What interface would be best for my situation?

[Gatsu]

I'm working on a control panel that I want to hook into a pc (and possibly other systems like the 360, ps3, ps2 and Dreamcast).

As for emulators on the PC, I'll be running Mame, Zinc, Demul, and Taito Type X. I also wouldn't mind running MK9, KOF XIII and the Capcom fighters (and stuff like castle crashers) through Steam.

What would be the most ideal interface to use for all of the above? Should I go with a keyboard encoder and just use something like xpadder to emulate contollers for the PC titles that require them? Or use a USB controller interface and something to emulate keyboard inputs?

[PL1]

Might be a good idea to add a few more details.

1 Player or 2 Player?

Number of buttons per player?


Scott

[Gatsu]

2 players, 11 buttons per player. 8 actual play buttons, then 3 buttons for start, guide and select (back on x360).

[mgb]

Not sure if it totally fits the bill of what you'd want but I'd say this is the most versatile interface for multi console conectivity.
http://www.focusattack.com/akishop-ps360-multi-console-joystick-pcb/

[BadMouth]

Not sure if it totally fits the bill of what you'd want but I'd say this is the most versatile interface for multi console conectivity.
http://www.focusattack.com/akishop-ps360-multi-console-joystick-pcb/

+1

Browse the Injustice thread in the software forum.
Having the interface show up as an xbox360 pad and having the buttons labeled accordingly makes the newer PC games so much easier to set up and play.

I'd still use a keyboard encoder for the service buttons.  Having a dedicated exit button mapped to ESC helps out on a lot of emulators.
To keep it small and be cheap, I'd use a Minimus AVR programmed using the Kade software.

[DeLuSioNal29]

Not sure if it totally fits the bill of what you'd want but I'd say this is the most versatile interface for multi console conectivity.
http://www.focusattack.com/akishop-ps360-multi-console-joystick-pcb/

That would be my choice too.  Just keep in mind those are only 1 player interfaces, so you would need 2 of them.  A bit pricey.

D

[ark_ader]

XArcade Adapter. 

[Gatsu]

Xarcade has a 6 input limitation though doesnt it?

[thomas_surles]

I use the xin mo and use joy to key for keyboard inputs.

[Gatsu]

Not sure if it totally fits the bill of what you'd want but I'd say this is the most versatile interface for multi console conectivity.
http://www.focusattack.com/akishop-ps360-multi-console-joystick-pcb/

I was considering getting a pair of those. But wanted to see if there was a cheaper alternative. The Xarcade kit looks decent, but from what I was reading here on the forum, theres a limit of 6 simultaneous inputs at once, which complicates things for fighters.

[mgb]

I agree, they are not cheap.
You can go with the Mc Cthulhu but it'll take extra parts for Xbox compatibility.
Again, you would need two of them.

[BadMouth]

If you're handy with the soldering iron, you can hack xbox360 controllers.  That's the route I took.
The new smaller fightpads are common ground and have round spots in the traces that look like they were made for pad hacks.
Depends on how much you want to save $60-70 vs buying the ps360s.  Might save more if you can find used fightpads.

[Gatsu]

If I used a 360 controller though I wouldn't be able to use them on any other consoles and I suck at soldering, so I'll probably go with the PS360s.

Thanks for the input gentlemen.