Hori to realease Special Edition RAP [Archive]

Visceral_1

01-24-2005, 08:27 PM

Hey there,

I don't post much here but I was wondering what your thoughts were on these following products. I myself am a little excited by them.

http://www.horistore.com/shop/item_detail?id=260

http://www.horistore.com/shop/item_detail?id=261

From what I've been told by my co workers (I can't read Japanese), the first stick is an authentic Sanwa stick coupled with authentic Sanwa buttons. As well, the button layout is the original button layout as found on must Japanese cabs.

The second is a Seimetsu stick with Seimetsu buttons.

I believe according to that site, the release date is March 31st of this year and pre-order date is January 31. In any case, I hope to soon place an order for it at the local Denkodo.

Visc

KungFu-tse

01-24-2005, 08:38 PM

What's the difference between Sanwa and Seimitsu? I heard Sanwa is better.

Visceral_1

01-24-2005, 08:44 PM

To be honest, I don't know what the difference is between the two. Someone more knowledgeable on the board will have to answer that. I am opting for the Sanwa version of the stick simply because I really love the feeling of that stick and the square gates and all. However, I also hang out on a shooter forum and some people there stated that dedicated shooter fanatics prefer the feel of the seimitsu gear over others when playing manic shootemups like DDP or ESPGAluda, etc. Perhaps Hori is going after two different markets with these sticks. Living in Japan, I can tell you that shooters ARE NOT a dying breed over here. Most arcades I have gone to have a fairly large section dedicated to the genre...

Visceral

Toodles

01-24-2005, 09:07 PM

Now this has me excited more than the normal RAP. The button layout looks a LOT closer to the standard 6 button japanese layout like on the agetec and namco. The original RAP just didnt look like it came close to that layout.

N-Ken

01-24-2005, 09:16 PM

Problem is, you can only do that layout with serious remapping, as the main 6(face buttons and 2 shoulders) are still to the right. And the way they sit looks unusable for the right 6. All sanwa and the red looks dope though.

Hey Visceral, is that shooter forum in english? I've been getting into some shmups lately and it'd be cool to check a board for it. It's also interesting to hear that Seimitsu is preferred for shooters, are there certain characteristics that you look for in a shmup stick that vary from fighting games?

Visceral_1

01-24-2005, 09:47 PM

N-Ken,

Yeah.. the shooter board is in English. Problem is their forum is completely out of whack at the moment for some reason. So they have a rough default board. Look up www.shmups.com Most of the people over there are pretty cool and the demographics that make up the board are a bit older than your standard game site (probably owing to the fact that shooters are one of the older genres in videogames).

As for stick preference, I am just relaying what some of the posters have said on that board. Personally, I prefer that a stick have a small circumference for a shooter as I think it helps with more accurate navigation when things get hectic on the screen (my problem has always been oversteering the ship into bullet).

Visceral

red_plague

01-24-2005, 10:00 PM

Mhmmmm, that red sanwa versions is hotttt!

Gaijinblaze

01-24-2005, 10:12 PM

On the RAPs, is it possible to take off the shaft cover? That and the button dilemma that N-Ken mentioned are the only things keeping Hori from producing the ultimate stick, in my opinion. I think they should take off the 2 rightmost buttons altogether.

Thanks for the news though, Visceral.

Visceral_1

01-24-2005, 10:34 PM

Gaijinblaze,

Well, if these look to be constructed in the same manner as the original HRAPs, I know that you can unscrew the ball top and then slide off the black shaft cover. The only problem I found with that was that was the joystick then was much more loose and felt strange when you gripped it in a wine cup fashion. Almost as if the stick was digging into the inside of your knuckles somehow when you were executing more complex combos. Needless to say, I promptly put the shaft cover back on the stick. =(

Visceral

coN

01-24-2005, 11:03 PM

Seimitsu sticks have a slightly longer throw than Sanwas. Plus, the gate system they use is different from Sanwas. Also, with Sanwa stick, when you rotate the stick itself, the acuator hits the switches directly, whereas the Seimitsu stick when rotated pushes the metal bars to activate the microswitches like a Happ Super or Korean Stick. Overall, both are very good sticks.

