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[Baron]

Hori Real Arcade Pro or Sega Virtua Stick High Grade

I assure you these are sold out everywhere too though.

I still find it hard to believe this situation. Who could have predicted this massive, total sell-out of arcade sticks? I suppose if you think about it, Street Fighter 4 being released is really the first SF release since SF2 on the SNES/Genesis way back in 1992/3 that has been a big release on home consoles so close to its arcade release. The SF Alpha series never had much hoopla surrounding its home release here in the US, not that I can remember, at least. SF3 came home too late to get people excited. But SF4 - wow, people are really psyched. They want to relive their childhoods.

I hope it spurs an arcade stick renaissance of sorts here in the US. We need more of them! Who knows, maybe Sega will release the VSHG out here when they see all the money waiting to be earned.

 

[Davidion]

I still find it hard to believe this situation. Who could have predicted this massive, total sell-out of arcade sticks? I suppose if you think about it, Street Fighter 4 being released is really the first SF release since SF2 on the SNES/Genesis way back in 1992/3 that has been a big release on home consoles so close to its arcade release. The SF Alpha series never had much hoopla surrounding its home release here in the US, not that I can remember, at least. SF3 came home too late to get people excited. But SF4 - wow, people are really psyched. They want to relive their childhoods.

I hope it spurs an arcade stick renaissance of sorts here in the US. We need more of them! Who knows, maybe Sega will release the VSHG out here when they see all the money waiting to be earned.

I didn't give a shit about joysticks a couple of months ago. Now I've read this thread, and I'm already in the middle of planning the mod for my HRAP and thinking about buying and modding another stick. Of course I have no good pragmatic reasoning for any of this.

Stupid geek tweak mentality; I wish I can banish it from my mind.

 

[CPS2]

Arcade sticks are ALWAYS sold out, it's their natural state. Whenever a new one goes on sale, bam it sells out. This has been happening for many years.

 

[Evlar]

It's surprising but not unprecedented. There have been signs that people are willing to shell out money for expensive peripherals, given the right game. The most appropriate example is Guitar Hero and Rock Band: A whole new genre dependent on sales of plastic guitars and drum kits.

When confronted with a hot game like Street Fighter 4 that cannot be played competently on the stock system controllers gamers today will do something about it. A decade ago most gamers wouldn't have considered buying specialty controllers for anything. Today a large enough group of gamers will consider making that purchase to drive the accessory industry.

 

[BigJonsson]

I want a stick already

 

[DaCocoBrova]

Sure there is. The PCB is known for randomly failing. Buttons will eventually stop working in pairs. Happened to me, DaCocoBrova, and others here on GAF.

THIS!

I have a gutted EX2 here on my desk at work and haven't a clue on what to do with it. Wiring a wired OEM 360 pad was easy...until I screwed up on one of the microscopic d-pad traces.

My other EX2 is going strong though.

 

[marwan]

Hori Real Arcade Pro or Sega Virtua Stick High Grade

I assure you these are sold out everywhere too though.

you mean this?

it's oamazon through a pricate seller for $214 ...should i go for it or wait for the Madcatz Tournament stick? for now i got the crappy chunli madcatz pad to hold me off
what to do? tell me, im on the amazon check out screen and can cancel the chunl stick.

 

[sixteen-bit]

you mean this?

it's oamazon through a pricate seller for $214 ...should i go for it or wait for the Madcatz Tournament stick? for now i got the crappy chunli madcatz pad to hold me off
what to do? tell me, im on the amazon check out screen and can cancel the chunl stick.

yeah...

just keep in mind that stick usually retails for 130 (and ships free!) and has worse stock buttons that the Madcatz FSTE. They can be swapped for better buttons easily though. I know you're pretty well off, but be aware of the seller markup.

 

[BigJonsson]

I thought the HRAP was considered better than the MadCatz TE?

 

[sixteen-bit]

I thought the HRAP was considered better than the MadCatz TE?

No cord storage, cheap Hori clone buttons, no analog substitution (on HRAPEX), the JLF lever is soldered to the circuit board on HRAPEX, no mounting holes for a Seimitsu stick, not as easy to dual-console mod...

FSTE is better, trust me.

