Official Shmup Thread!
Apr 28, 2012 at 9:51 PM Post #106 of 144
 
Quote:
Well, mixing two springs is just a kludge...the LS55 spring is perfect IME.
 
So I've tried the LS58, lucky me that it fit perfectly within the JLF screw holes:
 
too bad I really don't like it: the octo gate is not edgy enough, the square gate is boring, the shaft cover is annoying as I always have the feeling that the ball is unscrewing itself, it's too darn clicky and the throw distance is also way too short.
 
I've also tried to play around w/ a very stiff spring on the JLF, but it was too stiff to make this any fun:
 
I guess engineering the perfect spring is not as easy as it seems, as the stock JLF spring is way too loose.
 
Anyway, when I removed the stock JLF, I noticed that they put a dust cover between the JLF itself and the bottom of the top panel: 
 
 
I didn't put it back, and it became a clicky feast! So I've installed true acoustic damping foam in there + two dust covers on top: 
 
 
 
Plus the top dust cover of course:
 
So anyway, I'm dead set on the octo JLF + LS55 spring, my only last issue is the throw distance that's quite big....I tried to limit it using a marker cap:
 
But that didn't really help and it wouldn't stay in place for more than 10 secs anyway ^^
 
So I tried the electrician tape trick, as shown on that youtube video:
 
But it wasn't any better either, I guess the octo JLF is perfect apart from the loose spring.
 
So now, I need to work out a proper artwork and have it printed 
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There's no template available, so I'm really not sure how to work it out? I guess I could scan it, resize it to the right dimensions and then work out my own template? Then use some Ikaruga artwork, make it fit within the template, have it printed et voilà? I'm not sure how to cut the holes for the buttons and stick, though?
 
This said, Soukyugurentai is hell fun! and the soundtrack is amazing! Can't wait to hear Ikaruga and G5 through my USB DAC, as the consoles onboard chips were prolly $0.5 IC's.
 
Also, the START button doesn't work in RS/MAME and I can't get the Ikaruga GD-ROM to work either..

 
 
I've heard about several sticks that use two dustcovers when fitted with a JLF. Mine is not of the type. Sorry to hear that you can't get it quite right-- but if you've found what works for you, stick with it. I personally love the LS-58. I haven't tried octo JLF, though, so if/when I feel curious I'll give that a try along with some mods. Who knows-- maybe I'll like it even more. But for now I'm satisfied.
 
Cutting holes in paper is... annoying. The easiest way is to use a punch, but that never works when you want it to. The best method I've found is to use a specialized exacto knife with a rotating blade designed to cut curves. It takes some practice to get used to, but it can make very smooth cuts if and when needed. A normal exacto knife would probably be fine too, you'd just have to be more careful. Scissors are to be avoided at all cost.
 
I'm running Ikaruga's GC version via Dolphin. It works perfectly for me (with all my gamecube games, actually, it's a fantastic emulator). What problems are you having?
 
 
Apr 28, 2012 at 10:52 PM Post #107 of 144
Oh well, I've changed the order, I've put one dust cover right on top of the JLF > patch of acoustic damping foam > top panel > top dust cover > ball. It's the same as before, just less noisy = perfect 
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The octo gate for the JLF is a god bless in shmups IME, bullets dodging couldn't get any funnier...all it took was a darn LS55 spring, and from what I read on shoryuken many ppl mod all kinds of sticks w/ this spring because it's simply a perfect balance between too loose and too stiff.
 
I'm surprised to never see 1944 LOOP MASTER in anyone's favorite MAME shmups list, coz it feels like an old school UNDER DEFEAT and it's just pure RAIZING fun 
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Yep, I guess I'll scan a stock artwork, work something out, then put it under the top plexiglas panel and use an exacto knife to cut it nicely. But it's slight bigger than a A4 sized sheet, so I would need +300dpi Ikaruga material I think.
 
I'm talking about the Naomi version of Ikaruga, apparently it can run...but not in MAME.
 