eggy

01-26-2005, 05:01 AM

here is another link with more info. They look pretty cool.
http://www.hori.jp/products/ps2/controller/realarc_pro_s/index.html

Gen-An

01-26-2005, 12:36 PM

The nice thing about the Sanwa variant is that it uses the OBSF-30RG buttons, which are supposed to be even more responsive and resiliant to damage than the regular OBSF-30 ones.

aktham

01-26-2005, 02:04 PM

so the special edition HRAP is gonna be the best stick out of the box(since the buttons are sanwa now)....do you think it will be as good as a custom stick? which do you prefer this layout of buttons or the old HRAP?
(I ask because my modified HRAP is on the way and i might want the get the SEHRAP too) :clap:

SiLLiEMutAfuKA

01-26-2005, 02:11 PM

Whoa the white one looks NICE, I guess I'll get one.

P. Gorath

01-26-2005, 02:31 PM

yeah that button layout sucks for playing with the right six.

CrotchMonkey

01-26-2005, 02:41 PM

i prefer the og button layout, id rather just get sanwa buttons and just pop those in instead of these.

Kayin

01-26-2005, 02:43 PM

God damn... So temping... I love the way the second one looks, but the Sanwa parts on the first one are just too good...

I gotta saw I quite like both tho.

James8BitStar

01-27-2005, 07:43 AM

I don't like the button layout.

I wouldn't mind replacing the convex buttons with concave ones, either.

JetEnduro

01-27-2005, 01:15 PM

all jap sticks come with convex buttons

azmun

01-27-2005, 02:05 PM

The button layout still don´t follow the arcades (I prefer six buttons without the unnecessary turbo/slow motion switches). And I don´t really like the size and body of the Real Arcade Pro since it´s too bulky. I think it would´ve been better if they used the actual sanwa/seimitsu parts with their older models like the SC2 or namco.

Ex-S

01-27-2005, 04:41 PM

Argh, the white one looks better, but the red one is for fighters = S

Kayin

01-27-2005, 04:51 PM

Argh, the white one looks better, but the red one is for fighters = S
I feel your pain dude... :xeye:

Visceral_1

01-27-2005, 05:13 PM

One option I wouldn't mind entertaining would be to disconnect then cap off R1 and R2 seeing as how I only really use sticks for SF and shooters. Anyone ever tried this with the original HRAP (but then again there would be no real need for it on the original HRAP -- btw what is the technical name for those black caps that operators put on machines when they just want to nullify an existing button slot... am I right to just call them caps?)? In any case, I just placed an order for it yesterday ... so now it's just a two month wait.

Visceral

Superking

01-29-2005, 02:37 PM

Gotta love that release date for both of these babies. March 31st, my birthday. :tup: :clap:

box

01-30-2005, 07:46 PM

What's the difference between Sanwa and Seimitsu buttons?

Superking

01-30-2005, 10:23 PM

What's the difference between Sanwa and Seimitsu buttons?

http://www.shoryuken.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81236&page=1&pp=15

coN

01-30-2005, 10:46 PM

What's the difference between Sanwa and Seimitsu buttons?
About the exact same thing.

kombatfreak

01-30-2005, 11:40 PM

I'm sorry for sounding uninformed, but other than the buttons, what are the differences between the red special HRAP and the original HRAP? Specifically which Sanwa stick is used in the original HRAP and is it different from the one in the new red HRAP?

Are either of the Sanwa HRAP's using the standard Sanwa stick found in Japanese arcade cabinets? And as someone who already owns the first HRAP, would the new red one be a worthwhile investment? I'm basically always looking for something that's one step closer to the cabinet. The first HRAP is great, but not all the way there. (I'm also aware that a custom stick would be the ideal solution).

Thanks in advance.

Gen-An

01-31-2005, 08:31 PM

The Sanwa stick used in the old HRAPs and new red HRAP is the same as that used in Japanese arcades, JLF-TP-8Y-SK (the so-called VF4 stick). The only difference, between the old HRAP and the new red one, ignoring the Sanwa buttons which you know about already, is the button layout.

azmun

02-01-2005, 08:15 AM

Anyone know the difference between these two sanwa joysticks: JLF-TP-8Y-SK (the so-called VF4 stick) and the regular JLF-TP-8Y?

