Why I likes my mechs/strange joystick

[scorch56]

Why I like my mech games?

2 hands!:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a315/emdeesee/Picture007mechs.jpg



On another note. Admiring Kamino's beautiful Genny arcade sticks the other night got me to thinking. I had bought a SNES joystick about three years ago and stored it away.. so I dug it out. I remember at the time I saw it on some Nintendo fan's website about the NES & SNES. It sounded cool so I started looking. I saw one on eBay the 1st year but didn't have the money to buy at the time (It was a bargain as well.. sucked). Next year another came up and I grabbed it (very cheaply). I haven't looked for any since. Googling last night and I can't find the site I'm talking about anymore. All I could find were some vague references and a TON of people who did talk about it in various European forums back a while so I couldn't understand what was being said. Someone over in Japan I believe it was.. used to cannabilize these for their Mame cabinets or something.

Anyway.. what I know. It's called a QJ TopFighter. For the SNES. It's made in China.. but it's nicely made for what it is (Remeber this is SNES and were comparing it to Asciisticks at the time.). It was supposedly a limited edition of 20000 ever made; and each box has a certificate of authenticity & production # hand signed by the industrial designer. It is a very heavy metal casing and the buttons are made with indusrial microswitches. It's programmable. "One dOOd said it was lame because it was haxxorz" :hmm: .. yeah maybe.. but I don't think there was another arcade joystick made for the Nintendo this quality unless there was a Street Fighter joystick back then; and besides you don't have to use it. Oh yeah.. and it came with a patch & manual. Don't know what QJ stands for and the buzz phrase for the thing is a "Digital Action Learning System".. that's an impressive use of synonyms. O_O

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a315/emdeesee/Picture012tfbox.jpg


http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a315/emdeesee/Picture013tfull.jpg



I'm wondering what would be cool to play with this. To be totally honest.. I never tested it and was never into fighting games that much. I think all I have on SNES is Killer Instinct & Primal Rage (something else equally as gimmicky.. but it escapes me). I already have Street Fighter on the 3DO.. any recommendations? Would be cool if I could use this on the 3DO with one of those SNES/3DO adapters.

BTW.. this is the first time I've ever posted anything of my collection.. pity.. but I live in a small place and keep most in storage very close.. nearby. :evil: Someday.. a real room of doom. I'm particularly proud of my consoles maybe I'll dig 'em all out and have a group hug.. we'll take pictures.

[Flack]

That SNES joystick looks interesting -- are the buttons like arcade buttons, or do you kind of press them down or something? Either way, I think it would be great for fighting, flying and driving games!

[scorch56]

Yeah they push down like other arcade buttons. You can hear the microswitches click too and they feel sensitive. Would be cool if they lit up from beneath.. nahhhh.
Sucker's heavy too. All 4 sides of the box have the features in 4 languages.. so it was sold internationally. One one end of the box is a very small sticker saying it's been designed to used with "Street Fighter II" and of course disclaimers of non-affiliation with Capcom or Nintendo.

HEYYY.. I just had a great idea!!! SHMUPs!

[Captain Qb]

That SNES joystick looks cool and only 20000 made..?
Yer,.. Sell it to me ^.^..
Nawh, only joking I think that i wouldn't got that much money..

Good find, Captain Qb.

[lordnikon]

Nice picture! :) I myself own 2 sets of Virtual On saturn sticks, which I use on Virtual On Cybertroopers & GunGriffon II for Saturn, and along with SAT > DC convertors for Dreamcast Virtual On Oratorio Tangram.

I have 2 Dreamcast's systemlinked for this. I still need to track down a second saturn for system linking though.

[Speedy_NES]

Nice joysticks! That TopFighter is from QJ/QuickJoy/Quality Joystick aka STD Electronic (the same company behind the Game Action Replay and other accessories for NES). I've seen it three times on a European eBay in the last few weeks, so it doesn't seem to be that rare, but could just be a coincidence. Definitely looks like one hell of a good arcade stick, though :)

Also, speaking of Street Fighter II and SNES, Capcom released a joystick for SNES & NES specifically intended for Street Fighter II among others, called the Capcom Fighter Power Stick. Can't really recommend it, though, as it's made out of plastic and a definite lightweight...not exactly high quality ;)

Here's a pic:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/Speedy_NES/DSCN4742.jpg

[scorch56]

Nice joysticks! That TopFighter is from QJ/QuickJoy/Quality Joystick aka STD Electronic (the same company behind the Game Action Replay and other accessories for NES). I've seen it three times on a European eBay in the last few weeks, so it doesn't seem to be that rare, but could just be a coincidence. Definitely looks like one hell of a good arcade stick, though :)

Also, speaking of Street Fighter II and SNES, Capcom released a joystick for SNES & NES specifically intended for Street Fighter II among others, called the Capcom Fighter Power Stick. Can't really recommend it, though, as it's made out of plastic and a definite lightweight...not exactly high quality ;)

Here's a pic:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/Speedy_NES/DSCN4742.jpg

Yeah.. I didn't think they were that rare.. and it follows they would be more readily available in Europe since that's where I found most of my references through Google (In forum gaming forums). Both times I saw them stateside (The auction I lost out on and mine) they were only going for around $20; it's the postage that killed you. Like I said.. it's heavy.

