NeoGAF Arcade Stick Thread

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Sanchito said:
Thanks for this post! I went ahead and jumped on this deal. This will be my first fight stick! How easy is this stick to mod btw? I'd prefer a bat type stick, if possible. No biggie if not.
It's an extreme pain to mod. The buttons are soldered to the PCB and the case is so slim that you need to do some heavy modification of the case if you want to fit new Japanese parts. There's no way American parts (including bat type joysticks) can be put into such a small case.

DiddyBop said:
I have a Norris box that I we'd with a 360 pcb for sf4, I've since then switched to the ps3. My question is what exactly do I need alongside a chtulthu board or whatever it is? Exactly what other parts will I need to get it all connected? I already have all my buttons and a joystick
Wait, what do you want to do exactly? Dual mod or just switch it over to PS3?

If you want to dual mod, you need to make sure the 360 PCB is common ground, then grab a a ChImp board which would require electrical wire/quick disconnects and soldering tools to install.

If you just want to swap in a Cthulhu for PS3/PC support, just need a flathead screwdriver and electrical wire + quick disconnects.
 
ExMachina said:
It's an extreme pain to mod. The buttons are soldered to the PCB and the case is so slim that you need to do some heavy modification of the case if you want to fit new Japanese parts. There's no way American parts (including bat type joysticks) can be put into such a small case.

Ok, that's cool. I appreciate the input. I may brake down and pick up a really good stick eventually. I want to see how often I'd use this stick before I lay down over a hundred bucks on one of those bad ass Mad Catz TE sticks.

I'm pretty casual as far as fighting games go. I love to play them, but I'd only play against friends and play the CPU. I probably play them a few times a month so I really don't need anything fancy.
 
I've got a SFIV TE stick, and it's awesome. I've been playing SSFIV most of the weekend after a reasonably long hiatus, and am sucking royally, but feel I'd possibly suck slightly less if I could stop the damn thing from sliding around on my lap. After a couple of mins use I find that instead of advancing or blocking the base has rotated enough to throw off my moves.

What do you couch players recommend? I'm having trouble finding small tables at the right height to be usable (I only really find 30-40cm high ones - too low!!!). Was thinking about some kind of folding tray, like the ones people use for breakfast in bed but am unsure.
 
Monkeylord said:
I've got a SFIV TE stick, and it's awesome. I've been playing SSFIV most of the weekend after a reasonably long hiatus, and am sucking royally, but feel I'd possibly suck slightly less if I could stop the damn thing from sliding around on my lap. After a couple of mins use I find that instead of advancing or blocking the base has rotated enough to throw off my moves.

What do you couch players recommend? I'm having trouble finding small tables at the right height to be usable (I only really find 30-40cm high ones - too low!!!). Was thinking about some kind of folding tray, like the ones people use for breakfast in bed but am unsure.
In the pas at my friend's house I have used a folding TV tray, but I didn't really like it. It wasn't very sturdy; the whole thing would rock while playing on it. I actually prefer just playing on my lap at getting used to it.

At home, I don't like using my stick on the couch or a bed (because fighting games are srs bsns), I play on a computer table. It's stable and the keyboard area is the perfect place to put the stick.
 
_dementia said:
At home, I don't like using my stick on the couch or a bed (because fighting games are srs bsns), I play on a computer table. It's stable and the keyboard area is the perfect place to put the stick.

By "TV TRay" I meant one of these
953440-folding-laptop-tray.jpg


Unfortunately, in my living room there's no room (or money for that matter) to set up a computer table. I'm stuck with being on the couch. Thanks for the suggestion though.
 
Monkeylord said:
I've got a SFIV TE stick, and it's awesome. I've been playing SSFIV most of the weekend after a reasonably long hiatus, and am sucking royally, but feel I'd possibly suck slightly less if I could stop the damn thing from sliding around on my lap. After a couple of mins use I find that instead of advancing or blocking the base has rotated enough to throw off my moves.

What do you couch players recommend? I'm having trouble finding small tables at the right height to be usable (I only really find 30-40cm high ones - too low!!!). Was thinking about some kind of folding tray, like the ones people use for breakfast in bed but am unsure.
I actually use one of these for my sticks (and my laptop when I work from home and any other game that requires a controller): http://www.buylifetime.com/Products/BLT/PID-28241.aspx. I find it pretty much perfect. It folds up when it's not in use for easy storage, and it's got a pretty decent amount of height settings. I can pull it up really close to my couch, as well. It's pretty awesome. In fact, I just got a bigger table from the same company (http://www.buylifetime.com/Products/BLT/PID-4428.aspx) so two of us can use sticks on my couch.
 
