The Sanwa and Seimitsu FAQ

[Norris_Arcade_Sticks]

Can the S mounting plates for Sanwa and seimitsu be used for each other? Im looking at the sanwa catalog and they have their own verison but its only 2 bolts one on each side. But also the Sanwa has a larger shaft, hwo would you recommend mounting/installing one?

The plates for Sanwa and Seimitsu are not interchangeable.

The actual plastic box of the joystick device has different screw locations from a Sanwa to a Seimitsu.

[crackbone]

I’ve only played on two japanese style joysticks before. One was a Tekken 5 Anniversary stick, and the other were the old Dreamcast green goblins.

Which japanese stick would you say most closely compares to either of these? I was thinking of making a full japan-style stick but I’d prefer not to blind-buy one without having any idea how they’ll feel.

[ramza]

I’ve only played on two japanese style joysticks before. One was a Tekken 5 Anniversary stick, and the other were the old Dreamcast green goblins.

Which japanese stick would you say most closely compares to either of these? I was thinking of making a full japan-style stick but I’d prefer not to blind-buy one without having any idea how they’ll feel.

hrap 1, 2, or 3. feels like Tekken stick but better and more precise

[crackbone]

hrap 1, 2, or 3. feels like Tekken stick but better and more precise

Hah, I meant Sanwa/Seimitsu + model #. I’m building my own, so I won’t be buying Hori units.

[TingBoy]

Hah, I meant Sanwa/Seimitsu + model #. I’m building my own, so I won’t be buying Hori units.

Sanwa JLFs are your best bet. Most cabs use these, so I’m guessing most joysticks try to emulate the feel of an Sanwa JLF.

[bitkid]

Got a quick question about the restrictor plates for these Sanwa sticks. The only Sanwa I played on had a square restrictor and in my opinion it was really hard to play fighting games on, especially doing QC or DP moves. So will the 8-way restrictor make it feel more like a Happ Comp which I am used to? What is the default way that Japanese sticks are set up in arcades?
Thanks.

[EvilSamurai]

Got a quick question about the restrictor plates for these Sanwa sticks. The only Sanwa I played on had a square restrictor and in my opinion it was really hard to play fighting games on, especially doing QC or DP moves. So will the 8-way restrictor make it feel more like a Happ Comp which I am used to? What is the default way that Japanese sticks are set up in arcades?
Thanks.

Japanese arcades all use square gates on JLFs as they are just better. The octagonal gate just exposes the flaws of the JLF. You will eventually get used to it. Just try not to hit the gate with your motions. I have been using a square gate for about a week or two and I already have circular motions down but still can’t dragon punch as well as on a circular/octagonal gate.

[opips2]

Japanese arcades all use square gates on JLFs as they are just better. The octagonal gate just exposes the flaws of the JLF. You will eventually get used to it. Just try not to hit the gate with your motions. I have been using a square gate for about a week or two and I already have circular motions down but still can’t dragon punch as well as on a circular/octagonal gate.

He is right. My thorey, Most square gates on JLF and Seimitsu because help to feel your on play cover square than circular. The circular gate is no hope feel when you play cover.

[EvilSamurai]

He is right. My thorey, Most square gates on JLF and Seimitsu because help to feel your on play cover square than circular. The circular gate is no hope feel when you play cover.

The JLW’s circular gate is not bad though as long as you set the small diagonal to a direction other than down-back. The JLF’s octagonal gate is just completely unsuitable for the joystick though.

[Illustrator76]

The JLW’s circular gate is not bad though as long as you set the small diagonal to a direction other than down-back. The JLF’s octagonal gate is just completely unsuitable for the joystick though.

Hey EvilSamurai (or anyone else), what is the biggest difference between the JLF and the JLW other than the JLF having a PCB and the stiffness of the spring? I am committed to the JLW but I was just wondering what the difference between the two was “feel” and “play” wise. Thanks again for all your info.

[bitkid]

So the octagonal gates are not that good? It really has always bugged me using the square gates? Why are they “just better” as EvilSamurai said? I like the fact on Happ that u can feel all the directions distinctly, but I like the feel of holding a Sanwa better than a Happ…that’s why I am asking, because I am thinking of making the transition.

[zoppa]

I myself like seimitsu sticks (got ls-32 and ls-33), have never tried sanwas. The square gate on the seimitsus dosen’t feel as “square” as the happ comp, and i got no problems with diagonals

[impact24]

Hello all. I playtested my three custom joysticks (JLF with square gate, JLF with octagonal gate and an LS-32) and I’d just like share my thoughts on using these with fighting games.

Please note that I have played on japanese cabinets for as long as I remember because I’m based in east Asia (currently in the Philippines). That said, I’m sure my experiences will differ from others.

-The JLF with the octagonal gate is weird in a sense that I actually have to exaggerate the motions to get them out. The engage actually feels longer…and I felt forced to feel the gate when I’d do circle motions. I must admit I didn’t spend too much time with this joystick since I was frustrated with it. It offered no advantages for me over the square gate in any game.