Gaijinblaze

02-01-2005, 02:52 PM

SiLLiEMutAfuKA

02-01-2005, 07:36 PM

Kayin

02-01-2005, 07:51 PM

What do you mean by having a 'longer throw'?
You can move it a little more basically.

azmun

02-02-2005, 12:01 PM

I believe the JLF-TP-8Y-SK is essentially the same thing, but includes the black shaft cover (the regular JLF doesn't have a cover on the steel shaft), and the dust cover has a slightly larger hole to accommodate the extra size of the shaft w/ cover.

I think the differences might be more than cosmetic. I´m no joystick expert but if I´m not mistaken, I think one has a longer shaft than the other. Also, I think the VF4 JLF stick is more springy in that in returns to the neutral position quicker.

Ex-S

02-03-2005, 02:07 AM

I guess they're out of preorder stock? They took down the preorder page, so does anyone know any other place to get one of these. I really like the white one, so I just might have to switch out the joystick for a sanwa.

kofiend

02-06-2005, 05:07 AM

ehh, for 20 bucks i can put in sanwa buttons in myself, and i get to keep the layout. also, they could of changed the turbo funtions red or blue to match the sticks, after the mirror finish scratches up, you ll have a ugly stick with a fucked up button layout.

about the non sanwa stick, is it confirmed to be a leaf switch joystick? in korea, all the joysticks have no corners(smooth when you rotate them), they were very responsive but needed to be maintained quite often. again, i can buy the seimitsu stick and put it in myself.

TheFragile

02-07-2005, 08:31 AM

At last!!

arcade stick with sanwa stick AND sanwa buttons!

27th march is my birthday..

can't wait!

True_Tech

02-07-2005, 09:07 AM

:( if only that button layout wasn't like that

Bucket

02-07-2005, 01:19 PM

That button layout looks slightly uncomfortable. You'll be forced to use the 6 buttons from the left instead of the right. It looks cool and all, and actually having the sanwa buttons built right in is a nice addition. I already have a hrap and sanwa buttons but I haven't replaced the buttons because the hori buttons aren't bad enough to warrant replacing. I could always get the hori stick that is coming to U.S. for much less money and even modify it with sanwa buttons and I would've still saved money. Turbo Smurbo.... The only reason I might consider getting special edition hrap is if I could no longer tolerate the artwork on my cfj hrap.

Golden_Gunman

02-10-2005, 08:42 AM

The new Sanwa RAP still doesn't look like it has the correct button and stick placements as found on VS city cabinets. It might be just me, but in the VS cabs here in London, the stick and the buttons are REAL close together. There seems to be more room on the sanwa stick in the picture than on a real cabinet. Can anyone confirm this?

coN

02-10-2005, 08:48 AM

My friend owns a Versus City cab, and that 8 button setup on the HRAP is the same exact setup on the Versus City panel.

Jaime

02-10-2005, 10:05 AM

Gaijinblaze

02-10-2005, 01:14 PM

On the Vs. City cabs in Toronto, the joystick is only like 2.5" away from the nearest button (centres, not circumferences). It also looks as if on new HRAP, the button layout doesn't look the same either. On the VC cabs here, there are only 6 buttons (the 6 leftmost ones on the HRAP) and jab and short would be lowered a bit.

Azmun: You may be right. I just thought that all Sanwa JLF-TPs used the same body. I've never heard of performance differences between them.

Golden_Gunman

02-11-2005, 03:41 AM

On the Vs. City cabs in Toronto, the joystick is only like 2.5" away from the nearest button (centres, not circumferences). It also looks as if on new HRAP, the button layout doesn't look the same either. On the VC cabs here, there are only 6 buttons (the 6 leftmost ones on the HRAP) and jab and short would be lowered a bit.