 

[marwan]

yeah...

just keep in mind that stick usually retails for 130 (and ships free!) and has worse stock buttons that the Madcatz FSTE. They can be swapped for better buttons easily though. I know you're pretty well off, but be aware of the seller markup.

whats HARPA? and do you think i should stick with the chun-li madcatz pad(i have one for the PS3 too) and wait for the Madcatz Tournament stick?

do te Hori one buttons fuck up? i expected beter from Hori!

 

[sixteen-bit]

whats HARPA? and do you think i should stick with the chun-li madcatz pad(i have one for the PS3 too) and wait for the Madcatz Tournament stick?

do te Hori one buttons fuck up? i expected beter from Hori!

HRAP is an acronym for Hori Real Arcade Pro

I'm not much of a pad player, I can't speak to the quality of the SF4 pads because I don't own any.

Hori buttons are not nearly as responsive as Sanwa.

 

[MikeE21286]

whats HARPA? and do you think i should stick with the chun-li madcatz pad(i have one for the PS3 too) and wait for the Madcatz Tournament stick?

do te Hori one buttons fuck up? i expected beter from Hori!

I'd look for a stick personally. I'm not a fan of the madcatz pads

 

[marwan]

ok shoot me, i canceled the Chun-Li Madcatz controller, and bought the Madcatz Tournament stick for an obscene price! .... please don't ask me how muhc i paid, i've been trying to hunt that stick all over and $338 was the cheapest i found! OUCH!!! but then again it's full of quality and win, and i could play VF5 online and SF2THD remix with it.

please don't make me feel bad!

at least i can sleep tonight!

this convinced me, specially that I'm a huge street fighter fan and play it online with my buddy all the time!

the Hory EX left more to be desired sine i sound it for $220.....i though fuck it, i'll spend more on quality...that's just my philosophy!

 

[Yes Boss!]

Speaking of modding, I'm thinking of cutting a piece of lexan/plexiglass to size and replacing the bottom metal plate of my Wii Hori Fighting sticks with it. I'm proud of the wiring and it would be a fun way to show it off. It also solves the issue of the metal bottom shorting out the PCB if left hanging.

Baron,

Since you've been up inside the Wii Stick would you be able to tell me if I can easily get at the select, home, and start buttons? Meaning I wanna put the PCB into a Norris case with those three buttons changed to Seimitsu on the backside using the similar wire-solder job you did on the face buttons. From your internal photo that little PCB strip seems small.

This is the button connection. Is this solderable to a Seimitsu or Sanwa button? Looks like what you would find in the 360 controller and I know folks use those over at SRK.

 

[Baron]

Baron,

Since you've been up inside the Wii Stick would you be able to tell me if I can easily get at the select, home, and start buttons? Meaning I wanna put the PCB into a Norris case with those three buttons changed to Seimitsu on the backside using the similar wire-solder job you did on the face buttons. From your internal photo that little PCB strip seems small.

This is the button connection. Is this solderable to a Seimitsu or Sanwa button? Looks like what you would find in the 360 controller and I know folks use those over at SRK.

Yes Boss,

Yes, you can solder a wire to each of the black contacts you see there for the buttons on the PCB. Each Sanwa/Seimitsu switch gets two wires; install the buttons wherever you deem fit. I haven't done it myself (yet) but I understand you may have to scrape the contact a bit to expose the trace.

I plan on hacking a Saturn pad in this fashion to add Saturn functionality to one of my sticks in the future. Here's another pic I took of the PCB in the housing to give you a better idea of the size:

 

[Yes Boss!]

Yes Boss,

Yes, you can solder a wire to each of the black contacts you see there for the buttons on the PCB. Each Sanwa/Seimitsu switch gets two wires; install the buttons wherever you deem fit. I haven't done it myself (yet) but I understand you may have to scrape the contact a bit to expose the trace.

I plan on hacking a Saturn pad in this fashion to add Saturn functionality to one of my sticks in the future. Here's another pic I took of the PCB in the housing to give you a better idea of the size:

Ok, cool. I don't have the hardware yet but I really want the option to put a home button onto the stick proper rather than just using the wiimote.

Btw, I got a second Wii stick from buy.com for $35. Not a bad price considering I paid $70 for my original when it came out in japan.

Thanks for all the Wii Stick mod photos...using them as a guideline on what parts to order from Akihabara.

 

[Yes Boss!]