-The LS-32 was a unique experience. I was expecting to really “feel” the advertised shorter engage than a JLF, but I really didn’t. Does anyone else actually feel the difference? The stiffer spring made it feel natural for some fighters that rely on fast reactions like 3S. For MVC2 however, I found that the stiffer spring made it harder to do long combos with a lot of circular motions. Lastly, it seemed more natural doing QCFx2 motions as compared to the Sanwa.

On a sidenote, I can’t help but feel that the LS-32 feels “cheaper” than the JLF. To compound matters, I noticed that the LS-32 has a “loose neutral position” where you can wiggle it around a bit in neutral state.

-I’m still comfortable as ever with the JLF and square gate with any kind of fighting game. The looseness really makes circular motions easier, especially things like double 360s. The corners are helpful for down-back charge characters and 3D games where you sometimes need to end an input with a diagonal. There comes a point however that it becomes a little too loose after months of constant use.

-For buttons, the Sanwa buttons is hands down the best for fighters. I’d go for Seimitsu buttons for shooters/shmups/etc however because of the slightly stronger tactile feedback.

I’d like to hear other people’s thoughts as well. It’s interesting to see how different joysticks work with different people, and that there isn’t a single joystick that is universally the best for everyone.

[Illustrator76]

Hello all. I playtested my three custom joysticks (JLF with square gate, JLF with octagonal gate and an LS-32) and I’d just like share my thoughts on using these with fighting games.

Please note that I have played on japanese cabinets for as long as I remember because I’m based in east Asia (currently in the Philippines). That said, I’m sure my experiences will differ from others.

-The JLF with the octagonal gate is weird in a sense that I actually have to exaggerate the motions to get them out. The engage actually feels longer…and I felt forced to feel the gate when I’d do circle motions. I must admit I didn’t spend too much time with this joystick since I was frustrated with it. It offered no advantages for me over the square gate in any game.

-The LS-32 was a unique experience. I was expecting to really “feel” the advertised shorter engage than a JLF, but I really didn’t. Does anyone else actually feel the difference? The stiffer spring made it feel natural for some fighters that rely on fast reactions like 3S. For MVC2 however, I found that the stiffer spring made it harder to do long combos with a lot of circular motions. Lastly, it seemed more natural doing QCFx2 motions as compared to the Sanwa.

On a sidenote, I can’t help but feel that the LS-32 feels “cheaper” than the JLF. To compound matters, I noticed that the LS-32 has a “loose neutral position” where you can wiggle it around a bit in neutral state.

-I’m still comfortable as ever with the JLF and square gate with any kind of fighting game. The looseness really makes circular motions easier, especially things like double 360s. The corners are helpful for down-back charge characters and 3D games where you sometimes need to end an input with a diagonal. There comes a point however that it becomes a little too loose after months of constant use.

-For buttons, the Sanwa buttons is hands down the best for fighters. I’d go for Seimitsu buttons for shooters/shmups/etc however because of the slightly stronger tactile feedback.

I’d like to hear other people’s thoughts as well. It’s interesting to see how different joysticks work with different people, and that there isn’t a single joystick that is universally the best for everyone.

Have you play-tested a JLW? If so what is are the biggest differences between that and the JLF? Thanks.

[System_1]

Have you play-tested a JLW? If so what is are the biggest differences between that and the JLF? Thanks.

On the JLW the spring is stiffer and the throw is shorter.

[impact24]

Illustrator76: No, I haven’t play-tested the JLW on a custom to compare, but I probably used it one time or another in an actual cab.

theprodigy: Having a shorter throw, do you feel the difference when you play a JLW compared to a JLF? I’m interested because as I mentioned, I can’t tell the shorter throw on the LS-32 from a JLF. I’m wondering if I’m in the minority.

[System_1]

You do notice it but only very slightly - its down to preference really. I prefer the JLF. I’ve not played an LS-32 so I can’t use it as a comparison.

[EvilSamurai]

Does anyone know if a Sanwa JLW-UM will fit in a MAS without extensive modification?

[ulovemikeroch]

On the JLW the spring is stiffer and the throw is shorter.

It also uses levered microswitches as opposed to the JLFs non levered. Which leads me to my next question.

Since the JLW has levered Microswitches, it automatically makes diagonals a bitch to hit, but would having the square restrictror help? Im assuming since the JLF has non levered switches, that it’s better to hit the diagonals, and that combined with the JLF’s square restrictor makes it ultimately better in every way. Correct me if Im wrong. But also thats again assuming that the restrictor helps with diagonals.

So. JLW with Square < JLF with Square?

[EvilSamurai]

It also uses levered microswitches as opposed to the JLFs non levered. Which leads me to my next question.

Since the JLW has levered Microswitches, it automatically makes diagonals a bitch to hit, but would having the square restrictror help? Im assuming since the JLF has non levered switches, that it’s better to hit the diagonals, and that combined with the JLF’s square restrictor makes it ultimately better in every way. Correct me if Im wrong. But also thats again assuming that the restrictor helps with diagonals.

So. JLW with Square < JLF with Square?

Levered microswitches do not make it hard to hit diagonals. You are thinking of the Happ Super which will often drop the diagonal during circular motions. Almost all Japanese and Korean sticks that use levered microswitches do not have this problem.