Yeah that's how they are set up over here, 6 buttons only, and the stick is really close to the buttons. Oh well, at least I know now.

megaultrasuper

02-11-2005, 07:50 AM

So are any english language sites offering this yet?

ragnafrak

03-03-2005, 06:11 PM

if anyone is wondering the difference between sanwa and seimitsu BUTTONs, i just recently put 8 red sanwa buttons in my original HRAP, and i can definitely tell the difference. it seems to me like seimitsu buttons engage when they are about 25-33% pressed down, and the sanwa buttons engage when they are about 10-15% pressed down. you can mash like a god just by brushing over the buttons really lightly. they both depress about the same distance, and have about the same amount of resistance.

PS: if you want to know how japanese parts are supposed to be used, find the vids of daigo's hands, he puts more effort into sitting up straight than he does pressing buttons.

pfunnell

03-04-2005, 07:40 PM

My friend owns a Versus City cab, and that 8 button setup on the HRAP is the same exact setup on the Versus City panel.

werd, my friend Mike owns a 3s sega cab, and the button layout is exactly the same.

You guys are talking about the original HRAP right, not the SA/SE? Do the 6 buttons on the cabinet correspond to the six left or six right buttons on the HRAP?

coN

03-04-2005, 08:07 PM

You guys are talking about the original HRAP right, not the SA/SE? Do the 6 buttons on the cabinet correspond to the six left or six right buttons on the HRAP?
No. Were talking about the Special Edition Hori RAP. Those have the correct arcade 8-button setup. The original HRAP have a setup similiar to older Horis like the Saturn Fighting Stick SS.

pfunnell

03-04-2005, 11:25 PM

No. Were talking about the Special Edition Hori RAP. Those have the correct arcade 8-button setup. The original HRAP have a setup similiar to older Horis like the Saturn Fighting Stick SS.

Cool. I've never seen a arcade 8-button setup — is the positioning identical to a six-button setup with two extra buttons on the right? If so, i'll be getting a HRAP SA and dumping my HRAP OG. Arcade positioning + out-of-box OBSF-30RG buttons > wonky positioning + $30 for modding with OBSF-30RGs.

Doesn't seem like the SA/SE HRAPs are available for pre-order yet anywhere… I called NCS (http://www.ncsx.com) and they said they'll update their front page as soon as they finalize pricing for the new HRAPs.

buttasuperb

03-04-2005, 11:55 PM

I called NCS (http://www.ncsx.com) and they said they'll update their front page as soon as they finalize pricing for the new HRAPs.

Cool, I was hoping someone would be getting these. I'll be ordering one.

popo187

03-05-2005, 04:15 AM

pfunnell

03-05-2005, 11:35 AM

well this is the Namco arcade layout from FFA:

http://www.story-of-my-life.net/187/FamilyFun/FFA-cab.JPG

hope that helps.

sorry for my ignorance but...

can the extra 2 buttons be removed on the end, then close them up with the same 'button blockers' they have at arcades or something?

Thanks for the pic popo, it looks like layout of the left six on the new HRAPs is a lot more similar to the arcade layout.

And yes, I read on some thread that someone had taken out the two extra buttons on his original HRAP and replaced them with caps.

(BTW, is instant email notification jacked up on these forums? None of my subscribed threads let me know when someone posts):

ssbomberman

03-06-2005, 02:43 PM

Em0b0i

03-06-2005, 04:09 PM

thanks for the heads up..i just preordered the Special Edition which is the seimitsu stick for my shooters..and now im pondering..if i should get the sanwa stick also..too hardcore...!

Em0b0i

03-06-2005, 04:17 PM

what is the difference between the sanwa and seimitsu stick? I have heard seimitsu stick is ideal for shooters.

pfunnell

03-06-2005, 04:26 PM

NCSX has both up for preorder (you need to go to their old site and dig a few pages deep under preorder -- I can't direct link cause it is in frames). 125 shipped via UPS ground. I preordered the Special Addition which is the sanwa version. As for the buttons, just go in and swap the wires to use the first six buttons and cap the last two or leave them in, or leave them and just disconnect them. Easy fix.

ssb

Dammit, the NCS chick is a lying liar. Here's a direct link (http://mgrsti3030s.seamlesstech.biz/templates/frmTemplateR.asp?CatalogID=9455&SearchYN=N&subFolderID=97) to the NCS page where you can preorder it. I haven't bought anything from NCS in a while, but I think they don't charge you until the item actually ships out.

ssbomberman

03-06-2005, 05:22 PM

what is the difference between the sanwa and seimitsu stick? I have heard seimitsu stick is ideal for shooters.

