I hope that the community enjoys this mod. If you disagree with my reasoning about why a JLF can be better than a Seimitsu, we can discuss in another thread. Let’s please keep this one about the mod itself. Don’t knock it until you try it. You might be amazed by how well it plays.
If you’re reading this, you probably already know that although a Sanwa JLF joystick is fantastic for fighting games (the best in my opinion), it’s pretty awful for shmups/space shooters/etc., as well as some other genres.
I’ve created a fairly simple mod that significantly reduces the engage and throw of the JLF, to make it more suitable for shmups; and it can be done in an evening, for under $10. IMHO, a JLF with this mod is not the best option for shmups, but also one of the best all around joysticks. It especially stands out for difficult platformers, like Megaman, or Hagane.
I’ve written a how-to, as well as an explanation of the advantages of doing so instead of just using a Seimitsu.
I posted it on the shmups.com forums, as that seemed the most appropriate place for it, but I thought I’d share it here with a thread for comments, for anyone who doesn’t have an account there.
Interesting mod you have there R-CADE Gaming. It’s certainly more involving than the other JLF mods I’ve at least seen, but I like it nonetheless! GREAT tutorial! :tup:
Nice! I put a ton of work into the mod and the guide over the last month. I’m excited to see somebody else trying it. What games are you gonna try with it?
I’ll probably try some of the cave shooters I have, but if I get it together in the next few days, my copy of Akai Katana will arrive and i can test it on that. I was actually thinking about trying out a suzo for shmups, but I would need another case for that. If this mod works out nicely, I can throw it in 90% of the sticks I own.
Nice, I was reading about Akai Katana. I wonder if this new company “Rising Star” would be bringing the older cave titles to the US.
My problem now is that I still need a stock JLF for fighting games. On my arcade cabinet, I’m thinking about a control panel with the two sticks right next to each other. The shaft and ball top could be switched between the two with this:
How does the modded JLF perform in fighters in your opinion? I’ve been using a LS 36(Thanks, Ikagi-chan!) as my general purpose stick for fighters and shooters.
Wow… another JLF mod! This makes it number 300 for the past 3 years???
<Shakes head>
It’s still cheaper to sell a JLF at a loss and buy an LS series joystick than it is to do half these mods… at least you know the LS joysticks work well all-round.
It really hasn’t been an either/or situation for myself and most others who prefer the Seimitsu joysticks.
George, your comments make me wonder if you read the first few paragraphs. I have indeed turned a cat into a dog, and its better than any of the dogs available for purchase. That’s why its worth doing.
Afro, the modded JLF is not the best for fighters in the same way that the stock isn’t so great for shmups. You can get used to it, but I like the stock better.
I think an “all-around stick” is a poor compromise between two different things. I’d rather do well at one job at a time than two jobs poorly.
I’m surprised people are still doing that old LS-36 mod! It’s not exactly a super game changer, but I’m glad it helped someone along. :tup:
R-CADE Gaming, I know your guide mostly talks about microswitches, but you happen to try this out on an optical JLF PCB? I’m curious about the performance change if there are any, but I can’t exactly do the mod any time soon. I definitely plan to at least give it a roll in the future though, rest assured!
DeathSmiles, DeathSmiles 2x, Guwange, and now Akai Katana all got domestic releases in the US. The Rising Star UK release of DoDonpachi Resurrection is region free, and then there are the JP releases of Mushi Futari, Espgaluda 2, and Pink Sweets/Muchi Muchi that are region free.
Might be others I’ve forgotten, but definitely plenty of Cave goodness available for the US 360
(not Cave related, but I’m pouring some out for the lack of Under Defeat HD in the US…)
Nice. I knew that the JP releases were region free, but thought translating and localization would be nice. I didn’t realize that the UK releases were region free as well. I’m assuming they’re in full English, haha.
