NeoGAF Arcade Stick Thread

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the androgyne said:
More info is due around CES time (Jan 8-11). Can't come soon enough.. i too will be watching eagerly for the details on the regular stick.

I'm in Australia (sigh) and my options are looking pretty slim. I asked my local shop whether they knew how much or even IF they were getting these sticks, and apparently they'll know in a couple weeks, but i'm not looking forward to the prices...

I don't have a PS3 or 360, and the PC SF4 option is dire (i'm on a Macbook Pro and don't want to tarnish it). I'm thinking 360 Arcade, i mean i can get setup for 1/3 of the price of a PS3, but it's a shame cause i have a PS2 joystick i could have used on PS3 with an adapter...

The SF4TE stick looks godly already and if it's under $200 AU i'll bite...But the regular stick, i'm hoping it's easily modifiable as has been suggested, giving me the freedom to upgrade at a later date.

Apart from the SF4 regular stick, what is the next in line in terms of easily modifiable joysticks for the 360?

Probably this. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GDONZS/?tag=neogaf0e-20
 
I'm new to sticks, but I have a new HRAP3:SA and preordered SF4 TE stick. Figured it would be more worthwhile to go all out.

Anyways, I don't know a thing about soldering: will I be able to maintain these sticks when something(buttons/sticks) stops working (w/o soldering skills)?
 
ptown:

For the most part yea. Everything is easily swappable (buttons use quick disconnects and the sticks use a 5 pin connector)...

The only time you would have to solder is if there was something wrong with the PCB, which rarely happens (from my experience at least).
 
Thanks, MarkMan. Sounds like I won't have to buy many new sticks, then.

Rock on.

I was originally going to go with two SF4 TE sticks (so two people can play), but I figured by having an HRAP and a TE, I'd possibly learn a thing or two about stick quality.
 
i'd appreciate advise from anyone living in the US. i'll go ona 10 day vacation to USA, NY,Vegas,LA i know there are different taxes in different cities an states. As US dollar is cheaper than euro i plan to buy madcatz SFIV stick for my ps3. Is 150$ the final price everywhere or do i have to add taxes, if so, where would i find it cheaper?
 
Add taxes, although the percent is different for each state (anywhere from 6-8%). Online retailers such as Amazon do not charge tax, but if you are just visiting you would need an address to ship it to. Also, the way it looks is that if you do not preorder the SF TE you probably aren't going to find it in stores, so you will probably be paying much more than 150 on ebay and the like.
 
MarkMan said:
Time to open it up!

QD come loose possibly?

I tried.. I didnt have access to the QDs when taking off the bottom panel and didnt have the tools to get to the rest... oh well.. :lol
 
Okay I'd really appreciate if anyone could help me out. I'm almost done building my custom 360 stick, as I got my sanwa parts in today.

I've got the wiring all done on the MadCatz Arcade GameStick - Everything seems to work right when tested and the sanwas are plugged in, but in the Windows Game Controllers window, where you can test the buttons and such, the number 1 button is always pressed.

By process of elimination I've determined this must be the guide button, but I'm not sure why it would be doing this. The soldering/wiring isn't any different than the other buttons and they work fine. Is this just showing up this way because it's a 360 controller plugged into the PC?
 
SonOfABeep said:
Okay I'd really appreciate if anyone could help me out. I'm almost done building my custom 360 stick, as I got my sanwa parts in today.

I've got the wiring all done on the MadCatz Arcade GameStick - Everything seems to work right when tested and the sanwas are plugged in, but in the Windows Game Controllers window, where you can test the buttons and such, the number 1 button is always pressed.

By process of elimination I've determined this must be the guide button, but I'm not sure why it would be doing this. The soldering/wiring isn't any different than the other buttons and they work fine. Is this just showing up this way because it's a 360 controller plugged into the PC?

I don't really know too much about arcade stick wiring, but in the interest of offering some help, my limited electrical engineering background tells me you might have an issue with grounding for that button.
 
SonOfABeep said:
Okay I'd really appreciate if anyone could help me out. I'm almost done building my custom 360 stick, as I got my sanwa parts in today.

I've got the wiring all done on the MadCatz Arcade GameStick - Everything seems to work right when tested and the sanwas are plugged in, but in the Windows Game Controllers window, where you can test the buttons and such, the number 1 button is always pressed.

