AES suprises and dissapointments

NebraskaDragon · Feb 10, 2003

Well my AES showed up on Saturday. I was really suprised how huge it was! The pictures dont do it justice. I was expecting the carts to be SNES size. Boy was I wrong! Its awesome how massive the things are! I had no idea.

I have to admit I was dissapointed with the joystick. I was expecting it to be the be-all-end-all arcade stick for home use. It feels as light and flimsy as the Topmax stick I bought for my Dreamcast for 9.99. And the stick is just as clickety-clackety too. I was expecting it to be more smooth like an arcade machine. Is there a stick for the Neo that is maybe a little heavier and less clickety that I can get?

Another dissapointment (while not the Neo's fault) is that it only worked once. I plugged it to try it out and 2 of the buttons on the stick didnt work. Later that day I decided to play SamSho2 with my 2 button stick (because I love that game that much) and the unit wouldnt power up at all. Wouldnt do a thing. So I had to send it back today. I can't wait until one that works gets here!

<small>[ February 10, 2003, 05:21 PM: Message edited by: NebraskaDragon ]</small>

Cnidarian · Feb 10, 2003

Hey that sucks, man. I can't imagine having to send back my system after only playing it once!
Hope you get it fixed.

You don't like the controller? I think its excellent; not too heavy to sit in your lap but still able to stand firmly on a flat surface. Besides, how many other systems came bundled with an arcade-style stick? Especially at the time the NEO was released?

And the size of the system/games is one of the plusses... The carts are like large books on your shelf! No mistaking a homecart with any other games.

NebraskaDragon · Feb 10, 2003

Cnidarian:

You don't like the controller? I think its excellent; not too heavy to sit in your lap but still able to stand firmly on a flat surface.

Its not so much the lightness that bugs me, I dont like the way the stick clicks when you are playing. Thats what I didnt like about my Dreamcast joystick.

Cnidarian · Feb 10, 2003

NebraskaDragon:

Cnidarian:

You don't like the controller? I think its excellent; not too heavy to sit in your lap but still able to stand firmly on a flat surface.

Click to expand...

Its not so much the lightness that bugs me, I dont like the way the stick clicks when you are playing. Thats what I didnt like about my Dreamcast joystick.

Really? I've never noticed the noise when I play, all I hear is the game music from my speakers.

And when I have the headphones on, it doesn't sound much louder than the clatter of keyboard keys being hit.

Ah well, that's just me. To each his/her own...

CraigPilecky · Feb 10, 2003

That really sux man. I recently bought a Neo AES system, and if that had happened with mine I would have exploded in a fit of insane rage! very_ang very_ang very_ang very_ang very_ang very_ang very_ang

I was also dissapointed by the Neo stick. But trust me you will get used to it and learn to like it. Try to anchor the controller down somehow. If you can impobilize it it will work better.

Or you can build your own controller. smirk Its not as hard as you may think.

Anway welcome to the Neo club. Be sure to get Last Blade. Awesome game.

garou_d · Feb 10, 2003

are you guys talking about the old style stick (?)

the best stick ever IMO.

Super Porky · Feb 10, 2003

I never cared for the joysicks either. What really disappointed me though was the video output. World Heroes 2 and Ninja Combat look like crap on my system. Colors that are supposed to look white and yellowish, instead look pink. annoyed

NebraskaDragon · Feb 10, 2003

garou_d:
are you guys talking about the old style stick (?)

the best stick ever IMO.

Yes the old style stick. But I did only spend 5 minutes with it before the Neo died. It just seemed really flimsy. I am sure with time I'll get used to it.

MrMonk · Feb 10, 2003

The Neo Geo stick is one of the best ones around IMO.

I've had both of mine since they were brand new with no problems whatsoever, and I find they work best when set on a table.

TheBigBB · Feb 10, 2003

The stick is supposed to click... The pads do that too! It's just a Neo thing. I like using it... It seems to lock in kind of to the right direction. You can feel when you're pusing a direction perfectly, which is helpful.

About the power thing..... Maybe the plug was rusted a bit? I had to get a new plug for my system because the one that came with it had really worn metal... I mean it is on the verge of rusting it looks like. Maybe all you needed was a new plug from the guy.

naitram · Feb 10, 2003

That's like the biggest tease ever! I'd be so pissed.

I agree the Neo sticks are some of the best sticks ever made. But I know some people don't like the "clicky" type sticks. There is also a stick made by Hori which is heftier than the stock Neo sticks. Never used it though...anyone?

Also consider a new-style Neo stick, you may like that more also.

Loefye · Feb 10, 2003

Get MAS sticks from <a href="http://www.massystems.com" target="_blank">www.massystems.com</a>

subcons · Feb 11, 2003

Usually if a stick is "clickety-clackety," that's a sign that it's a good stick. Arcade sticks generaly use cherry microswitches and click all the same, but you just don't hear it because you're either in an arcade and/or there's a thick control panel covering up the noise. Any standard stick that doesn't use switches is crap in my experience. In fact, I remember the Topmax stick you mentioned being one of these... it moved around in a smooth circle with no clicking at all. Felt very mushy and unprecise. Terrible to say the least. Maybe I'm thinking of a different stick?

I've never used an AES stick (I have a cab), but I would assume it uses similar components to arcade controls and is probably comparable to Agetec's stick for Dreamcast. Do the buttons click as well? Just curious.

If the clicking gets on your nerves that much though, a MAS stick which mikace01 mentioned might be good. It's uses 3/4 MDF, so that might cover up the clicking pretty well. Those things are too expensive for my tastes though.

NebraskaDragon · Feb 11, 2003

naitram:

Also consider a new-style Neo stick, you may like that more also.