Earlier pages say that seimitsu travel is longer and button sensitivity is less -- sanwa is great for fighters -- buttons are hairpin sensitive (you just brush the side and it registers) and stick you barely have to move to do motions. Never used a seimitsu. If it's for fighters, just go with the sanwa, as we can vouch for how good they are, or wait until you can hear more about seimitsu.

ssb

Tritone

03-06-2005, 11:53 PM

Man I like the colors and the fact that the buttons on one are Sanwa, but I don't like the new button positions at all. Am I the only one who likes to map the buttons like this:

O O O O
O X X X

O=where I rest my fingers
X=unused buttons

Stanman

03-06-2005, 11:55 PM

not exactly squared up like that but most people generally do prefer that style. I would love to get the hori special edition but the button layout to me seems absolutely terrible.

Em0b0i

03-10-2005, 04:07 PM

how much better is a sanwa stick better than a seimitsu stick? im usin gthis stick mostly for shooters

Bucket

03-14-2005, 01:03 AM

It says the preorder is closed. Does that mean that they are not selling these anymore? Whats the deal?
Dammit, the NCS chick is a lying liar. Here's a direct link (http://mgrsti3030s.seamlesstech.biz/templates/frmTemplateR.asp?CatalogID=9455&SearchYN=N&subFolderID=97) to the NCS page where you can preorder it. I haven't bought anything from NCS in a while, but I think they don't charge you until the item actually ships out.

ssbomberman

03-14-2005, 08:10 AM

It says the preorder is closed. Does that mean that they are not selling these anymore? Whats the deal?

It means they've exhausted their preorder stock or what the max is they are able to get for preorder, which means you will have to wait until they can acquire more for preorder or that once it is released, they will restock periodically, like they just did a restock of the original HRAPs last week.

ssb

bigbadboaz

03-20-2005, 10:47 PM

To update, it looks like the final models have been slightly redesigned:

http://www.hori.jp/products/ps2/controller/realarc_pro_s_fix/index.html

Looks like we won't have to worry about mirror-surface scratching, or a poor button layout! Props to Hori...

KungFu-tse

03-21-2005, 05:32 AM

aktham

03-21-2005, 06:17 AM

WOW :wow:
Now i want this stick more than ever before. PLEASE where the hell can i buy/preorder this stick? and will all the SA/SE HRAPs look like that, or will they have the new and old layout versions? Thanks:tup:
It seems that stores aren't taking anymore preorders.

coN

03-21-2005, 07:59 AM

Pre-orders are completely sold out according to Hori, in Japanese video game retail stores and US importers. I asked my friend whos in Japan and she said that these particular sticks are in limited quantities and more will not be made. She wasnt 100% sure about them not making more when she told me so i asked her to make sure. I ordered 1 of each the Sanwa and the Seimitsu. I should be getting them soon.

Superking

03-21-2005, 10:33 AM

/\ /\ /\

Whoah, thanks for the update.

They finally moved the X, O, Sq, and Tri. buttons to the left.

In the previous design, L1 and L2 were to the left. http://www.horistore.com/shop/item_detail?id=260

The new layout is much better.

The L1 and L2 buttons are still to the left, other than making the layout like the Japanese arcade cabinet style, the button setup is still the same order. :confused:

KungFu-tse

03-21-2005, 10:40 AM

The L1 and L2 buttons are still to the left, other than making the layout like the Japanese arcade cabinet style, the button setup is still the same order. :confused:

What are you talking about? I was refering to bigbadboaz's link.

http://www.hori.jp/products/ps2/controller/realarc_pro_s_fix/index.html

Superking

03-21-2005, 10:48 AM

What are you talking about? I was refering to bigbadboaz's link.

http://www.hori.jp/products/ps2/controller/realarc_pro_s_fix/index.html

Ah didn't know about that update, my bad.

