Re: X-Arcade + Ms Pac-Man Joystick Feedback?

[jpittman]

Hey all,

I've finally decided I've had enough of playing MAME with the keyboard and want to get a dedicated control panel that will work via a USB connection so I can use it with my laptop (no PS/2 port) as well as my desktop computer.  It looks like the X-Arcade Dual Joystick ($129.95) is the best option and a comes with a lifetime warranty.  The only real downside to this unit is the 8-way joysticks aren't very good for playing my two favorite games: Pac-Man & Ms. Pac-Man.  I have read the sticks can be changed to 4-way mode but are still not that great.  So I'm also going to order a Ms. Pac-Man stick from Tornado Terry's and replace one of the X-Arcade sticks with it.  From what I've read this is pretty close to an ideal setup for playing old 4-way games like Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man.  This way I will still have an 8-way stick on the CP as well as a dedicated 4-way to maximize enjoyment on my favorite titles.

I would love to get some feedback/opinions on this strategy before I get out my wallet and pull the trigger -- especially from folks who have replaced an X-Arcade joystick with one of the Ms. Pac-Man sticks from Tornado Terry's (I assume I need the one for a "wood control panel").  You can see the proposed replacement stick here: http://www.tornadoterrys.com/surplus.htm (scroll down about 2/3 of the way and look for "Ms Pac Man Stick" for $22.95).

I'm not particularly mechanically-inclined, so I would really appreciate any info regarding how easy/hard replacing the joystick will be.  What will I need beyond a screwdriver?  A soldering gun perhaps?  Any additional parts/adapters necessary?

Thanks in advance,

-J

[AdvancedArcade]

You will have some problems. You have a 2 player setup. If you change the 1st player to 4 way the 2nd player will be 8 way. But how will you be able to play 1 player 8 way games?  Well then you would have to map player 2 controls to player 1 in MAME. Now you cant play 2 player 8 way games (like fighters, neo geo etc). If you say, that doesnt matter.... then you are paying a lot for 8 buttons you will never use.  There is no easy answer to this problem.  I installed 3 joysticks in my mame and I still wish I had another with a trigger.  I find the "Perfect 360" joysticks handle 4 way games pretty good.... but they need a 5v source.  Sorry not to give you a "good" answer... but just want you to be aware of the pitfalls.

[jpittman]

You will have some problems. You have a 2 player setup. If you change the 1st player to 4 way the 2nd player will be 8 way. But how will you be able to play 1 player 8 way games?  Well then you would have to map player 2 controls to player 1 in MAME. Now you cant play 2 player 8 way games (like fighters, neo geo etc). If you say, that doesnt matter.... then you are paying a lot for 8 buttons you will never use.  There is no easy answer to this problem.  I installed 3 joysticks in my mame and I still wish I had another with a trigger.  I find the "Perfect 360" joysticks handle 4 way games pretty good.... but they need a 5v source.  Sorry not to give you a "good" answer... but just want you to be aware of the pitfalls.

Thanks for the feedback!  In my case, I have no need for 2 player support (my wife has exactly zero interest in old video games) so the idea is for me to have both an 8-way and dedicated 4-way stick (one that is close to the original Pac-Man ball stick with a short throw) available on the same CP.  It's true I will have more buttons than I will ever need (in fact most games I play use two buttons or less) but the X-Arcade Dual is only ~$30 more than the single stick model and allows me to have one of each stick on the same console.

-J

[jipp]

im not sure how the xarcade is wired up.. on my control panel.  i have a 8 way and a 4 way plugged into the same inputs for joystick 1.  so, they both will move whatever.. but this works perfect for 4 way games, and 8 way.. i keep the main stick 8 way and the stick towards the middle is a 4 way..

maybe you could just replace the joystick with one of groovy gears 8/4 way sticks.. looks like all you do is slide a slider to the left or right and it turns it into a 8 or 4 way. here is the stick im speaking of:

http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=292


either way should work tho. id probably just go with 8 way on player 1 side, and 4 way on player 2 and have them both plug into player one on the x-arcade keyboard encoder. 


chris.

[Donkbaca]

If you just want a 1 player stick get a hori ex2 xbox 360 stick. They are compatible with windows and cost 40 bucks at amazon or buy.com.  Then all you need to do is drill 4 holes in a sanwa 4 way restrictor and swap it with the hori restrictor. easy to do. Will cost you 50 bucks in total and all you need is a drill and a screw driver. You can even get a second one and leave it as is for a 8 way stick

[BadMouth]

If you are definitely going with the x-arcade, I'd get a sanwa jlw for the 4 way.
It almost drops in.  

You have to widen out the holes on the mounting plate and trim a little off the sides, but then it will drop right in without modifying anything in the x-arcade.

This will help:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=106307.0

If you are set on a different stick, just compare the measurements of the mounting plate for it against the measurements of the x-arcade stick (available on their website).

[Donkbaca]

Hey bad mouth, do you really like the JLF's better?

[BadMouth]

Hey bad mouth, do you really like the JLF's better?

Not really.  I was hoping they'd grow on me, but they haven't.
(everyone else seems to love them)
I plan to swap in IL Eurosticks someday.

I do feel like I have more control, but the action is just too light compared to the joysticks on the machines I played as a kid.
It takes something away from the experience. 
Keep in mind that I'm just a casual player who usually pushes the joystick all the way against the restrictor,
not a professional player who makes tiny circles just big enough to trigger the switches. 
I'm sure a fighting game pro would find the light action much better for their style.

[Donkbaca]

if you decide to swap them out I'll take the joysticks off your hands with the custom mounting plates

[ark_ader]

Remove the back of the X Arcade and change the joystick to 4 way.

Works great!

[RayB]

Ark... don't be childish.