstation 2 controllers compatible with computers - the problem is that none (or very few) of these converters poll the input every frame, so you will get input lag.

Rosti LFC

11-22-2008, 04:45 PM

I thought he meant he was trying to use a HRAP3 for a PS2, which wouldn't be possible as it's not compatible (as far as I'm aware?).

cyberguile

11-22-2008, 09:02 PM

You can mod your hrap 3 (or you vshg) with a double pcb (adding one ps1 pad pcb in it).
That's what I did (well, a friend of mine did for me lol), works great !

Ken_P

11-23-2008, 08:42 AM

I just upgraded from a Fighting Stick 3 to a Real Arcade Pro, and the difference is amazing. The fighting stick feels really cheap and clumsy compared to the RAP, which is rock solid. I also added Seimitsu buttons and a matching ball top with all the air bubbles in it so it looks as good as it feels. http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif

Bottom line, don't go cheap because you'll eventually have to upgrade to the real thing anyway. Save yourself time and money and get the best.

Meroigo

11-23-2008, 05:32 PM

Ken_P: I agree with your bottom line. http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif

mushroom

11-24-2008, 01:25 AM

I agree with that line too, and it's a sentiment expressed by many joystick users here. When buying a stick, either go pro or not at all, even if you're just "trying it out". For real, it's worth it.

jujube

12-10-2008, 05:46 AM

thanks for the suggestions everybody. i was reading this thread again today while looking for a PS2 stick, and i might be getting a HRAP 2. it's going to be that or nothing at all. no crappy fighting stick or bat stick! http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif (although maybe a bat stick would be appropriate for playing Lockjaw, hmm?)

KevinDDR

12-10-2008, 06:04 AM

Well, I just bought a HRAP3 and I can say that it is a very very nice stick. Already, I am beating my Ti-ARS Doom records!

colour_thief

12-10-2008, 06:21 AM

I love how everyone is getting HRAPed here. That's awesome.

muf

12-10-2008, 06:42 AM

I love how everyone is getting HRAPed here. That's awesome.
Everybody loves getting h-raped.

jujube

12-10-2008, 06:59 AM

I love how everyone is getting HRAPed here. That's awesome.
Everybody loves getting h-raped.
put it in H!
sorry, that was just wrong.

Red_Star

12-10-2008, 07:44 AM

I have a question about the stick. A lot of people talk about switching the parts out for Sanwa or Seimitsu. Is this just a preference thing? I figure these parts are better than the original parts since it wouldn't make much sense to trade off to worse parts, but I was wondering if this is just for a slight improvement or if this is needed to make it a good stick?

Meroigo

12-10-2008, 08:22 AM

I never even tried the Hori buttons in my HRAP3 (the stick is already a real arcade standard Sanwa stick), I added around 10 euro to get 100% IRL arcade parts (8 sanwa buttons, haha, only 3-4 of them are used in Tetris =D). I don't really believe that the Hori buttons are bad (especially not for just some tetris ;P), it's just that it didn't cost so much to get the real deal and know you have the best stuff. http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif

Ken_P

12-13-2008, 02:41 AM

I think the buttons are the same as on my old FS3. Stock Hori buttons are just fine for Tetris, but you will feel a difference with an upgrade. The way I see it, if you're going to spend the money for the good stick, spend just a little bit more to upgrade the buttons too, especially since they require virtually no effort to swap out.

Benson G

02-25-2009, 10:42 AM

So what would be the optimal stick for use with pc & xbox 360? Open to controller suggestions as well.

milkolate

02-25-2009, 11:30 AM

Waaah!

I'm from the Philippines and I don't know where to buy a decent arcade stick for the PC.

m:)

02-25-2009, 07:02 PM

colour_thief

02-25-2009, 08:09 PM

So what would be the optimal stick for use with pc & xbox 360? Open to controller suggestions as well.

The best you can get on the X360 would be the Streetfighter 4 Fightstick Tournament Edition.

Quad

02-25-2009, 10:49 PM

Every body mentions the HRAP 3 (http://www.hori.jp/us/default.htm) its USB and can be found on the internet.
however if your not afraid of a soldering iron you can mod some other stick.
I modded a hori fighitng stick wii so I can play VC games on my wii and have a nice stick for tetris.

fun fun stuff.

I have a really inexpensive stick I got from e-bay (cost me 15 euros). I bought a Seimitsu stick and Sawnwa buttons and modded it. I made some mistakes, but it was fun and I'm looking to do this again (without the mistakes). It's a good controller for Tetris but the Seimitsu stick made a huge difference from the original one.

