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Joysticks: Options, Alternatives & Additions
The joystick is the focal point of any control panel that has one, and 8-way joysticks are the workhorse control of any multi-arcade machine, especially one that plays home console games as well. However, a 4-way joystick option is important for about 200 golden age arcade games, some of which are the most popular games of all time.
After considering reviews, prices, features, materials & durability, I came to the conclusion that the Industrias Lorenzo (IL) Corporation of Spain makes the definitive, affordable 8-way joystick (found in machines like: Mortal Kombat, Tekken, Street Fighter II), plus there are many different styled replacement shafts made for it. So what to do about a 4-way?
The Sanwa JLF has a 4/8-way restrictor plate.
The premier Japanese-style joysticks are made by Sanwa and Seimitsu (Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, etc.) and are still available with many different styles of shafts and tops (ball or bat), as well as spring strengths. The Japanese sticks were originally intended for thin, metal panels but longer handles are now available.
What this all means is that both the Japanese and European style joysticks can look like anything from the top. It really comes down to issues of how they perform and feel.
A rotatable restrictor plate on a 4/8-way stick.
IL Eurosticks
The most popular solutions are to either install a separate, dedicated 4-way stick or use a switchable stick with both 8-way and 4-way options. Switchable sticks come in 3 varieties: underside switching (involves getting under the control panel and rotating a restrictor plate), topside switching (has a manual switch on top or rotatable handle that selects 4 or 8-way operation) and the new Ultimarc Servostick (switches modes with a built-in computer-controlled motor).
The Arcade Master usually comes with 2 IL Eurosticks (aka: Happ Competition) and a Zippyy ball top (long shaft) joystick with a 2, 4 or 8-way restrictor plate fixed in the 4-way position (based on the classic Seimitsu LS-32 design).
Underside of an IL Eurostick showing the square nylon actuator in the center. Happ Competitions are identical except for that part, now a cheaper plastic. This is an 8-way joystick only.
The Japanese sticks are often thought to be a bit "mushy" compared to the Eurostick/Competition types, with a longer throw to activate the micro-switches. This seems to be more of an issue for 8-way mode and not so much of an issue for a stick restricted to 4-way movement.
The simple truth is, most all joysticks do what they are intended to do and if a joystick is not responding exactly the way you want there is probably an after-market part to fix the issue. Below are some more customization ideas.
Milled steel and aluminum replacement shafts.
The classic arcade trigger flight stick and replacement shafts for Tron (UV reactant) and Satan's Hollow. Several different decorative face plates are available for this item as well. Several classic games use this and a spinner.
Many parts sellers (like GroovyGameGear.com) offer a wide variety of solid and transparent colors of ball tops, compatible with most joysticks. There are also UV reactant and other tops like 8-Balls & carbon mesh.
The smaller top fire and trigger fire joysticks make a more versatile alternative to a full sized flight stick.
The most versatile control setups are often the most awkward or cluttered, although a spacious control panel can accommodate even more controls than the clever one pictured above. One hidden weapon here is each of the player's left joysticks are switchable 4/8-way by pushing and twisting the joystick. The Star Wars/Empire Strikes Back flight yoke with trigger and thumb buttons doubles as a steering wheel and pedals for driving games requiring analog steering.