ExMachina said:
It's an extreme pain to mod. The buttons are soldered to the PCB and the case is so slim that you need to do some heavy modification of the case if you want to fit new Japanese parts. There's no way American parts (including bat type joysticks) can be put into such a small case.
so then it's similar to a hori EX stick? (or is t hat what it is?)

either way, it's worth it for the PCB alone for us that build our own sticks/cases :D
 
Quick question: Does the PS3 TE Madcatz stick work if you are playing a PS2 game on your PS3? I want to play Street Fighter 3rd strike, and the only way I know how is to get the Anniversary Collection...
 
robotzombie said:
Quick question: Does the PS3 TE Madcatz stick work if you are playing a PS2 game on your PS3? I want to play Street Fighter 3rd strike, and the only way I know how is to get the Anniversary Collection...
No, the Madcatz TE is not BC compatible with PS2 titles, only PS1 ones.
 
ExMachina said:
It's an extreme pain to mod. The buttons are soldered to the PCB and the case is so slim that you need to do some heavy modification of the case if you want to fit new Japanese parts. There's no way American parts (including bat type joysticks) can be put into such a small case.


Wait, what do you want to do exactly? Dual mod or just switch it over to PS3?

If you want to dual mod, you need to make sure the 360 PCB is common ground, then grab a a ChImp board which would require electrical wire/quick disconnects and soldering tools to install.

If you just want to swap in a Cthulhu for PS3/PC support, just need a flathead screwdriver and electrical wire + quick disconnects.

thanks, its for ps3 only. are the electrical wires available on lizardlick? and what size quick disconnects?
 
Monkeylord said:
By "TV TRay" I meant one of these
953440-folding-laptop-tray.jpg


Unfortunately, in my living room there's no room (or money for that matter) to set up a computer table. I'm stuck with being on the couch. Thanks for the suggestion though.


Try to find a Korean,Chinese, or Japanese market in your area. They all generally sell miniature fold out tables for a third of the price a laptop accessory would run you.
 
robotzombie said:
Quick question: Does the PS3 TE Madcatz stick work if you are playing a PS2 game on your PS3? I want to play Street Fighter 3rd strike, and the only way I know how is to get the Anniversary Collection...

You can play 3S on GGPO. However, the PS3 TE might not work with certain PC motherboards.
 
darkblade77 said:
http://strikers2001.homestead.com/files/case1.jpg

This is my first WIP custom stick project. The case is from finkle, and the artwork is pending a skilled graphic designer's touch. :)

I plan to do the inside wiring myself(to a PS360 PCB), but I imagine it won't look pretty when I'm done(as this is my first time messing with stripping/crimping wires into quick-disconnects). Good thing nobody will be able to see that part!

Nice, finkle sticks are real nice. Wanted one pretty badly myself back in ~2005. :x
 
Is there a decent PS2 fightstick floating around for <$100? I have a few PS2/PS1 import games I'd like to use a fightstick on but I'm also not really willing to spend a fortune on it.
 
Guys, I've just received the Datel Arcade Stick for PS3/X360/PC. Of course it sucks balls, the only reason I bought it was to have a cheapo multi platform stick, so I wanted to ask this:
•How hard would it be to exchange the buttons with Sanwa ones if I've never messed with a stick and I don't know how to solder?
•And what about a stick? I guess changing that would be futile 'cause the microswitches would still be crappy, am I right or there would be some pros anyway in doing that?
 
Hugbot said:
Is there a decent PS2 fightstick floating around for <$100? I have a few PS2/PS1 import games I'd like to use a fightstick on but I'm also not really willing to spend a fortune on it.

2073203819_d9be1fc1be.jpg


Try to get a Hori Namco PS1 stick.
Not arcade spec, but the lever is a decent Sanwa JLF clone and the buttons are nice Seimitsu PS-14-G clones. It's the best you'll get for under $100 on PS2 I'm afraid.
 
_dementia said:
/img

Try to get a Hori Namco PS1 stick.
Not arcade spec, but the lever is a decent Sanwa JLF clone and the buttons are nice Seimitsu PS-14-G clones. It's the best you'll get for under $100 on PS2 I'm afraid.
Thanks, I'll look into it. I'm not looking for anything fancy, so decent clone parts'll work great. Save the big money for sticks on modern consoles.
 
Dash Kappei said:
Guys, I've just received the Datel Arcade Stick for PS3/X360/PC. Of course it sucks balls, the only reason I bought it was to have a cheapo multi platform stick, so I wanted to ask this:
•How hard would it be to exchange the buttons with Sanwa ones if I've never messed with a stick and I don't know how to solder?
•And what about a stick? I guess changing that would be futile 'cause the microswitches would still be crappy, am I right or there would be some pros anyway in doing that?
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but to mod this one you have to know how to solder.

