N64 Arcade Shark

[TwinChargers]

I just picked this up at a thrift for $4. I've been looking all over for a review on this product, but can find nothing. I've searched this site and found little of anything. Apparently its rare? Anybody else have this thing or know any info on it?

For those that don't know what it is, its the (very large) arcade joypad for the 64.

[MrSparkle]

picture ;) ?

[super nes]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/cchean/HPIM1535.jpg

[Cryomancer]

That's kinda cool. HUGE start button!

[Kitsune Sniper]

I've seen one of those pads at the flea market I buy stuff at, but it had a different name.

[Sweater Fish Deluxe]

I don't know how rare they are. I used to see them around pretty commonly a few years ago when stores like Gamestop were clearing out all their N64 inventory. Looks like they've gotten a bit harder to find since then and slightly more expensive, but still not bad.

I think they're pretty good sticks. Unlike most other arcade sticks made in their day, they use the rubber mat under the buttons just like a regular joypad or older arcade sticks like the NES Advantage. The tactile feel is certainly not as good as real arcade buttons, but it's okay. The sticks themselves are both great, though. The digital stick is just as smooth and responsive as the analog and it's great that both of them are included. I ended up buying a whole second Arcade Shark just to get a second screw in stick so that I could properly use both sticks at the same time (Bangaioh!!!).

Madcatz/Interact released a number of cool controllers for the N64 that not many people seem to know about, including a fishing controller and flight stick.


...word is bondage...

[alxbly]

The Arcade Shark isn't really rare. They appear on Ebay fairly regularly but sell for virually nothing (you'll pay more for shipping than for the controller).

Gotta agree with Sweater Fish's assessment of the Arcade Shark; it's actually really good. The lack of good fighting games for the N64 is probably what has killed demand for it. The photo above is nice and clear but doesn't really give you an idea of the size of the thing. Here it is beside the N64:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y70/alxbly/N64%20pads/InterActArcadeSharkandNintendo64.jpg

So, as you can see, it's fairly substantial! :D

[MrSparkle]

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y70/alxbly/N64%20pads/InterActArcadeSharkandNintendo64.jpg

So, as you can see, it's fairly substantial! :D

wow no joke! looks pretty well built, too bad there are very few games i can imagine being good for joystick play on the n64, killer instinct gold i guess. Maybe you can find a converter and put that thing to good use on dreamcast or saturn.

[Rob2600]

I used to have two Arcade Shark joysticks. They're really good. There's even a slot at the top for a Controller Pak/Rumble Pak. My friends and I would use them to play the arcade games in Namco Museum.

[alxbly]

too bad there are very few games i can imagine being good for joystick play on the n64, killer instinct gold i guess. Maybe you can find a converter and put that thing to good use on dreamcast or saturn.

Ha ha, the N64 line-up wasn't that bad. Fighters Destiny and Mace The Dark Age are both pretty good and because you can swap the stick over to the analogue stick it works really well in Smash Bros too. Can't see me wanting to use a converter when the Dreamcast and Saturn both have their own good arcade sticks.

[MrSparkle]

Ha ha, the N64 line-up wasn't that bad. Fighters Destiny and Mace The Dark Age are both pretty good and because you can swap the stick over to the analogue stick it works really well in Smash Bros too. Can't see me wanting to use a converter when the Dreamcast and Saturn both have their own good arcade sticks.

true true. i played a few fighters on 64, ill admit i didnt try them all, but the few i played turned me off to n64 as a fighter platform pretty quickly (biofreaks FT EPIC L).

[nintendo9231889]

wow no joke! looks pretty well built, too bad there are very few games i can imagine being good for joystick play on the n64, killer instinct gold i guess. Maybe you can find a converter and put that thing to good use on dreamcast or saturn.

There is a better arcade-quality joystick for the N64 (on the quality level of Xarcade and the other created-for-MAME controllers, judging from the pictures). It's called the MAS Super Pro.Stick.

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/3083/psps2dc2zq5.th.jpg (http://img369.imageshack.us/my.php?image=psps2dc2zq5.jpg)


To quote their page (http://www.massystems.com/ProStick.html):



This controller is designed for the Sony Playstation 1 & 2 but can also support other systems including the Sega Dreamcast, Nintendo N64, SNK Neo.Geo and the Sega Saturn. A special version is now available for the IBM PC or compatible. (Note : Each add-on system to the same controller requires its own special cable and separate electronics to support it).

Their order page lists the n64 version as 169$! I wonder if I could just buy the ps2 version and get a ps2 to n64 converter? Does such a thing exist?

nintendo9231889, still looking for the perfect smash bros controller with springs that won't wear out

[Steve W]

Since it has two joysticks (the one in the picture only has one stick attached), can you use it in Robotron 64 as twinsticks for proper control? I ask because I've never played Robotron 64, so I don't know if it has dual joystick controls programmed in.