Defender Two-way Joystick Rebuild Kit

[Ronnie S.]

Hey guys my Defender joystick isn't as tight as it should be and moves a little left to right. Any recommendations on a kit to fix this? I saw a kit on arcade repair shop but not sure if you guys would recommend? Let me know your thoughts when you can! Thanks!

 

[andrewb]

The Arcadeshop kit is just replacements of the original parts. You don't want that.

What you want is a Zeroplay kit, which replaces the original shaft and axle with a new one that has bearings, so there is no slop, and there never will be.

See here for the kit. You have to order from the UK, and the shipping is costly, but these kits are worth it:

Custom Arcade Machines | Swap Control Panels | Rotary Screen - Zeroplay bearing kit

jbgaming manufactures custom arcade machines in the UK. We developed our Quick Swap Panel System to allow for an authentic gameplay experience with precise controls in the correct location. Our Rotary Screen model is the ultimate all in one arcade machine.

www.jbgaming.co.uk

Here's an example of the sticks I used to sell with these kits installed:

FS Parts: - Defender/Stargate joystick w Zeroplay kit - $99

I have another refurbished Williams 2-way stick available, with Zeroplay kit installed. This is the stick used for Defender, Stargate, Moon Patrol, and other games. (You can also use a pair of them for Ice Cold Beer). This stick has an original base and shaft, but has been completely cleaned...

forums.arcade-museum.com

 

[blown23t]

Buy a zero play kit. the guys in the UK. have his kits on my defender and joust. what a difference in control.

 

[Ronnie S.]

Awesome thank you!

 

[Ronnie S.]

The Arcadeshop kit is just replacements of the original parts. You don't want that.

What you want is a Zeroplay kit, which replaces the original shaft and axle with a new one that has bearings, so there is no slop, and there never will be.

See here for the kit. You have to order from the UK, and the shipping is costly, but these kits are worth it:

Custom Arcade Machines | Swap Control Panels | Rotary Screen - Zeroplay bearing kit

jbgaming manufactures custom arcade machines in the UK. We developed our Quick Swap Panel System to allow for an authentic gameplay experience with precise controls in the correct location. Our Rotary Screen model is the ultimate all in one arcade machine.

www.jbgaming.co.uk

Here's an example of the sticks I used to sell with these kits installed:

FS Parts: - Defender/Stargate joystick w Zeroplay kit - $99

I have another refurbished Williams 2-way stick available, with Zeroplay kit installed. This is the stick used for Defender, Stargate, Moon Patrol, and other games. (You can also use a pair of them for Ice Cold Beer). This stick has an original base and shaft, but has been completely cleaned...

forums.arcade-museum.com

Wish you still had a few of these laying around for sale! Lol! Ok jbgaming it is thank you Andy!

 

[partschanger]

I may be a stalwart for originality but isn't a ZEROPLAY kit kind of cheating in a way?

Isn't part of the challenge of playing DEFENDER overcoming the usual sloppy up/down stick?

If you were to get a World Record Score using one I would say that score would have to be disqualified.

I would much rather have my REVERSE work more often than it does now than putting bearings on the stick, quite frankly.

 

[andrewb]

I may be a stalwart for originality but isn't a ZEROPLAY kit kind of cheating in a way?

Isn't part of the challenge of playing DEFENDER overcoming the usual sloppy up/down stick?

If you were to get a World Record Score using one I would say that score would have to be disqualified.

I would much rather have my REVERSE work more often than it does now than putting bearings on the stick, quite frankly.

Most (if not all) of the world record players use Zeroplay sticks.

 

[partschanger]

Seriously????

CHEATERS!!!!

 

[jimmer]

I may be a stalwart for originality but isn't a ZEROPLAY kit kind of cheating in a way?

Isn't part of the challenge of playing DEFENDER overcoming the usual sloppy up/down stick?

If you were to get a World Record Score using one I would say that score would have to be disqualified.

I would much rather have my REVERSE work more often than it does now than putting bearings on the stick, quite frankly.

I have a fix for the REVERSE too. But I would consider it even more CHEATING than a tight joystick.

Custom Arcade Machines | Swap Control Panels | Rotary Screen - ReverseFixer

New page

www.jbgaming.co.uk

 

[partschanger]

So the fact that there is a REVERSE FIX means that I am NOT losing my mind and chasing a problem I will never be able to fix without it?