By process of elimination I've determined this must be the guide button, but I'm not sure why it would be doing this. The soldering/wiring isn't any different than the other buttons and they work fine. Is this just showing up this way because it's a 360 controller plugged into the PC?


button 1 is always the A button on the madcatz arcade stick pcb. the guide button doesn't show in windows control panel properties (at least in xp), only the following 10 buttons.

1. a
2. b
3. x
4. y
5. lb
6. rb
7. back
8. start
9. left thumbstick button
10. right thumbstick button

nothing should be pressed if your soldering is correct.

i'd suggest cleaning the solder off the trace of the A button and then re testing to see if it turns off.
 
really liking the hrap3 now that i've gotten used it -- guile's my main, and i can now nail his super just about 100% of the time on reaction. i kind of had to think about it on the hfs3. still struggling a little with qcfx2 motions...often i get dragon punches instead
 
drohne said:
really liking the hrap3 now that i've gotten used it -- guile's my main, and i can now nail his super just about 100% of the time on reaction. i kind of had to think about it on the hfs3. still struggling a little with qcfx2 motions...often i get dragon punches instead

Same here. I'm alright with charge characters using the HRAP3. It's the supers and left-side SRKs that are my issue. I haven't even messed around with 360 motions.

Lizardlick sent me an e-mail yesterday saying they didn't have many white Sanwa buttons at the moment, so my order would be delayed.

I really want to experiment with the square vs. octo gate, bat top vs. ball top and sanwa vs. seimitsu buttons so I can find my comfort zone.
 
Spiderjericho said:
Same here. I'm alright with charge characters using the HRAP3. It's the supers and left-side SRKs that are my issue. I haven't even messed around with 360 motions.

I always found 360 motions to be a lot easier on a stick, but I'm not sure if you're comparing to d-pads or just comparing to a different type of stick. :p

Lizardlick sent me an e-mail yesterday saying they didn't have many white Sanwa buttons at the moment, so my order would be delayed.

Ah crap, I was gonna go with white buttons :( I'm also considering a nice blue bubble top with those purdy translucent Seimitsu buttons :)

I really want to experiment with the square vs. octo gate, bat top vs. ball top and sanwa vs. seimitsu buttons so I can find my comfort zone.

Same here, once of the reasons why I got an HRAP3 as well as the SF4 TE stick. I'm going to play around with customizing my HRAP so I can figure out how I want to set up my TE stick :D
 
Preordered my TE stick from amazon. Went with the 360 version. Since when does amazon sell the HRAP? Is this new? It says amazon will have HRAP Ex. on Feb 3rd and they already have the hrap 3. That is awesome.

I think I will just open up my T5 anniversary stick and solder up a ps3 pcb rather than looking for a converter. I cannot seem to find a converter anywhere(put my newly acquired computer engineering degree to good use). If anyone knows where I can get a lag free converter for a reasonable price please PM me.
 
MThanded said:
Preordered my TE stick from amazon. Went with the 360 version. Since when does amazon sell the HRAP? Is this new? It says amazon will have HRAP Ex. on Feb 3rd and they already have the hrap 3. That is awesome.


Same here, the PS3 one.

I know, it was a pleasant surprise when I found that Amazon carries the HRAPS
 
Hey thanks so much guys for the help, again.

I finished my stick tonight and it's just sexy.

Well it's not that slick, but for a first attempt it works. Need to add some control panel art, finish it, and paint it yet. But it's basically done.
 
SonOfABeep said:
Hey thanks so much guys for the help, again.

I finished my stick tonight and it's just sexy.

Well it's not that slick, but for a first attempt it works. Need to add some control panel art, finish it, and paint it yet. But it's basically done.

Did it turn out to be the ground? Also, pics!
 
Son of a Beep...please pictures...

You're the man...

I don't think I could have success soldering or creating a case (though I'm sure it's not hard once you delve into it).

And I was playing HD Remix with my HRAP3 (against gutter trash and Accronym) and it was such a hassle. I was half convinced to switch to my Saturn pad cuz it was just a chore to get out supers and dragon punches.

360s come out pretty easy though and so do charge motions. Can't wait to test it out with a bat top or octo gate.
 
Spiderjericho said:
Where is it dfyb? I'm always interested in seeing people's work. Akuma001 occasionally posts his work...I think it's excellent.
[edit - this was the first stick i built and my first attempt at non-simple woodwork.]