Personally I don't think you need a HRAP or VSHG if you're going to buy custom parts anyway. The modding can take some effort and you're not guaranteed to get it right but what the heck. HRAP seems like a waste of money to me.

Benson G

02-25-2009, 11:19 PM

So what would be the optimal stick for use with pc & xbox 360? Open to controller suggestions as well.

The best you can get on the X360 would be the Streetfighter 4 Fightstick Tournament Edition.
Can it go 4-way http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_question.gif

PetitPrince

02-25-2009, 11:29 PM

Sanwa's JLF-TP-** stick is inside the SF4 TE controller, so yes.

DDRKirby(ISQ)

03-17-2009, 03:01 AM

My custom stick, made by finkle over on the SRK forums.

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/7638/p3162384.jpg
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/5690/p3162385.jpg
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/1209/p3162386.jpg
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/5923/p3162387.jpg
http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/1245/p3162392.jpg

<(^_^)>

caffeine

03-17-2009, 03:15 AM

Hot.

m:)

03-17-2009, 03:31 AM

that's a sexy stick.. i had a crush on hello kitty when i was a youngster

lgb

03-18-2009, 10:06 PM

Keyboards. They're cheap and they don't break, they come with virtually any computer in existence, and you can do so much more with one.

Keyboards, dude.

caffeine

03-18-2009, 10:23 PM

The Gospel Truth

m:)

03-18-2009, 10:29 PM

Keyboards. They're cheap and they don't break, they come with virtually any computer in existence, and you can do so much more with one.

Keyboards, dude.

ouch, they make my shoulder hurt like heck. no way for me to play, I last about 10 games and it lays me up for days.

colour_thief

03-18-2009, 10:42 PM

Yeah keyboards give me RSI (though I haven't used them for prolonged intense gaming in ages) and they definitely do break. Keys can stop responding etc. Many outright suck with keys that simply aren't sutied for gaming.

lgb

03-18-2009, 10:46 PM

No way. I've never had a keyboard (old and new) break on me unless I've damaged it with force or random bits and pieces of crap gets in them (and cleaning it usually solves those problems).

DDRKirby(ISQ)

03-18-2009, 10:56 PM

keyboards are awesome.

mouse is underrated.

i've never tried a trackball.

muf

03-18-2009, 11:27 PM

I've had microswitches on clicky keyboards die on me before. Usually easier and cheaper to get another keyboard, than to attempt to fix the problem.

DDRKirby(ISQ)

03-19-2009, 01:26 AM

just wait for the Sanwa keyboard...xD

tepples

03-19-2009, 02:11 AM

Keyboards. They're cheap and they don't break, they come with virtually any computer in existence, and you can do so much more with one.
Gamepads. You can use more than one with a computer.[1]

just wait for the Sanwa keyboard...xD
How about the DAS keyboard (http://www.daskeyboard.com/default.htm)?

[1] A USB hub also works for plugging more than one keyboard into one PC, but Windows makes it a pain in the behind for an app to find which keyboard a particular keypress came from.

m:)

03-19-2009, 02:15 AM

[1] A USB hub also works for plugging more than one keyboard into one PC, but Windows makes it a pain in the behind for an app to find which keyboard a particular keypress came from.

you can tape the shift key down on one KB.

DDRKirby(ISQ)

03-19-2009, 02:29 AM

Playing Serious Sam splitscreen, using 2 mice, was awesome.

iphys

03-19-2009, 06:23 AM

I think it was the mouse that was the source of my carpal tunnel syndrome, because it started with my right hand and moved to my left hand after I started mousing with my left hand. My brother is a programmer and had to switch to mousing with the left hand permanently because the mouse screwed up his right hand so much. Now I use a trackball and alternate hands as soon as I start to feel the slightest sign of anything.

Keyboards aren't always cheap. I paid all together $700 for a Kinesis contoured keyboard and a TypeMatrix keyboard, both with the Dvorak layout. I have no idea if they're very good for gaming, but they sure are nice for typing.

DDRKirby(ISQ)

03-19-2009, 08:10 AM

m:)

03-19-2009, 08:12 AM

trackball is an easy transition. once you get it a mouse seems totally unusable.

DDRKirby(ISQ)

03-19-2009, 08:56 AM

trackball is an easy transition.
http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif

once you get it a mouse seems totally unusable.
http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_confused.gif

iphys

03-19-2009, 01:26 PM

It's true. I'd never go back to a mouse. Rolling the trackball is much easier than having to move a mouse all over the place. The problem with mice is you have to use your whole arm to move the mouse around or risk injury by straining your wrist too much.

