The official joystick for Killer Queen, the Seimitsu LS-38!
Compatible as a direct replacement for the LS-32 joystick in existing Killer Queen cabinets (made before 2024), the LS-38 ensures a seamless transition with enhanced performance. Building on the LS-32 design, Seimitsu tightened up the springs for increased resistance providing the LS-38 with more precise and responsive control.
Designed with an SE mount for easy installation compatible with existing Killer Queen cabinets, it also features a "Standard" restrictor plate for 2, 4, and 8-way movement.Ā Elevate your gameplay with the Seimitsu LS-38!
All Killer Queens manufactured in 2024 or later will be using this updated joystick.
- Ball tops sold separately.
- Note that for older Killer Queen cabinets (ones without side art), you will need to replace these shafts with long shafts, sold separately.
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What is the difference between the LS-38 and LS-32?
The major difference is the spring stiffness. The LS-38 spring has a 1.0 mm thickness, and 5.5 turns compared to the LS-32's 0.8mm thickness and 6.0 turns. From a "player feel" perspective, it has a noticeably "stiffer" feel. If you have the right tools and spring, you can modify an LS-32 joystick by replacing the spring to create your own LS-38.Ā
Why change the model?
After Seimitsu changed microswitch suppliers on the Seimitsu LS-32 in 2017, the LS-32 has experienced a greater likelihood deflection--commonly referred to by Killer Queen players as "glancing" or "snap-back." Deflection occurs when a joystick is engaged in one direction, and upon release of the joystick, the opposite direction is engaged briefly instead of a clean return to neutral.
Example: Holding right on the joystick andĀ releasing your handĀ causesĀ the player to turn left. On current LS-32s, you can reliably create deflection. On LS-38s deflection can still occur; however, we needed to make exaggerated motions to create deflection in our tests.Ā
Does BumbleBear recommend theĀ competitive standards to be changed to the LS-38?
Yes! We feel that the reduction of deflection is so great that the added stiffness is worth the tradeoff. BumbleBear will make this a requirement for any future events officially run by BumbleBear Games.Ā Ā
Although we recommend this new joystick, the adoption is at cabinet owners' and event planners' discretion.
GeneralĀ feedback from Queen players on theĀ LS-38 is: it feels noticeably stiffer, but players felt they could adjust to this quickly.Ā
Please note: These new joysticks remain untested on older cabinets that require a longer joystick shaft/extension. We assume deflection issues will improve on these machines; however, until those machines upgrade their Control Panel Keypads, we cannot guarantee better performance.
