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SNK releases Neo Geo pad for PS3
Just in time for the arrival of Neo Geo games on PSN, SNK Playmore and peripheral company Exar have released the ideal controller for PS3. The Neo Geo Pad USB is a replica of the pad included with the Neo Geo CD system, with two important differences: it ends in a USB connector, so it will work with the PS3 or PC; and it has a PS button and two extra face buttons for L1 and R1 -- laid out in a nice, Street Fighter-friendly manner. The pad is currently on backorder at both NCSX and Play-Asia, but it'll cost in the neighborhood of $50 when it's in stock. If you'd prefer, you can get a PS3 version of the Neo Geo arcade stick from NCSX right now for $39.90.
Exar's arcade stick for the Wii is in the wild, looking good
This isn't the first arcade stick we've seen lying around for the Wii, but EXAR's new model is out now. Well, in Japan, at least -- for ¥5,299 (about $52) -- not too cheap for a controller that apparently isn't totally kosher in the functionality department. The EXARSTICK is light almost at the expense of stability, and the buttons aren't totally responsive, though it's really awesome looking. We don't have any details about if and when this will make its way to the States, but if you want to see a ton of photos of the controller being tested and handled, just go ahead now -- hit the read link and check them out.[Via Wii Fanboy]
The Exar arcade stick in exquisite detail
Dengeki has posted hands-on impressions of the EXARSTICK, the non-Tatsunoko themed version of the Tatsunoko vs. Capcom arcade stick. Overall, the tester is pleased with the stick's movement in both buttons and joystick (which uses an arcade-standard square gate). Possible problems included a relatively light weight, which has an adverse effect on stability, and buttons that have limited tactile feedback (they don't push down very far). Oh, and by the way, the article features lots of pictures, up close and from different angles. It turns out that the Virtual Console-style EXARSTICK and the Tatsunoko stick are different after all! The EXARSTICK has the Minus and Plus buttons mapped to the two oval-shaped buttons on the top row, to match the Select and Start buttons of the Super Nintendo controller (both sticks have Super Nintendo-friendly face button layouts), with the three circular buttons on the right corresponding to ZL, ZR, and Home. The Tatsunoko vs. Capcom stick uses those two oval buttons for ZL and ZR, with Minus, Plus, and Home on the circular buttons.
Wii Warm Up: A personal decision
Have a look at these two arcade sticks by Exar. As far as anyone knows, they are completely identical except for color scheme and artwork. Ignoring external factors like price, which one is the stick for you? The one with monochrome buttons and artwork that ties it in with Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom, or the plain stick with Super Famicom-colored buttons that identifies it as a Virtual Console controller? Consider it a personality test, except that what it reveals about your personality is limited mostly to arcade stick color scheme preference.%Gallery-32421%
Tatsunoko vs. Capcom arcade stick on the way, but not from Hori
We fully expected Japanese accessory company Hori to release a version of their Fighting Stick Wii with Tatsunoko vs. Capcom art. They frequently release branded versions of their less expensive (as in, not Real Arcade Pro) sticks to coincide with new fighting games. But another company somehow got the deal with Capcom, and plans to release Classic Controller-compatible sticks both with and without Tatsunoko artwork this year. Exar, the company responsible for the Wii Neo Geo Stick 2, will release the EXARSTICK on November 27 for 5229 yen ($54) and the TATSUNOKO VS. CAPCOM STICK on December 11 for 6279 yen ($65). The only differences between the two seem to be cosmetic: in addition to the obvious artwork differences, the buttons and outer casing on the Tatsunoko stick are different colors than those in the plain stick, which is Wii white and blue with Super Famicom-color buttons.We don't know how this compares to the Fighting Stick in terms of quality -- at these prices, we don't expect either to use genuine arcade parts -- but at least it looks like something that needs to be sitting on our coffee table right now.%Gallery-32421%