Good to know as I ordered a Special Addition Sanwa HRAP. :tup:

bigbadboaz

03-21-2005, 12:41 PM

ssbomberman

03-21-2005, 01:51 PM

Only thing I _don't_ like is that the stick is so damn close to the buttons, like on the original HRAP. If you look at the first version of the SA/SE, they moved the joystick further left, which I think was a much better placement. The new one has the stick placed way to the right, just like the first edition. The whole stick looks skewed to the right, and I don't want my hands that close together. Does anyone know a good reason for this? Is this part of the "Japanese layout" that has some advantage I can't fathom?

I know people with bigger hands might have problem with the closeness of the stick to the buttons, but I for one prefer it this way, your hands are nice and close together it's comfortable and makes me feel like the motions are connected better, like moving from stick motion to button press...

I dunno the technical reason...I know my friend likes Jap sticks but has a lot of trouble using the Namco cause it is just too small for him...

ssb

Stanman

03-21-2005, 03:14 PM

crap, these actually limited edition? I should have done the preorder...

kofiend

03-21-2005, 04:33 PM

looks like i ll be ordering mine in few weeks, yay.

good thing hori is using a leaf switch joystick design, i hate boxy ass corners, fuck sanwas.
since we use US sticks here, we use more force on joysticks.
the thing is..using a sanwa joystick properly, your not supposed to hit the corners, everything is done in small circles. they have faster response than US sticks, but i think sanwas are overrated, leaf switch is the shit.

seimitsu joysticks have a small axis like sanwas, but smooth
rotatation when you rotate them(not boxy) and can take punishment.

coN

03-21-2005, 09:20 PM

Hori isnt making a leaf switch design.

Seimitsus have a square gate like Sanwa, although, they use a different gate system.

And once again, PRE-ORDERS ARE SOLD OUT. These are LIMTED EDITION.

kofiend

03-21-2005, 11:03 PM

http://www.hori.jp/products/ps2/controller/realarc_pro_s_fix/index.html

3rd one, LS-32
http://www.seimitsu.co.jp/joystick/

ssbomberman

03-22-2005, 10:12 AM

I have a long shaft leaf switch sanwa that is pretty nice, put it in my green goblin, but the response is not nearly as good as a standard sanwa.

ssb

Fasty McNasty

03-22-2005, 11:53 AM

i love how the color for the buttons are different than the color of the button rings. that should be done more often.

coN

03-22-2005, 12:12 PM

Those arent leaf switches. Those are microswitches with metal levers for the acuator.

THESE (http://www.dameon.net/BBBB/leafs.jpg) are leaf switches. Just to clarify.

kofiend

03-22-2005, 12:51 PM

microswitches with acuators still make the stick feel smooth, happ super joystick is like this.
but yeh, oops, i got excited they re making one in white with a smooth rotating joystick, i forgot to look at the pic and make sure.

popo187

03-22-2005, 11:57 PM

is it just me or did they take out the metallic look to the stick?

http://www.hori.jp/products/ps2/controller/realarc_pro_s_fix/index.html

hopefully they fixed the problem I hear about the stick being scratched up so easily.

UrIeNaToR

03-23-2005, 04:45 PM

looks like they took it out.

kofiend

03-27-2005, 02:01 PM

where can i order this stick besides ncsx? what about the hori store?

Gen-An

03-27-2005, 03:22 PM

I don't think the Hori store will ship internationally, so NCS might be it for the States, unless Lik-Sang or Play Asia have it for preorder...

kofiend

03-27-2005, 03:30 PM

ehhh fuck it, i was gonna get it but preorders are out and my stick is still good

ssbomberman

04-01-2005, 12:16 PM

Em0b0i

04-01-2005, 12:23 PM

UPDATE: to all who ordered from NCS -- I just got off the phone with them and they have not gotten their shipments of the Special Additon/Edition and the woman said that they will probably not get them until late next week.

ssb

FUCK,MAN...Ive been waiting for the mail for these past 2 days and hear out this shit..what is the fucken deal..

Superking

04-01-2005, 03:55 PM

BOOYAA!!!!

My local import store just called a few minutes ago, and yes my SA HRAP has finally arrived. I'll be picking it up tomorrow or something, since I'm going out to watch Sin City today. :smokin:

But even though my SA HRAP is here, I'm still going to build my custom Sanwa.