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=12859930&postcount=1323

but here's the post with updated linkes (moved my blog):

I built a stick from scratch over the summer, and for the most part logged it in my artblog (biggest missing entity is the soldering/wiring, since i lost the pics --

IMG_5541.jpg

IMG_5539.jpg

IMG_5544.jpg


It's not necessarily finished, as I do plan on going back and finishing the wood (sanding it to a more refined shape and surfacing it), and I will most likely replace the art with something more unique later. The wiring was done really quickly, so I may go and redo that, too. But the stick is functional, so I'm more than happy to take a break :P.

PCB_SFAC.jpg

Deciding on button layout, buying wood and ordering parts.

woot_assemble3.jpg

Assembling main body.

holes_drilling3.jpg

Drilling out holes for the buttons and stick.

routing_done_bottom.jpg

Routing and other woodwork.

IMG_5537.jpg

Wiring and a temporary back. (again, sorry for this entry being less detailed - I might go back and add more sometime)
 
Now that Amazon sells the HRAP3 there's not really much of a reason to get the SF4 stick that costs $60 more for anything other than aesthetic reasons, is there...
 
polyh3dron said:
Now that Amazon sells the HRAP3 there's not really much of a reason to get the SF4 stick that costs $60 more for anything other than aesthetic reasons, is there...

Damn... if we had the same option where I live, it'd cost 63€ shipping included. This is insane, it's impossible to find a HRAP for under 150€ here.
 
polyh3dron said:
Now that Amazon sells the HRAP3 there's not really much of a reason to get the SF4 stick that costs $60 more for anything other than aesthetic reasons, is there...

Wait for CES when Markman can disclose information on the joysticks completely. I think it's Jan 8 to 11 (just double checked, yeah). The difference between the HRAP3 and SFIV TE are the artwork, Sanwa buttons and...

Markman posted recommendations from Alex Valle on the quality of the stick. Though he may work for Madcatz, he is an avid joystick collector (you can find his stack of joysticks somewhere in this thread) and has said these sticks are top of the line. I interviewed Seth Killian for a school project, he says this project meant a lot to him, as he wanted to get the best product out. Accronym commented yesterday that this is the best stick...

But if cost is your concern...then definitely buy the HRAP3. Think of it as the difference between a normal Corvette and the ZO6.
 
dfyb, that was an awesome project. Yeah...you're top tier. I mean for your first joystick, it came out very well. Except for creating your own PCB, everything was from scratch. I like the artwork and layout.

You won't catch me in a million years doing the same...just don't have the patience...

But who knows...

If you refine it or work on a second, definitely post it.
 
Spiderjericho said:
Wait for CES when Markman can disclose information on the joysticks completely. I think it's Jan 8 to 11 (just double checked, yeah). The difference between the HRAP3 and SFIV TE are the artwork, Sanwa buttons and...

Markman posted recommendations from Alex Valle on the quality of the stick. Though he may work for Madcatz, he is an avid joystick collector (you can find his stack of joysticks somewhere in this thread) and has said these sticks are top of the line. I interviewed Seth Killian for a school project, he says this project meant a lot to him, as he wanted to get the best product out. Accronym commented yesterday that this is the best stick...

But if cost is your concern...then definitely buy the HRAP3. Think of it as the difference between a normal Corvette and the ZO6.

I am really interested to see whats going to happen at CES. People keep saying wait for CES. Maybe mad catz will be getting into the joystick game and competing with Hori. I would like to see someone else pushing out high quality sticks. I really hope getting the TE stick is justified. Depending on the specs of the non-TE stick I could get that and do all of the work myself, right? I could purchase an HRAP for my ps3 and non-TE for my xbox 360.

Also I would really like to know whose getting sf4 for what system? The online competition market will be segmented. I want to be in the right segment. lol

Edit:Why cant you preorder the non Tournament Edition stick anywhere?

Edit:NVM. I see it on amazon. From the picture I assumed it was a hori ex2 lol.
 
So for X-Mas I got a $100 giftcard for Amazon.com and I was thinking about getting an XBOX 360 stick for SFIV (and SSFIIHD since it's so hard to play without a stick).

Fighting Stick EX 2

I imagine this isn't a high quality stick, but I was thinking about upgrading the buttons (only 6), stick, and if need be a more weighted and sturdy base. Has anyone had good luck upgrading this stick, or would it be better to start off with a higher quality stick?


MThanded said:
Also I would really like to know whose getting sf4 for what system? The online competition market will be segmented. I want to be in the right segment. lol

Ryan from the 1UP Show said that he was getting the 360 version as that is where he thinks the tournament action will be (I think that was the reason as it was a few weeks ago), so that's the one I was looking to get :\
 
^^EX2 is not an easy stick to mod.

