Can you use a trackball for a spinner / paddle?

[Batchman]

Just wondering if it is ever possible to use a trackball or mouse to mimic the control of a spinner or paddle?

Is it even possible? If so, can it be good for some games, bad for others? Always bad? Always great?

Any opinions?

[Minwah]

It can mimic a spinner, as it is the same thing technically. A trackball is a 2 axis spinner. It works ok but depends on the game really...usually a spinner is better of course.

Paddles are a bit different as they are essentially a potentiometer with limited travel - no good trying to use a trackball for this.

[mrclean]

Just wondering if it is ever possible to use a trackball or mouse to mimic the control of a spinner or paddle?

Is it even possible? If so, can it be good for some games, bad for others? Always bad? Always great?

Any opinions?

opinion.. BUY A SPINNER.

Go to groovygamegear.com you will love it... I own one it's the tits.

http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=268&zenid=bb85tp1jasbp2alra2ptmmee06

[DaveMMR]

You can but I tried it and it's not as satisfactory. I've taken on the opinion than a spinner is more valuable to a panel than a trackball (game-wise) at this point (and not as needy for space.)

[Cynicaster]

Yeah, it can be done but it's just not quick or precise enough.  Try playing Avalanche with a trackball--it's just too sloppy to be any fun, IMO.

You can but I tried it and it's not as satisfactory. I've taken on the opinion than a spinner is more valuable to a panel than a trackball (game-wise) at this point (and not as needy for space.)

Just curious--why do you say this?  I was contemplating putting a spinner on my next project since my first project has a trackball and it would be nice to explore a new control type, but I'm struggling to come up with uses for it.  I'm not terribly excited about spending $100 (or whatever it costs) on a piece just so I can play Tempest and Arkanoid.  The trackball, on the other hand, gets me Missile Command, Marble Madness, Centipede, Wacko, and great "party" games like Golden Tee, Shuffleshot, Shuuz, and WC Bowling. 

 

[DaveMMR]

Just curious--why do you say this?  I was contemplating putting a spinner on my next project since my first project has a trackball and it would be nice to explore a new control type, but I'm struggling to come up with uses for it.  I'm not terribly excited about spending $100 (or whatever it costs) on a piece just so I can play Tempest and Arkanoid.  The trackball, on the other hand, gets me Missile Command, Marble Madness, Centipede, Wacko, and great "party" games like Golden Tee, Shuffleshot, Shuuz, and WC Bowling.

Strictly YMMV. I have the Trackball games I enjoy: Centipede, Marble Madness, Missile Command, Crystal Castles and... that's about it. (I could take-or-leave Golden Tee.)  Meanwhile, Arkanoid has always been a crowd favorite and I happen to enjoy Tempest. And don't forget Cameltry (which was "On the Ball" for the Super NES) and Peggle (not related to the PopCap game) which are quite fun.

Bottom-line -  the spinner provides a bit more usefulness for me while using up a lot less space.

[Batchman]

You can but I tried it and it's not as satisfactory. I've taken on the opinion than a spinner is more valuable to a panel than a trackball (game-wise) at this point (and not as needy for space.)

And while I want dual trackballs and at least dual (if not quad) spinners on my eventual mame cabinet, since I am currently unemployed, it is going to be a while before I am able to build it.

But in the meantime, I do still have my X-Arcade Tankstick, and wonder how well I might be able to play some of the paddle-style games with it's trackball, which doesn't cost me any money since I already own it.

[DaveMMR]

But in the meantime, I do still have my X-Arcade Tankstick, and wonder how well I might be able to play some of the paddle-style games with it's trackball, which doesn't cost me any money since I already own it.

Give it a shot - can't hurt. If it works for you then you're golden. And it's better than using a joystick.   

I thought it was a case of "I don't want to add a spinner to a panel - do I have to?"