And I'm quite annoyed that the start button ain't friggin working in RS using MAME, I'm quite sure it used to work before.
 
Oh well, I'm now more or less set on the hardware side, the software aspect will be a breeze in comparison.
 
Apr 29, 2012 at 9:55 AM Post #109 of 144
Ikaruga runs pretty well in nullDC. Or just on a Dreamcast. I wish I could hook up my nicer sticks to the Dreamcast. The Agetec stick is good but not great. I wish I had a better stick for the Wii too. The Tatsunoko vs Capcom stick blows. The buttons are okay but I need to replace the stick..
 
Apr 29, 2012 at 11:07 AM Post #110 of 144
well, that's the nice thing about building a ultimate stick for your PC: you can use emulators, get killer sound instead of consoles built-in $0.5 IC's and no need for jittery gamepad adapters, swapdiscs for imports/force VGA output, etc etc. One click and you're good, how's that =)
 
you can even use saved games to unlock everything and no need for USB to memory card adapters either.
 
the agetec buttons and stick are horrid IMHO.
 
Apr 29, 2012 at 4:05 PM Post #111 of 144
Quote:
wooha, Ikaruga in MAME is hell slow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7JcUbPrxtc
 
will fire up Dolphin later 
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As I said, Dolphin works perfectly. I have mine running at higher resolution than native, and I still get 60fps even everywhere in the game. Actually, every game I play works fine with Dolphin with some rare exceptions. I don't have AA on, though, because that does slow Ikaruga down pretty significantly. I messed with the settings on it for a long time before settling on 2x native resolution, no AA and 1x Antisotropic (sp?). This gave perfect FPS, but also a very acceptable graphics quality.
 
It must be said, however, that I wish I had a slightly stronger system. Because I can only imagine how good Ikaruga and the Metroid Prime series would look with 2x native and 16x AA.
 
Quote:
Ikaruga runs pretty well in nullDC. Or just on a Dreamcast.

 
See, money is an issue for me right now. Being in college and all. And although I was more than willing to buy Ikaruga for the GC (only $85 new when I did, IIRC), the DC version and need to get a Dreamcast along with it is an obstacle for me. As far as emulating the Dreamcast goes-- as I've said before, I'm very nervous about downloading emulators and games while on the school network, which is very heavily policed. But if you think it's worth the effort compared to the GC version, I might consider it.
 
 
Quote:
well, that's the nice thing about building a ultimate stick for your PC: you can use emulators, get killer sound instead of consoles built-in $0.5 IC's and no need for jittery gamepad adapters, swapdiscs for imports/force VGA output, etc etc. One click and you're good, how's that =)
 
you can even use saved games to unlock everything and no need for USB to memory card adapters either.
 
the agetec buttons and stick are horrid IMHO.

 
The sound is technically limited first by the emulator itself. The ones I use (Dolphin and PCSX2) have excellent sound plugins to manage this, but strictly speaking it actually goes through two stages of conversion-- the digital-to-digital conversion from the ISO image into the music files proper (which are usually in WAV format unless I'm mistaken, though it varies by game), then the output to the system DAC. Then it gets amped. It still sound way better than the console does on its own, but how much of that is due to emulation as opposed to just superior audio gear is anyone's guess.
 
 
Apr 30, 2012 at 10:20 PM Post #112 of 144
well, those consoles use cheapo voltage output DAC chips with very poor sounding built-in I/V stage, a proper USB DAC should make for a drastic SQ improvement.
 
at some point I was nostalgic of the Gradius V OST, but the commercial CD sounds like ####. The PS2 is not audiophile grade by a long shot.
 
Anyway, the top artwork looks sweet: http://www.joystickvault.com/data/500/medium/stick07.jpg
 
I see that my idea is not quite as original as I initially thought: http://www.google.com/search?q=ikaruga+stick&tbm=isch ^^
 
And this stick has both a plexiglas top panel and uses flat head screws, so it's possible after all: http://shoryuken.com/forum/index.php?threads/check-out-my-new-arcade-stick-no-image-quoting.75228/page-478#post-6873375
 
May 1, 2012 at 2:37 AM Post #113 of 144
NEWS!!!!!!!!!
 