That is the rebranded Mayflash stick IIRC, you can get a JLF in there (with some minor cutting) and Korean Crown buttons (good quality, but japanese buttons are slightly larger and need a lot more work to fit in)

Here is the tutorial: http://shoryuken.com/f177/paewang-r...ng-tutorial-ver-laugh-[lots-pictures]-222925/

And the store to buy the parts: http://etokki.com/
 
I got the Marvel Vs. Pad last week and I must say, it's pretty excellent. The buttons all feel very nice and are REALLY sensitive. The joystick is excellent as well, but I can't seem to pull of dashes as consistently as I want right now. Everything is easy as pie.

It also fits really nicely in the hands, though trying that arcade grip isn't very comfortable due to the close proximity of the buttons. The asymmetrical shape and texture on the bottom of the pad were nice choices. If you're looking for a cheap fighting game controller, this one should definitely be a good choice.

I realize this sounds kinda viral-market-ish, but I just really like the pad!
 
Threi said:
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but to mod this one you have to know how to solder.

That is the rebranded Mayflash stick IIRC, you can get a JLF in there (with some minor cutting) and Korean Crown buttons (good quality, but japanese buttons are slightly larger and need a lot more work to fit in)

Here is the tutorial: http://shoryuken.com/f177/paewang-r...ng-tutorial-ver-laugh-[lots-pictures]-222925/

And the store to buy the parts: http://etokki.com/
I love you :D
I'll print that guide and pass it a capable friend of mine!
Hopefully that place ships to EU without costing me a fortune.
Btw, I knew the stick was going to be crapola but man, not this[/] bad
>_<

Edit:
Don't hate me please, could you point me out to all the parts/tools/(wires?) that I need so that I can place my order? ;)
 
I have a Mad Catz TE stick for the 360 and I want to dual mod it to be able to also play on the PS3. I'm kinda new to this, so what's my best bet? I've been looking into the Cthulhu and Chimp boards, which is I think what I need for this, but I'm not sure which one I should get. There's the Cthulhu multi console, Cthulhu PS3/PC, and the Chimp. Any recommendations?
 
Yackie said:
I have a Mad Catz TE stick for the 360 and I want to dual mod it to be able to also play on the PS3. I'm kinda new to this, so what's my best bet? I've been looking into the Cthulhu and Chimp boards, which is I think what I need for this, but I'm not sure which one I should get. There's the Cthulhu multi console, Cthulhu PS3/PC, and the Chimp. Any recommendations?
The Cthulhu is the board that works as a PS3 PCB (MC Cthulhu is the same, except you can also add cables for GCN, PS2, etc.), the Imp is an accessory board that allows switching between PS3 and 360 modes on one USB cable. The ChImp is simply a board that combines the Cthulhu and Imp's functions, so I'd suggest getting that since you'll be buying fewer boards and you're only going for a dual mod rather than multisystem support. It's the cleanest option for what you want to do.
 
Yackie said:
I have a Mad Catz TE stick for the 360 and I want to dual mod it to be able to also play on the PS3. I'm kinda new to this, so what's my best bet? I've been looking into the Cthulhu and Chimp boards, which is I think what I need for this, but I'm not sure which one I should get. There's the Cthulhu multi console, Cthulhu PS3/PC, and the Chimp. Any recommendations?

Get a Chimp SMD. They can be installed into a 360 stick with only some extra wire and a pair of scissors.
 
ExMachina said:
The Cthulhu is the board that works as a PS3 PCB (MC Cthulhu is the same, except you can also add cables for GCN, PS2, etc.), the Imp is an accessory board that allows switching between PS3 and 360 modes on one USB cable. The ChImp is simply a board that combines the Cthulhu and Imp's functions, so I'd suggest getting that since you'll be buying fewer boards and you're only going for a dual mod rather than multisystem support. It's the cleanest option for what you want to do.

hikarutilmitt said:
Get a Chimp SMD. They can be installed into a 360 stick with only some extra wire and a pair of scissors.


Thanks for the advice! Chimp it is then. I'm excited to try this out.
 
Got that Merlin shit going on now. :) Finished the LED work with my friend last night. quick snaps. I promise better pictures soon after my test this week.

