What’s the Best 4-way Only Stick for 60-1 (Pacman, etc…)

JeffC

Well-known member

Donor 2013
Joined
Mar 16, 2008
Messages
2,192
Reaction score
188
Location
San Diego, California
What's the Best 4-way Only Stick for 60-1 (Pacman, etc…)

Hi folks,

Here's my deal. I originally installed one of the Ultimarc 4-way / 8-way interchangeable joysticks so that I could easily swap between 4 and 8 way games. It's a very interesting stick based on a great idea….and I hate it. The feel is somehow completely off, and the fact that it clicks constantly when you play really bugs me.

I really want the same feel as my Smash TV. The sticks there are very springy and smooth, and completely silent. I've decided to disable all of the 8 way games on the 60-1, and just get a good stick for playing Pac, DK, Frogger, Galaga, etc.

What should I order? I'm installing in an arcadeshop multi control panel.

I appreciate any advice.

The original Ultimarc stick:
DSC04160.JPG


I want to replace it on this Arcadeshop multi-game control panel:
DSC04168.JPG
 
I have a Sanwa JLF-TP-8YT in my Donkey Kong Jr Cab and its a very nice smooth stick. Mine is set to 4-Way and they can also be set to 8-Way with the restrictor plate.

I got mine from Paradise Arcade shop here:

http://www.paradisearcadeshop.com/12-sanwa-jlf-tp-8yt-joystick.html

Looks like theyre out of stock unfortunately.

Yeah I have one of these with an octagonal restrictor plate.. It's the best of both worlds -- you get 8 way and 4 way without needing to flip anything.. .it's not true 4 way but it's really easy to tell when you are on "true" right or left or whatever. Only problem is, it clicks and you don't get a smooth "circular" motion if you were to do a 360 with the stick. I love mine and wouldn't go with anything else, but it sounds from JeffC's original post that he might not like it as much.
 
Thanks for the responses guys.

Yea, I'm really not looking for anything that is 4-to-8 way switchable. I was the simple, smooth, "original Pacman feel" stick.
 
Yeah, that ulitmarc is a bit off. Someone online posted a bit about changing out the microswitches. The ones it comes with are sooooo stiff and loud. They claimed it helped putting in new ones. I've done that, but i haven't been inspired enough to throw it back in my machine yet.
 
The only way to get an original "Pac Man Feel" is to go with the tried and true Wico 4-way leaf stick... period.
 
i second the suggestion of a classic 3.5" Wico 4-way... a true Pac stick isn't good for DK and a DK stick isn't good for Pac, but the Wico is a good middle-ground.

also, a Pac stick would require drilling new bolt holes whereas the Wico should drop right in.
 
Last edited:
Just to be clear, the Sanwa JLFs with the octagonal restrictor plate is not "switchable." You don't have to switch it, it will play BOTH 4-way games and 8-way games without switching. The octagonal restriction is enough to keep you out of the corners while playing 4-way games, but the ability to still go into the corners when you want to makes it work find for 8-way games.

But since you turned off the 8-way games, and you don't like the clicking, either get a microswitched stick outfitted with the silent micros, or just get an original Wico leaf.
 
The best is the original. I just sold off a cocktail with a 60-in-1 board in it with all the 8-way and trackball games disabled (a 31-in-1). It had two original Ms. Pac control panels with original Ms. Pac joysticks in it. Plays optimally for the Pac games and well enough for the other stuff like Donkey Kong and Galaga and such. No click-click-click. Just smoooooth playin.

If not an original Pac or Ms Pac joystick (they can be found) then an original Wico would do almost as well.

cheers,
John


Hi folks,

Here's my deal. I originally installed one of the Ultimarc 4-way / 8-way interchangeable joysticks so that I could easily swap between 4 and 8 way games. It's a very interesting stick based on a great idea….and I hate it. The feel is somehow completely off, and the fact that it clicks constantly when you play really bugs me.

I really want the same feel as my Smash TV. The sticks there are very springy and smooth, and completely silent. I've decided to disable all of the 8 way games on the 60-1, and just get a good stick for playing Pac, DK, Frogger, Galaga, etc.

What should I order? I'm installing in an arcadeshop multi control panel.

I appreciate any advice.
 
Awesome guys - I appreciate the suggestions. The original would certainly be the way to go, but I'm using the multi-cp, and didn't want to mess with the different risers and things to make it fit.

I'm going to look at the Wico.
 
Yeah, that ulitmarc is a bit off. Someone online posted a bit about changing out the microswitches. The ones it comes with are sooooo stiff and loud. They claimed it helped putting in new ones. I've done that, but i haven't been inspired enough to throw it back in my machine yet.

That was probably me... http://www.togeo.com/togeo/wordpress/?p=67

Edit: I bought these to try as well, haven't gotten around to modifying them yet. http://paradisearcadeshop.com/3-20-gram-micro.html ... Now I see he offers this kit, which is probably a better alternative (as the actuators are already attached... but look like they'll still need the modifications listed on my site above...) http://paradisearcadeshop.com/microswitches/239-seimitsu-ls-32-zippyy-joystick-upgrade-kit.html
 
Last edited:
Just to close the loop on this thread. This week I finally pulled out my Ultimarc 4/8 wau switchable stick and replaced it with this:

LeafPro_LRG.jpg


Thanks Robran for the original suggestion. It's like night and day how much more responsive this stick is. It's much much closer to the original feel of a Pac or DK stick, and best of all there's no loud clicking.

I meant to disable all of the 8 way games from my game list, but I tried a few with the 4 way stick, and they seemed to work okay.
 
Back
Top Bottom