Hmm.. I'll keep an eye out for one of those Capcpm joysticks. About the ONLY Street Fighter controller I've ever seen that didn't have any artwork on it.

[scorch56]

Nice picture! :) I myself own 2 sets of Virtual On saturn sticks, which I use on Virtual On Cybertroopers & GunGriffon II for Saturn, and along with SAT > DC convertors for Dreamcast Virtual On Oratorio Tangram.

I have 2 Dreamcast's systemlinked for this. I still need to track down a second saturn for system linking though.

I finally got my hands on one of those Sat>DC convertors myself a while back. They used to be all over eBay and I waited for a couple of years for the price to come down.. but they never did, and now they're actually scarce.. so I grabbed one. It was a necessity since the chances of ever getting an actual DC Twinstick were rare. Someone actually sold one a couple a months ago for less than $100 in this forum. Cheapest one I'd ever seen.. but someone beat me to it. The price of Saturn Twinsticks varies.. I've seen then go up and down over the years, but the frequency of them popping up never diminishes.

[lordnikon]

Yea I scored 2 Saturn Twin Sticks for 75.00 total :) However, I did have to shell out cash for 2 Total Control Plus 3's so I could use them on my Dreamcast. But the dual functionality to play on the DC or Saturn is great. Plus I like the look of the saturn sticks better. The DC sticks are sort of plain looking, whereas the Saturn sticks have that great design on the base.

[CosmicMonkey]

Yeah, I have a set of DC Twinsticks and VO:OT. Even have the box, which is in nice condition but no polystyrene inserts :(

I have to agree, after seeing the Saturn sticks, the DC ones are a bit plain. Oh well, lovely bit of kit.

How does VO:OM run? I've never though about getting it before.

I'd love to have a DC link-up session, but I'm probably the only person with a set of Twinsticks for miles and miles.

[scorch56]

"How does VO:OM run? I've never though about getting it before."

A lot like OT.. I thought.. only with Virtua Fighter graphics. Kinda' ugly but great fun. Funny note is as I remember, the bots have Saturns strapped to their backs. I think there's also a Japanese version of VO that was for multi-player, that'd be fun.

If I knew I could play the PS2 version of VO with those dual analog Sony sticks.. I'd buy. Those sticks are from the PSX era though. Hmmm.. Armoured Core plays great on them..

Anybody know of a vertical scrolling SNES space shooter? All mine are horizontal.

[Spartacus]

Definitely looks like one hell of a good arcade stick, though

I agree, that's a solid looking stick. Nice find! Those ACSII sticks are the only SNES ones I've tried and they didn't do much for me.

I've looked on and off for those twin sticks and have never found a set in my price range. Haven't even tried playing any of the Virtual On games because of it. :(



Anybody know of a vertical scrolling SNES space shooter? All mine are horizontal.

Try these Mike....

Space MegaForce
Firepower 2000
Aerofighters
Imperium
Raiden
Strike Gunner STG
Axelay has some vertical levels too.

[lordnikon]

Anybody know of a vertical scrolling SNES space shooter? All mine are horizontal.
Axelay has a combination of vertical and horizontal gameplay. Some levels / bosses are horizontal, and some are vertical.

Your best bet for a solid vertical shooter on the snes, is Space Megaforce, also known as Super Aleste in Japan. This game is developed by Compile.

There is also Aero Fighters aka Sonic Wings, but the game runs a R8 scarcity rating for the North American release according to the Digital Press listing. I have never been able to track this game down myself.

EDIT: Spartacus and me were posting this stuff at the exact same time hehe.

[CYRiX]

If u can get a converter to use the saturn sticks (for dreamcast virtual-on) because there a lot better.

[blissfulnoise]

I also like Mechs!

http://www.blissfulnoise.com/images/VO.jpg

[MagicMajenta]

Nice joysticks! That TopFighter is from QJ/QuickJoy/Quality Joystick aka STD Electronic (the same company behind the Game Action Replay and other accessories for NES). I've seen it three times on a European eBay in the last few weeks, so it doesn't seem to be that rare, but could just be a coincidence. Definitely looks like one hell of a good arcade stick, though :)

Also, speaking of Street Fighter II and SNES, Capcom released a joystick for SNES & NES specifically intended for Street Fighter II among others, called the Capcom Fighter Power Stick. Can't really recommend it, though, as it's made out of plastic and a definite lightweight...not exactly high quality ;)

Here's a pic:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/Speedy_NES/DSCN4742.jpg

Weren't those joysticks originally meant for the CPS Changer?? The Capcom equivalent of SNK's Neo Geo AES System. I'm pretty sure of it, then they just used the same joystick or design for the SNES.

[InsaneDavid]

How does VO:OM run? I've never though about getting it before.