5467797307_2361020174_o.jpg


5468394908_62a807bd9a_o.jpg


5467797295_644ae435b9_o.jpg
 
Dash Kappei said:
I love you :D
I'll print that guide and pass it a capable friend of mine!
Hopefully that place ships to EU without costing me a fortune.
Btw, I knew the stick was going to be crapola but man, not this[/] bad
>_<

Edit:
Don't hate me please, could you point me out to all the parts/tools/(wires?) that I need so that I can place my order? ;)

The stuffs needed are the clickable links in the tutorial, but here they all are (not including soldering and cutting stuff of course)

Sanwa Joystick (chose this site because it comes with a balltop - you will have to take off the mounting plate though)
Crown Buttons (you will need 8 of these + 8 of the spacers [to make them easier to install])
Short Screws (you will need 4 of these)
Button Harness (This is optional, if the person you are having do this has good soldering skills and lots of spare wire this isn't necessary)
Joystick Harness (Same as above, optional if you already have wire, but this makes things more convenient)
 
So I want to get an usb hub for my PS3 and I was wondering if my MadCatz Street Fighter 4 TE Round 2 sticks would require anything special to work with a hub. I have 2 of them. Any help or info would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
Yackie said:
Thanks for the advice! Chimp it is then. I'm excited to try this out.

Another good option is the TEasy Strike. No soldering involved and takes about 30 minutes to install. The guy's thread is almost always on the front page of SRK's tech talk.
 
@Markman - I know MadCatz is going to be at Pax East 2011, but are their going to be any sticks for sale or any special editions for the event? I'm actually holding off on getting the MvC3 stick until then since Pax is 16 days away.
 
How's the performance of the wireless-ness of that Tekken wireless stick? Never mind the stick or buttons, I'm interested in harvesting the PCB for use in a stick project, maybe a multisystem Cthulhu or something. Does the PCB exhibit any lag?
 
MrMephistoX said:
Whaaaa? No soldering? Man I may have to get one if this is the case.

Yup.

-Run cables to the small button PCB (the one where all the disconnects go to) for each button plus a ground but wedging some wire into the disconnects. Keeps the connection solid and the wires out of the way.
-Use some thicker solid core wire to wedge into the pin connector for the joystick harness and for the Home/Guide button.
-Snip a bit of the usb cable so it plugs into the appropriate plugs on either side of the Chmp SMD (essentially passes through it like this).

Done. It seriously is that easy. It's also very easy to keep clean this way, and my wiring is typically awful-looking.

EDIT: forgot to mention the Home/Guide button. Fixed for this.
 
Thanks guys,

I only have a few more things to add to the cab before next weeks party....mostly minor stuff.

The craziest thing I am adding is a BUTTKICKER amp into the 2 player ottoman for that force feedback from the surround sound.

But overall...I started this project back in November...buying each piece one at a time....slowly building up the assets to the project until it all came together at the end.
 
The buttons are translucent blue Seimitsu buttons...they have a total of 4 LED's ...2 always on..and then 2 more when pressed. white buttons for the side of the cab.

The sticks are JLF..(not sure on the number actually)....but the shaft was pre-drilled and fitted with white LED's.

I actually bought these from - http://paradisearcadeshop.com/

I got a deal when he was offering the pre-modded JLF's with LED's already pre-installed.
I asked to get blue tops with white LED's. Sure enough...he hooked me up with some sick ball tops. The original light blue ball bubble tops were out of stock....so he sent me these super rare dark baby blue ball tops.

I was kind of pissed at first...but then when they lit up...I was like damn....even better.
 
hikarutilmitt said:
Yup.

-Run cables to the small button PCB (the one where all the disconnects go to) for each button plus a ground but wedging some wire into the disconnects. Keeps the connection solid and the wires out of the way.
-Use some thicker solid core wire to wedge into the pin connector for the joystick harness.
-Snip a bit of the usb cable so it plugs into the appropriate plugs on either side of the Chmp SMD (essentially passes through it like this).

Done. It seriously is that easy. It's also very easy to keep clean this way, and my wiring is typically awful-looking.



Thanks! Does the home button work with that method though? I actually did a wireless mod on my PS3 stick one time with the predecessor to this board and it was a pain in the ass but a ton of fun. The soldering did me in though. It worked great for a while but a fateful drop dislodged things and I couldn't re-solder it back to working order.
 
MrMephistoX said:
Thanks! Does the home button work with that method though? I actually did a wireless mod on my PS3 stick one time with the predecessor to this board and it was a pain in the ass but a ton of fun. The soldering did me in though. It worked great for a while but a fateful drop dislodged things and I couldn't re-solder it back to working order.

My bad, I forgot to mention that the Home/Guide button wires up the same method as the joystick harness (it doesn't use QDs, so you have to use solid core + friction in the wiring harness).

It works perfectly. I put it into mine this way and will probably put the other Chimp SMD I ordered into my wife's TE.

I also suggest that if you solder anything on a small PCB and the soldering is going to be permanent or you'll be using solid core for soldering that you put a little drop of quick-drying (the white stuff) Gorilla Glue onto the joints so they don't move. It's saved me a ton of headaches in the past.
 
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