Need advice on getting an arcade stick...

[wip3outguy7]

$90 for a Hori Real Arcade 3 may seem steep but they are great sticks. And chances are you will decide to mod it with Sanwas after using it for a few weeks. Future Proof, my friend.... Future Proof.

[Flak Beard]

$90 for a Hori Real Arcade 3 may seem steep but they are great sticks. And chances are you will decide to mod it with Sanwas after using it for a few weeks. Future Proof, my friend.... Future Proof.

I really have no experience with soldering, so it just depends on the ease of the mod. Maybe $90 won't be so bad if the stick is awesome out of the box with no mod needed.

[wip3outguy7]

I really have no experience with soldering, so it just depends on the ease of the mod. Maybe $90 won't be so bad if the stick is awesome out of the box with no mod needed.

Hori Real Arcade pros require no soldering to switch buttons or the stick out. Everything is connected with quick disconnects. All you need is a hex key tool to open the stick up. Pinch the quick disconnect and then squeeze the tabs on the buttons to pull them out. Reverse the process with Sanwa or Siemitsu buttons and you are done. It's that simple. The stick was designed that way. They even make plugs to cover open button holes if you decide to remove some of the buttons to create a custom layout. It will probably be the last stick you ever need. If something goes out or breaks, open up the stick and replace it with a $5 - $10 part.

[Flak Beard]

I really have no experience with soldering, so it just depends on the ease of the mod. Maybe $90 won't be so bad if the stick is awesome out of the box with no mod needed.

Hori Real Arcade pros require no soldering to switch buttons or the stick out. Everything is connected with quick disconnects. All you need is a hex key tool to open the stick up. Pinch the quick disconnect and then squeeze the tabs on the buttons to pull them out. Reverse the process with Sanwa or Siemitsu buttons and you are done. It's that simple. The stick was designed that way. They even make plugs to cover open button holes if you decide to remove some of the buttons to create a custom layout. It will probably be the last stick you ever need. If something goes out or breaks, open up the stick and replace it with a $5 - $10 part.

Sounds cool. Is the PS2 version still able to accept the Sanwa buttons without mods? Or do only certain versions of Hori sticks apply?

[wip3outguy7]

As long as the Hori you buy is a "Real Arcade Pro" version, it will allow for quick swaps - even the PS2 versions. If you want to go a step further (and if you can find one) there are Real Arcade Pro "Special Addition" sticks that come pre equipped with Sanwa everything. They are usually double the price of the regular HRAPs (Hori Real Arcade Pro), though.

I purchased a HRAP2 Special Addition from an eBay seller for $150 recently. It may be a high price for some but I am lazy and didn't feel like pulling everything together to mod a regular Pro. I think it was worth every penny and it is definitely the best "manufactured" arcade stick you can buy for the Playstation 2.

I would actually recommend going with a PS2 HRAP or HRAP2 over the PS3/USB version simply because there are so many adapters to port it to another system. Like I said: Future Proof.

[shallowgamer]

I would actually recommend going with a PS2 HRAP or HRAP2 over the PS3/USB version simply because there are so many adapters to port it to another system. Like I said: Future Proof.

It may be easier (and cheaper) to find a Tekken 5 stick for the PS2 rather than the HRAP. It was also made by Hori. Then just like wip3outguy7 says, grab an adapter.

[Flak Beard]

I would actually recommend going with a PS2 HRAP or HRAP2 over the PS3/USB version simply because there are so many adapters to port it to another system. Like I said: Future Proof.

It may be easier (and cheaper) to find a Tekken 5 stick for the PS2 rather than the HRAP. It was also made by Hori. Then just like wip3outguy7 says, grab an adapter.

How easy would it be to change the art on the Tekken stick? I'm not really a Tekken fan, let alone into fighters that much.

[Flak Beard]

After much consideration, it looks like I'll probably be going with the 360 Hori EX2 stick. I'll be using it for PC mostly anyway, it's in my price range and it'll come in handy on the upcoming Raiden Fighters and Genesis Collection releases.

It'd be nice to have a stick for the Capcom Classics Collections for PS2, but it's not like I can't just play those in MAME.

So is this a decent choice? Any issues regarding the PC compatibility of the 360 Hori EX2?

[Flak Beard]

Ok, now I'm a little conflicted. Considering I'll probably be using this 95% of the time on my PC, I could go for the PS3 Hori Fighting Stick. It's $10 cheaper and looks like it's built better (and matches my PC).



I just don't know if I should forgo the 360 one seeing as I don't own a PS3. I could see myself using it on XBLA games, but at the same time maybe not.

What would you guys recommend if I decided to go for PC only?

[racketboy]

I'm actually in the same boat as you -- trying to decide if I should get the 360 or PS3 one....