Baron,

Also, I'm not doing my mod till summer but I'll have the extra shell from the second Wii Stick that I'll no longer need. If it is something you will want for one of your projects let me know and I'll ship it off to you after I'm done with my mod. It will still have the stock Hori lever in it.

 

[Baron]

Baron,

Also, I'm not doing my mod till summer but I'll have the extra shell from the second Wii Stick that I'll no longer need. If it is something you will want for one of your projects let me know and I'll ship it off to you after I'm done with my mod. It will still have the stock Hori lever in it.

Glad to help with the photos. And thanks for the buy.com tip - I've been buying my Wii sticks at all the area Gamestops, they are selling them for $39 in-store, and I cleaned out both stores in my county that had stock left. Which was only two sticks.

If you have no need for the Wii casing - I'd be glad to take it off your hands - thanks! I've been trying to figure out what to do for a Saturn stick lately, and was considering buying a Norris case Sunday when they're up for sale, but from what I've seen it's very difficult to score one unless you're extremely lucky. The Wii stick case would probably do nicely.

 

[Yes Boss!]

If you have no need for the Wii casing - I'd be glad to take it off your hands - thanks! I've been trying to figure out what to do for a Saturn stick lately, and was considering buying a Norris case Sunday when they're up for sale, but from what I've seen it's very difficult to score one unless you're extremely lucky. The Wii stick case would probably do nicely.

Yes, I pulled out the PCB already and will save that for my Custom stick. Here is the extra case. Just PM me an address and I can send it. I believe you are in CA, correct? In either case, shipping is free at my work so don't worry about that. Not sure how useful it will be without the PCB holding in the turbo and home buttons but hopefully you can make use of it.

 

[coltcannon]

Shipment notice for my amazon TE order placed Dec. 30, delivery tomorrow. Im glad to finally have it, shame it comes the same week I get terminated at my job...

wait now I can play all fucking day.

 

[akuma001]

check out my new te stick mod

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n5/akuma001/PICT0922.jpg

 

[sixteen-bit]

check out my new te stick mod

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n5/akuma001/PICT0922.jpg

modern art.

 

[kurahadol]

check out my new te stick mod

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n5/akuma001/PICT0922.jpg

The best representation of dignity I have seen yet.

 

[A Twisty Fluken]

check out my new te stick mod

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n5/akuma001/PICT0922.jpg

legit fucking lol

 

[Davidion]

I just ordered a LS-32, a full barrage of Semitsu replacement for every button on my HRAP, oversized bubble top, and am emailing the art files for printing and lami-labeling tomorrow.



I hate this thread, I hate it so much.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Oh, akuma001, do you want the Virtua Stick High Grade-like FSTE template I made? I find the Air Trix clone font located here rather close to the original. Site actually has a bunch of clone Sega fonts. Nice resource.

 

[akuma001]

thanks for offering man but i don't even own a te stick.

 

[MarkMan]

Got mine today. The revised version that supports rumble and doesn't disconnect anymore...

Tested it with the following:

Hori Real Arcade PRO EX
Hori Fighting Stick EX2 (Dead or Alive 4 Edition)
Mad Catz Street Fighter IV Arcade FightStick: Tournament Edition

I didn't get to test too long... but I tested with Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection.

The converter has issues with all above sticks when doing sliding/rolling motions with the stick.

For example an instant deathfist with Paul (QCF+2) or Bryan's Jet Upper (f,b+2)...

I was able to do some shining wizard juggles. I did not notice a difference in lag using a TE in LS mode vs DP mode. It does lag. But how much it lags has not yet been determined. I will have to test with more games soon.

I'll test more thoroughly over the weekend. But as far as initial impressions go, it's not good. I will test further with a SF4 FightPad and a first party controller.

EDIT: UPDATE

Okay, now I'm pretty sure this thing doesn't lag. It is the dropped inputs while doing moves with rolling/sliding inputs that gives the illusion that it does lag.

What does that mean for competitive gamers? Forget about wavedashing with Mishimas, forget about clutch shoryukens, forget about any complicated motions.

 

[Linkhero1]

Got my TE stick earlier today and spent a good amount of time with it. Switched out the square gate with an octagonal one and it was so easier to perform moves. Just got to get my dragon punches perfected. Great work MarkMan.

 

[C- Warrior]

Holy shit, it's been about 3.5 weeks and nothing from lizard lick...wow.