To me, it's the only VO game I ever REALLY liked, I mean.. the way some people play things like Capcom Vs. SNK is how I would play Cyber Troopers VirtualOn: Operation Moongate in the arcade. The Saturn version looks like a Saturn game, but it still plays super fast and perfectly accurate. Also "In The Blue Sky" is my favorite piece of video game music from the Flooded City Stage / Temjin Stage / Statge 1 - although there are better arranged versions out there the Saturn one is still great. The Saturn TwinStick is also one of the coolest looking video game peripherals ever made and feels exactly like the arcade TwinSticks.


If I knew I could play the PS2 version of VO with those dual analog Sony sticks.. I'd buy.

You can technically modify a pair of Saturn or Dreamcast Twinsticks for the PS2. You remove the Saturn or DC board and replace it with a PS2 board however then the controller is PS2 only and only works for the one game. I've seen the modified TwinStick for sale on eBay before... but that makes me sad, gutting a beautiful Saturn TwinStick for VirtualOn Marz. :bawling:

I kick myself all the time for not buying the Cyber Troopers VirtualOn machine from a local arcade in 2001 for $595 (both seats). I just never moved on it and none of my friends bought it because they assumed if they did I'd never come over to maintain it. The guy that ran the Tilt where it used to reside would let me mess around with the internals and maintenance the machine every now and then. The right seat would need the adjustment mech overhauled and the left seat needed a new right stick pretty soon but still, VO machines were scarce by then to begin with. So then one day it was gone... maybe for the better as if I had it now it would have had to go into storage two years ago.

For SNES sticks, I just sold one of these...

http://www.startoursinfo.com/DPsale/DP-forsalechampstick.jpg

All arcade parts. While it's plastic the top panel has a metal plate on the underside so it's lightweight and sturdy at the same time. Of course they don't look like that stock - the buttons are usually red, white, and blue. I replaced the main buttons with competition buttons from Happ Controls (now match the Super Famicom color scheme) and replaced all the microswitches as they were becoming worn. Also tightened all the connections, etc. Just sold last week from my Buying and Selling thread for $60. Along with the ASCII STICKEngine (PCEngine) it's my favorite home arcade controller - sad to see it go but I needed the money and the space and got what I wanted.

[scorch56]

Ok.. I did some reaserch on Virtual On Marz (for the PS2). It IS listed in the game description that it DOES support a joystick (Just doesn't say what kind). Also.. the instructions for the game (on Sega's site) says it has two controller modes that simulate twinsticks.. so I'm gonna' buy a copy, and try.

I want to use that gray controller in the middle of my picture (Sony branded.. but released during the PS1 era) on that game.

[lordnikon]

Ok.. I did some reaserch on Virtual On Marz (for the PS2). It IS listed in the game description that it DOES support a joystick (Just doesn't say what kind). Also.. the instructions for the game (on Sega's site) says it has two controller modes that simulate twinsticks.. so I'm gonna' buy a copy, and try.

I want to use that gray controller in the middle of my picture (Sony branded.. but released during the PS1 era) on that game.
Marz does not support the peripheral for the PS1. Sometimes on eBay you can track down Saturn sticks that have been modded to work with Virtual On Marz on the PS2. This is the best you are going to get.

By default Marz only works with a standard PS2 controller, and I should also note that there is no system link capability. If you are a bigtime Virtual On fan, Marz is a worthy pickup to kick around once and a while. Otherwise, stick to the saturn / dreamcast versions, which both support twin sticks, and link up.

[Ed Oscuro]

HEYYY.. I just had a great idea!!! SHMUPs!
The x68000 Cyber Stick has a joystick with the traditional buttons (I even think it has a hat) on the left, and on the right is a throttle/lever. Very nice.

[InsaneDavid]

Marz does not support the peripheral for the PS1. Sometimes on eBay you can track down Saturn sticks that have been modded to work with Virtual On Marz on the PS2. This is the best you are going to get.

Yup...


You can technically modify a pair of Saturn or Dreamcast Twinsticks for the PS2. You remove the Saturn or DC board and replace it with a PS2 board however then the controller is PS2 only and only works for the one game. I've seen the modified TwinStick for sale on eBay before... but that makes me sad, gutting a beautiful Saturn TwinStick for VirtualOn Marz. :bawling:

[scorch56]

Cr*p! Oh well.. I suppose I'll pick up the game anyways sometime. Hmm.. so does anyone know if these sticks are compatible at all with a PS2 or any of it's games?

Seems to me the only thing one would have to do if they knew the pin-outs for both a Sat & PS2 is either splice into the cable.. or hook another cord up internally or make an adaptor for the plug end.

Why would one have to terribly alter/destroy a twinstick anyway?.. or am I missing something?

[Juganawt]

I remember the Topfighter stick, cost a small fortune when it came out, but completely programmable with the LED readout... I always wanted one, but couldn't afford it, then when I COULD afford it, the stick was discontinued....

Oh the woes of being young, broke, and jobless when I was 16.