I still have problems pressing buttons with extended fingers even on a trackball though, so I often use the palm of my hand to roll the ball so I can use the edges of my palm to click the buttons.

Rosti LFC

03-19-2009, 02:57 PM

Psh, touch-screens are the future guys.

tepples

03-20-2009, 12:51 AM

But seriously, Rosti: Would you want to try playing TA Death with the Tetris DS Touch mode mappings?

m:)

03-20-2009, 01:04 AM

But seriously, Rosti: Would you want to try playing TA Death with the Tetris DS Touch mode mappings?

or iphone tetris.. ugg it's awful.

however, if we could get tetris on a lemur (http://www.jazzmutant.com/lemur_overview.php) we might have something.

m:)

03-20-2009, 01:07 AM

I still have problems pressing buttons with extended fingers even on a trackball though, so I often use the palm of my hand to roll the ball so I can use the edges of my palm to click the buttons.

i use a thumb ball. some people like them, some do not.

more and more i just use my trackpad now. all the multi-touch options on macs are nice.

Rosti LFC

03-20-2009, 01:38 AM

But seriously, Rosti: Would you want to try playing TA Death with the Tetris DS Touch mode mappings?

Nah, Tetris Star has touch screen controls and it's a pain. Though with a good control setup I think TA Death would work fine with a touch screen, if it was responsive enough.

lgb

03-20-2009, 05:00 PM

Trackballs are technically perfect for some types of games. Ever play a FPS with a trackball?

I use an old-ish Microsoft IntelliMouse myself; probably the wrong thing, but works great anyway.

Benson G

05-25-2009, 12:48 AM

The best you can get on the X360 would be the Streetfighter 4 Fightstick Tournament Edition.
Can it go 4-way?Sanwa's JLF-TP-** stick is inside the SF4 TE controller, so yes.
do you mean it has a square gate? I mean can you make it only register up, down, left, right? no diagonals.

PetitPrince

05-25-2009, 12:59 AM

A rotatable square gate, yes.

Edo

05-25-2009, 01:47 AM

With the JLF in 4-way mode, it's actually still possible to hit the diagonals. However, for most purposes, this isn't really a problem, the amount of diagonal restriction is fine. Pretty much everyone here (except for colour_thief) uses a JLF, and they have no issues.

If you want to completely prevent the diagonals from being hit, you probably want a Sanwa JLW, or Seimitsu LS-32.

colour_thief

05-25-2009, 02:12 AM

The LS-32 can also hit diagonals, once it's properly broken in. There's nothing wrong with diagonals per se, so long as the stick tends to snap into the 4 cardinal directions.

jujube

05-25-2009, 06:21 AM

i think Amnesia's restrictor lets him enter dimensions unknown to us. unfortunately that doesn't help him play better tetris.

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/2485/restrictorat6.jpg

is he still using this thing?

colour_thief

05-25-2009, 06:33 AM

A month or so ago it finally broke so bad that it became literally unusable. He's been playing keyboard since then, but plans on getting an actual good stick once he has more money. I think.

Benson G

06-13-2009, 05:40 AM

Thanks, ordered the TE from gamestop.com last friday and it came a few days ago. Now I can stop bumping this thread http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_smile.gifhttp://i41.tinypic.com/mutlhx.jpg

I think it was the mouse that was the source of my carpal tunnel syndrome, because it started with my right hand and moved to my left hand after I started mousing with my left hand. My brother is a programmer and had to switch to mousing with the left hand permanently because the mouse screwed up his right hand so much. Now I use a trackball and alternate hands as soon as I start to feel the slightest sign of anything.

Keyboards aren't always cheap. I paid all together $700 for a Kinesis contoured keyboard and a TypeMatrix keyboard, both with the Dvorak layout. I have no idea if they're very good for gaming, but they sure are nice for typing.
I have a Logitech Marble and I alternate hands as well. I find it really comfortable to have my hand almost parallel to the keyboard.

colour_thief

06-13-2009, 07:17 AM

Thanks, ordered the TE from gamestop.com last friday and it came a few days ago. Now I can stop bumping this thread http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif

I'm sort of in the market for one of these now. Do you know what the story is on these sticks? I see gamestop.com is already out of stock. What's the best way to get a hold of one without paying an ebay premium?

Red_Star

06-13-2009, 09:13 AM

I'm sort of in the market for one of these now. Do you know what the story is on these sticks? I see gamestop.com is already out of stock. What's the best way to get a hold of one without paying an ebay premium?

