NeoGAF Arcade Stick Thread
- Thread starter MarkMan
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Quick q's on modding the SE:
I'm planning to replace the stick with a JLF. This should be relatively easy, right? I thought I might've heard something about the stick being welded in place... but I might be mixing things up.
I'd like to switch the buttons out as well, preferably for some seimitsus. I recall reading somewhere in this thread that the threaded ones don't fit out of the box because of the closeness to the stick. Any truth to this, and if so, how difficult is it to fix the nut for it to fit?
Thanks for yer help, GAF.
edit: SRK answered many of my questions already, but thoughts are still welcome!
I'm planning to replace the stick with a JLF. This should be relatively easy, right? I thought I might've heard something about the stick being welded in place... but I might be mixing things up.
I'd like to switch the buttons out as well, preferably for some seimitsus. I recall reading somewhere in this thread that the threaded ones don't fit out of the box because of the closeness to the stick. Any truth to this, and if so, how difficult is it to fix the nut for it to fit?
Thanks for yer help, GAF.
edit: SRK answered many of my questions already, but thoughts are still welcome!
C- Warrior
Banned
Hey Mark:
I got the RE Fightstick (360) at a store earlier today.
Everything works great except after about 2 hours the short kick (A button) lost it's resistance. Now, it still works and everything -- but it lost it's resistance so it's pretty jarring.
I figure I should go get an exchange for it tomorrow -- but having read that some other sticks have input problems with the joy stick, maybe my problem isn't so bad?
EDIT: Should I open the unit to solve the problem?
EDIT: What's the benefit of a square-gate as opposed to an oct-gate?
I got the RE Fightstick (360) at a store earlier today.
Everything works great except after about 2 hours the short kick (A button) lost it's resistance. Now, it still works and everything -- but it lost it's resistance so it's pretty jarring.
I figure I should go get an exchange for it tomorrow -- but having read that some other sticks have input problems with the joy stick, maybe my problem isn't so bad?
EDIT: Should I open the unit to solve the problem?
EDIT: What's the benefit of a square-gate as opposed to an oct-gate?
bumpkin
Member
As much as I hate to take extreme measures, getting screwed by GameStop on my TE Stick pretty much pushed me over the edge. Out of principle, I refuse to play SFIV with the standard 360 controller, especially after hearing a lot of impressions suggesting how poorly the d-pad performs in the game. I decided to check MadCatz' site and see if the window of opportunity was still open; I do believe I've got a 360 Fightstick ordered and hopefully on my way with overnight shipping. Here's hoping MadCatz doesn't treat President's Day as a holiday and they process my order. With any luck, I'll get my stick Wednesday, just in time for SFIV!Kaibutsu said:
But of course then I'll probably be selling it once/if I get my TE Stick from GameStop the first week of March.
Psychotext
Member
Asked this a couple of pages ago but didn't get any response. Will try again now people are getting the sticks:
Regarding the Standard SF stick... will it be easy enough to swap out the art on it? I'm really tempted to get it as my first stick but I hate the art it comes with.
Regarding the Standard SF stick... will it be easy enough to swap out the art on it? I'm really tempted to get it as my first stick but I hate the art it comes with.
Can someone compare me the Arcade-in-a-box 360 Slim Arcade vs. SFIV TE edition stick?
I'm not wild about the quality control issues I'm reading about Madcatz SFIV TE and was wondering if the quality of performance similar or better from Arcade-in-a-box Slim Arcade stick? Thanks.
I'm not wild about the quality control issues I'm reading about Madcatz SFIV TE and was wondering if the quality of performance similar or better from Arcade-in-a-box Slim Arcade stick? Thanks.
sixteen-bit
Member
I would have loved to pick it up, but at this point I couldn't really justify the cost. Oh well.Yes Boss! said:
Less throw, and diagonals are much easier to find; DP motions really benefit.C- Warrior said:
bob_arctor
Tough_Smooth
What is that red goo on the screws of the stick? Glue?
Anyways, here's my impressions of the SE stick (finally got it yesterday):
+ Good weight, feels much sturdier than the Hori DOA stick as well as being bigger.
+ Love the angled base that allows for nice resting of forearms. Great touch there.
+ Buttons seem suspect at first (and it's worth replacing them of course)--initially I thought one was stuck but they did end up being more responsive/reliable than the Hori DOA stick. At least so far. I gauged this by doing T.Hawk's 3-button dive over and over and over with both sticks to see how many I'd miss. SE stick won on consistency.