Are the new-style (pro?) sticks less clicky?

That massystems.com link doesnt seem to be working.

subcons:
Usually if a stick is "clickety-clackety," that's a sign that it's a good stick. Arcade sticks generaly use cherry microswitches and click all the same, but you just don't hear it because you're either in an arcade and/or there's a thick control panel covering up the noise.

Maybe thats it. The AES stick was smooth while it clicked. I just seemed to remember playing arcade games and the sticks were smooth without the clicking (its hard to be certain, the arcades around here closed down years ago). I'm sure I'll get used to it. The other problem I have is I learned fighting games with the SNES pad, so I am pretty much crap when it comes to sticks, but I want to play my NEO games I loved in the arcade with a stick even though I stink. I really dont like sticks but I am going to make myself learn!

<small>[ February 11, 2003, 12:30 AM: Message edited by: NebraskaDragon ]</small>

Takumaji · Feb 11, 2003

Man, the "clickety-clackety" things are microswitches. The stick would break in less than two years of normal use without them. It's an arcade-for-home system we're talking about.

The non-clicky sticks you're referring to use conductive "squeeze contacts" that are doomed to give up after a while. The microswitched Neo old-style sticks however will last for a decade or longer, even if you heavily use them. My old-style looks really beaten, most of the Neo logos are faded away and it makes funny noises, but it's as tight as it was back then, all switches and buttons work flawlessly.

ALL serious arcade sticks have microswitches. If they have not, they aren't arcade sticks. MASsystems, X-Arcade, most Happ Controls sticks, the DC stick, even my crappy Logic-3 Xbox arcade sticks has them. IMO, it's a MUST for full control. I couldn't do ANY of my combos in fighters with one of those soft, non-responsive crap sticks.

Magnaflux · Feb 11, 2003

The hori controllers click just as much as a neo controller, the cd sticks also click just as much. If you think the neo sticks are too light and flimsy, go for the hori sticks. They are constructed of metal and genuine arcade parts. Very heavy, very durable with turbo fire and more generous spacing between buttons.

I swear Im turning into a hori fanboy

naitram · Feb 11, 2003

I've owned Hori sticks on other systems like Saturn and PS, and they were really solid sticks.

There are people who like the non-clicky sticks better though, even though I don't prefer them. Ascii's Capcom Vs. SNK sticks were non-clicky, and they were very responsive, but I just don't like the way they feel. But they are quality sticks.

Maybe you can find someone to mod them for Neo? Otherwise, get used to the clickity-clack-don't look-back. wink

Moob Butter · Feb 12, 2003

I got a Neo old style pad recently and yeah it is clicky-clacky, but you only notice the clicking if you want to, once you get into a game with the volume on normal you shouldn't notice it at all, unless you keep that thougth in your head that the pad is making a sound which you shouldn't once you've really gotten into a game, as it will seem like nothing else matters, just you, your neo and the speed of your fingers.

Jashin · Feb 12, 2003

I think that both official joysticks are great. I'd read that the second iteration was not as good, and was pleasantly surprised when I found it to be nicely responsive with a nice, positive feel to the buttons.

I can't imagine ever playing a fighting game with a joypad again, to be honest.

Moob Butter · Feb 12, 2003

Sorry to go O/T but did anyone else find the old style Sega Saturn Pad great for beat-em-ups? Dunno what it was, just the way it fitted into your hands and the button layout, it also went "Clicky"

mog · Feb 12, 2003

Super Porky:
I never cared for the joysicks either. What really disappointed me though was the video output. World Heroes 2 and Ninja Combat look like crap on my system. Colors that are supposed to look white and yellowish, instead look pink. annoyed

That bugged me too. I know RGB to a monitor is supposed to look better. But I didn't think that SS would look better than SSIV!

CraigPilecky · Feb 12, 2003

madmanjock:
Sorry to go O/T but did anyone else find the old style Sega Saturn Pad great for beat-em-ups? Dunno what it was, just the way it fitted into your hands and the button layout, it also went "Clicky"

Do you mean the Virtua Stick? That is the best damn arcade stick for a home system ive ever used! Ive got 2 of them for my Saturn. glee glee

The only thing better is the arcade panel I built for my Dreamcast out of arcade parts. drool_2

subcons · Feb 13, 2003

CraigPilecky:

madmanjock:
Sorry to go O/T but did anyone else find the old style Sega Saturn Pad great for beat-em-ups? Dunno what it was, just the way it fitted into your hands and the button layout, it also went "Clicky"

Click to expand...

Do you mean the Virtua Stick? That is the best damn arcade stick for a home system ive ever used! Ive got 2 of them for my Saturn. glee glee
[...]

I think he's refering to the regular pads as opposed to the sticks. And I'd definitely have to agree with him. The JP style (rounded) Saturn pad is one of the best controllers ever made IMO. The d-pad, the buttons, the shape... everything just fits in the hand so well. The only thing comparable are the Ascii FT Pads for Dreamcast.

I'd have to disagree on the Virtua Sticks however. The stick feels bad and doesn't last and the buttons are too small and fragile. You just don't get enough feedback from that stick. Saturn pad all the way for me.

AES suprises and dissapointments

GO BIG,

Over Top Auto Mechanic

GO BIG,

Over Top Auto Mechanic

Zero's Tailor

Aero Fighter,

Camel Slug

GO BIG,

MrMonk

Guest

Formerly known as dmhawkmoon

The Old Man

Lt. Laser,

I take no official position on the issue.,

GO BIG,

Krautmin

Onigami Isle Castaway

The Old Man

Bare AES Handler

New Challenger

Bare AES Handler

Bead Banger

Zero's Tailor

I take no official position on the issue.,