Killer Instinct Players - TE2 sticks?

[batmang]

So, to all the KI players on the forums, where did you guys buy your TE2 sticks? Gamestop appears to be the only place selling them right now. Is there any other places selling them that you guys know of? Is Gamestop shipping them promptly?

 

[purbeast0]

i preordered mine like 30 minutes after madcatz put them up oin their website back in october. i also preordered from gamestop and amazon. as launch came it was quickly realized that no place was really going to be getting any other than select gamestops and madcatz themself. i received mine the monday after the launch weekend.

follow madcatz or markman on twitter. he usually announces when the next batches are going to be available for preorder and when they will be shipping. i think it's still a clusterfuck as to the availability of them. no one has them in stock to order right now unless you want to pay more than $200.

i know the initial amazon preorders went out like a month after launch or so.

 

[batmang]

I checked Gamestop and you can place an order and apparently it will ship within 24 hours. But I don't know if I trust them enough to place an order, only to have it canceled because they actually don't have them in stock. Also, why is it so hard to make a stick and have it in stock for the masses, it can't be selling that well, its fricking $200 bucks.

 

[smackababy]

I got mine off Amazon, but I preordered it and got it in December.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I ordered mine from gamestop, got it in early december.

It is kind of a limited run item. Mad Catz didn't make a billion of them

 

[batmang]

I've read that a lot of the top level players actually use the stock controller. Would you guys say the stock controller is decent for KI? I know a lot of the combo's are auto's, so consistent and accurate linkers aren't as vital as they are in games like... Injustice. Have you guys played much with the controller, if so, what is your input on how the dpad responds?

(I've yet to play the Xbox one, mine is arriving on the 11th. I got the TFall bundle).

 

[cmdrdredd]

The dpad is too clicky for me, once I got the TE2 I was able to do QCF and other motions like the SRK motion much more fluidly and don't go into masher mode to bust out moves that use these directional movements. Especially after I modded the stock spring weight and added a larger actuator which is my preference.

I'd say a lot of people just got used to the controller and could not get their hands on a TE2 or they are waiting for a multiconsole board to solder into their current stick. For some, $200 is too much to spend when they already have a $200 stick that when modded will work. So they got good with the controller out of necessity in some cases.

Gamestop is pretty good about listing items they have in stock in my experience. You could always order it and simply cancel it if it doesn't ship quickly. Personally I'd try to get the TE2 because I find it superior to the controller, YMMV of course.

 

[smackababy]

Consistent and accurate linkers are very vital. If you can't complete your combos (or cash them out), you are doing like 8-12% damage per combo. That is pretty terrible when your opponent is scoring 35%+ per hit.

A lot of the pros that prefer sticks just haven't gotten one yet. I know they sell them at tournaments (at least, the ones MarkMan attends).

There might be a few other stick manufacturers that have some for Xbox One (eightarc, etc). I'd check it out if you really want one.

 

[batmang]

Thanks for the info guys. I may just order via gamestop and see how it goes.

 

[cmdrdredd]

focusattack just gave away a stick modded to work with PC/PS3/360/XB1. They wired up a XB1 controller somehow internally. I think purebeast tried that too. However, I have not seen any of these commercially available to buy. They will come eventually but there is only one fighter on current gen systems which is Killer Instinct. The PS3 is getting a ton of fighters lately, and the PS4 has no fighters at all. Ultra Street Fighter 4 hasn't even been announced for an XB1 or PS4 release and might not see the light of day on them at all for all we know right now. There's just no demand for anyone to start trying to build up a PCB that can be wired to a PS3/360 stick and work on the new consoles. I don't know that Killer Instinct is popular enough outside North America either since I think many of these PCBs come from asia.

 

[smackababy]

There is a modding tutorial that requires you to have a fightstick and an Xbox One controller. I know there are ways to do it for cheaper than buying this particular stick, but you have to mod your own.

As an owner of pretty much every commercial fightstick (I have, or have had, multiple TEs, a TE2, an HRAP and the VGX HRAP), the TE2 is easily the best made one. The box is kind of crap (compared to the thick cardboard and high quality TE box), but the stick itself is wonderful.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

HOLY **crap**.

Those buttons cost about $1 each. $5 if you get the super expensive ones. But expensive just means different.

And an 8 way Sanway runs about $30.

Worse case, that 8*5 for the buttons and $30 for the stick. $70. How much are the electronics in it? $20?

So, they are charging $100 for the god damned box?

I am in the wrong business.



No cursing outside of the social forums.

Anandtech Administrator
KeithTalent

 

[cmdrdredd]

HOLY **crap**.

Those buttons cost about $1 each. $5 if you get the super expensive ones. But expensive just means different.