Hey, you can never have enough arcade sticks. :karate:

Jaeger

04-03-2005, 01:00 AM

so err anyone got one/both yet?

Superking

04-03-2005, 01:38 AM

I was too lazy to go pick up mine today, but when I go pick it up, I'll take pics or something.

Cryptlord

04-03-2005, 03:48 PM

So can I still buy these anywhere? Playasia, liksang, and ncsx don't seem to show them.

coN

04-03-2005, 04:34 PM

Still waiting for mine. They should come in next week.

aktham

04-08-2005, 03:17 PM

anybody get their stick in yet? If you don't like your sanwa, i'd be happy to buy it from you :devil: . Post pics too please if you could (inside and out)

TheFragile

04-10-2005, 03:38 AM

i checked playasia and liksang, but it seems they're not going to have SA HRAP...

where did you buy it?

ssbomberman

04-11-2005, 07:41 AM

Still waiting on an update from NCS -- they should have the order in this week.

I think if you didn't get one on preorder, you are out of luck -- they only made a limited number of these and they are probably all gone.

But I wouldn't worry, it's Hori, they'll release new sanwa sticks again, probably with different colors and whatnot in the near future.

ssb

EDIT: update from NCS (this doesn't sound good either) --

"Hi ssb, we are waiting for our Japanese agent to give us an update on the Hori joysticks but we will contact our customers once the joysticks arrive. Thanks for checking with us.

Regards,
NCS, Inc"

Cugel

04-11-2005, 03:58 PM

I got my HORI Special Edition (SE) today. My buddy in Japan shipped it last week. He received two SE on March 31st. According to him, HORI will not be making anymore SE or SA sticks.

It's a sweet stick. I have a modded HORI RAP with Sanwa buttons. The big changes are the button layout, better finish, and Seimitsu stick & buttons for the SE.

HORI got rid of the mirrored finish (good!) and replaced with a metal finish that looks like a herringbone pattern. Looks like a plexiglass cover over the metal, but the important thing is no more fingerprint problems.

The Button layout is similar to Japanese cabs now. The L1 and L2 buttons were moved all the way right. I actually liked the old layout on the RAP, but it's fine.

The Seimitsu stick is good and has a slightly longer throw than the Sanwa. I got the SE for shoot 'em ups and it does a great job. For shooters like Dodonpachi Dai-ou-Jou, the SE is like a dream. It's much better than my RAP.

The buttons are a little bit stiffer than Sanwas. It's fine, but the ultimate combo would be a Seimitsu stick with Sanwa buttons.

Definitely a good purchase. I paid $120 which included shipping. My friend knows someone at the US Embassy and he shipped it for $20.

coN

04-11-2005, 04:31 PM

My Special Editions came in today finally.

EDIT - Cugel summed up the Seimitsu sticks nicely. Incase anyone was wondering...

Zero1

04-11-2005, 04:52 PM

are these sticks ever going to make it to north america?

Stanman

04-11-2005, 05:02 PM

doubtful. You can't get them anywhere right now.

Em0b0i

04-11-2005, 05:29 PM

My Special Editions came in today finally.

EDIT - Cugel summed up the Seimitsu sticks nicely. Incase anyone was wondering...

where did u get that stick from? god damn NCSX needs to fucken hurry..

verbel

04-11-2005, 05:53 PM

I wish I would have ordered a Seimitsu stick but I guess its too late now.

coN

04-11-2005, 07:43 PM

Em0b0i - My friend in Japan bought them for me and sent them. I just sent her the money.

galfordo

04-17-2005, 10:45 AM

Dear NCS Customer,

Thanks for your preorder for a Hori RAP Special joystick. Please note that we are still waiting for news from our Hori agent for delivery on the two types of Special joysticks. Our own customers who live in Japan that ordered directly from the Hori online shop have already started receiving their joysticks in the past few days but our agent has not received their bulk order yet.

At this point, it is unclear if Hori restricted shipments of multiple units of the joystick to wholesalers and distributors due to the small production quantity but we are waiting for news. Our online order was split into 2 orders of 30 pieces of each stick (3 per carton) and this may have been more than Hori was able to supply to a single customer.

