Posted by Just Michael on 13, 2001 at 11:21 AM:
In Reply to: Yep, 8 way has 4 switches posted by Luke Arntson on 13, 2001 at 2:35 AM:
: the difference between a 4 way and an 8 way joystick is that a 4 way only is capable of having 1 switch in each direction clicked, so lets say you move it to the top right, either up OR right is selected, not both. In an 8 way joystick, when the controller is moved to the top right, up AND right are both being pushed. Various joysticks deal with 8-way and 4-way action, the Ultimate joystick uses a block on the bottom of it for 8 way, so you can feel the corners very well, as where the 4 way has a round bottom so it only clicks up, left, right, OR down at a time. The Super Joystick has a circular "actuator" that has 2 sides, one side is very large and allows for the joystick to press 2 switches at the same time, but if you flip it over and put the bottom ring on, it only can go up, left, down, right. Very good thinking, plus since it's a square cut, it makes SNK super moves, like all the KOF super moves, a whole lot easier. Ultimates are more built for capcom games, that emphasize the fireballs, or the double fireball motions.
: If you're still having trouble picturing this, imagine you are holding your playstation controller. You're playing street fighter alpha 3. You want to jump towards the opponent, which requires you to press "Up-right" or the diagonal direction. If you opened up your controller, you would see theres 2 contacts, one for up and one for right. When you press the diagonal, it presses up AND right. That's also why it's harder to play street fighter on a newere controller, cause the directional pad hasn't worn in enough yet to press both up and right at the same time always.
: Hope that helps. Btw, I've never heard of a 12-way, umm.. maybe it's bs? I know there's 49-way joystick for analog games like Gauntlet Legends and Sinistar, and a 360 degrees joystick that has LEDs to pick up the movements instead of pushbuttons, but never 12-way.....
I wonder if the person who mentioned 12-way was actually refering to the 12 position rotary joysticks?