Hori Real Arcade Pro FAQ for all versions

GTDudley · May 15, 2008, 1:17am

Is it smarter to buy an HRAPS2 and use a converter or should I go ahead and get an HRAPS3?

I still play alot of PS2 fighters and alot of my friends don’t have PS3’s.

Also, if I do go the HRAPS2 route, will I be able to use it and the same converter to play on the PC?

Edit: The OBSF-30’s are the sanwa buttons I need right?

Cheesey · May 15, 2008, 1:24am

Afaik, there’s no readily available DECENT ps2->ps3 converter. Seems like all the ones you can get atm have issues (esp input lag). The only good one was the Pelican converter, but they go up to $100 on ebay. It’s ridiculous.

maxx_mana · May 15, 2008, 2:16am

Getting an HRAP2, unless you know a different source that isn’t eBay(for standard HRAP2) or TRNG’s shop (HRAP2SA), you’ll probably pay close to $160 or more if you live in the USA.

HRAP3, on the other hand, is about $125 after shipping (in USA) from NCSX. As someone else stated, there’s Play-Asia, and I would imagine Yesasia will have them too, but I haven’t looked at their prices. Then again, if you change out the buttons, you’ll be looking at closer to $150, so maybe there isn’t a huge difference in price if you don’t care about color and whatnot.

This all leads back to the converter issue though. I’ll save that rant for another day, but short term, you’ll pay a lot for a good one. Long term, maybe something good will come out of Hong Kong (like that Pelican ripoff from Real), but who knows? Personally, I see the converter market dying out, but thats a rant I’ll save for another day/thread.

GTDudley · May 15, 2008, 6:16am

I decided to order an HRAPS3 from the NCSX shop. It’s shipping through UPS ground. I hope it doesn’t take too long.

I’ll probably get sanwa buttons, but I decided it would be cheaper if I got the HRAPS3 within the US and just got the buttons shipped separately from Japan when I decide to order them.

Edit: Hopefully shipping charges for a few buttons won’t be ridiculous like trying to get the HRAPS from Japan…

System_1 · May 15, 2008, 10:42am

Hmmm…do you know for sure that they will be available in Play-Asia also next week?

System_1 · May 15, 2008, 8:36pm

I just got a email that my backorder was shipped out, so they got more in.

MarkMan · May 15, 2008, 9:07pm

There you have it! GO GO GO!

If you’re still on the border, check out my review here:

GTDudley · May 15, 2008, 9:24pm

I read your review earlier and that is what pushed me to opt for the HRAPS instead of the Fighting Stick.

sir_arthur · May 15, 2008, 9:36pm

dang, could you copy-paste the review here, the page is blocked at work :sad:

Indy · May 15, 2008, 9:42pm

Here you go man.

Hori Real Arcade Pro 3 Review

by Mark Julio aka MarkMan

UPDATE: Thanks to the newest firmware update for the PS3 (1.70), the Hori Real Arcade Pro 3 now works with PlayStation and PlayStation 2 games!

SD TEKKEN finally got their hands on the ever elusive HRAP3 arcade stick for the PS3 console thanks to our friends at High-Score Magazine!

Going back to our review of the Virtua Stick High Grade we cant help but think about, which stick should I use to play Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection? I mean, after all, we are a TEKKEN site But to be fair, well go one further, and well get into which stick is best for each job.

One thing that needs to be noted is there are only two high end arcade sticks available for the PS3 as of right now. The Virtua Stick High Grade and the Hori Real Arcade Pro 3. The VSHG retails at ?7329 yen(about $62 USD) and is about ten dollars cheaper than the HRAP3(?8379, about $72 USD).

The HRAP3 features a Sanwa JLF-TP8Y-SK arcade stick lever, the same stick used in many arcades all throughout Japan and on dedicated US Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection arcade machines. The buttons on the HRAP3 are very similar to Sanwa OBSF-30/24 snap in buttons and can easily be replaced if you prefer to go all Sanwa or Seimitsu, whatever floats your boat. If youre not a fan of modifying or opening up sticks, fear not as Hori is planning on releasing the Hori Real Arcade Pro SA later this year which features all Sanwa parts.

The HRAP3 is using the traditional Hori Real Arcade Pro design and casing that has seen success over the years since its debut as a PS2 arcade stick. The stick has a good amount of weight to it, although not as heavy as the Virtua Stick High Grade it still gets the job done and is comfortable to play with either on table or in your lap.

The button layout is exactly the same as that of the Hori Real Arcade Pro 2 arcade stick. There are 8 buttons and the four main buttons(square, triangle, x, and circle) are on the far left side while the shoulder buttons are on the right. This layout is perfect for Tekken fans as you can just plug in and go right into battle, no need for remapping buttons like the VSHG.

