Hi Everyone, So I'm looking into getting some USB arcade joysticks for a PC setup. Which sticks are considered the best? I was looking at a Hori Real Arcade Pro 3, but I wasn't sure if it would work with Linux or not (it says USB so I would assume so?), and I was equally unsure about Hori buttons VS Sanwa (as an example). So I guess my major questions are: 1. Do Hori buttons suck (Which is why people always talk about replacing them) or are they just tangibly worse than brand-name manufactures like Sanwa or Seimitsu that people who want "perfect" everything just change them for the sake of that small improvement? 2. I assume Hori sticks are the best quality in terms of base size, parts, etc. Is that the case, or is there other stick manufactures I should be looking at? EDIT: I should mention that the only form of reference I really have is in the form of Arcade sticks from MAS Systems. I found their sticks to be alright once I got used to them, but since I never experienced any better, I have no frame of reference to know if they are good or not.
I say get an SFIV Fightstick, Tournament Edition. 360 version because the PS3 one has some issues with USB connections to computers, IIRC.
I'd do the same. 360 fightsticks are awesome and PC Compatible. Or you could build it yourself out of buttons and a stick of your own choosing and a super-cheap wired Xbox 360 controller. There's a place in my city that does that for you for about 800 pesos (60 dollars or so). So if this is common in the third world, you in a developed country will find something similar easily.
Hrm... Are the Xbox controllers inherently more comparable due to Microsoft's dominance with Windows, or are they designed in a more standard way that most OS's can just pick them up and run with? How much more difficult are the PS3 sticks in terms of getting them working?
Sanwa FTW. I'd go for a cheaper base stick like the Fighting Stick 3 (or Xbox equivalent), and then replace the buttons and stick with some nice OBSF-30s and a JLF-TP8Y.
Windows from Vista up comes with a 360 controller driver standard, and you can download it for XP, you have to download a 3rd party driver for PS3 controllers. Generally speaking, that is. Specifically, the Mad Catz PS3 Fightstick have had a significant amount of problems with different chipsets. As for a cheap base stick...I'd go with an SE Fightstick instead, because IMO the case of this Hori EX/FS3 is horribly cramped, plus the thing is designed so that you can easily swap the buttons and stick. And I'd say Sanwa vs. Seimitsu is up to personal preference.
The quality of the buttons on a hori stick depend on the cost you go for. The cheap hori sticks are ok but the ones on the HASP v2/v3 are of really good quality. HASP should work fine on a PC. I use to use my Sega VSHG (for ps3) on my pc and it worked flawless. Hell actually if you can afford the $$$ i'd recomend one (maybe not great for 4 button tekken play but worked well for SF & obviously awesome for 3 button play like VF). VSHG was nice since it was pure sanwa and the exact same parts used in VF5 cabinets. (hmm. i should have never sold mine). 360 sticks should work well on PC since they probably use a similar input standard/drivers that wired 360 controllers use. FYI, If you have a ps3 and get a ps3 stick, they should be compatible with ps1 (& ps2 if you have a BC unit) games when played on a ps3. ------------------------------- To summarize the above. Fork out more $$$ for the good ****!
VSHG hands down. Best build quality of any stock stick ever. PC compatible and fully BC with a 20 or 60gb PS3. Just make sure you get S or M revision.
I have an X-Arcade dual which is pretty nice, it was give to me though. I think they are like $129 so that might be much more then you are looking at spending.
the thing about hori buttons is they stick sometimes, the microswitch wears out faster, and they are slightly smaller. depending on your layout you're used to, the slight size difference can make a difference. Most people switch'em for the stickyness and they're going to wear out a lot faster anyway so might as well just toss'em.
Hrm... Do the HRAP SE sticks use the same size and layout of real Japanese cabinets (Minus the 360-necessary buttons)? In regards to Mad Catz vs Hori, didn't Mad Catz have terrible design problems which caused many of their sticks to malfunction or brake over time? Or was that only effecting the low-end products they offered?
Only the SE Fightstick had that problem, something to do with a bad washer on the stick...dunno if they ever fixed that, but the SE stick uses Mad Catz built buttons and stick, while the TE stick is all Sanwa.
Before I forget, thanks for the advice guys. I'm probably going to lay off the Mad Catz gear for now. I know the SF4 TE Fightsticks are getting pretty good reviews, but I've also seen a share of users who got DOA units (Buttons that didn't work, sticks that were picky, etc). I'm sure since they use Sanwa parts that it's probably something to do with manufacturing/assembly rather than anything else, but even if the fix is simple I'd rather not have to void my warranty just to reconnect some buttons. Perhaps it was just launch sticks that were effected, but who knows. Being one who's experienced first hand the cheapness of Mad Catz gear, my spider sense always starts to tingle when I think about getting one of their sticks (regardless of how unfair/biased that judgement might be). (^_^);
