X-Arcade Joystick

Anybody have one?

Im building my own soon as the parts get here, but there is one thing that really interest me in the x-arcade stuff is that for about $20 you can get an adapter to make it work with most systems.

The DIY kind like I am building cant do that, the most common route is to gut a game controller for that system and wire it to your setup. So just wondering if anybody has one and likes it, and if they have any idea what kind of "brains" it uses, as I am thinking its a standard keyboard adapter just like the I-PAC that i am using for my build. This means it maybe easier/better to find a way to hack the x-arcade adapters to work instead of a game controller.

Also I would ask if they just use normal buttons/switches in there stuff, so I could swap it out with Happ parts if the quality was not what I wanted.

 

I have two.

Had them for years.... great since they have lifetime warranty, so if one button goes out, they will cross-ship you a new one.

The buttons are pretty standard... I hung around arcades for years and even helped replacing the buttons... so I would know.

 

Wanna know whats interesting.... ?

I bought them directly from Xgaming... for cheap.

You should always watch their eBay store (since they do not charge taxes and have free shipping)... and their "somewhat secret" Refurb page on their main site.... which is where I got mine for about half the price.
- the refurbs were as good as a new one my buddy paid full price for... I even opened them up to compare... no difference, same lifetime warranty.

 

I have one, built a cabinet and everything. Great quality, and works great too! I now want one of those with the trackball. Wasn't available at the time I bought mine. It uses USB, and works flawlessly so far.

I am very impressed with the quality too. Lots of button mashing and none seem to be soft or breaking.

As far as refurbs are concerned, I'm sure most are just returned because someone changed their minds, and can't resell them as new.

I plan on building another cabinet since the one I made was a quick one, and heavy too. And probably use an EeePC for the hardware instead of the 40 lbs. tower (with P3-800 win98 - lol) that I am currently using.

 

I found the answer to my question, they sell the PCB on its own for $50 - http://www.xgaming.com/byoarcade.shtml

In the future when I build a portable control panel that is to be used for PC & Systems this is what I will use, as @ $20 each for the console adapters thats cheaper than a $30 console controller to hack up and many many times easier. They do have adapters for the I-PAC too but they cost $35 each and do not work with the value edition that I got since it only has USB out.

But for this build I got the I-Pac Value and I do not regret it, $35 shipped, shift buttons, more connections, great & easy to use program software, its one of the best out there and will do all I need for my Mame centered first shot at this.

I also found out that you can easily swap out the stock stuff on the controller with Happ stuff without a problem, though somebody said something about a 5v lead on the buttons instead of ground, I'll have to research that more.

Since it comes with the wire harness & cables to connect $50 is not bad. I still will have to go buy those things to go with my $35 I-Pac

This build is going to be a mod of sorts and I am so haptic waiting for the parts so I can start it.

 

I do not think I have the patience, environment, and tools to build a nice cabinet. The EEE will play probably all the old mame games without a problem, and SNES, Genisis, ect stuff, but it wont stand a chance for some stuff like one of my top personal favorites Marvel VS Capcom 2 for Dreamcast. It may also struggle with some of the new age mame stuff (im thinking killer instinct 2, area 51, stuff like that.

Id just get a matx case and build a computer. My HTPC cost less than my EEE and its about 4x more powerful. Infact I think it will become the core of my arcade if I ever did work up the urge to build one.

 

LOL - no patience. Looks like you have plenty of patience to configure and program the buttons as you need them.

Yeah, I am debating my next time around what to do as well. I have an older Shuttle box with an AMD 64 4400+ / 2GB / 8600 GT that has acted as a home server for some time, but it's showing its age. May just retire that for my MAME machine so I can play some of the newer stuff too. Or just retire my Vostro 1500 for that task. Too many PC's. LOL!

Although my main reason for MAME was to play the classics like Pacman, Ms. Pacman, Galaga, Rampage, Joust, Gauntlet, among many others. I really want games like Marble Madness, Golden Tee, Tempest, and Tron, but never had a roller ball or spinner. Wish X-arcade made a console with both the trackball and spinner.

With kids now I don't have the time to do much of anything so the cabinet I built in a weekend will probably take me a year. Although next time around I want to plan a lot better, and make it a lot lighter (plywood and 2x4's aren't light). Granted I was using a CRT monitor and desktop PC at the time I constructed it about eight years ago.

 

Well its authentic being heavy

I had two ideas to think outside the box. Most people that go through the trouble to build a cabinet are doing it to be authentic and recreate the original feel and look of a classic arcade, this means the old crts with low refresh rate too. Me though I do not mind how it looks scaled on my LCD monitor at all. I love my 37" monitor But I a am not going to get another one just for a cabinet. So if I go through the trouble to build one its going to be unique.

