I have an Agetec stick coming in the mail and might be interested in doing a Swana button and stick mod to it.

The mod that I have seen on you tube replaces the restrictor plate with an eight way instead of a four way. Is an eight way preferred for fighters or shmups? I have read somewhere that shmup players prefer a different "load out" to their arcade sticks than fighting game players.

Also, what's the big advantage to micro-switched buttons? Quieter? Faster?

I'm interested in playing both fighters and shmups. Just leave the stick stock?

Any insight greatly appreciated.