Skip to main content

KOWAL Hayabusa Octopus Octagonal Restrictor Plate (2016 Model)

$2.95
(USD)
Brand
KOWAL
SKU
KOWAL-HAYABUSA-OCTOPUS-2016
Weight
0.78 Ounces
Availability
Usually ships within 1-2 business days
Maximum Purchase:
8 units
Shipping
Calculated at Checkout
Adding to cart… The item has been added

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. 

Installation

Installing the KOWAL Hayabusa Octopus is fairly straightforward:

  1. First, use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the four screws that attach the existing Hori Hayabusa to the joystick body.  Remove the screws and put them aside.
  2. Next, remove the original Hayabusa square restrictor plate.
  3. Now, install the KOWAL Octopus plate onto the Hayabusa joystick body, lining up the screw and rounded rectangle holes with the joystick body.  This photo depicting a transparent version of the earlier gate provides a good example of the correct install:

    kowal-hayabusa-octopus-clear.jpg
  4. Finally, replace the four screws that you originally removed from the Hayabusa. The plastic columns will additionally keep the plate from moving.

87 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews

WRITE A REVIEW

  1. Works as expected

    Product works exactly as expected. Shipping took a little longer than I’m used to (Thanks Amazon prime). Charles on Jul 16th 2018

  2. Awesome paired with Kowal's oversized actuator

    I'm a fan of Seimitsu's LS-40, but it doesn't have a diagonal gate option. Pair a Hayabusa with this plate and new actuator though and whoo boy it's like my dream. Didn't even need the 2lb spring -- the stock Hayabusa string is well balanced. Frank P. on Jul 7th 2018

  3. Fits Hori Hayabusa

    Fits fine. I like the octagonal gate compared to the square gate. Not a huge difference, but I do slightly prefer it. Simple to install and fits fine. Steve on Jun 29th 2018

  4. Never going back to a Square gate again.

    This was super easy to install, and it feels great. The Difference between this and the square gate is like night and day. Unknown on Jun 25th 2018

  5. Great product.

    Honestly the easiest gate ive ever used to replace my square gate. Doesn't feel cheap and nasty. Rizler on Jun 23rd 2018

  6. Octogate!!

    Worked exactly as intended, very easy to install on the Hori rap v. Very happy switching from square to Octo gate. Yes I ride the gate, and I don't care, moves are coming out on command. Unknown on May 15th 2018

  7. Just what the Dr. ordered

    This thing improved my Super Street fighter game immensely. I'm pulling off circular input moves far more consistently, and diagonal charge moves suffer not an iota. Best thing I could have done to improve my Hori RAP4. Doug on May 15th 2018

  8. Great model

    Easy to install and the feel of it is great. Definitely feel the improvement with the gate than the standard square that came with my Hori 4. Unknown on Mar 28th 2018

  9. Feels fantastic

    I tried to tough it out with a square gate on my RAP4 but I just couldn't do it so i grabbed this, I've previously used Sanwa octo gates and this feels fantastic, I don't have a sanwa gate on me to directly compare but just going off my memory this feels just as good, maybe even better Unknown on Mar 18th 2018