We will update everyone again once we hear from our agent. Apologies for this unexpected delay and inconvenience.

Regards,
NCS, Inc

It's not even certain that pre-order customers will get their sticks at this point. It was pretty silly of Hori to limit production of these sticks, especially considering that they're probably their most desireable.

popo187

04-17-2005, 01:17 PM

to whoever got theirs already:

pics? :P

galfordo

04-20-2005, 04:13 PM

3 weeks past the ship date and still not a word about ncsx shipping the sticks out. This is not looking good ... :mad:

Cugel

04-21-2005, 05:46 AM

3 weeks past the ship date and still not a word about ncsx shipping the sticks out. This is not looking good ... :mad:

People in Japan received the stick on March 31. So, if NCSX hasn't received them by now, they're not going to get them. It was a limited production run and HORI will not make any more of these Special Edition/Addition sticks.

Of course, they could come out with a regular Seimitsu RAP in the near future. I've heard that the Seimitsu Special Edition was the top seller.

Hope it works out for you.

Sub

04-22-2005, 04:00 PM

People in Japan received the stick on March 31. So, if NCSX hasn't received them by now, they're not going to get them. It was a limited production run and HORI will not make any more of these Special Edition/Addition sticks.

I wish either Hori or NCS would come clean and just say this outright. From NCS's explanation, I'm assuming that the order was made, but the sticks were never set aside. Being as it's been so long, I'm not holding out much hope that there's some stash of RAPs lying around in a Hori warehouse with a "TO NCSX.COM" tag on them. Their silence about the whole thing is goddamned infurating. I understand that they're waiting until the situation clears up, but I can't see any way that this situation is going to resolve with all us preorderers getting our sticks.

galfordo

04-22-2005, 04:24 PM

I wish either Hori or NCS would come clean and just say this outright. From NCS's explanation, I'm assuming that the order was made, but the sticks were never set aside. Being as it's been so long, I'm not holding out much hope that there's some stash of RAPs lying around in a Hori warehouse with a "TO NCSX.COM" tag on them. Their silence about the whole thing is goddamned infurating. I understand that they're waiting until the situation clears up, but I can't see any way that this situation is going to resolve with all us preorderers getting our sticks.

I'm pretty aggravated about it myself. Basically, I could be buying another joystick right now, but instead I'm being held up with their bullshit. VERY annoying.

Em0b0i

04-22-2005, 10:57 PM

this delay has prevented me from having dragon blaze for ps2, i preorder dragon blaze and the hori SE stick..and i geuss the game wont ship until the stick arrives = T

ssbomberman

04-25-2005, 05:38 AM

Emo -- you can request to have them ship separately if you like.

Yeah this is the first time I've ever experienced such delays from NCS. I mean they did send us e-mails stating the exact situation that we are in. They placed the order, Hori shortchanged them, and they may not get the order. Go ahead and cancel it and buy a custom sanwa or something if you don't want to wait. Just call them up and do so. I am fine with it. If they get them, they get them, if not, they don't -- atleast they tried to get them and if their supplier offered them to NCS, then it is no fault of NCS, it is the supplier/Hori that is to blame for the delay.

ssb

Em0b0i

04-26-2005, 05:01 PM

When is a good time to ask them for a refund?

ssbomberman

04-27-2005, 05:52 AM

When is a good time to ask them for a refund?

They don't charge until it ships? They never have for me on Credit, so there should be no refund needed.

ssb

Em0b0i

04-27-2005, 07:34 PM

They don't charge until it ships? They never have for me on Credit, so there should be no refund needed.

ssb

not unless you paid in money order

bigbadboaz

05-02-2005, 06:06 PM

Though it's pretty obvious it doesn't matter at this point, I officially cancelled my order with NCS today. Absolutely no follow-through on their part - good thing I didn't pass on any other preorder opportunities when I chose to trust them. While NCS seems to enjoy a sterling reputation in the import community, I have to say this is not the first time I have found their service less than stellar.

I'm still interested in how these sticks turned out, though. Is anyone who did receive one going to post some pics?