If so, then doesn't it mean that EVERYONE has the same REVERSE problem I have just maybe less severe?

I feel like I am going around in circles with it. Today I even removed W2 on an INTERFACE BOARD as another futile attempt.

 

[jimmer]

So the fact that there is a REVERSE FIX means that I am NOT losing my mind and chasing a problem I will never be able to fix without it?

If so, then doesn't it mean that EVERYONE has the same REVERSE problem I have just maybe less severe?

I feel like I am going around in circles with it. Today I even removed W2 on an INTERFACE BOARD as another futile attempt.

The link doesn't present very well, but it shows a solution and the page links an explanation of the problem.

You might have a hardware problem as well. But all Defenders have a software problem.

 

[partschanger]

Why hasn't anyone else said this before?

Two other people in my other 'reverse issue' thread say their REVERSE works 100%.

 

[Ronnie S.]

Interesting? My reverse button works pretty flawlessly. What's the common reverse issue with defender? Just not responsive?

 

[partschanger]

It gets 'missed' by the software if the button press is under a certain length or when the system is between 'pages' I guess.

Read this link that jbgaming posted in my other thread....

Defender Reverse Problem

jbgaming manufactures custom arcade machines in the UK. We developed our Quick Swap Panel System to allow for an authentic gameplay experience with precise controls in the correct location. Our Rotary Screen model is the ultimate all in one arcade machine.

www.jbgaming.co.uk

 

[Ronnie S.]

It gets 'missed' by the software if the button press is under a certain length or when the system is between 'pages' I guess.

Read this link that jbgaming posted in my other thread....

Defender Reverse Problem

jbgaming manufactures custom arcade machines in the UK. We developed our Quick Swap Panel System to allow for an authentic gameplay experience with precise controls in the correct location. Our Rotary Screen model is the ultimate all in one arcade machine.

www.jbgaming.co.uk

Wow interesting! Seems like it's a common problem. I guess I'm not fast enough for me to notice the issue. Lol! Shoot I can't get past 40,000 points. Any tips fir me to get better? I'm tired of my father in-law beating the crap out of me! Lol! I've been playing too much DK and Tempest and not practicing Defender enough.

 

[jimmer]

Wow interesting! Seems like it's a common problem. I guess I'm not fast enough for me to notice the issue. Lol! Shoot I can't get past 40,000 points. Any tips fir me to get better? I'm tired of my father in-law beating the crap out of me! Lol! I've been playing too much DK and Tempest and not practicing Defender enough.

Stand in front of your machine and repeatedly hit reverse+thrust+fire at the same time. When I get the timing aligned I can miss reverse 3,4,5 times in a row.

For Defender you have to put the hours in, the enemy flight paths need to burn neural pathways in your brain. It took me about 500hrs to go from 30k to 1M at age 47.

 

[Ronnie S.]

Stand in front of your machine and repeatedly hit reverse+thrust+fire at the same time. When I get the timing aligned I can miss reverse 3,4,5 times in a row.

For Defender you have to put the hours in, the enemy flight paths need to burn neural pathways in your brain. It took me about 500hrs to go from 30k to 1M at age 47.

Good stuff! Thanks for the info Jimmer. I'll test this out later tonight for sure. I'll also be ordering your bearing kit for my joystick this weekend. Thank you for developing this kit. I appreciate guys like you developing stuff like this to keep our hobby going strong!

 

[jimmer]

Good stuff! Thanks for the info Jimmer. I'll test this out later tonight for sure. I'll also be ordering your bearing kit for my joystick this weekend. Thank you for developing this kit. I appreciate guys like you developing stuff like this to keep our hobby going strong!

Thanks for the appreciation The development came out of my need to source 2way sticks for a reasonable price, and I was talking to some of the top players who had fitted nylon and brass bushes to their sticks to counter the slack.

 

[bakerhillpins]

@jimmer
I was curious about some parts recently and noted that it would appear that you no longer sell the zero play kits or sticks? I can't seem to locate them on your website anyway.

 

[jcar302]

@jimmer
I was curious about some parts recently and noted that it would appear that you no longer sell the zero play kits or sticks? I can't seem to locate them on your website anyway.

He doesn't do them anymore.
I tried to buy one a couple years back and spoke with him via email.
I had the zero play kit in my first ICB, then i tried to buy them for my second ICB.
I'm pretty sure he has newer style sticks that are in the ICB remake though.