+ Art is gorgeous and I have no intention of changing it.
+ Extra long cord
- The stick. Here is my biggest concern. The stick was responsive--I didn't have any trouble registering moves at all--but there was always the feeling that it could fall apart at any moment. It just doesn't feel sturdy enough. There were a few times were I could feel it kind of "catching" somewhat in the down/back position though it never actually did get stuck but the hitch was certainly there. Unnerving to say the least. It didn't hinder me but again, my overwhelming sense is that it just won't be able to withstand sustained play. Even compared to the ghetto Hori, it was softer, mushier if you will. That said, it's worth repeating that even after 2 hours online with HD Remix, I never felt I wasn't able to pull off whatever moves or combos I was attempting.
Overall, if we're talking out the box, definitely better than the Hori save perhaps for the stick which is only equal to and perhaps even lower in quality considering the hitches and mushiness. Basically, the entire product just screams "Mod Me!".
Went ahead and ordered a JLF for my SE stick. I was just going to use the stock parts for a while as I haven't played on a stick in a decade, but reading about how the stock SE sticks that catch in the corners are wearing down the PCB after normal use spooked me. I'll get some sanwa buttons later.
$70-$80 is a lot of money for a stick with widespread and almost-immediately apparent flaws in the stick and buttons. Fine for those with the savvy to replace buttons and make it a "bargain," it's great, but I imagine that among general consumers this will do nothing to enhance Mad Catz's reputation. For the hardcore, they would have done well to sell the stick sans stick/buttons for $40-50 or something.
I hope, hope, hope that the QA/QC on the TEs isn't as poor.
Boo-urns. And also boo-urns if they sent pre-production sticks to press outlets for review.
I hope, hope, hope that the QA/QC on the TEs isn't as poor.
Boo-urns. And also boo-urns if they sent pre-production sticks to press outlets for review.
bob_arctor
Tough_Smooth
Snaku said:
Gah! This is confirmed?? I've already put mine back in the box for good after that one run of Remix until I get a new stick and buttons but that's just awful. :-(
demigod
Member
bob_arctor said:
Here you go, post #9 http://forums.shoryuken.com/showthread.php?t=176026
Did MadCatz spent 5 minutes testing these or something? You'd think someone that's trying to rebuild their reputation would spend more time testing their hardware.
I need some help. Trying to open my VFHG and I guess I got the son of a bitch version because one screw is denying me and I may not have the tools to get to it.
That one. Also, no, the top of the screw is completely rounded and flush against the top of the panel making it nigh impossible to try to screw it out from that end while holding the nut. Any tips or suggestions?
That one. Also, no, the top of the screw is completely rounded and flush against the top of the panel making it nigh impossible to try to screw it out from that end while holding the nut. Any tips or suggestions?
sixteen-bit
Member
Get a nut driver. 7mm I believe. Same as the HRAPs.Kintaro said:
C- Warrior
Banned
TxdoHawk said:
Question -- my stick doesn't catch at all. It seems perfect.
Does that mean it's still damaging the whatcha-macallit?
Also, can anyone show me a good tutorial on how to mod the standard edition, and where and how and what to buy as upgrades?
thanks so much.
NorrenRadd
Member
Arthrus said:
Yes of course!
bob_arctor
Tough_Smooth
C- Warrior said:
I can only help a little for the buttons:
DO NOT PULL ON THE WIRES TO DISCONNECT THEM! Instead either use a flat-head or even a butter knife (I did this for my HRAP) to wriggle the wires off by shifting left then right.
Make sure to note what color wires correspond to what buttons.
Taking them out is easy, just find the tabs, push 'em in, then push out.
Getting new buttons in is almost as easy. Make sure you hold the tabs in again and push down as far as possible and then from there you gotta use some force until you hear that "snap"--you want to make sure they are as flush as possible against the board.
Other than that, just make sure you have a good Philips handy so you don't end up stripping any screws.
Dreams-Visions
Member
a stick will work with any game you own on the console it was designed for. and chances are, it will work for PC too.Arthrus said:
MarkMan said:
Mark, I didn't even notice that until I read your post. Pretty neat.
I chalk it up to just being a knucklehead and being hungry. haha
And, yes, as bob says, don't yank on the wires. That could result in you pulling the wires out of the connectors. However, if you grab the connector itself and NOT the wire, it should be fine. I do that all the time on other things (cars, my cabs etc) and have never had a problem.
Don't yank on the wire!
