Should X-Arcade Joys be re-designed?

[DeLuSioNal29]

Is it me, or would the X-Gaming folks benefit from re-designing their control panels to be blank?  The past month they have been running some very good sales (Tankstick for $150, Dual Joystick for $79.99) + ($9.99 shipping) and I have to say, I've been tempted, but I can't get past the ugly logo they seemed to smack onto the top as an afterthought.

Or at the very least:  How about bringing back the XXL Tankstick (bigger design for arcade building enthusiasts) with a logoless top (they could put a small X-Arcade decal on the side).


Thoughts?

DeLuSioNaL29

[Nephasth]

Thoughts?

This is BYOAC, everyone here should build their own...

[DeLuSioNal29]

True, and I've built my own as well.  But when time is precious and prices are beginning to get lower for these things.  I figure, why not pick one up?  But the ugly logo?  No!

[GregD]

I agree.   Couldn't hurt their business to give that option.   When on sale they are a good value for a beginner.  I just won't consider it because of the ugly factor.   How about onewithout joys and buttons too?

[Afterburner]

Some of their products they used to sell un-mounted....i.e. you could order just the hardware.

In fact, I have two X-Arcade trackballs in my cab.  One I ordered as just the trackball hardware.  The other I ordered later and they were out of stock on just the hardware, so they sent me the whole trackball panel, including the buttons, for the same price.

I gutted it and used the buttons!

[Donkbaca]

The top is a printed overlay, you can just take it off

[wizkid32]

I think it should be "rebuilt" to better fit with arcade machines.  I also think the price should be "re-designed". 

[Dan_Dan_91_07]

What's the best alternative for consoles (PS3 but I love the X's whole 'console proof' philosophy)?

I think I'm going to get a console CP like, er, tomorrow, so I'd appreciate the input guys!

Oh yeah, and BYO isn't an option in this case. XD

Edit: And yeah, it should look more arcade-y! It's ok-ish if you're having it across your lap but on a cab, it looks pretty dire.

[DCsegaDH]

I think it should be redone to look better than the big X in the middle, I personally wouldn't buy one anyway, I like to build my own controls instead. It's really easy to wire up your own controls and the best part is that you pick the joysticks and buttons that go inside.

[ark_ader]

In order for you to get the big X off your Dual-ie or Tank is pure game play with as many different consoles and PCs as you can get hold of. You have to put on weeks and years of game play to get the X off.  I've been trying for the past four years.

Same sticks, buttons with cheery switches and the X is still there clickin away.

I was thinking of upgrading to leaf joys.  Other than that I am saving up for a Solo, to build in my desk (hint hint). 

[Green Giant]

I've gotten exactly one person to play a 2 player game with me in my 10+ years of collecting so joysticks too close together is of no concern.
 

You poor guy.  If you are in houston I will play an arcade game with you.

[Donkbaca]

best console sticks, IMHO is the hori real arcade pro.  They are expensive though, and hard to find

[BobA]

Good mini business if someone could produce some nice overlays that would fit the x arcade as a retrofit.

I have an old Hanaho Hotrod that has a bit less advertising on the CP.

[Vigo]

That is a good idea. I remember when getting overlay decals for Nintendo controllers was cool. I can see some good business in both making standard designs or custom images to fit the X-arcade.

[Dan_Dan_91_07]

best console sticks, IMHO is the hori real arcade pro.  They are expensive though, and hard to find

What'd you guys think about this one:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hori-Officially-Licensed-Real-Arcade/dp/B004TECRGS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325196443&sr=8-1

[emphatic]

When I had my X-Arcade (that I later built into my MAME cabinet) I put a black sticker over the panel surface. I also sawed off the curve on the front.   Check my project link in my signature for photos of it.

Edit:

[Vigo]

best console sticks, IMHO is the hori real arcade pro.  They are expensive though, and hard to find

What'd you guys think about this one:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hori-Officially-Licensed-Real-Arcade/dp/B004TECRGS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325196443&sr=8-1

I'm pretty positive that's a really nice setup, all Sanwa so it is great for fans of fighters. I don't think I could justify the price for something I could build myself for less than half the price, but I am a cheapskate on a DIY forum. 

Is that the cheapest it sells for in the UK? I think these are roughly $130 USD, and if my currency calculator is correct, that is $186 USD. Thats a hefty uptick in price.

[Donkbaca]

The madcatz SFIV sticks are good too.

[Dan_Dan_91_07]

You can get them for 100 if you shop around but A) I want it ASAP and Amazon offers next day delivery and B) I can finally use that support this site link! 

Yeah, us UKers always get screwed over when it comes to currency conversion though.

It does seem like a decent stick, apparently (after spending some time researching) it's only second to this beauty:

http://www.amazon.ca/Real-Arcade-Pro-Premium-VLX/dp/B003VQR242

But that's not available in the UK and is $300! Just a tad too pricey for me lol.

