Analog stick or d-pad?

[kupocake]

I've come over from 30+ hours of experience of using the keyboard to using a controller (specifically a Dualshock 3 emulating a 360 controller). Considering the game's arcade origins, I figure that using the analog stick is more authentic? Trouble is, I've been giving it a go, and failing quite spectacularly - regularly reversing into the boxes on level 2 for instance.

This kind of thing happens a lot less with the the d-pad, but am I missing precision by not using the analog stick? I suppose skilled players use arcade sticks anyway? (And I bet the Dualshock 3's stick design is probably a problem in itself... )

[AlucarD]

use the D-Pad of any Playstation gamepad hooked up via an USB adapter to your PC ! I dunno about you but I am faster with that D-Pad than with the wired Xbox 360 analog stick. By the way the D-Pad on that one is atrociously bad...

[Doity Boid]

A dpad is actually more authentic to an arcade stick than an analog stick is, since both are 8-way digital input. Even when an analog stick is acting as an 8-way, they are comparatively sluggish, and there is way too much wasted travel time/distance. Its harder to be fast and precise.
Analog sticks are great for the 3d games they were intended, or when variable speeds/steering is necessary such as in racing games. Aside from that I won't touch em.

[dogen]

I play much better with a keyboard.

[kupocake]

Thanks for the answers to this guys :) I should have known Analog wasn't too hot for arcade-style play - I've been using the D-Pad in Tekken for ages :P

[Super Nintendo Chalmers]

Technically.. The game supports the analog stick. So you do get more control with the stick over the dpad.

Why?

Variable speed adjustment
Variable angle adjustment

It feels strange at first but the technical advantage is towards the analog stick. You get more control. I'd like to stick with my 8 way but I can tell I get more precision with the analog stick.

[Doity Boid]

I expected someone would argue in favor of analog sticks before too long, and yeah, like anything it's a matter of preference. Its certainly POSSIBLE to use analog, but even when implemented, I'd still argue in favor of quick, precise 8 way digital. Shmups tend to be fast paced, relying on quick movements and reflexes. Rather than worrying whether to tilt the stick a lot or a little, experienced (or at least older) shmups players are probably used to quick taps of the d pad or (arcade) stick. Less variables in speed and direction mean less potential for unintended movements and error.

[Schnittertm]

Originally posted by kupocake:

I've come over from 30+ hours of experience of using the keyboard to using a controller (specifically a Dualshock 3 emulating a 360 controller). Considering the game's arcade origins, I figure that using the analog stick is more authentic?

Well, yes, it has arcade origins and most if not all arcade cabinest in Japan (and the rest of the world where you can still find them) are not outfitted with analog sticks, but with digital sticks from either Sanwa or Seimitsu. So using an analog stick is actually less authentic and a d-pad or keyboard would be a bit more authentic, as it offers the originals digital controls.

[Stargoat]

I use the d-pad, never really liked analogue control in shmups. Also the analogue sticks on the wii classic pro are a bit crappy. Okay for most games, but no-where near accurate enough for Ikaruga.

[Super Nintendo Chalmers]

Enable cursor control. Try drawing a circle with analog and again with 8 way. You'll be lucky to get anything that resembles an arc with 8 way.

Just a simple fact that analog is more precise. To argue otherwise is to be ignorant.

[Schnittertm]

Originally posted by Bucket O Chicken:

Enable cursor control. Try drawing a circle with analog and again with 8 way. You'll be lucky to get anything that resembles an arc with 8 way.

Just a simple fact that analog is more precise. To argue otherwise is to be ignorant.

It is not a question here if analog or digital is more precise, the thing is, this game was originally made for the arcade and to work in conjuction with an 8-way digital controller. What analog controls now add is a larger throw lenght (especially compared to certain Seimitsu sticks) and a larger engagement distance in comparison to digital controllers, thereby actually reducing accuracy in this game.

You shouldn't just post a statement as fact, when you don't consider all the factors, like, in this case for example, the game being designed for use with a digital 8-way stick. That would be the same as me posting that mouse+keyboard control is always more accurate on a military flight sim board. It wouldn't be true there either, while it might hold a lot of truth on a PC FPS board.