Mushihime-sama Futari (AKA "Bug Princess 2") is now available for iOS download! It just went on sale this evening. I'm picking it up sometime tonight or tomorrow. Wheee!
 
Excited.
Quote:
well, those consoles use cheapo voltage output DAC chips with very poor sounding built-in I/V stage, a proper USB DAC should make for a drastic SQ improvement.
 
at some point I was nostalgic of the Gradius V OST, but the commercial CD sounds like ####. The PS2 is not audiophile grade by a long shot.
 
Anyway, the top artwork looks sweet: http://www.joystickvault.com/data/500/medium/stick07.jpg
 
I see that my idea is not quite as original as I initially thought: http://www.google.com/search?q=ikaruga+stick&tbm=isch ^^
 
And this stick has both a plexiglas top panel and uses flat head screws, so it's possible after all: http://shoryuken.com/forum/index.php?threads/check-out-my-new-arcade-stick-no-image-quoting.75228/page-478#post-6873375

 
This is very true. I wasn't saying that the issue was with the console amplification; I was simply making the point that although it will indeed sound vastly better, there are still fundamental hardware limitations imposed by the architecture of the console emulator's audio plugins.
 
The game has an enormous cult following. I'm not at all surprised to see so many sticks themed after it. The NAOMI with custom Ikaruga panel, though... now THAT is hardcore.
 
May 2, 2012 at 7:19 PM Post #114 of 144
Well, Soukyugurentai sounds eye popping on my rig so my hopes are rather high 
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I've removed the dorky looking SF artwork off my stick as I couldn't stand looking at it anymore....my stick basically looks like this now: http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/3914/hrap3kstick800006.jpg
 
I've spent quite some time lurking through this failtastic thread: http://shoryuken.com/forum/index.php?threads/check-out-my-new-arcade-stick-no-image-quoting.75228/page-475
 
I'm sure those guys must be getting utterly bored of seeing their horrid homemade artworks after a few days, hah!
 
Anyway, I like this one: http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/5381/vxsa01.jpg
 
I will stick a carbon sticker onto the metal plate and call it a day: http://www.ebay.com/itm/150706251328
 
Easy do, no need for a template, enough to cover four times the plate in case I goof up, I won't get sick of it after a few days, cheap = perfect :)
 
I'd also fancy black/gray 24mm SANWA buttons, but they didn't bother manufacturing them in anything else than 30mm apparently....HORI had to make a special order of 10K pieces to obtain them, duh. SANWA also have a carbon mesh dark silver balltop but it's $15...I'll stick to the bubbly Seimitsu ^^
 
Now, all I need is black flat-head screws and I'm good!
 
And I rest my case that my pimped JLF has a much smaller neutral zone than my stock LS58 
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May 2, 2012 at 9:27 PM Post #115 of 144
Quote:
Well, Soukyugurentai sounds eye popping on my rig so my hopes are rather high 
happy_face1.gif

 
I've removed the dorky looking SF artwork off my stick as I couldn't stand looking at it anymore....my stick basically looks like this now: http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/3914/hrap3kstick800006.jpg
 
I've spent quite some time lurking through this failtastic thread: http://shoryuken.com/forum/index.php?threads/check-out-my-new-arcade-stick-no-image-quoting.75228/page-475
 
I'm sure those guys must be getting utterly bored of seeing their horrid homemade artworks after a few days, hah!
 
Anyway, I like this one: http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/5381/vxsa01.jpg
 
I will stick a carbon sticker onto the metal plate and call it a day: http://www.ebay.com/itm/150706251328
 
Easy do, no need for a template, enough to cover four times the plate in case I goof up, I won't get sick of it after a few days, cheap = perfect :)
 
I'd also fancy black/gray 24mm SANWA buttons, but they didn't bother manufacturing them in anything else than 30mm apparently....HORI had to make a special order of 10K pieces to obtain them, duh. SANWA also have a carbon mesh dark silver balltop but it's $15...I'll stick to the bubbly Seimitsu ^^
 
Now, all I need is black flat-head screws and I'm good!
 
