Support NeoGAF

[h3ro]

SE stick is terrible. Typical Madcrapz product.

The best $50 budget arcade stick you can buy is still a Hori FS3. And holy crap, it's a mere $29.99 now!? :O

I'm not sure if it will play nice with PC natively, but you could use some of the Playstation to PC software to map the buttons.

Horrible advice. What would Slick say?!

The Hori FS3 is a pile of trash. I couldn't disagree more with TToB.

At least with time, you can improve the Madcatz SE with minimal effort. The FS3 requires soldering to change its stick and buttons.

I bought a Hori EX2 (the 360 equivalent of the FS3) and hated it. Buttons felt mushy and the stick didn't feel accurate or give good feed back. The stock clone parts in the SE were much better.

Over time, if you ever feel the need to, for about $25-30 with the right deal from a seller here on GAF trying to offload TE parts, you could upgrade the SE to full Sanwa parts as well.

 

[Yes Boss!]

FYI, Gameshark.com has the Wii tatsunoko sticks buy1get1 free. Use code WARZONE3 to get a pair for $49.XX shipped.

I did that! Great deal for them...even with CA tax.

Just gotta have the mother send them to me in euroland. Still will come out ahead since I was willing to spend $60 on one!

Now I own three of them but have yet to try any of them (!) Everybody says the quality is better than the vanilla SE. Can't wait.

 

[Gravijah]

SE stick is terrible. Typical Madcrapz product.

The best $50 budget arcade stick you can buy is still a Hori FS3. And holy crap, it's a mere $29.99 now!? :O

I'm not sure if it will play nice with PC natively, but you could use some of the Playstation to PC software to map the buttons.

:O 30 bucks. I might have to pick that up.

 

[sixteen-bit]

SE is a great stick to mod.
It's not much stock though.

 

[h3ro]

SE is a great stick to mod.
It's not much stock though.

I think the stock stick is still better than the EX2/FS3. Marginally, but still better.

 

[Hesemonni]

There's a guy selling SE for 40 eurobucks and as sticks (in general) are a bit hard/costly to come by over here I think I'll bite. Thanks for the input everybody.

 

[The Take Out Bandit]

SE is a great stick to mod.
It's not much stock though.

Precisely this.

If you're going to blow $50 on an unusable stick and another $25-35 on non-sh*t parts for it to work; you're better off building your own stick with one of Toodles custom boards.

As someone that has owned both, the Hori FS3 is the better out of the box stick by far, and I will always choose a Hori product over Madcrapz given the choice.

 

[Gravijah]

I've never owned an arcade stick (nor have I even used one not attached to an arcade machine) and I'm mostly just looking for something to play some SHMUPs/fighters with... FS3 for 30 bucks should suit my needs, right?

 

[CadetMahoney]

I've never owned an arcade stick (nor have I even used one not attached to an arcade machine) and I'm mostly just looking for something to play some SHMUPs/fighters with... FS3 for 30 bucks should suit my needs, right?

yea last about a year or less before one of the buttons go funny under heavy use but your good to go.

 

[Prototype-03]

I've never owned an arcade stick (nor have I even used one not attached to an arcade machine) and I'm mostly just looking for something to play some SHMUPs/fighters with... FS3 for 30 bucks should suit my needs, right?

It really depends. I wouldn't be able to recommend you the FS3 if you know for sure that you'll use the stick. But if you want a stick for a "test drive", FS3 is perfect for you.

Started out on the FS3 to test it out... Used for about a year. Now the buttons stick and I can't really replace the buttons since the PCB is soldered on. I now have two modded SEs and couldn't be happier.

edit: Damn you Mahoney!!

edit 2: I also don't like the FS3 button layout.

 

[CadetMahoney]

edit: Damn you Mahoney!!

heh

 

[sixteen-bit]

Precisely this.

If you're going to blow $50 on an unusable stick and another $25-35 on non-sh*t parts for it to work; you're better off building your own stick with one of Toodles custom boards.

As someone that has owned both, the Hori FS3 is the better out of the box stick by far, and I will always choose a Hori product over Madcrapz given the choice.

I got my SE for $15 *shrug*. Look out for deals.

 

[Threi]

I got A SE for $2 and made it into the sexiest SE of all time


so....SE wins.

 

[gkryhewy]

Precisely this.

If you're going to blow $50 on an unusable stick and another $25-35 on non-sh*t parts for it to work; you're better off building your own stick with one of Toodles custom boards.

As someone that has owned both, the Hori FS3 is the better out of the box stick by far, and I will always choose a Hori product over Madcrapz given the choice.