In gameplay, the stick works wonderfully. SD TEKKEN has been using various converters in both casual and tournament play and from our testing the HRAP3 works just as well as the best converter combined with any PS1 or PS2 arcade stick. One huge advantage for Tekken that the HRAP3 holds is that it works seamlessly with inputs, unlike the VSHG. The VSHG had a problem with T5DR where inputs requiring 3 or more inputs(example Bryans 1+3+4 taunt or Jack-5s f+1+2 used in juggle enders), whereas the HRAP3 has no problems at all. The actual stick lever can be set to either digital, left analog, or right analog sticks. There is also a turbo fire setting with 3 different speeds. The buttons feel good but are a bit mushy, most hardcore fighting game enthusiasts will change them out immediately, although Hori does not recommend it as it will void your warranty, if youre really adamant about doing it

You will be greeted by this wondering wiring monstrosity that is the heart and soul of the HRAP3. You will need a standard Phillips screwdriver to take off the back screws on the metal panel and a 7 mm nut driver works best on removing the top panel from the plastic casing. Youll notice that each button has its own pair of color coded wiring that are connected with quick disconnects. This makes for worry free and solder-less button swapping. You may need to use pliers to remove the quick disconnect plugs as they are fastened on pretty tight. All you have to do is unplug the quick disconnect that is plugged into the button and then depress the tabs around the buttons and pop them out of place. Then put the new button you want to put in and just plug the wires back in. Easy as that! Changing the balltop to a different color/style is easy as well. All you have to do is hold the bottom part of the stick with a Flathead screwdriver and simply unscrew the ball top off and replace it using the same method. If you want to change the entire stick mechanism, that will take more work and Im certainly not going to help walk anyone through that! Just make sure you dont lose any screws and close it back up tight if you decide to swap out any buttons or the stick.
RANK TEKKEN 5: DARK RESURRECTION VIRTUA FIGHTER 5
#1 Hori Real Arcade Pro 3 Virtua Stick High Grade
#2 Hori Fighting Stick 3 Hori Real Arcade Pro 3
#3 Virtua Stick High Grade Hori Fighting Stick 3

This chart above shows how well each PS3 arcade stick works with the two major PS3 fighting games. The input issue with the VSHG really makes it almost unplayable in high level play, thus making the HRAP3 the weapon of choice for T5DR.

The Hori Real Arcade Pro 3 is definitely the best stick out there for Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection. If the VSHG didnt have any problems I would recommend that, but alas, you know the drill. The stick also works well with Virtua Fighter 5. Unfortunately both the HRAP3 and Fighting Stick 3 do not yet have compatibility with PS2 games, even with the 1.70 firmware update. Hopefully this will be fixed in the future! The HRAP3 however does work on PC emulators, including MAME, just make sure the you hit the PS/Home button to enable the stick! Unfortunately the HRAP3 is not widely available in US retail stores as of now, so youll have to either import it or purchase it off High-Scores online shop. You can always buy it today at Play-Asia as well!

sir_arthur · May 16, 2008, 7:49am

thanks a lot man :tup:
so is really going to be a HRAP3 SA later this year or are just speculations??

System_1 · May 16, 2008, 10:59am

Very nice review, but you written 2 ambigous frases:

“Unfortunately both the HRAP3 and Fighting Stick 3 do not yet have compatibility with PS2 games, even with the 1.70 firmware update”

and “UPDATE: Thanks to the newest firmware update for the PS3 (1.70), the Hori Real Arcade Pro 3 now works with PlayStation and PlayStation 2 games!”

So, after 1.70 (now we have 2.35) the stick will work with all PS2 games?
I am glad that it works on PC, that is wonderful!

MarkMan · May 16, 2008, 11:43am

Sorry that was a error on my part. I edited my initial review page.

centennial · May 16, 2008, 11:46am

Wait so it does work with PS2 games on the PS3 right?

System_1 · May 16, 2008, 12:03pm

I don’t understand that either.
Dvd’s with PS2 games(played on the PS3 60gb or 80gb versions), or PS2 games bought from PSN?

Or maybe both?

MarkMan · May 16, 2008, 7:00pm

It works with PS2 games last I checked lol.

GTDudley · May 20, 2008, 12:16am

I just got my HRAPS3 in from NCSXshop today (service was excellent) and I have to say that this stick is killer.

Thanks for the help guys. I think I’m gonna stick with an arcade joystick for now on in my fighters.

System_1 · May 20, 2008, 2:50pm

Congrats GTDudley, mine will arrive today or tomorrow, I am not sure what button color should I buy (Sanwa buttons).I will post pictures, also.

EvilSamurai · May 20, 2008, 10:43pm

The balltop of the stick is vermilion so if I were you I would buy:

6 x 30mm snap-in (screw-ins will not fit) Sanwa buttons in vermilion or black bezel/grey plunger. If you decide to get snap-in (unlike Sanwa, screw-in Seimitsu buttons will fit but you will have to sand down the mounting nut vertically for the X/LK/short button) Seimitsu buttons instead, you should get black ones as their shades of red will not match the Sanwa balltop.

2 x 30mm Sanwa or Seimitsu button plugs for L1 and L2. Just buy whichever one is cheaper or available from the store you order the parts from.

2 x any 24mm Sanwa/Seimitsu you want. I would prefer black, vermilion, or yellow buttons. Sanwa does not make black 24mm buttons so if you want black, you need to go Seimitsu. If you want vermilion, go with Sanwa so that the color will match the balltop.

PS- When you mod it, you can get buy without using a 7mm nut screwdriver. Just do the intial turns with a pair of needlenose pliers and do the rest by with your fingers. Also, when you put the control panel back on, tighten the nuts solely with your fingers so you don’t accidently enlarge the holes in the plastic.

mr.newbie · May 21, 2008, 5:41am

i have a japanese and a us tekken stick. some buttons on both don’t work. will happ buttons fit?