And an 8 way Sanway runs about $30.

Worse case, that 8*5 for the buttons and $30 for the stick. $70. How much are the electronics in it? $20?

So, they are charging $100 for the god damned box?

I am in the wrong business.

Just stop right there because you just don't know. First of all it is a hinged case that you can open up for storage and easy access to the wiring and such for modding, the buttons light up and are adjustable for 12 different brightness levels, it's officially licensed (yes that costs), it has two extra buttons on the front panel that you neglected to mention, they aren't 30mm though they are the smaller 24mm, it also has a lockout for the menu button (pause button), xbox button, and view button, has an xbox guide button on it (you can't buy that that I know of), a removable USB pro cable, the base is metal not plastic, the bezel and top panel are removable (for custom artwork) without removing the buttons, and the internal compartment holds a screwdriver for making changes to the components and holds the USB cable along with spare buttons if you choose.

A joystick wiring harness is $30 for a basic one. Plus you have to figure the time for labor to build one and a case can be expensive. For example a foehammer case (just the shell) is $110. If you want one that is ready to go with the holes drilled already etc it can cost $134.

Foehammer also sells a complete stick that starts at $350 and is made out of solid Poplar and just recently they offer it to be upgraded to be compatable with the PS4 and/or XB1. You can get a stick from them that works with PS1, PS2, PS3, Xbox, Xbox 360, PS4, Xb1, and PC...but it costs $599 lol. I guess if money was no object and you wanted one to do it all that's the one. Too expensive but it is a nice piece.

 

[batmang]

^^ After looking into whats it included, it's well worth the asking price of $199. I didn't realize it was using high quality parts nor did i realize how good the overall quality was.

I placed an order for one via Gamestop, we'll see how fast it arrives. I didn't say it was out of stock so I'm hoping it arrives in a week or two. I'll let you guys know.

 

[purbeast0]

I've read that a lot of the top level players actually use the stock controller. Would you guys say the stock controller is decent for KI? I know a lot of the combo's are auto's, so consistent and accurate linkers aren't as vital as they are in games like... Injustice. Have you guys played much with the controller, if so, what is your input on how the dpad responds?

(I've yet to play the Xbox one, mine is arriving on the 11th. I got the TFall bundle).

no, the stock controller is terrible for fighters. sure, it's an improvement over the 360 pad, but is that really saying much? its like saying dog crap smells less than cow crap.

having to use the triggers for a fighter is just terrible. if you don't like using pads in general for a fighter, your mind isn't going to change one bit with the x1 controller for fighters.

EDIT:

you also might want to check into the cronus max adapter. i know a few people who have it and like it. you can use 360/ps3 sticks for xbox1. the only caveat is that every time you use it and turn your x1 on, you have to have an original x1 controller plugged in to "register" the adapter, then plug in the old joystick and it works. also many tournaments have banned the adapter due to it causing glitches and macros.

and IHateMyJob2004 has no clue what he's talking about.

buttons - $4 each for the top 8, bout $3 each for the 2 on the side - $38
joystick - $30
x1 controller (only way to get a pcb) - $60
quality case - $100+

that right there is already more than $200, and to find a quality case for less than $100 is pushing it. he has absolutely no clue what he's talking about, and that is without the labor, r&d, and the led's in it.

 

[alkemyst]

I've read that a lot of the top level players actually use the stock controller. Would you guys say the stock controller is decent for KI? I know a lot of the combo's are auto's, so consistent and accurate linkers aren't as vital as they are in games like... Injustice. Have you guys played much with the controller, if so, what is your input on how the dpad responds?

(I've yet to play the Xbox one, mine is arriving on the 11th. I got the TFall bundle).

Many have learned to play KI on non-gamesticks that were true fans.

Back in the late 90's I was a 20-something that would steal younger kids quarters in lunch time arcade battles (the rules in that mall arcade were each player puts up the cost, 50 cents at the time I think; the winner keeps it and keeps playing. Higher bidders could move ahead).

I'd have lunch money every day as Sabrewulf and occasionally Spinal, Fulgore, and Chief Thunder depending on if someone knew Sabre really well.

I got pretty good...usually I'd play 'hard' the first round to just lose . Then come back and devastate them in the next two rounds in under a minute each time. I'd even give them credits to play again >

 

[alkemyst]

HOLY **crap**.

Those buttons cost about $1 each. $5 if you get the super expensive ones. But expensive just means different.

And an 8 way Sanway runs about $30.

Worse case, that 8*5 for the buttons and $30 for the stick. $70. How much are the electronics in it? $20?

So, they are charging $100 for the god damned box?

I am in the wrong business.

You are comparing oranges to apples. Even $5 isn't buying the high end buttons.