You are out of your mind. Those base model horis last a year before the PCB craps out, and theyrenext to impossible to repair.

 

[Solune]

I've never owned an arcade stick (nor have I even used one not attached to an arcade machine) and I'm mostly just looking for something to play some SHMUPs/fighters with... FS3 for 30 bucks should suit my needs, right?

FS3 is garbage

 

[Gravijah]

FS3 is garbage

It may be garbage... But is it better than a DS3?

 

[sixteen-bit]

It may be garbage... But is it better than a DS3?

let's ask Vangief

Pad vs.stick is totally subjective.

 

[Threi]

you could argue that a hitbox gives more benefits than a stick as well.

Just up to the player.

 

[The Take Out Bandit]

you could argue that a hitbox gives more benefits than a stick as well.

Just up to the player.

THERE IS NO GIVE UP!

 

[yyr]

I really, truly believe that there are two possible mindsets regarding the Hori FS3/EX2.

Yes, if you're used to playing on stick and know what a good stick feels like, it's a piece of useless junk.

But if you don't yet own a stick and just want to try something out, I really think that it's a good budget option if the MadCatz SE is not available (and it's getting harder to find). Most first-timers are not going to want to mod their stick right away anyway. Mine lasted almost two years before one of the buttons finally quit, and at the time I was using it, I didn't know what Seimitsu parts felt like, so I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything.

Now I own three of them but have yet to try any of them (!) Everybody says the quality is better than the vanilla SE. Can't wait.

Yeah, I was impressed by the stock parts in the TvC stick. They're way better than the stock parts in any SE or budget stick I've ever seen. They're actually worth saving just in case something breaks.
In fact, I love the TvC stick, in general. The matte finish is so comfortable IMHO. I love it so much that I own three of them so far, plus two more that I bought last week, lol. I grabbed an SE for 360 and swapped the guts so that I'd have a full Seimitsu TvC stick for 360 as well...and a PS3 version will be happening this week, can't wait =) =)

Oh, and this may be of interest to some of you:
http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-6m-49-en-70-3nu3.html
This'll turn your cheap TvC stick for Wii into your cheap TvC stick for PC as well =) Sorry if I wasn't the first to post about this.

 

[MarkMan]

I've no doubt this entire line of sticks would not have happened if it wasnt for you markman, you are a credit to your company and the community, if more people in privilaged positions were as passionate as you the gaming world would be a better place. Whenever i get jaded at my job, i always think back to your enthuasim and remind myslef how awesome our industry is because of people like you.

Thanks for the kind words

Hope everyone had a good weekend.

/recovery mode

 

[Dachande]

I got a co-worker to buy a TE the other week when he asked me what the best stick to buy was. It may have been overkill for him but it'll last him forever and I know he appreciates a good arcade stick since I bought my VSHGs into work when SF4 came out.

Markman, any chance of seeing any TE and SE prototypes you mentioned in the VF thread from a few days ago, possibly with some notes as to what worked/didn't work/what changed across them as you developed the series? I'm really interested in the process you went through in making your own 'ultimate stick', it sounds like it could be fascinating.

 

[Rice-Eater]

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Qanba Q4

It weighs 3kg(about 6-7 lbs) and it looks like it may work with PS3 and 360 right out the gate. I'm interested but I'm hoping to see if Mad Catz has anything new to offer.

 

[MarkMan]

I got a co-worker to buy a TE the other week when he asked me what the best stick to buy was. It may have been overkill for him but it'll last him forever and I know he appreciates a good arcade stick since I bought my VSHGs into work when SF4 came out.

Markman, any chance of seeing any TE and SE prototypes you mentioned in the VF thread from a few days ago, possibly with some notes as to what worked/didn't work/what changed across them as you developed the series? I'm really interested in the process you went through in making your own 'ultimate stick', it sounds like it could be fascinating.

If I have time, I'll try to snap pics and do a write up...

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Qanba Q4

It weighs 3kg(about 6-7 lbs) and it looks like it may work with PS3 and 360 right out the gate. I'm interested but I'm hoping to see if Mad Catz has anything new to offer.

If you're looking for a stick that works for PS3/360, good luck finding one that is officially licensed by both Sony/Microsoft. Note, Mad Catz is a licensee of both Sony and Microsoft.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Oh, and this may be of interest to some of you:
http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-6m-49-en-70-3nu3.html
This'll turn your cheap TvC stick for Wii into your cheap TvC stick for PC as well =) Sorry if I wasn't the first to post about this.

Does this still work with PS3 or did 3.50 break compatibility?