My 2 ideas.

"The Arcade Podium"

Much like you I was thinking size/weight but also I was thinking cost and ease of use. I do not want to have to mess with finding one of those special video cards to push an old authentic monitor. For quite a while now I have been thinking of incorporating a HD projector into my computer setup instead of a monitor for gaming (actually was thinking about building a 3 wall \_/ figure and doing a triple monitor surround setup with them )

This is a perfect chance to kinda try it out, Instead of a full cabinet it would be a half size podium, it would only be as high as the controls and in the back it would have a projector built in to project the image onto a wall or screen. This would significantly cut down size/weight and kind of give the feeling of one of those showcase models.

Great thing about this is that I would not even need a HD projector though they are getting cheaper, a good ol' normal res projector would probably do this job great.


"The Arcade Battle Machine"

Even been playing a friend in a competitive game and had them look at your hands instead of the screen to see what your doing? Maybe just want more elbow room to move around or the other guys breath stinks??

This was my idea for that. Now with LCDs being flat & cheap instead of big ol CRT's I was thinking of making a dual side cabinet where its only wide enough for one player instead of double wide and the other player actually plays on the other side because it has 2 screens facing opposite directions. The image can be a clone image easy from windows so you both see the same thing but you cant see each other.

In game though you get to fight a real live opponent. I just think this would be cool and add a new way to play games against somebody. Almost would give that over the net feel except you can hear there screams of agony in person after you beat them for the 100th time in a row

Like you I have kids, 4 of them, and my entire house is full of toys with no place for a cabinet currently but chalk one up for future plans for sure. Its going to be one of these 2 ideas I think.

Im still going to get a triple monitor surround gaming computer too at some point.

 

Great! We should trade notes as we build our dream MAME machines.

Those are good thoughts, I'd be curious to see how a projector works out.

I do really like your "dual screen" idea though. I might have to steal that one. LOL. Great idea - give lots of elbow room. I'd mount them at kind of an angle to each other, with enough room for a beverge holder (ok, beer holder).

My cabinet has been shoved to the garage since our first baby was born (15 months now - wow), to make room for a play room.

My idea is straight forward: mount the monitor and controls to the wall. I will definitely use an LCD this time around. I'd like to have a swivel bracket so I can rotate the screen for games that run better that way. If I use a compact PC like an Eee or Shuttle, it can be hidden underneath the controls if I dress it off properly. But you always need quick and easy access to a keyboard and mouse for setting it up. If I use the Eee, I was considering mounting it INSIDE the X-Arcade controls box. That way it would be out of sight.

Ideally, I'd like a rolled aluminum tube frame with monitor and controls mounted to it. I think it would look cool, and clean, and light. But I don't have the tools or skills to make such a thing. Maybe in ten or fifteen years when the kids have enough interest in it, and wifey will justify the expense.

 

Yeah im being so cheap this build I am about to do is actually the process of modding my computer desk into a cabinet

Its adding up to more and more though. From my great ebay deal on buttons & joysticks (Happ Comp for both) and a decent deal on the keyboard encoder. Now I need wires/crips/screws/terminal blocks/mounting hardware ect.

I can get most of it cheap online, but the shipping cost in most cases will probably make it more than just going to a store to get it. Also not sure yet if my board is too thick to mount the joysticks from below or now. It looks 3/4" wich is the max I think.

If I have to mount them above then I need a way to cut that big hole, and then some kind of cover for them (im thinking custom vinyl sticker, wont cost too much, will look great, and be easy to apply)

 

here is a simple setup that I have seen with the X-Arcade sticks:


I have seen the same kind with 4 screens (on for each side of the table)... someone built it like a glass table with 4 LCDs facing up.

works pretty well since the screen/resolutions can be rotated or cloned through Nvidia control panel

 

LOL. Don't they all! How do you think I've acquired such a vast number of tools and spare parts. My "cheap" cabinet, ended up costing me several hundred dollars when all was said and done even though I already had the plywood, 2x4's, monitor and PC. But then I needed screws, cables, saw blades, 90 degree bit driver, plexiglass, speakers, keyboard, and mouse (yeah, forgot I needed those, lol) etc etc.

But it's fun in the end.

I really like your idea of a machine with two monitors and sets of controls.

 

There is a lot of interesting furniture on craiglist. I was looking today. While not authentic many of these entertainment systems would be good hosts for a makeshift arcade.

