Neo Geo AES Joystick Swap | My attempt creating a drop-in replacement

[@stevenwhite38]

Good job Mike. There is a true drop in replacement for a completely broken or bent AES stick. The Japanese three button Sega Megadrive power stick and the Chinese SCHII version both have microswitched joysticks unlike the PAL and NTSC versions that use inferior contact pads. Both of the Asian sticks have a joystick that is exactly the same size and profile as an original AES joystick, they also have the same smaller sized balltop!

[@mike7599]

Interesting info, thanks for sharing this! I found a tear down video of that joystick and it doesn’t look the same to me. The base that holds the micro switches looks a lot different. Are you sure it would fit? Either way i couldn’t imagine using it. Looking on eBay the power sticks are pretty expensive and a collectible in their own right. Here’s the video I found: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5TLeZxtf91qr5I

[@stevenwhite38]

@@mike7599 I have both the Chinese stick and the Japanese stick. I just tore down the Chinese stick and a AES stick and they are interchangable, the plastic part is slightly different and cheaper looking but it lines right up screw holes and all. Maybe the best straight replacement would be to take it out of a NeoGeo X stick as they are compatible and plentyful at the moment. Your mod is cool though and it means not drilling a hole in the case. Keep up the great videos and stay safe!

[@stevenwhite38]

Here in the U.K. you can often buy the Asian MD sticks quite cheaply, most people don't seem to notice the difference or they want a stick that is the same region as their console. There is also a Japanese six button verion with a microswitched stick though they are quite rare. I think I paid around £10 each for both of mine though this was a few years back. They are well worth tracking down if you are into Megadrive/Genesis. I sometimes use them for three button arcade games with a convertor and the Retroelectronik supergun.

[@mike7599]

Awesome confirmed replacement. Very cool, thanks for taking it apart and testing! Your right about the neogeo x also. Still available for cheap. Stay safe!

[@mike7599]

On eBay over here they are going for around $180 US!

[@ToddsNerdCave]

Great video as I hadn't seen someone cut the shaft down like that before.

[@mike7599]

Thanks Todd!

[@Pagaugezero]

Good Stuff Mike. Always informative.

[@mike7599]

Thanks Chris!

[@nightleander]

Hi Mike. Great idea the tube cutter ! For several weeks, i have been looking for a solution for the c-clip wich is too long. You re an excellent handyman ! I had tought to cut the plastic base below and put a cover, but your solution is better (less destructive). I know SNK used Seimitsu for these joysticks. So as the LS 33 become rare, i ve already test an LS 32 but the shaft is too wide and the whole is too thick. So i am testing with Sanwa. It's more compact, thin and in stock in stores. Even if i move away from the SNK spirit with Sanwa, it's more practical to renovate joystick and Sanwa is a good brand too. I will make a custom plate with 3D printer. I'm beginner 3D maker and I'll tell you if it's ok.

[@mike7599]

Thanks for the kind words. Sanwa makes great sticks also. Let me know how it works out. I wish I had a 3D printer for projects like this they really can come in handy!

[@CaseTheCorvetteMan]

Direct fit is a variant of the Seimitsu LS-30, but what you have done here isn't a terrible job really. You could use the shorter shaft and actuator from a different Seimitsu stick. The Seimitsu sticks usually come with a variant that has normal switches instead of attached to the PCB like that version.

[@mrljgibson]

You could have just connected up the JSC connector to the connections, it would have sorted the common ground connections for you, it's just the 5 connections on a circuit board going out to five pins, just rig your 5 spade connectors to a cable from that.

[@R3TR0R4V3]

Did you ever try swapping in the original AES shaft? Or was it too thin for that LS-33? The 4 plastic posts/bosses are shot on one of mine, so I can probably swap in whatever, though I'd have to drill 4 holes thru the top. I read an LS-56 is a drop in replacement, but will need the original shaft. Debating on trying that or an LS-32 as well.

[@travistouchdown1812]

could you get longer hardware to increase the distance from the joystick to the bottom plate?

[@Cayme]

you're a genius, congrats !

[@mike7599]

Haha I wouldn’t go that far. But it worked that’s all that matters!

[@ffmac2215]

Phreakmods in seimitsu ls-33? Is that used

[@rodarkonero]

You should have trimmed the other end of the shaft - where you have the ball screw ... :)

[@ffmac2215]

can phreakmods be used on seimitsu ls-33?

[@christophesuard2309]

hi mike what reference is the stick you replaced?

[@mike7599]

Hey Christophe. The original joystick people believe was a Seimitsu LS-30 which was discontinued and no longer available. The replacement i used is a Seimitsu LS-33. Hope this answers your question!

[@SatoshiMatrix1]

Why replace the original stock joystick in the first place? I see you already went with an octagonal gate for it, so why replace the stick? Thanks.

[@mike7599]

I just enjoy tinkering and was looking for a future proof solution in case the stick ever failed permanently. Thanks for checking out the video! Big fan I enjoyed all your famiclone videos and I think there was a capcom joystick replacement you did that was awesome if i remember correctly. Take care!

[@Charlie-Cat.]

Hey Mike. I PM you on Atariage bro. Thank you so much. 8^) Anthony...

[@TallGarage]

get measurements and have someone cut rods on a lathe, or buy a cheap china lathe maybe, cut your own.

[@MrSolidtiger]

Nightmare lol