You could always get the SFIV non-TE stick ($80.00) and upgrade it along the way as it has quick disconnects for the buttons, etc.
 
jon bones said:
^^EX2 is not an easy stick to mod.

You could always get the SFIV non-TE stick ($80.00) and upgrade it along the way as it has quick disconnects for the buttons, etc.

It doesn't ship until the 20th of Feb :(
 
Can anyone recommend a reliable site for pre-ordering the SFIV TE stick? Needs to ship to Europe (Sweden).

I'm on my local GAME's list-for-interested, but since they don't have a clue about how many sticks they'll get (if any), I'm not sure if I want to take the chance. That being said, can any store/site guarantee a copy if the stick is limited?
 
OokieSpookie said:
Do we know yet if the SF4 online will be region locked?

Technically the only version that would/should be locked int he 360 version. I think just by simply making a JP PSN name for the PS3 would allow you to play JP folks. If not, the import is always optional.

If thats the case, thats what I am going to do. Not use in wasting my time playing people who aren't nearly as good :)
 
iDoubleSpy said:
Technically the only version that would/should be locked int he 360 version. I think just by simply making a JP PSN name for the PS3 would allow you to play JP folks. If not, the import is always optional.

If thats the case, thats what I am going to do. Not use in wasting my time playing people who aren't nearly as good :)
there are good players here in the US.
 
iDoubleSpy said:
Technically the only version that would/should be locked int he 360 version. I think just by simply making a JP PSN name for the PS3 would allow you to play JP folks. If not, the import is always optional.

If thats the case, thats what I am going to do. Not use in wasting my time playing people who aren't nearly as good :)
enjoy your lag

it's anything like like 3S Xbox, you'll have worldwide and local filters for online games.
 
I kid you not, the restrictor plate and one of the microswitches on my modded DOA4 stick went out this weekend.

I could replace them, but I can't be arsed when I see all of these brand new sticks coming out next month.

Maybe it isn't coincidence. Maybe someone at Hori or MadCatz stuck a killswitch in my DOA4 stick!

In any event, the more info on the SFIV sticks, the better... because right now, I'm convinced I need to spend $130-$160 on something that's no fuss / no muss.

Edit: and before anyone asks "how does a restrictor plate go out?" I thought that myself, until I saw it with my own eyes -- broken plastic in the central section. WTF. I'm not that brutal!
 
Decided to get the HRAP3 finally. Will the PS-14-KN Seimitsu buttons fit in it? And which buttons fit the start/select ones? The PS-14-DN?

Also I'm thinking of going with the translucent white buttons and balltop. Think those would look good on an HRAP? Or should I pick another color?
 
vertopci said:
Decided to get the HRAP3 finally. Will the PS-14-KN Seimitsu buttons fit in it? And which buttons fit the start/select ones? The PS-14-DN?

Also I'm thinking of going with the translucent white buttons and balltop. Think those would look good on an HRAP? Or should I pick another color?

YOU JERK YOU STOLE MY IDEA :(

(translation: it looks awesome, I'm gonna do it! ;) )
 
I am looking into buying an arcade stick for the 360.

Does anyone have a suggestion on which one I should buy? Also, does anywhere make custom ones for the 360 and if so where?
 
TommyT said:
So for X-Mas I got a $100 giftcard for Amazon.com and I was thinking about getting an XBOX 360 stick for SFIV (and SSFIIHD since it's so hard to play without a stick).

Fighting Stick EX 2

I imagine this isn't a high quality stick, but I was thinking about upgrading the buttons (only 6), stick, and if need be a more weighted and sturdy base. Has anyone had good luck upgrading this stick, or would it be better to start off with a higher quality stick?
They soldered the buttons directly to the circuit board, so you'd best have some skill with a soldering iron if you want to pull this mod off.
 
vertopci said:
Decided to get the HRAP3 finally. Will the PS-14-KN Seimitsu buttons fit in it? And which buttons fit the start/select ones? The PS-14-DN?

Also I'm thinking of going with the translucent white buttons and balltop. Think those would look good on an HRAP? Or should I pick another color?

One of my sticks is pretty much exactly how you described, I used PS-14-G-N which are the same as PS-14-KN, except only the inside part is clear, they're not completely skeletal. Screw-ins may or may not fit, they did fit on my HRAP1, but with a HRAP2 button layout I'm not sure. You might be better off with snap in skeletal buttons. Also 24mm seimitsu buttons are fine for start/select, but again I'm not sure if screw-ins will fit.
 
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