I was reading up on the plexi vs laminated argument the other day. Plexe apparenty scratches, warps, and also gets stuff under it over time. Also people dont like how it feels when it gets sweaty.

So my solution to that is I am going to have a custom made vynle sticker made, it should be a good material, it will stay in place, and it takes care of any/all painting issues. This is just a 29.6x12.5 sticker for my first experiment it would probably be quite expensive to get one to cover all sides of a full on arcade cabinet. However it could look quite awesome and still cost way less than a custom paint job.

I just need to find a good local place that can do it for me now. I have a feeling the places I know of from here for the laptop skins would cost way more than the places local that usually make the larger versions of things.

Here is my 30 minute draft.



Its the same size as my panel with a 300dpi resolution. I'll work with it the same way I do my tattoo's I will build the panel and take a picture of it. Then overlay it in photoshop and move things as needed. Like the blue rings for example will be centered where the joysticks are.

(incase your wondering I design my own tattoo's and before I get them I photoshop them onto myself to see what it would look like, where I want it, and how big it should be. Great reference when you can show it to a tattoo artist.)

 

Hey! Tattoo artist eh? I am considering getting a small discrete one on my shoulder dedicated to my two boys (15 months and 3 months now). I never wanted a tattoo, but figure if nothing else, they are a permanent and important part of my life.

I don't have any ideas yet though, but if I could engage your services, or maybe you have ideas?

Ok, back on topic, vinyl is a great idea. Problem is finding someone who will make it for you cheap. I worked in the auto industry until this December, so had some possible contacts, but since most people I worked with left the industry voluntarily or involuntarily, maybe no luck, but I'll look into it!

 

Even though I like the cool custom vinyl... I think for my first non pro experiment maybe I should take a cheaper route.

I am looking at like a $10 roll of contact paper instead. I found one I like, black marble.

Seems just kind of backwards to skimp on the project in every way I can only to spend half of it on the panel design.

Next project is going to be a stand alone joystick(s) with Sanwa parts using the X-Arcade brains so that it can be used with multiple systems. I want to take my time and make that one really nice. This one is just to get a feel for it and to have something to use.

I want to try Sanwa next so I can see first hand the JP vs US approach to joysticks. You read very mixed opinions if you try to find out whats better online.

 

I found a good place to get the CP printed if I was to get it done: http://www.mamemarquees.com/customer-designed-control-panels-p-205.html

It would be a better quality than normal vinyl prints too.

And while this link is not designed for CP use, its cheaper and I do not see why it would not work:

http://www.mamemarquees.com/customer-designed-marquee-from-p-77.html

I'll keep my design handy for the real project one day.

I found a forum that does a lot of custom sticks, they dont do cabinets or anything they are like competition based stand alone joysticks. The trend there is strongly Sanwa parts and what most people do there is just print there designs on a color printer, or have it done at kinko's. Laminate it and just place it under a lexan or plexi shield.

Sounds like the easy way to do it, but when you consider a big 12x17 laminated print is like $10 at kinko's and I would need 3 of them, thats $30 before you even add in the plexi, so it would not save much compared to the vinyl print.

Plus the plexi breaks very easy (people go thru 5+ sheets before they get one not to crack) and lexan is harder to get and more expensive (and scratches easy)

Now I wish I had a router, I found the "easy" way out of not having great wood working skills or the tools to cut pieces together for a perfect joystick box. Just glue multiple boards together and route it out so you have one big seamless box. I think a router will be the next tool I get though when I find the right time to get one.

 

Yeah, I blew through several plexi sheets before I got what I wanted. Sounds simple, but it's not. I was super careful, and still cracked the sucker... That's one thing I'd rather not have to do again!

 

Yeah get the lexan then, it may scratch easier but its very easy to work with.

Or for permanent you can just use a liquid acrylic of sorts but I dont think I would do that personally.

Joysticks came in today, I put one together just to see how it feels. I like the range of motion, the spring is about right maybe a tad heavy but will get looser with use.

I need to find out if I can bottom mount it with 3/4" wood or not. I may have to top mount it, and thats ok probably since I am covering it with the contact paper (or vinyl/lexan if the contact paper sucks) but I want to bottom mount it for multiple reasons.

I added one thing to my list. I need to go hunt down some cheap dreamcast pads because I want to hack them to use the arcade controls. I have a lot of good games on my dreamcast. Marvel VS Capcom 2 was my most played fighter in my day and I sucked in arcades due to never using the controls.

I have it on my emulator but it is not emulating very well. I think due to the fact I am on Vista X64 because on my old system it was perfect.