There are Dodge Neons with Turbos that can beat a Porsche 911.

They don't play / feel the same.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Just stop right there because you just don't know. First of all it is a hinged case that you can open up for storage and easy access to the wiring and such for modding, the buttons light up and are adjustable for 12 different brightness levels, it's officially licensed (yes that costs), it has two extra buttons on the front panel that you neglected to mention, they aren't 30mm though they are the smaller 24mm, it also has a lockout for the menu button (pause button), xbox button, and view button, has an xbox guide button on it (you can't buy that that I know of), a removable USB pro cable, the base is metal not plastic, the bezel and top panel are removable (for custom artwork) without removing the buttons, and the internal compartment holds a screwdriver for making changes to the components and holds the USB cable along with spare buttons if you choose.

A joystick wiring harness is $30 for a basic one. Plus you have to figure the time for labor to build one and a case can be expensive. For example a foehammer case (just the shell) is $110. If you want one that is ready to go with the holes drilled already etc it can cost $134.

Foehammer also sells a complete stick that starts at $350 and is made out of solid Poplar and just recently they offer it to be upgraded to be compatable with the PS4 and/or XB1. You can get a stick from them that works with PS1, PS2, PS3, Xbox, Xbox 360, PS4, Xb1, and PC...but it costs $599 lol. I guess if money was no object and you wanted one to do it all that's the one. Too expensive but it is a nice piece.

I built an entire arcade Mame cabinet from scratch. I know the costs involved. And the forum I frequented to learn about all this had someone that made light guns for arcade cabinets that was there that discussed the business end to some degree. Basically, you design the stick. You decide what components you want in it. And pay some company in China to mass produce X units of it based on how many you think you will sell in 5 years. Then you do some math with depreciation considered and make a selling price. Truth be told, this thing probably takes all of $100 to mass produce in China per unit. And that is probably a gross over-exaggeration. It is probably closer to $50 ignoring shipping costs. The markup is truly insane. I can put light up buttons in my arcade cab also. It's not hard. It's only takes a USB based controller for the lighting and clear buttons with some LEDs that are mounted in the buttons by design. The thing is, the buttons that light up already exist.

 

[alkemyst]

I built an entire arcade Mame cabinet from scratch. I know the costs involved. And the forum I frequented to learn about all this had someone that made light guns for arcade cabinets that was there that discussed the business end to some degree. Basically, you design the stick. You decide what components you want in it. And pay some company in China to mass produce X units of it based on how many you think you will sell in 5 years. Then you do some math with depreciation considered and make a selling price. Truth be told, this thing probably takes all of $100 to mass produce in China per unit. And that is probably a gross over-exaggeration. It is probably closer to $50 ignoring shipping costs. The markup is truly insane. I can put light up buttons in my arcade cab also. It's not hard. It's only takes a USB based controller for the lighting and clear buttons with some LEDs that are mounted in the buttons by design. The thing is, the buttons that light up already exist.

Pics?

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

You are comparing oranges to apples. Even $5 isn't buying the high end buttons.

There are Dodge Neons with Turbos that can beat a Porsche 911.

They don't play / feel the same.

Yes, it really is. The thing is, the high end buttons just have more expensive components that give a different feel. The thing is, the most expensive buttons aren't necessarily the best. Some make louder click noises. Some make no noise. Depending on what you prefer you pay more or less per button. Thing is, you could get the $5 buttons and hate them while the $1 ones would have been a better choice.

 

[alkemyst]

Yes, it really is. The thing is, the high end buttons just have more expensive components that give a different feel. The thing is, the most expensive buttons aren't necessarily the best. Some make louder click noises. Some make no noise. Depending on what you prefer you pay more or less per button. Thing is, you could get the $5 buttons and hate them while the $1 ones would have been a better choice.

ok?

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

http://www.ultimarc.com/store/section.php?xSec=6

The Mag-Stic Plus is one of the BEST digital arcade sticks you can buy for a total of $35. I have an analog stick on my cab. It is the UltraStik 360 which is a total cost of $60. For this product, the Mag-Stic for $25 is probably more than sufficient.

Light up buttons on this site are $7.50 each with LEDs installed. A little more than I would have expected.

The LED controller is $60.:
http://www.ultimarc.com/pacled64.html

The thing is, that is way more controller than needed for this $200 controller. Others exist probably for half the price. For example, this one allows for each button to be made up 16 million colors. Plus the hardware handles all sort of pattern generation on board.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

ok?

My point is that the price paid for a button is not equal to quality. Different prices just mean different buttons.

 

[alkemyst]

post pics of your cab and gameplay

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Pics?

Still need final pics. It's been done for a few years:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=105534.0