I'm not sure if this will help, but Shoryuken has some information about the sticks.

Arcade Stick Stock Availability: http://forums.shoryuken.com/showthread.php?t=190758

Official SF4 fightstick thread: http://forums.shoryuken.com/showthread.php?t=162653

Benson G

06-13-2009, 10:35 AM

I'm sort of in the market for one of these now. Do you know what the story is on these sticks? I see gamestop.com is already out of stock. What's the best way to get a hold of one without paying an ebay premium?Your best best is to watch the first link Red Star posted. Also bookmark some of the sites (gamestop, best buy, newegg...) and check them occasionally That's how I got mine.

colour_thief

06-13-2009, 10:38 PM

Thanks for the help guys. I got really lucky, and am already the proud owner of two TE fightsticks. Can you believe a local store had them in stock? For almost 3 weeks? With nobody buying them??

http://pici.se/pictures/KuYSmidOY.jpg

They've still got a PS3 one in stock.

Red_Star

06-13-2009, 10:56 PM

To those who have the TE fightsticks, how are they? I am getting SF4 once it comes out for the PC and I will need to look for a stick once I can get the money. Since I already play mostly tetris games on the PC I wanted to have a stick that I could use for both. The design of the stick doesn't really matter too much to me. I really only wanted Dan to be on the stick. Is it worth the cash to buy it or are there relatively equal sticks for a lower price?

colour_thief

06-14-2009, 02:40 AM

You can still find HRAP3 sticks and they are quite excellent and a bit cheaper. But you'll be happiest with the SFIV TE stick... I mean come on:

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/9489/fstetifu8.png

http://i41.tinypic.com/4ufbr4.jpg

sjoecool1991

06-14-2009, 04:04 AM

Yeah, I got a VSHG right before they became difficult to find.
Love it, so worth the $130 I paid for it (that includes shipping).

Benson G

06-14-2009, 04:05 AM

colour_thief

06-14-2009, 06:29 PM

You can still find HRAP3 sticks and they are quite excellent and a bit cheaper. But you'll be happiest with the SFIV TE stick... I mean come on:
Do you have that Tetris template? That would look great under my plexi cover http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif

You want to speak with mufunyo, he's the one that made that. I won't be touching artwork until I'm 200% sure my stick is working properly so I can feel safe voiding the warranty.

Red_Star

06-14-2009, 08:20 PM

You can still find HRAP3 sticks and they are quite excellent and a bit cheaper. But you'll be happiest with the SFIV TE stick... I mean come on:

That Dan design looks incredible. I am now convinced that I would be a total badass if I had a stick like that. I just need to get the money, hopefully my birthday will help in getting the cash. I doesn't feel right not to play arcade style games without a stick.

Kitaru

06-15-2009, 12:32 AM

deepdorp

10-09-2009, 09:06 PM

didn't really know where to post this, but i was inspired by AI's post (http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/showpost.html?p=33239&postcount=11) in a recent thread to share this small time-saving trick i use to change the ball top on my HRAP3 without opening up the entire box.:

I simply use a rubber band to hold the shaft from spinning to remove or tighten the existing ball top. I should note that i use the plastic shaft guard, which is what prevents me from just holding it with my fingers in the first place. Pull up on the shaft first to introduce a small space between the shaft guard and the threaded section of the shaft. Insert the rubber band into this small space and use the friction created by it to be able to screw/unscrew the ball top.

I hope this trick saves someone else a little time as it has for me to change the ball top on the fly!

villadelfia

10-10-2009, 05:20 PM

THIS USER HAS LEFT THIS COMMUNITY DUE TO BONEHEADED DECISIONS CONCERNING CREATIVE DEVELOPERS.

TWF

10-10-2009, 08:51 PM

Did you mean Seimitsu? :P

villadelfia

10-11-2009, 12:36 AM

THIS USER HAS LEFT THIS COMMUNITY DUE TO BONEHEADED DECISIONS CONCERNING CREATIVE DEVELOPERS.

10-11-2009, 05:39 PM

Details:
Sega astro city control panel mounted in the box it came in.

^^

Thanks for sharing that trick deepdorp. I'm not really a DIY guy, but I'll look into it.

TWF

10-11-2009, 07:39 PM

I feel the need, the need to post my ghetto controller:
CLICK FOR HUEG LOL! (http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/790563/wincontroller.JPG)

Regardless of your typo, that controller is very legit. What did you do to make it USB? Did you have to gut some other USB joystick?