To make the build modular so that I can swap between DC controls and PC controls on the fly I came up with what I thought a good idea.

ATX Extenders


Holds 24 wires, uses a pin system instead of soldering and since its already wired all I would have to do is just cut it in half, and wire it to a terminal block. Instant modular ability.

For a pro-project that uses external adapters I would probably try to use DB24 connections but I do not trust my soldering skills too much, last project I tried failed badly and I broke my $120 X-Fi sound card, though that was a very advanced job.

So now what I think I need is a wood router & some bits and thats a big purchase, with that I can mount the joystick to the right depth easy and also it will be a vital tool in building a joystick box that is portable, because thats my next goal is to use the X-Arcade PCB and build a console & PC based control panel that is portable.

You get a really nice feeling of well done when you do things yourself, like hacking a game pad will be more rewarding than using a adapter. So same goes for the arcade cabinet building it yourself will be great. However since I have none of the tools it maybe cheaper or me to buy a kit for about $500 than to buy all the tools/materials and probably do a very novice like job.

The electronics side is my forte not the construction.

 

Hey htwingnut, I think I just had another evil'y cool idea.

From what I read a nice piece of plexi is strong enough on its own to support the needs of a joystick & buttons. People that do not have the tools like a router to cut the wood to the right depth just cut a hole for the joystick and mount it to the plexi.

Remember how I said I think you can probably use the marquee material instead of the vinyl for the CP overlay? Well it is like a plastic material and its meant to go on the top of the machine with the lights behind it to light up.

Imagine this:

Cut out the majority of the center of my wood CP leaving only a frame, get a nice piece of plexi and cut the holes to mount everything to it, and then recess the wood frame to accommodate the plexi. From there put the Marquee print out under the plexi and put it all together. When your done wire up some lights under it and your entire CP will light up!

With that design I have above that should be really wicked looking.

Its too flashy for me since this is a in room project but for the real deal cabinet one day I may just go with an idea like that.

Also I was on the buildyourownarcadecontrols forum and somebody had a question about if its best to have your CP at an angle or flat. I said I like a slight angle on mine, but came up with another idea in answering that question.

To accommodate all people, for my actual cabinet one day my control panel will be on a hinge system and probably have hydrolic motors on it so that it can be moved to any angle from 45-90 degrees on the fly.

 

This is BY FAR the best site for joystick information:

http://forums.shoryuken.com/forumdisplay.php?f=177

From what I've read, X-Arcade are among the worst sticks. Both of the new Street Fighter 4 sticks are incredibly easy to mod. They're also great sticks on their own.

 

Yep I am a new member there. Thats the site I was referring to when I said they build custom sticks for competition use and have a strong preference for Sanwa parts.

There goal is way different than what you would find here: http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade.htm

Witch is an other incredibly good source data.

This thread though I have not been talking about using x-arcade sticks, just there "buildyourownarcade" kit. Its just the key encoder, mostly for the fact that its the easiest way to interface it for multiple systems via the use of there adapters.

I do not have a PS3 but if that was a target system for me, this probably would have been a good encoder: http://www.lizardlickamusements.com/pages/boards.shtml

The cthulhu board does PC & PS3 nativly via USB and its not too expensive, especially if you build it yourself.

 

I still wouldn't trust X-Arcade because they aren't known for quality. Before investing in anything, I'd find the right thread in SRK or make one. Unfortunately, the search function on there sucks. Luckily, the sticky threads are really good. SRK likes both Sanwa and Happ, though you're right that most prefer Sanwa. Then again, that's not without reason. Although it depends on what systems you're looking at, I believe it's easier to mod an Xbox 360 stick to play both 360 and PS3/2/1 than the reverse. Furthermore, 360 and PS3 sticks are compatible with PC.

Edit: I'm also a member there. I lurked for a long time and joined in August.

 

off topic:
any of you guys going to the SRK Street Fighter IV launch party in LA on 2/12?

I might go.

 

Probably not. I hate driving into LA. Gophn are you also on SRK?

Edit: Wow. Don't know how that happened. Thankfully there's the delete button.

 

OMG - ::Multi-Post Crits you for 9999dmg::

::you die::



Me I live over here on the east coast, way to busy and broke as usual to attend anything like that. I really do want to try to make it to metrocon for the first time this year when it comes since its in my town. That shows how hard it is for me to go to something though.

I have wanted to go to metrocon for like 8 years and its in my town and I still have never made it.

 

I think I am a member.... way back.

I know most of the fighting game pro players in real life... played against them back in the day.