At some point I stopped pretending I could manually fix anime textures in 3D. Upload 2D art → get a clean 3D model that actually looks like the original. Honestly? It feels illegal how easy this is. Code MESHYHALF if you’d rather create than tweak vertices.
Tbf usually the parts are different anyway, many consider a Semitsu LS-56 with octo gate (as I have in the pic) to be optimal for a shmup stick, I prefer Semitsu buttons for shmups to. The 2D fighter guys mostly prefer Sanwa JLF stick and buttons and square gates. The 56 can be super accurate because of the resistance - on par with a keyboard, it’s technically preference but you’d have to be VERY skilled to graze effectively with a JLF (it’s just so louse). I 2D fight too but on a different stick with different parts (all Sanwa).
I have learned a lot today. I'm just a regular ole arrowkey ninja, playing on an XD60 with MX Clears right now but unsure of the weight fatigue-wise, though also somewhat unwilling to go lower since I don't want the bump having too much authority. I'll have to decide before I receive my KBD8X kit because without switch top removal my choice of weighting will be final.
Playing on stick would, by all means, be a tremendously stupid idea for me. I've clocked probably over 800 hours on arrows and regaining that muscle memory from scratch would take at least half that time again. My playstyle is also thoroughly adapted to my keyboard, featuring a strong reliance on small adjustments, rapid tapping and a near reliance on my favourite thing to show off with, consistent 1-frame taps.
However, stick fascinates me, as a sort of ultimate pure input method, something also much more fucking economicalfuvjissxhckjsdhkjdkshjgjgh to build than mechanical keyboards (help my wallet pls), with rather unique options for personalisation, but mostly I find the sight of a stick being flung around to be thoroughly majestic. It looks so easy even, though I know from all my experience that it isn't and I'm fooling myself.
First though, I would need to have an existential meltdown again. Do I pander to my most agile hand and go for a right-handed stick, or do I avoid putting more strain on my lesser wrist, and adhere to the standard, by going for a left-handed stick? May god help me.
Keyboards rock, I have a Pok3r with cherry clear switches that’s feels as satisfying as any game pad or stick. As soon as I get round too programming a programmable layer just for Touhou I’ll probably use it with ijkl as directions and qwas as attack keys.
A high resistance stick like a Semitsu LS-56 or 58 or a JLF with a spring modification provides enough resistance too be pretty dam accurate, close too a gaming keyboard. It’s people trying Touhou on stock sticks or fight sticks that gives that impression, a custom shump stick isn’t as inaccurate as you may think - it’s better then a non mechanical keyboard with mushy switches any day.
I play rhythm games on arcade controllers and really appreciate the wider motions and tactile and aural feedback of arcade controls and I wouldn't be surprised it applies here too.
I was just curious, do you have any tips for someone looking to buy a stick and hasn't bought one before? Was looking to get a make stick pro with a Seimitsu LS-32
At some point I stopped pretending I could manually fix anime textures in 3D. Upload 2D art → get a clean 3D model that actually looks like the original. Honestly? It feels illegal how easy this is. Code MESHYHALF if you’d rather create than tweak vertices.
It depends on a lot of things including the game and what controller.
Many arcade (or arcade style) Shmups work well on an arcade stick especially a very accurate stick like a custom Semitsu. Crimson Clover feels natural on a stick it’s great on a keyboard to.
Revolver 360 is a Shmup that feels more natural on an Xbox 360 type of game pad because you need to trigger the revolving aspect with a trigger on each hand while using all regular shmup controls.
Touhou is usually played on a keyboard. But you can use a very accurate custom built stick.
Arcade sticks get a bad reputation because people try cheap inaccurate sticks or fightsticks which are not accurate enough for danmaku, a Semitsu LS-56 can be as accurate as a keyboard and can to some feel more fluid.
In my personal experience usually game pad controllers are not great even though a lot of people play shmups on them.
An arcade stick with Semitsu parts usually is fine for mist shmups.
A keyboard also is usually fine for most shmups.
A stick or pad is sometimes better then a low quality keyboard.
I use a 60% mechanical keyboard with MX Clear switches, I also use custom built arcade sticks which I build for shmups. There both about as accurate as each other maybe the keyboard has a tiny edge.
The 60% keyboard is more portable and can be used for other games
I’m left handed, I flip sticks the wrong way or get left handed boxes custom made but layers of keys on my pok3r keyboard are programmable which is great, pad controllers are so usually right handed I just don’t bother looking for leftie ones, I’ve learnt to use right handed ones but they never feel natural
A Semitsu shmup sticks with an octo gate won’t work well on fighting games
Sometimes the stick feels more “free” and comfortable but it’s a lot harder to learn / get used to especially when bullet hell accuracy is involved
I edited the graphic slightly then laminated a print out and cut it to a faceplate template that I’d placed the art work over already in photoshop.
But you can either buy a stick with a Touhou face plate already fitted (there are a few for retail from arcade stick companies).