 

[Shadowlink]

Holy shit, it's been about 3.5 weeks and nothing from lizard lick...wow.

It will take time. The last time I called them was about 2-3 weeks ago and they said they have about 700 orders. I am sure they are trying their best to get us our parts

 

[Yes Boss!]

It will take time. The last time I called them was about 2-3 weeks ago and they said they have about 700 orders. I am sure they are trying their best to get us our parts

Looks like they are shutting down for three weeks to catch up on those. I guess one should get an order in before the 13th if parts are wanted sooner rather than later.

 

[Icarus]

Wow. SFIV broke Lizard Lick.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Got mine today. The revised version that supports rumble and doesn't disconnect anymore...

Tested it with the following:

Hori Real Arcade PRO EX
Hori Fighting Stick EX2 (Dead or Alive 4 Edition)
Mad Catz Street Fighter IV Arcade FightStick: Tournament Edition

I didn't get to test too long... but I tested with Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection.

The converter has issues with all above sticks when doing sliding/rolling motions with the stick.

For example an instant deathfist with Paul (QCF+2) or Bryan's Jet Upper (f,b+2)...

I was able to do some shining wizard juggles. I did not notice a difference in lag using a TE in LS mode vs DP mode. It does lag. But how much it lags has not yet been determined. I will have to test with more games soon.

I'll test more thoroughly over the weekend. But as far as initial impressions go, it's not good. I will test further with a SF4 FightPad and a first party controller.

EDIT: UPDATE

Okay, now I'm pretty sure this thing doesn't lag. It is the dropped inputs while doing moves with rolling/sliding inputs that gives the illusion that it does lag.

What does that mean for competitive gamers? Forget about wavedashing with Mishimas, forget about clutch shoryukens, forget about any complicated motions.

good to know toodles won't be out of a job.

lol, can you recommend anything you've reviewed by XCM?

 

[Baron]

I swore I'd never care enough to want any kind of clear bottom plate on a stick of mine, but I have had so much fun modding this stick that I didn't want it to be done with yet...and I am very proud of my wiring job, so I found some old scrap Lexan I had laying around from another project, and I decided to test-fashioned a bottom plate with it to see if it was viable. And it is! It works beautifully. I went out and bought a new unblemished sheet of clear plastic yesterday evening to cut another one out in earnest. I learned a few things from the test run, too. A Dremel tool will cut through this, but be careful with it, and go slowly. You'll also need to have a way to scrape off the melted plastic that accrues in the cut seam. I bought some replacement longer screws in case the stock ones won't work, and I also may need to place some plastic washers between the plate and the screw holes, as the metal plate has raised bumps that raise the screws closer to the screw holes, and I cannot emulate this with the plastic.

Here's the test result - the plate is cut slightly too wide on one side and needs to be sanded down a bit to fit (done on purpose, better to err on too big and sand down than too small and be screwed), but I'll just save that for the plate I'll be cutting out in earnest today. But the pics show how it will look when done. The swapping of a plastic bottom plate for the stock metal plate deftly solves the issue of the hanging PCB shorting out upon contacting the bottom plate, too, which is nice. I now need to find a way to secure the PCB to the case top with spacers.

 

[omgimaninja]

I got fed up with LizardLick because of the way they have handled this situation, and canceled my order. A 2-3 week wait for shipping is acceptable; finding out they don't even have your item in stock 2-3 weeks after you placed an order is ridiculous. I had to email them multiple times to even find out any information.

My money is going to Akihabarashop.jp for a new stick and buttons. LizardLick needs to learn how to run a business better.

 

[Yes Boss!]

^^^ Lots of love into that little stick!

Would make the big bad-boy modded sticks jealous. Nice to see Wii stuff in this thread. An area sorely lacking.

Ha, I've got a dremel but I wouldn't even know where to buy lexan, let alone cut plastic! When I modded my HRAP SFIV the only place I could think of to buy wire was from the hobby store...by splitting apart a three-lead servo wire...that is how unprofessional my approach was.

 

[Davidion]

I got fed up with LizardLick because of the way they have handled this situation, and canceled my order. A 2-3 week wait for shipping is acceptable; finding out they don't even have your item in stock 2-3 weeks after you placed an order is ridiculous. I had to email them multiple times to even find out any information.