 

[blizzardjesus]

What would be the difficulty in, or would it be possible to switch the pcb from a SE 360 stick with a pcb from a ps3 TE stick.

 

[CadetMahoney]

Qanba Q4

Should be good for consumers since the datel paewrang ps360 pcbs have been market proven so far, but it's all speculation so far about how these pcb's fair. I doubt ms/sony will do anything about them.

Sanwa parts too.

 

[Ledsen]

Precisely this.

If you're going to blow $50 on an unusable stick and another $25-35 on non-sh*t parts for it to work; you're better off building your own stick with one of Toodles custom boards.

As someone that has owned both, the Hori FS3 is the better out of the box stick by far, and I will always choose a Hori product over Madcrapz given the choice.

Did MarkMan take a crap in your breakfast or something? Christ.

 

[MarkMan]

Use code 'WARZONE3' on the TVC FightStick and get B1G1 FREE! 2 sticks + 30% OFF for $42 before tax/shipping! - http://bit.ly/7oKP6E

 

[MarkMan]

Due to the volume of orders, we are experiencing some delays with our store/deliveries. Please be patient when ordering/awaiting your order.

 

[TheFightingFish]

Are the sticks / buttons on those TvC sticks the same as on the SSFIV SE sticks? I'm considering picking up two up for parts for 360 sticks.

 

[mannerbot]

They're of higher quality, made with the same Omron microswitches found in Sanwa parts.

 

[yyr]

Does this still work with PS3 or did 3.50 break compatibility?

I have one on order with Play-Asia... when it arrives I'll give it a shot.

Edit: It came today. First I'll mention that the Mayflash adapter makes PC connectivity a snap. Everything works as advertised and MAME recognized everything perfectly. Piece of cake.

Now for PS3. I'm running the launch 20GB model with firmware 3.55. I connected one of my TvC sticks and ...
yes, it works BUT the button mapping is all weird. For example, the Wii's X button works as the X button on the PS3, heh. Also, the L and R buttons don't seem to be recognized at all...but the other 6 (Y, X, B, A, zL, zR) are all right. The Home button is nonfunctional. Connecting a second stick to the adapter worked as well on PS3 as it did on PC...both sticks functioned properly at the same time. =)

On the TvC stick the L and R buttons comprise the third column out of the four, so if you were going to use the stick for this purpose exclusively, just rewire it so that the fourth column is dead. Hole plugs would make this more elegant. It feels a bit like a hack and takes a few minutes to set up, but... can you really argue with the asking price? Two of these sticks are under $50 shipped together (at least until the 30% off sale ends) and the adapters are cheap.

Bottom line: even after adding the adapter you're talking around $65-70 for two inexpensive, easily moddable joysticks with acceptable stock parts that you can use with Wii, PC or (with 6 out of 8 buttons) PS3. You could do a lot worse. If this sounds good to you, maybe it's time to take the 2-for-1 and grab a Mayflash adapter.

 

[DrDogg]

Just chiming in to confirm that the Hori EX2 is a terrible stick. I have 3 of them (why 3? because the first 2 broke within 6 months) and the difference I saw when I upgraded to a proper stick (sanwa stick, semitsu buttons) was like night and day. I don't know a MadCatz TE, but I have used them countless times and it is the best stick on the market... especially if you aren't up for custom sticks.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Madcatz' latest stick was unveiled today

http://shoryuken.com/content/mad-catz-wwe-brawl-stick-pictures-3225/

 

[notworksafe]

That's some ugly CG.

 

[yyr]

I wonder if it will have the glossy finish of the SF4 SEs, or the matte finish of the TvCs.

For the benefit of those that didn't investigate the link: these are basically the new model of the SE, and will use the improved MadCatz stock parts, as used in the TvC sticks.

 

[ShinobiFist]

Madcatz' latest stick was unveiled today

http://shoryuken.com/content/mad-catz-wwe-brawl-stick-pictures-3225/

Day one.

 

[Edgeward]

So is there any gameplay (can't think a better word) between the Real Arcade Pro. V3 SA and the premium VLX?

Is it just a matter of the casing, or are the buttons and stick of better quality?

 

[ExMachina]

So is there any gameplay (can't think a better word) between the Real Arcade Pro. V3 SA and the premium VLX?

Is it just a matter of the casing, or are the buttons and stick of better quality?

Same parts - Sanwa JLF and OBSF - just very different cases.

 

[blitz64]

When I use the Street Fighter SE stick and put it on a table or the floor. The whole joystick moves around. Does the TE version have this problem?