Or you can as I did, buy a stick and gut it then fully customise it with all new parts (including the faceplate), this is usually the best way too go for a shmup stick as Semitsu parts are generally preferred and sworn by in the forums for shmups.
There’s loads of info online about customising arcade sticks.
If you want to go deep into customising sticks for shmups specifically then lurk the forums where hardcore shmups stick players post often, such as
The faceplate is the easiest part (google is your friend) but I’d strongly advise you customise the buttons and stick (maybe even pcb) or buy a stick that comes with decent parts already (easier said then done for shmups).
I wanna try it, but I hate fighting games so I don’t have a stick
Tbf usually the parts are different anyway, many consider a Semitsu LS-56 with octo gate (as I have in the pic) to be optimal for a shmup stick, I prefer Semitsu buttons for shmups to. The 2D fighter guys mostly prefer Sanwa JLF stick and buttons and square gates. The 56 can be super accurate because of the resistance - on par with a keyboard, it’s technically preference but you’d have to be VERY skilled to graze effectively with a JLF (it’s just so louse). I 2D fight too but on a different stick with different parts (all Sanwa).
Nah, I'm a keyboard loser.
Keyboards rock, I have a Pok3r with cherry clear switches that’s feels as satisfying as any game pad or stick. As soon as I get round too programming a programmable layer just for Touhou I’ll probably use it with ijkl as directions and qwas as attack keys.
I do! I actually really like playing bullet hells on a stick. Makes it feel more like an arcade games
Good man!
Only people who don't know any better or people who have truly surpassed human evolution use sticks to play Touhou.
A high resistance stick like a Semitsu LS-56 or 58 or a JLF with a spring modification provides enough resistance too be pretty dam accurate, close too a gaming keyboard. It’s people trying Touhou on stock sticks or fight sticks that gives that impression, a custom shump stick isn’t as inaccurate as you may think - it’s better then a non mechanical keyboard with mushy switches any day.
I play it on a flight joystick sometimes
What’s that like, last time I used one of those was in the 80s on a Commodore 64, the thought of this bring back nostalgia.
Mix that with Touhou and that just sounds awesome!
are controllers good for danmaku?
It depends on a lot of things including the game and what controller.
Many arcade (or arcade style) Shmups work well on an arcade stick especially a very accurate stick like a custom Semitsu. Crimson Clover feels natural on a stick it’s great on a keyboard to.
Revolver 360 is a Shmup that feels more natural on an Xbox 360 type of game pad because you need to trigger the revolving aspect with a trigger on each hand while using all regular shmup controls.
Touhou is usually played on a keyboard. But you can use a very accurate custom built stick.
Arcade sticks get a bad reputation because people try cheap inaccurate sticks or fightsticks which are not accurate enough for danmaku, a Semitsu LS-56 can be as accurate as a keyboard and can to some feel more fluid.
In my personal experience usually game pad controllers are not great even though a lot of people play shmups on them.
An arcade stick with Semitsu parts usually is fine for mist shmups.
A keyboard also is usually fine for most shmups.
A stick or pad is sometimes better then a low quality keyboard.
I use a 60% mechanical keyboard with MX Clear switches, I also use custom built arcade sticks which I build for shmups. There both about as accurate as each other maybe the keyboard has a tiny edge.
The 60% keyboard is more portable and can be used for other games
I’m left handed, I flip sticks the wrong way or get left handed boxes custom made but layers of keys on my pok3r keyboard are programmable which is great, pad controllers are so usually right handed I just don’t bother looking for leftie ones, I’ve learnt to use right handed ones but they never feel natural
A Semitsu shmup sticks with an octo gate won’t work well on fighting games
Sometimes the stick feels more “free” and comfortable but it’s a lot harder to learn / get used to especially when bullet hell accuracy is involved
I use a controller but looking at the photo I kinda wanna start using an arcade stick especially since shmups started on arcades.
It’s weird. It is usually my just slamming the yolk side to side a bunch because of how inputs work.
How can I get a touhou themed stick, that looks sick.
That’s my stick, thanks.
I edited the graphic slightly then laminated a print out and cut it to a faceplate template that I’d placed the art work over already in photoshop.
But you can either buy a stick with a Touhou face plate already fitted (there are a few for retail from arcade stick companies).
Or you can as I did, buy a stick and gut it then fully customise it with all new parts (including the faceplate), this is usually the best way too go for a shmup stick as Semitsu parts are generally preferred and sworn by in the forums for shmups.
There’s loads of info online about customising arcade sticks.
If you want to go deep into customising sticks for shmups specifically then lurk the forums where hardcore shmups stick players post often, such as
https://forums.shoryuken.com/t/seimitsu-ls-56-01-vs-sanwa-jlf-tp-8yt-sk-joystick/137628/20
The faceplate is the easiest part (google is your friend) but I’d strongly advise you customise the buttons and stick (maybe even pcb) or buy a stick that comes with decent parts already (easier said then done for shmups).
What's "Touhou on a stick"?