My money is going to Akihabarashop.jp for a new stick and buttons. LizardLick needs to learn how to run a business better.

Sucks to hear Puyo; I also went Akihabara, especially when I found out that their selection is a lot more extensive and the shipping costs are balanced out by their low prices.

 

[DaCocoBrova]

:lol @ We Be Closed!

 

[Yes Boss!]

:lol @ We Be Closed!

Poor guys. Do they even have a store front? I was under the impression that they are internet only and run out of a house. At least, that is what I could make out by looking at the reflection in the photos of the ball tops!

I've ordered from them many times over the last year and they are definitely a great outfit. That said, I'm eager to try Akihabara and will order my Death Smiles replacement parts from them.

Btw, I settled on a theme for my custom Wii stick. Gonna make it Super Princess Peach themed with the below image tastefully done with a black stick body, pink and black outline Seimitsu buttons, pink faceplate, and a pink balltop. Should look exquisite and unlike any of the other manly sticks out there:lol

 

[viewtiful_dru]

So guys, I just lent my Virtua Stick God Grade to my friend so he can use it at Final Round. (he doesn't have a PS3, but all of the new games at FR are using the PS3).

Not ot mention that he's making the trip down to Georgia from NY.
I feel like a part of me is missing. u_u

 

[sixteen-bit]

So guys, I just lent my Virtua Stick God Grade to my friend so he can use it at Final Round. (he doesn't have a PS3, but all of the new games at FR are using the PS3).

Not ot mention that he's making the trip down to Georgia from NY.
I feel like a part of me is missing. u_u

Oh man you are one good friend. <3 VSHG
probably my favorite retail stick.

 

[BigJonsson]

Pre-ordered a TE at a local EB

The clerk wasn't sure if he could pre-order it until he checked it in the system and was shocked at the price

I asked how many orders there were and he said "alot" *shrug*

If I get one, cool
If not, I'll look into other options

Madcatz needs to confirm if there will be multiple shipments to Canada eh

 

[coltcannon]

Got my TE stick today. Everything about it is amazing. It feels good to know that when I miss commands it is not because the controls are shit, its my error. Pulling off everything except haduken moves, trying to learn not to jam the stick to the edges.

 

[BigJonsson]

Ordered a TE stick today


Now we play the waiting game

 

[Mattlikewhoa]

Holy crap what an amazing day I had...I never knew that being sick could pay off. So I woke up feeling like utter crap, and decided that it's going to be a sick day for me. I was bed ridden for a bit and I knew that something was off so I decided that I'd go to a walk-in clinic.

While waiting to see the doctor I was on my phone surfing the net. I decided to hit up red flag deals forums since I haven't visited it in a while. And what do I see?! SOMEONE WHO IS SELLING A HRAP3 for $150 CND?!?!?!?!

And he's only 20 minutes from the walk-in clinic. He said that he only used it for a few sessions and was getting his ass handed to him, so he said he'd go back to the DS3.

I actually did a air pump in the middle of the office and lots of people thought I was crazy:lol

Anyways I give him a call and tell him that I'll quickly be over to snap it up after my appointment.

And here it is...HRAP3 #2

I'm already on Akihabara Shop ordering new buttons, gate and ball top

 

[Rummy Bunnz]

LL should have stopped taking orders ages ago. Jeez louise.

It's taken over 3 weeks but my order's finally shipped. It will hopefully be here tomorrow. I'm just glad the wait is over, even though I had to settle for a different color.

How much does akihabarashop charge for shipping to the US?

 

[bistromathics]

Ordered a TE stick today


Now we play the waiting game

From where? I can only find them being sold second-hand at jacked up prices.

wtf??

 

[Yes Boss!]

From where? I can only find them being sold second-hand at jacked up prices.

I believe he/she was in Canada. Yikes, that Amazon marketplace price is a little inflated. I think they've come down a bit on eBay in the recent week...like $250ish. Still bad, but a lot of folks are starting to get the second wave it seems.

I'm curious if Madcatz intends to repurpose the case in and unbranded fashion down the line. I know I'd buy another like that. Heck, I'm wondering if they are even pursuing other licenses? Not expecting any answer MarkMan but let it be know that there is demand from this quarter for such a product!

MarkMan,

Do you know who has the KoF license in Japan? Please let it not be Exar.