PLEASE NOTE: The KOWAL Hayabusa Octopus is not compatible with the Hayabusa Silent Optical joystick, as it is constructed differently. The KOWAL Hayabusa Octopus is not designed for the Sanwa JLF, Seimitsu LS, Crown, Suzo Happ, IL, or other joystick - it is designed specifically for the original Hori Hayabusa joystick.
At the moment, Hori - manufacturers of the popular Hori Hayabusa Joystick - have not indicated plans to offer an octagonal restrictor plate. Kowal, well known for the Kowal 1mm Oversize Actuator for Sanwa JLF Series Joystick, Flat Plate Converter and Japan S Plate Converter, took the challenge to design an integrated solution that could be manufactured and installed easily, called the "Hayabusa Octopus".
As KOWAL First Envisioned
In late 2015, an acrylic version of the Hayabusa Octopus was released to the public. These gates were designed in-house as part of our FA Plexworks initiative, and served as a global test for durability and appeal. After over 2000pcs sold, high praise, and useful feedback given to Kowal's unique hybrid octagonal and circular design, we were confident to move forward with a mold, designed exactly as Kowal originally wanted it.
New Features, Same Economical Price
- The new KOWAL Octopus is made of a durable nylon plastic. It is molded into an attractive shape that greatly compliments the Hayabusa's construction.
- Octopus' internal gate is several millimeters deeper than the acrylic model. Most importantly, it is beveled inward to best accomodate the tilt of your joystick shaft. For those to like to ride the gate hard, this approach greatly reduces wear and tear of the actuator over the previous model.
- The underside of the gate is recessed around the center. This was designed specifically to fit the Kowal 1mm Oversize Actuator for Sanwa JLF Series Joystick, which is also compatible with the Hayabusa.
Even as improvements exist over the original model, the price hasn't changed. You can still purchase the Kowal Octopus under three dollars.
Smooth Around the Corners
Inspired by the Seimitsu LS 56 Octagonal Restrictor Plate, the KOWAL Hayabusa Octopus factors both rotation and diagonal range that is lost in the Sanwa GTY's Octagonal gate. This standard creates two contact points on each corner of the gate, creating a small gap between actuator and the gate. The actuator never fully rests on the corner of the GTY. The Octopus is instead designed to have a large, single contact point on the rounded corner - the actuator rests directly in this corner. Not only does this design provide you with a smoother rotation when performing circluar motions, but also provides a greater diagonal range.
Add KOWAL 1mm Oversize Actuator for Shorter Throw
One of the benefits of the Hori Hayabusa joystick lever is its ability to accept mods normally compatible with Sanwa JLF. Many have installed the Kowal 1mm Oversize Actuator for Sanwa JLF Series Joystick to their stock Hayabusa gate, though rounding on the wide edge of the actuator is required to use properly with that gate.
With the 1mm oversize actuator and Octopus installed together, you can actually retain the diagonal and rotational benefits of the Octopus while shortening your throw, and without needing to round the actuator's edge.
KOWAL Origins
Kowal is the name of a well-respected member on Shoryuken.com forums and elsewhere in the arcade community. He has extensive knowledge of the inner workings of many control devices. With his permission, we introduce the KOWAL™ brand of performance solutions that highlight accuracy and compatibility above all else.
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Installing the KOWAL Hayabusa Octopus is fairly straightforward:
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KOWAL
KOWAL Hayabusa Octopus Octagonal Restrictor Plate (2016 Model)
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Awesome product
I actually purchased 2 of these for both my RAP V and Hori N and they are amazing. I love these gates and they are perfect. I prefer octagon gates instead if square and when I discovered this on focusattack, it was the best thing ever. Definitely recommend this gate for Hori fightstick owners who prefer octagon over square gates. jason M Tunstall on Sep 20th 2017
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Damn, I got tighter game!
With the Hori RAP-N, the Kowal little fatty actuator teamed with the Kowal Hayabusa Octopus are a must buy for a tighter, precise game. The stick was sick before but now it's amazing. Improved, precise, safer inputs. Good for heated matches. In GGXrd2, SFV and classics: supers, dashes (air), DPs, quarter circles and SNK-style inputs are much easier. In Metal Slug and Sonic Mania, things are a lot more fun. Highly recommend this combo. Xoftrot on Sep 17th 2017
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Just perfect!
With one of these, a 2lb spring and a Kowal 1mm oversized actuator, the Hayabusa joystick got transformed from what i felt as a loose and rattly toy-stick, into a great fighting-stick! Chris on Sep 11th 2017
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The Arcade Stick Expert Kowal's Gate
This is a very nice addition to the Hayabusa stick. Higher quality than the original part. 1mm actuator is recommended as you're already going in there. Unknown on Sep 11th 2017
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Great
Great product. Works as well as expected, arrived promptly and undamaged. Easy to fit, snaps on in seemingly any orientation, feels much better than a square. Unknown on Aug 28th 2017
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Does exactly what it says
This octagonal gate was easy to install, and does exactly what it says. I don't like playing with a square gate, so this was the perfect solution. I installed it in an HRAP V Hayabusa for the Nintendo Switch and now playing Ultra Street Fighter II is a joy. Carl Fink on Aug 26th 2017
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Product was what I needed
Product was exactly what I was looking for. Caleb Smith on Jul 31st 2017
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Does not fit the Hori RAP 4 Silent edition
The RAP 4 Silent does not have a standard setup for attaching new gates. However(!), there is a work around that isn't too bad. I'll detail the steps below to hopefully help anyone with the same problem. This only applies to the Hori RAP 4 Silent Edition. 1: Take your existing square gate off and sand/dremel the back of the square gate part so it is flush with the rest of the plate. 2: Remove the small "pegs" from the front of the Kowal 8-way gate. I clipped them and then sanded to smooth them out. 3: Screw the Kowal 8-way gate to the back of the existing 4-way. I used 3 of the screws off the back plate on the stick. Not ideal but they fit perfect. 4: Replace the gate and dunk some noobs. Couple of notes. I did NOT have to shave off any of the inside of the 4-way gate as to not block the notches on the 8-way. It may look like the 4-way sticks out a bit, but because of the angle it does not impede the stick. As for gate performance, it is a world of difference. I've only used it for a few hours, but I feel like I'm in control of my character again (switching from pad). I do not feel like I am losing due to input errors... just judgement errors. 4 stars only because it didn't fit my stick. Dashknocker on Jul 29th 2017
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Awesome gate.
I bought a Hori Rap 4 to do some mods to, this gate fit perfect. Glad I saw on Ronin24's YouTube that there was an updated version. Works perfectly and super easy to install. Daniel W Cisek on Jul 25th 2017