And I rest my case that my pimped JLF has a much smaller neutral zone than my stock LS58 
wink_face.gif

 
Your JLF has a smaller neutral zone than the 58!? HOW??
 
Otherwise, sounds good. I'm a fan of the brushed metal look myself. I'd need to machine a custom plate to do it on my stick, though-- I'm more than willing to do so, but it's extra work either way, and if I make a transparent plexi panel I can at least change my mind every once in a while.
 
And I agree about the black/gray 24mm. They really should be available that way. But oh well.
 
Good luck with finishing it all up.
 
In other, other news, apparently CAVE is slated to release 'a shooter, details yet to be released' for the PS Vita. I have considerable interest in some of the other titles available for the platform. I don't want to spend that kind of money, but this may be the push that finally gets me to buy one. We'll see how reviews of the new game go once it comes out.
 
Also, been playing Mushihime-sama Futari on my phone a lot. Almost 1cc'ed the game on Original/Hell on two different occasions, once dying an extra time to the stage 4 boss and another dying at the very last second against the final boss...
 
SIGH. It'll happen soon enough.
 
May 3, 2012 at 12:56 PM Post #116 of 144
well, they don't even have the OBSF24 in gray, I wouldn't mind hacking the plungers and installing them into my black buttons...ah well, black it is then.
 
this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L67fUfH3S5o
did this with the ls-55 spring in my jlf. it's amazing

 
I just tried Ikaruga/Naomi in Demul, SQ is poor and it's full of misbehaving sprites...also even though it says 60fps it feels sluggish. And going FS is blinking as hell huh.
 
May 3, 2012 at 1:11 PM Post #117 of 144
Quote:
well, they don't even have the OBSF24 in gray, I wouldn't mind hacking the plungers and installing them into my black buttons...ah well, black it is then.
 
this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L67fUfH3S5o
 
I just tried Ikaruga/Naomi in Demul, SQ is poor and it's full of misbehaving sprites...also even though it says 60fps it feels sluggish. And going FS is blinking as hell huh.

 
I understand that the spring has been improved. Your comment made it sound like you had changed the throw on the switches, which is why I was curious. My apologies for the misunderstanding.
 
Sorry to hear you're having trouble. As I've said before, it works fine for me on Dolphin. I've heard of people emulating the NAOMI version, but I've also heard of people having issues with it due to the GD-ROM system. I hope you can resolve the issues quickly.
 
May 3, 2012 at 1:20 PM Post #118 of 144
Have I mentioned yet that I do love the Dream Cast Shumps, I don't remember the name of one of them... but it's was mecha themed and absoultey stunning visually
 
May 3, 2012 at 3:32 PM Post #119 of 144
Quote:
Have I mentioned yet that I do love the Dream Cast Shumps, I don't remember the name of one of them... but it's was mecha themed and absoultey stunning visually

 
Mecha themed? Ikaruga certainly has mecha influences, but I'm not sure that's what you're referring to. Looking up 'dreamcast shmup' and 'mecha' on google gets some hits for a game called 'Mars Matrix' -- is that what you mean?
 
Other news, tried playing Perfect Cherry Blossom again. It's been a long time since last I played one of the Touhou titles. Got to stage five, midway through, then ran out of lives. I consider that a decent start.
 
May 6, 2012 at 5:22 PM Post #120 of 144
Quote:
I understand that the spring has been improved. Your comment made it sound like you had changed the throw on the switches

 
The JLF is a fine piece of engineering, all it needed was a stiffer spring. I've tried to narrow its throw but that didn't really work....the LS55 spring + octo gate truly turn a chump into a champ as they say ^^
 
and I think the LS58 is clicky as hell because of the long thin metal plates that stand between the rod and the switches...terrible idea really.
 
Humm, Border Down is quite fun 
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