Thanks for your input! 

[Donkbaca]

The Madcatz SFIV TE sticks are all Sanwa parts too. FWIW

[Dan_Dan_91_07]

Apparently the weight and some stuff are better on this. IDK really without trying them both though.

BTW you can use it with your PC! So you can use with with MAME, etc I have to say that I think this is much better than the X-Arcade so far.

*Is off to play Katamari with peoples comments and avatars* XD

[Dan_Dan_91_07]

I have just bought that stick BTW. Could somebody confirm something for me though - I used the Amazon link however I am from the UK and had to scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on UK and get transferred to the UK site. Will this method still "support this site"?

[Donkbaca]

Better than the x-arcade? I like the x-arcade sticks.  Everyone creams all over sanwa sticks, I don't like the looseness of Japanese sticks, they always come across as feeling sloppy to me. The x-arcade buttons I could do without, but that's an easy fix.  In terms of how they look, neither is that great looking, or cab appropriate I would call it a tie.  Also don't forget that you can get a dual for about half the price of one of these 1 player sticks...

[Dan_Dan_91_07]

Better than the x-arcade? I like the x-arcade sticks.  Everyone creams all over sanwa sticks, I don't like the looseness of Japanese sticks, they always come across as feeling sloppy to me. The x-arcade buttons I could do without, but that's an easy fix.  In terms of how they look, neither is that great looking, or cab appropriate I would call it a tie.  Also don't forget that you can get a dual for about half the price of one of these 1 player sticks...

Hang on, you're the one who recommended them to me first - "best console sticks, IMHO is the hori real arcade pro" o.O

Edit: Plus, AFAIK those prices don't exist for X-Arcade in the UK market.

[Donkbaca]

yeah if you were using it to play on a console, but for mame I think the x-arcade is the best value

[Dan_Dan_91_07]

Right, yeah using it with a PS3 is what I am doing.

[Donkbaca]

I use the hori ex2 for my xb 360, and I think it works fine.  They are dirt cheap too

[boardjunkie]

I bought an empty xarcade dual case from them some years ago for 30$. I put in my own parts (Wico leaf sticks, leaf buttons) and wired it all into a USB gamepad board. Works great. I even went a step further and cut  a second set of side (pinball) button holes and used them for the side nudge function. Then I installed a homebrew inertia swich in the front so you can bump the front of the controller and have front nudge. Its the *only* way to play visual pinball....

[Vigo]

Better than the x-arcade? I like the x-arcade sticks.  Everyone creams all over sanwa sticks, I don't like the looseness of Japanese sticks, they always come across as feeling sloppy to me. The x-arcade buttons I could do without, but that's an easy fix.  In terms of how they look, neither is that great looking, or cab appropriate I would call it a tie.  Also don't forget that you can get a dual for about half the price of one of these 1 player sticks...

Hang on, you're the one who recommended them to me first - "best console sticks, IMHO is the hori real arcade pro" o.O

Edit: Plus, AFAIK those prices don't exist for X-Arcade in the UK market.

Don't mind Donk, he just hasn't taken his meds yet today. 

I like Sanwa in general, and the JLF is a very elegant joystick, Yeah, I think that some arcade stuff not so great with it, but the only games that I really hate with it are the 4 way joystick games, and I should be using a completely different joystick all together.

[Dan_Dan_91_07]

 

Yeah, hating on a stick because it doesn't work with all games efficiently is a bit like hating your hammer because it didn't produce that perfectly circular hole you wanted.

ATM I just want to play some fighting games (loving the MK Arcade Collection but there's some modern games as well), Neo Geo games (TY Sony for releasing so many of these classics through PSN - with online play too) and maybe Super Puzzle Fighter with it.

[Donkbaca]

Really the great joystick debate is silly in my mind.  You get used to whatever you played with.  Back in the day we would go to the arcade and put our quarter up and play street fighter and MK and it didn't matter WHAT kind of sticks were in there (though MOST used the wico optical/ Happ perfect 360 sticks in my neck of the woods)  I don't remeber anyone saying "If that was a Happ Comp stick I would have whooped your ass" or "You're lucky those aren't Seimitsu buttons or you would have been toast!"

[Vigo]

Oh, I agree completely, it is silly to debate joysticks on a purist level, I also grew up playing on whatever was slapped into the machine, and as long as the joystick responded and I could play I wouldn't complain about what joystick was in there.

Of course that is completely different than having preferences, and having specific joysticks that you best like for specific games.

ATM I just want to play some fighting games (loving the MK Arcade Collection but there's some modern games as well), Neo Geo games (TY Sony for releasing so many of these classics through PSN - with online play too) and maybe Super Puzzle Fighter with it.

To me those all sound like ideal games for the Hori Stick you are getting.