Can you parallel controls?

[Stormy151]

For instance I have a 2 player control panel, but install dual top fire sticks to play Battlezone/Assault.  Can I wire these to the same encoder inputs as Joy 1 and Joy 2?

I don't see any reason why not, other than if someone grabs one of the other sticks while I'm playing it will mess me up!  I thought you guys would know for sure.

[Jakobud]

Yes folks do this all the time.

[hazydave]

It's fine for most switch configurations: the controller board pulls the input line to VCC (usually +5V for keyboard contollers), any number of switches can be hooked up in parallel to bring the signal low.

You can't parallel trackball/spinner inputs. If you want to share these between multiple devices, the best way is to use a multi-pole switch in-between the two devices (say, spinner vs. trackball, if you want both but your controller only supports one at a time).

[eightbit]

The biggest example of this is probably the dedicated 4 way stick. Many people do that and its wired to the same inputs as p1's 8 way joystick. Player 1 can then use either stick to play depending on if they wanted 8 way or 4 way.