Newbie with some Qs

Alturis

There also seem to be some games that have a specific cocktail version that you need to get the rom set of ( the zip file ). As always be sure to pay attention to the compatibility list as most of those will also require the files out of the main games rom zip as well. (have to manually integrate those files together into one zip file with the latter name).

e.g.

atetris.zip is the main game rom set.

Then there is also atetrisc which has atetris in its parent field.

So you have to unzip the files from atetris.zip and manually add them into atetrisc.zip and then just put atetrisc.zip in your roms folder.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1GaqIIoiWbzKHwZ52S2xCSDQXILo81Ls1mHK6czKGAtM

I always wondered what was different about them. Now I know.

Alturis

@audi321 said in Newbie with some Qs:

Is there a recommended joystick for these kind of projects? I want a joystick rather than a joypad really.

I personally recommend Sanwa Silent sticks:
https://paradisearcadeshop.com/levers-sanwa/1456-sanwa-jlf-tprg-8ayt-sk-silent-joystick.html

But others will recommend different ones. There has been a lot of discussion lately about sticks that can be pulled up and rotated to switch between 4 way and 8 way which would be quite handy for older classics like pacman and the like.

caver01

@alturis said in Newbie with some Qs:

There has been a lot of discussion lately about sticks that can be pulled up and rotated to switch between 4 way and 8 way which would be quite handy for older classics like pacman and the like.

These sticks are switchable by rotating a restrictor plate into position. The best example is the Ultimarc Magstik, or even better, the Magstik-Plus which lets you make the change from the top of the panel. These are not cheap joysticks, and some people complain about the magnetic centering and the very short throw. I guess if I could afford them I would replace all four of mine with the Magstik-Plus in a heartbeat.

audi321

Wow thanks for all the quick responses guys. I’ve looked at the ultimarc magsticks and going to order 2 non plus ones.

So I just can’t wait!! I’m (ahem my kids!) are so excited!

Going to connect an old hdmi tv up and try to run it in portrait mode somehow. I’m sure I’ll be back with more questions tomorrow lol.

Thanks again for a all your advice!

caver01

@audi321 The Plus appears to allow you to make the change from 4 to 8 way by rotating the joystick knob. This can be done from the top of the panel. The regular MagStik apparently only lets you make the adjustment from underneath. In other words, you would have to be able to reach inside your panel amongst the wires etc. to throw the switch. That just seems like a bad idea, especially with kids. I would go for the Plus and not even consider the regular one.

There is also the ServoStik which achieves a similar function using a servo. Of course that would require power to the servo motor and some other means to trigger it. Could be a great project to write a GPIO script to do that and execute the command before launching specific ROMs.

For all I know, there are other innovative switching joysticks out there. Does Ultimarc have the market cornered on this front? Maybe, but I seem to remember a few other options including one that had a switch protruding up next to the stick.

Alturis

@caver01 said in Newbie with some Qs:

I would replace all four of mine with the Magstik-Plus in a heartbeat

I watched a video of those. Man maybe its just me but I can't stand how loud and clicky most joysticks are. Is there a silent version of those too? Haven't seen it.

Sano

@caver01
You seem to know those hardware parts pretty good.
Do you know if some sticks can also adjust to 4 ways X shaped plate, Q*bert style ?

caver01

@sano original cabinet just mounted the joystick rotated at 45 degrees. This is evidenced even in the emulators.

Clyde

@caver01 said in Newbie with some Qs:

@audi321 There are many joystick possibilities. In fact, a recent post here even referenced a handy video reviewing some of them. I cannot find that post at the moment, but you can search YouTube for Arcade Joystick Review.

Do you mean this one?

@audi321 said in Newbie with some Qs:

Wow thanks for all the quick responses guys. I’ve looked at the ultimarc magsticks and going to order 2 non plus ones.

I have two Plus sticks and like them very much. You can read my review here.

caver01

@clyde Yeah, that is the thread I was thinking of.