What custom methods have people used to make sure their joystick does not move at all when playing? I'm thinking of buying nuts and bolts and perminately attach the joystick to the coffee table. Thoughts?

 

[thorin]

When I use the Street Fighter SE stick and put it on a table or the floor. The whole joystick moves around. Does the TE version have this problem?

What custom methods have people used to make sure their joystick does not move at all when playing? I'm thinking of buying nuts and bolts and perminately attach the joystick to the coffee table. Thoughts?

The TE has a nice weight to it. I can use it on my lap and it doesn't move around. I used to have a Hori fightstick and would use it on the coffee table because same problem you mentioned, but I found it uncomfortable. I vote for the TE.

 

[mannerbot]

Yeah, the TE probably wouldn't move as much (or at all) because it's so much heavier. As an alternative idea to permanently attaching your SE stick to your coffee table, you could look into replacement rubber pads for the bottom.

 

[ThatCrazyGuy]

When I use the Street Fighter SE stick and put it on a table or the floor. The whole joystick moves around. Does the TE version have this problem?

What custom methods have people used to make sure their joystick does not move at all when playing? I'm thinking of buying nuts and bolts and perminately attach the joystick to the coffee table. Thoughts?

Use double-sided tape and cut a sheet of that non-slip cabinet liner stuff and stick it to the bottom.

That's what I did, works like charm.

 

[T-Matt]

What are the Sanwa RGs like? Do they feel the same as regular ones?

 

[SapientWolf]

I really, truly believe that there are two possible mindsets regarding the Hori FS3/EX2.

Yes, if you're used to playing on stick and know what a good stick feels like, it's a piece of useless junk.

But if you don't yet own a stick and just want to try something out, I really think that it's a good budget option if the MadCatz SE is not available (and it's getting harder to find). Most first-timers are not going to want to mod their stick right away anyway. Mine lasted almost two years before one of the buttons finally quit, and at the time I was using it, I didn't know what Seimitsu parts felt like, so I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything.



Yeah, I was impressed by the stock parts in the TvC stick. They're way better than the stock parts in any SE or budget stick I've ever seen. They're actually worth saving just in case something breaks.
In fact, I love the TvC stick, in general. The matte finish is so comfortable IMHO. I love it so much that I own three of them so far, plus two more that I bought last week, lol. I grabbed an SE for 360 and swapped the guts so that I'd have a full Seimitsu TvC stick for 360 as well...and a PS3 version will be happening this week, can't wait =) =)

Oh, and this may be of interest to some of you:
http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-6m-49-en-70-3nu3.html
This'll turn your cheap TvC stick for Wii into your cheap TvC stick for PC as well =) Sorry if I wasn't the first to post about this.

Whoa, let's not confuse the Hori with the stock 360 dpad.

 

[MarkMan]

One day left! Ends end of day on Friday! (midnight PST)...

http://shoryuken.com/f177/1-12-1-21...%-off-fightsticks-$110-shipped-mvc-te-262258/

20-30% off FightSticks and $50 off + free FEDEX Ground Shipping on the MARVEL VS Capcom FightStick!

What are the Sanwa RGs like? Do they feel the same as regular ones?

They are the high end Sanwa buttons. Same as the OBSF-30s but with a longer microswitch designed to last longer.

 

[blitz64]

which is better? the TE or TE 'S'? Does S stand for slimmer and lighter?
I want a heavy one that doesn't move around the coffee table. If both S and nonS weight is the same, looks like S is better looking.

 

[Threi]

well in it's defence at least the EX2 case is fully flat, and doesn't have a bend in it like the SE, which makes applying art rather difficult.

And, it has a 6 button layout.


It's a bit slimmer than it needs to be though. Personally if I had one i'd keep it.

But then again I modded my CPSF (My Personal TvC stick right now if anyone is wondering), nothing could be harder than that.

 

[yyr]

Alright, I want someone to tell me that I'm not crazy.

I've ordered two sets of Seimitsu buttons from LizardLick so far... a set of PS-14-G snap-ins, and a set of PS-14-GN screw-ins. To me, both sets feel similar to one another, but different than the Seimitsu buttons that came pre-installed in my HRAP EX-SE. They also make a different sound when pressed. The ones in the EX-SE make a much louder sound (hard to describe, but I want to say "hollow"). Visually, they differ a bit as well; when installed, the black ring visible around the plunger is flat on the EX-SE's buttons, and rounded on the ones I ordered.

First off, can anyone else back me up on this? Second, I really like both the sound and feel on the EX-SE's buttons...does anyone know the *exact* model number of those buttons, or where I can order more (if more exist)?