Joystick Vs. D-PAD... What's your choice?

It has been a long-standing dilema when it comes to fighting games or shmups as to which shall be the tool for achieving victory, the Joystick or the D-Pad.

There is no question that for pixel-perfect genres such as platformes, the D-pad reigns victorious. But when it comes to arcade-style gameplay, Fighting games in the vein of Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter, Beat'M Ups like Streets of Rage, Hack 'N Slashers like Golden Axe and, even, going back to Ms. Pac-Man herself, one does wonder whether the Joystick is even the best and most accurate choice.

So, for Fighting games, Shmups and any other title that provides arcade-style gameplay of any sort, which is the best and most accurate tool for achieving victory, in your opinion?

The Joystick or the D-Pad... What's your choice?
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:I...mk-1655-50.jpghttp://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:x...sis_6btn_2.jpg


Some of the Genres in question...
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:6...0132008_lg.jpghttp://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:W...02%2520(2).gifhttp://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:5...03%2520(2).gifhttp://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:4...es/85661-1.jpghttp://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:U...underforce.jpghttp://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:3...ei8MatPNjv.jpg...

The keyboard ;)

So this thread asks which you would use for arcade style games? Or just games in general?

To be honest, I don't think I've ever actually played a real fighting game with a real arcade CP. Nope. I've played Arcade cabinets before but they've been racing or something like that. I've played many fighting games with a D-Pad so that's the only thing I'm familiar. It's been many long years since I've played an Arcade game so my memory of how the buttons and stick felt is fuzzy. I have the Sega 6-Button arcade stick but from what I recall, it's definitely not quite the same. The stick feels funny and the buttons don't click.

So, given my experiences, I'm gonna have to choose D-Pad. Kind of an unfair comparison, but it can't be helped. If I ever buy an arcade stick for Dreamcast or something with real Arcade parts, I'll be able to make a better decision. :D

Joystick it's the closest to "perfection" in terms of character control [so to speak, and just my opinion of course], but i must admit that sometimes i use the D-Pad out of my Dual Analog Digital USB controller.

On the whole D pads are much better, however i picked up the namco arcade stick for the playstation and it is much better than using a d pad for fighting games. Probably why it is still expensive.

I go for D-pads

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dizzy

Joystick it's the closest to "perfection" in terms of character control [so to speak, and just my opinion of course], but i must admit that sometimes i use the D-Pad out of my Dual Analog Digital USB controller.

---

I meant Joystick vs. D-Pad, though.;) In reference, of course, to retro gaming. The analog stick, though a slight variation of a celf-centering joystick, is obviously necessary for most 3D games.

I'm D-pad all the way, even on new games that really want you to use the sticks, if they have the option to use D-pad I still do.

If it aint this

http://www.cordolio.com/images/sgcontrollergeneric.jpg

or this

http://www.syntaxerror.nu/joy027.jpg

It aint right.

I put my vote toward joystick. For me it really depends on the game. I can't play Fire Shark without it, but I can't play Golden Axe with it.

I'm finding it so interesting how some of you guys are choosing the Joystick over the D-pad. Althought I feel that nothing is more accurate during gameplay (at least for me) than a digital d-pad, it's making me want to buy the best arcade stick I can find and try out all of these titles once more. I still feel that nothing is more pixel-perfect than a D-Pad, but it shall be fun, at least.

...Can't wait to see what the rest of the votes turn out like. :D

Great poll! I absolutely LOVE Da Shocker's post. Couldn't agree more.

I like both d-pads and joysticks, but I much prefer d-pads because I can be MUCH quicker and more accurate with them. That being said, it would be wrong to be at an arcade and play the games with a d-pad.

I Prefer D-pads just since I seem to be more accurate and quicker w/ them.

It depends on the game, but d-pad in general.

I prefer using the d-pad mostly, but when I play fighting games and shooters, I use my arcade stick.