Also, bob: Yes, I agree, the stick feels SUPER sketch. Besides the issue that I (and others) have had with it "sticking" when pressing forward, it does feel cheap--cheaper than even the cheapo Hori sticks (NOT the EX). I could not consistently do DP's on my stick (that could just be more not being used to a working square gate.. both of my cabs have semi-busted joysticks hahahaha), but I could do QCF and HCF without any issues... dunno. We'll see what happens when I use it for more than an hour.
It definitely needs to be modified, IMO. I do think that casual players are better suited for the d-pads, especially if they have no desire to mod the sticks. Casual players are likely used to octagonal gates and they won't like it if their stick starts sticking, or worse...
MarkMan
loves Arcade Sticks
bumpkin said:MarkMan: I'm hoping the answer is no, but are MadCatz taking Monday off for President's Day? I'm really hoping the order I placed last night for a fight stick (to tide me over after being shafted by GameStop on my TE) will be processed.
I don't know about our distribution center, but I think they're off.
I know I'm not working Monday lol.
Got (at least) one from Gamecrazy here in Orange County. It was my backup preorder so I'm still expecting my other two from Amazon.
Really nice MarkMan. Plenty impressed! Also, got a pad which is also very very stylish.
I've included a photo of the TE next to my modded HRAP SFIV stick. If you can't tell, I was going for a similar look to the TE. :lol
Really nice MarkMan. Plenty impressed! Also, got a pad which is also very very stylish.
I've included a photo of the TE next to my modded HRAP SFIV stick. If you can't tell, I was going for a similar look to the TE. :lol
sixteen-bit
Member
If you weren't intending to mod the FSSE (and can swallow the cost difference), then sure.charsace said:
Yes Boss!, awesome as always.
Splash Wave
Member
The Gamestop clerk put me down for the PS3 Version of the TE stick, apparently. I previously had my 360 pre-order on eBay, but have since had to take it down. If anyone wants the PS3 version of the stick for 265 shipped, let me know. It's going for MUCH higher than that on eBay, but I'm cutting it pretty close to the release date.
If you need to see my eBay feedback or whatever, PM me.
If you need to see my eBay feedback or whatever, PM me.
demigod said:
The Hori stick is slightly bigger, but not by much. Definitely bulkier. MarkMan and crew really slimmed down the TE in the height dimension. Different beasts so you will have to go with your personal sense of aesthetics. The TE is classier, that is for sure.
Hori has stock buttons so you would have to add another $30 to get them up to the same speed as the TE.
My SF stick was relatively inexpensive at $120 from play-asia and is identical in form and function to the HRAP that amazon sells for $100. That said, I spent another $50 to ship it to California and another $30 on buttons which takes it close to $200. Definitely pleased with it, though, since it is kinda unique stateside.
GalacticAE
Member
Reading about the washer scratching the PCB on the SE stick has me wondering about any known problems on the TE. What are some common problems with the TE, if any?
A Twisty Fluken
Member
the ex has a sanwa stick and hori buttons.
This PCB scratching thing is scaring the crap outta me 
When, if ever, can we expect to hear some kind of official response on this issue? Seems pretty major imo. Also, did any reviewers mention the stick-catching thing when they reviewed the SE stick?
edit: Saw this post on SRK from MarkMan, dunno if he posted the same here:
Yay!
When, if ever, can we expect to hear some kind of official response on this issue? Seems pretty major imo. Also, did any reviewers mention the stick-catching thing when they reviewed the SE stick?edit: Saw this post on SRK from MarkMan, dunno if he posted the same here:
Yay!
How do the Hori buttons compare to the knockoffs in the SE stick?A Twisty Fluken said:
I'm not so much concerned about the buttons at the moment.
I paid $90 (after tax) for the SE. I NEED to buy a JLF-TP-8T, which will set me back about $30 from lizardlick. $120 total.
I can get the HRAP EX for $130 (no tax from Amazon).
What are your guys opinion on this? What do you think I should do?
NameGenerated
Who paid you to grab Dr. Pavel?
So is the JLF-TP-8T the way to go for a stick from Lizardlick? I'm probably going to mod my SE and that seems like the best choice.
Spiderjericho
Member
My stick/pads pick up so far...I still have four TEs coming, another SFIV Fightpad (depending on my HD Remix gaming today) and a HRAP EX SE.
HRAP EX, SFIV Fightstick SE and two SFIV Fightpads:
HRAP EX, SFIV Fightstick SE and two SFIV Fightpads:
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