Just wanted to start a thread about old/classic stick so at least it won’t be posted on different threads. And to ask feedback and assistance about them to.
I’ll off with the 2 sticks I have on the way:
Fighter Stick X Zero 2 for the saturn
Ascii Fight Stick for PSX
I would like to know if both stick are moddable? has anyone tried it yet?
If not can I use the JLF sticks for a custom stick?
Although the buttons aren’t snap ins or screw ins, is there any possible way of using them on a custom stick?
Anything is possible with the knowledge, the right tools, and enough willpower. This one is going to need copious amounts of all three.
The big problem here is that both sticks are very short - you probably don’t have the clearance to install arcade buttons, let alone a stick.
I remember someone modded his Hori EX2, he basically had his bottom panel removed and had the rest of the stick mounted to a big square of wood, which gave him the extra height needed to mount a JLF. You could do something like that… though then imo you might as well go all the way and just build a custom.
As for using those buttons in a custom, yes, it’s doable. iirc Those buttons are just simple switches attached to a PCB, which is mounted securely in place to the stick. You’d just have to remove the PCB and buttons and find a way to mount them the same way in your custom. You probably won’t get to use a plexi top on your custom, since I doubt the buttons would be tall enough.
thanks i’ll open them up once i get them. I’m more interested in the stick if they are still usable for a custom since they’re both micro switch-based as I’ve checked online
One tip I have for OLD arcade sticks is, if you can don’t replace the whole joystick, where a microswitch and spring replacement and a little lube is all you need. JLF Installs might work but often swapping but swapping the microswitches and springs brings new life to old joystick assemblies.
Also I can’t say for certain but be prepared to unsolder alot of buttons
The Fighter Stick X has a typical Saturn layout… Those “outer buttons” correspond to “L” and “R” shoulder buttons on the standard Saturn digital pad.
You’re never going to use “L” and “R” on a fighting game unless you use a macro for three button moves so they’re lined up out of the way and you just use the middle six buttons.
The same joystick was released by Ascii in the US but it had the following differences – A) it had a bat handle instead of a ball top; B) it was molded in black and had grey or charcoal colored buttons – can’t remember, got rid of mine years ago. It was rebranded Ascii Fighting Stick or something like that.
The PS1 version was essentially identical (if they bothered to release it in the US, that is).
Was a way more comfortable stick to play with than Hori’s Fighting Stick SS. The Ascii buttons were softer and much easier on your fingers than Hori’s “brick” buttons! The joystick levers on the Hori and Ascii controllers felt closest to the Sanwa JLF.
To be honestly truthful, I don’t think most of the joysticks made in the 1990s were that great. Absolutely no comparison with the joysticks of today… The '90s joysticks are less comfortable and not as durable in the long run. Excepting the Konami Hyper Fighter Stick, which joysticks actually used branded arcade parts? Not many did and those that did seemed to have stealth parts (no clear manufacturer markings) or clones of Seimitsu and Sanwa joysticks.
Besides the Konami, you have the Namco Joystick that’s worth holding on to and modding when the original parts wear out, the Capcom Fighter Stick, the Agetec Dreamcast Joystick, and maybe the Hori (SS/PS) Fighting Stick. (A couple of people have modded the Fighting Stick cases to use for “Supergun” projects or as Neo Geo controller replacements(?).)
What I’m seeing is that around 85-90% of these joystick cases don’t lend themselves to easy/worthwhile mods and the best you can do is clean up the old parts and maybe install springs and new microswitches IF they fit… They’re just tiny in most cases and you’ll have to cut a lot of plastic and bend/shave parts to fit in those cases.
already got the sticks. decided not to open the ps1 fighter stick because it’s still working for my ps3 and to get both for less than $5 is a steal for a stick.
Although I wasn’t able to help myself from tinkering with the Fighter Stick x for the dreamcast.
so here we go:
Front shot:
Back Shot:
Removed the back panel, take note that there are 6 screws, the upper right one is hidden below the upper right rubber pad:
The PCB and stick is being held by a plastic restrictor which connected via 3 screws:
The stick has microswitches (Yes!) although the microswitches has small metal plates touching the stick itself:
The buttons have their own shell and are soldered to the pcb, this can be used although I’ve measured them (23mm) and I;m currently thinking on how I can use them.
All in all he stick is highly moddable and parts can be reused for a custom stick or change the pcb for it to work on new consoles. the only problem is with what will hold the buttons. I can just put the new pcb over the old one and solder the wires on the contacts but there might not be enough space. I wasn’t able to test the stick as well because I dont have a converter and a sega saturn.
I’m currently thinking of whether to sell it, keep it the way it is or mod it.
I have one of the oldest. The Snes Top Fighter QJ. Very solid since it’s a black powered aluminum and not so hard to mod as you can see the inside.Unfortunately I didn’t had a chance to mod yet. You just need to be careful and try to find as much info about the stick that you’re looking in buy.Even some Arcade Stick from Xbox 360/PS3 involve a lot buttons desoldering.
oh right, from my experience, it’ll be [S]a bit[/S] extremely difficult to swap a jlf or anything modern into those cases cause they’re so thin. if you can properly dremel out some button holes you can add sanwa buttons on there though. joystick wise, i think its probly best to just swap out the switches.
The Virtua Stick is a great form factor, and incredibly comfortable to play on (minus the quality of the joystick and buttons), but modding will prove to be insanely hard.
I used to have one of those. With that, a PS1/LCD combo, and a 3rd party rechargeable battery I would play fighting games between classes back in the good old days. People used to stop and ask what I was playing on and would be surprised when I told them a portable PlayStation.
If you do want this thread to be a general purpose thread for “classic” sticks, I believe it is necessary to define a minimum age for the sticks that would be discussed here.
Nice, I wish I had some memories as awesome as that.
It was fun. One time I was playing Gundam Battle Assault 2 and by the time I cleared street mode I had a small crowd gathered around me to see what I was doing.
and to get both for less than $5 is a steal for a stick.
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