ASCII Stick for PC Engine

[r_benchley]

Hi,
I'm new to the Turbo/PC Engine/PC-FX community (I just received my PC Engine Duo-R this morning  ).  Right now, I'm trying to pick up games and accessories for my Duo, and I came across an arcade stick that Ascii made for the PC Engine.  Has anyone here ever used it, know if its a quality controller or a piece of junk?  Any information would be much appreciated.  Thanks in advance for any help you guys can provide.  Also, does anyone know of a list of the games that are compatible with the PC Engine mouse? 

[Arjak]

I've heard good things about the ASCII stick. Don't know much about the mouse, though. I don't think there are many games that use it.

[SignOfZeta]

Considering the vintage I'm pretty sure the ASCII stick for PCE (if there is only one, not sure) is probably not that great. Their sticks for SNES and Genesis weren't very impressive, so I doubt a PCE one would be either. The first good sticks I used from ACSII were from the DC era, and even then that was a sort of high point. I just bought a used PS2 so I could play newer fighting games and the only stick I have for it is the blue and black ASCII one with the octagonal hole in it. Its better than a Dual Shock 2, but it still sucks. It is, however, way better than the DC ones with optical sticks in them (round hole) those things were just garbage.

For PCE, unless you can find a Sigma stick (unlikely) you are better off with something home made, or hacking a Hori Real Arcade Pro.

As for the mouse, its not that well supported. The most popular game that works with it is probably Tokimeki Memorial, but I prefer to play it with a normal controller. Same goes for the Saturn version. The one game that I'd like a mouse for is Nemurenu Yoru No Chiisana Ohanashi, and chances are you don't give a crap about that game since I'm its only fan over the age of eight.



You can see the mouse logo in the upper left there...

[bust3dstr8]

Your best bet is to get a PCE---->PS2 converter and one of the PS2 Hori Sanwa sticks.

[SignOfZeta]

Yeah, if you can find a PCE-PS/PS2 converter you'd be set. There are at least a half dozen really good sticks for the PS systems, many of which can be had for cheap. That grey and yellow Namco one is on eBay for $10-15 all the time.

[MissaFX]

I absolutely loved the ASCII pad on the SNES though, with the turbo switches.  It is the most solid and responsive gamepad I have ever used on the SNES.  Their joysticks are only so-so though.

[r_benchley]

Wow, thanks for all of the info!  I didn't know that there was a PS2 controller adapter for the PC Engine, but I'll hunt one of those down.

[SignOfZeta]

I absolutely loved the ASCII pad on the SNES though, with the turbo switches.  It is the most solid and responsive gamepad I have ever used on the SNES.  Their joysticks are only so-so though.

For sure. That pad is part of the reason I'm the greatest Super Mario Kart player that ever lived.

[MissaFX]

Wow, thanks for all of the info!  I didn't know that there was a PS2 controller adapter for the PC Engine, but I'll hunt one of those down.

It is called the "Classic Joypad Converter".  It comes in many PS1 + PS2 --> other console flavors.  I have one for my 3DO as well.

[kozo]

Hi! Might I chime in and say the XE-1 Pro HE is a beautiful, fun stick for the PC-E. Problem is, it can be a little expensive, but not too bad. Look around on eBay and such.

[rolins]

Hi,
I'm new to the Turbo/PC Engine/PC-FX community (I just received my PC Engine Duo-R this morning  ).  Right now, I'm trying to pick up games and accessories for my Duo, and I came across an arcade stick that Ascii made for the PC Engine.  Has anyone here ever used it, know if its a quality controller or a piece of junk?  Any information would be much appreciated.  Thanks in advance for any help you guys can provide.  Also, does anyone know of a list of the games that are compatible with the PC Engine mouse? 

Ascii stick is a good stick. If you love the NES Advantage then you'll might want this since they're pretty much the same joystick.

The XE-1PRO HE, that Kozo mentioned, is also very good. Even doubles as a 4player multitap. I certainly love Dempa's XE-1PRO and ST2 models. They're compact like the Ascii but have custom Seimitsu sticks, which I believe is the same kind used in AES Neo Geo sticks.
 

[Necromancer]

Also, does anyone know of a list of the games that are compatible with the PC Engine mouse? 

Here ya go:

1552: Tenka Dairan
A. III
Brandish
Dennō Tenshi
Dōkyūsei
Eikan wa Kimi ni
Hatsukoi Monogatari
Jamanoid
Jantei Monogatari 3: Saber Angel
Lemmings
Metal Angel
Nemurenu Yoru no Chiisana Ohanashi
Power Golf 2: Golfer
Princess Maker 2
The Atlas: Renaissance Voyager
Tokimeki Memorial
Vasteel 2

[juggernaut]

How is the quality of the ASCII compared to the original Hori?

[rolins]

How is the quality of the ASCII compared to the original Hori?

The Hori Fighting Stick PC, right? I can't say because I've never used one before. The Hori's probably better in overall construction and feel more arcade like. Still a matter of personal preference. If it was my choice I'd still go with the ASCII stick. It's compact, easy to use, and it ain't so cumbersome to lug around. I have a HRAP2 and it's arcade authentic with seimitsu parts, but they're beast of burden. So heavy & gigantic with so many buttons, it seems overkill to use it for shmups on 8/16 bit systems when my XE-1PRO and ASCII are good enough.

[ceti alpha]

What are those ports on the side of the Xe-1 Pro? Does it also serve as a DuoTap? If so, that's awesome.