Atari Centipede fire button

super56k

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So my Centipede is in pretty nice shape and best I can tell, everything is original. The only exception to this is that when I got it, it had a red HAPP style button with a cherrymaster switch for the fire button. I installed a new white button so that it would be the color it was supposed to be.

2011-12-30_14-32-26_76.jpg


After seeing so many photos on line, I realized that my button was not as tall as the ones in the photos. I did some research and it appears as though older games have buttons that use metal contacts called leaf switches. My Donkey Kong Jr. cocktail is this way too. I am mostly into the games from the 90s so I have not done alot of work on these older machines.

My question is this: Would it be better to try and hunt down a white leaf switch to use instead of this HAPP style button I have now? Is there any advantage? I suppose I want it to be as original as possible.

Edit: Fixed typo
 
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It's up to you whether you feel it doesn't "feel" or "look" right. If it bugs you, change it. You can get leaf buttons, and I believe actuators, at Bob Roberts and other places...
 
He does. I guess your right though about it being preference. I just did not know if there was an advantage. Like if they press easier or you can make quicker shots due to the lack of a microswitch. Idk.

It's up to you whether you feel it doesn't "feel" or "look" right. If it bugs you, change it. You can get leaf buttons, and I believe actuators, at Bob Roberts and other places...
 
The people who play these games a lot can tell the differences between both types of switches. If you are going to keep this game for yourself, It doesn't matter what type it is in there as long as you are happy with it. If your going to resell it for top dollar. They will want the leaf switch button.
 
If your going to resell it for top dollar. They will want the leaf switch button.

This only applies to anal collectors. Joe Blow on CL won't know the difference.
 
While I am normally a leaf switch addict, I'd say in Centi it's less of a problem to have a Micro Switch. The way you tend to use the fire button on this game is holding it down most of the time and only for shooting individual shots (to kill the spider f.i., or individual segments of the Centi) you will want to fire single shots.

I have a Groovy Game Gear Micro-leaf under my Centipede button. This is a microswitch that comes closest to a leaf feel.

http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=92&products_id=309

Normally I'd have an original leaf in there, but I wanted my trackball to be back-lit, and the fire button too. It's a mod I did when I still was quite new to the hobby. I still like the look of it today, but not sure if I would do it again. However if you don't want to change the button itself this GGG switch is a good alternative because it fits directly on the button.
 
This only applies to anal collectors. Joe Blow on CL won't know the difference.

I beg to differ I have friends who do not own an arcade machine (yet, I am working on them) and would not know the difference between between a micro switch and leaf switch if they saw them next to each other. But they will say something like this doesn't feel right or the play seems a little off or sloppy.
 
I like this idea, but they are out of stock. :/ Might have to wait for one to come in or find one locally. It looks like Bob Roberts does not have the color I need.

While I am normally a leaf switch addict, I'd say in Centi it's less of a problem to have a Micro Switch. The way you tend to use the fire button on this game is holding it down most of the time and only for shooting individual shots (to kill the spider f.i., or individual segments of the Centi) you will want to fire single shots.

I have a Groovy Game Gear Micro-leaf under my Centipede button. This is a microswitch that comes closest to a leaf feel.

http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=92&products_id=309

Normally I'd have an original leaf in there, but I wanted my trackball to be back-lit, and the fire button too. It's a mod I did when I still was quite new to the hobby. I still like the look of it today, but not sure if I would do it again. However if you don't want to change the button itself this GGG switch is a good alternative because it fits directly on the button.
 
I beg to differ I have friends who do not own an arcade machine (yet, I am working on them) and would not know the difference between between a micro switch and leaf switch if they saw them next to each other. But they will say something like this doesn't feel right or the play seems a little off or sloppy.

My point wasn't that they wouldn't notice if they remember playing Centipede or had one of each right next to each other. My point was that Joe Blow on CL isn't going to pay more for a leaf switch over a microswitch - which is what you asserted...
 
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