Ideas for organizing controllers

[Bdubbs]

So I built my cabinet with arcade controls (Thanks Andy) and also 6 console controllers, 2 controllers each for 3 different systems that have more unique controllers.  The issue is I am trying to figure out some creative ways to keep them neat.  Obviously the answer would be unplug the controllers.  Unfortunately we all know the USB iD's will change.

Does anyone have creative ideas for this?

I looked spring loaded cord rewinders but they seem to be too small for the 6foot controller cables.

My other idea was to rig up a system using a weight to retract the cords similar to the way the hose on your sink retracts.

[Nephasth]

Stop playing console games on an arcade machine.

[Bdubbs]

Thannnnkkksss  for the help.  But I built it as an a multi use system.  And with playing arcade games as well as console games on my CRT makes sense ;-)

Any one else with productive answers would be great ;-)

[thatpurplestuff]

I am trying to figure out a similar solution, only I've got a pantload of controllers to be storing (30+).  I think what I'm leaning towards is a separate display case, with the controllers in the front and the cables being tucked away in the back.

Having them constantly plugged in via USB is a pretty huge limitation to storing them... if you've got the cash, a couple miniConsole+'s installed on your arcade cabinet would be a pretty solid solution.  You can hotswap controllers via the db15 ports and even use arcade controls at the same time.  You won't have to worry about the device ID's screwing up and you'd be able to store the controllers wherever you want.

[vwalbridge]

Stop playing console games on an arcade machine.

I know you don't want to hear this but I happen to agree with Nephasth. Although I must admit I'm a bit of a hypocrite as I have loaded console games on a tabletop arcade but it was more for novelty's sake and experimentation than anything.

However, it sounds like you really want to so let's see some pictures of your arcade and controllers so we can get an idea of what's going on. It sounds like you have over a dozen controllers so neatly storing them inside or even near your cab sounds cumbersome.

[Bdubbs]

The miniConsole+'s may not be a bad idea.  I will look into it.  As for playing the console games on the machine the kids love it.

** Regarding playing console games on the arcade ;-)
I built the system to be a height that is comfortable for both standing as well as sitting on 2 stools which get stored under the control panel.  Exact height so it looks very neat.
I have a fully built out hyperspin system running on my machine and the kids love switching between all of the systems. 
I built it in a NEO GEO/ Final Fight theme.  4 joysticks for 2 player smash tv with a CRT built into the system.
The system was built with flush mounted console controller ports before I realized unplugging the controllers changed the usb ID's.  I thought the converters would hold onto them. Lesson learned.

In the bottom of the cabinet the PC is stored and for now I roll of the controllers inside of there for storage.  I was thinking of having the cables for the controls snake under the control panel and hang below.  At this time I have 6 controllers.

Summary:
6 total USB controllers
PC and Controller currently reside in the bottom of the cabinet
Thinking of a creative way to have them below the control panel with retractable cables?
Played with flush mounted adapters but unplugging the controllers from the adapter to my surprise changes the USB ID resulting in having to remap the ID's

** thatpurplestuff had the Idea of using miniConsole+'s which he says will hold the ID's. I will look into that. Any other suggestions are welcome.

Poopy looking pic of my cabinet since I am at work.  I will get more pics if people want them when I get home.

[schooluser]

I am curious to see your arrangement (what you end up doing), because I'm looking to build a cabinet for all of my systems and organization of the controllers is important. I was perusing here to see if there are any ideas on wireless or one controller for all systems ideas.

[vwalbridge]

I must have missed it. Where do all the controllers plug into the arcade currently?

[Bdubbs]

I am curious to see your arrangement (what you end up doing), because I'm looking to build a cabinet for all of my systems and organization of the controllers is important. I was perusing here to see if there are any ideas on wireless or one controller for all systems ideas.

So yes you could probably do everything with an XBox 360 controller which would be wireless.  Unfortunately I have a six year old who likes to play the games and when switching between Sony Games and Nintendo Games she has a hard time learning controls when the screen prompt says "Press A" but the controller has a square and vice versa.

So I have 2 Playstation controllers, 2 SNES controllers, and 2 Gamecube Controllers.  Which has let her be pretty autonomous when the older 2 kids are not around to help.  Plus plying text heavy games have helped her practice reading in a fun way.

Also being at the arcade machine either standing or sitting on the stools keeps the kids more social rather than sitting on IPads laying on the couch ;-)

[Bdubbs]

I must have missed it. Where do all the controllers plug into the arcade currently?

I had flush mounted ports on the left side of the cabinet, but I didn't realise that unplugging the controllers changed the ID's at the time.  Currently they all are in the bottom of the cabinet which has a swinging door and also stores the PC.  The cables are wrapped around the controller, but since they have to stay plugged in the cables begin to twist each time they get wrapped. Not a great solution for the long term especially with young kids handling the system most of the time. Sooner or later something will get damaged.

[PL1]

6 total USB controllers

The miniConsole+ won't do what you want if the controllers are USB.

The miniConsole+ is designed to auto-sense and auto-configure original (non-USB) gamepads.

Have you looked into Drventure's ControllerRemap utility?


Scott

[vwalbridge]

Now that you have listed things out, it sounds like you are actually trying to solve 3 problems:

1. Where to store/keep neatly organized the console controllers
2. How to keep the cords from getting tangled
3. Retain USB IDs

Something tells me the real answer here is to go wireless everywhere. Wireless solves #1 and #2 and I THINK #3 becomes a non issue. Especially if you use Xpadder.

All of the above would be even easier if you could just use one controller. Like an Xbox360. But a wrench gets thrown into the whole thing when you need to use 3 separate console controllers.

I feel like I'm recommending 8bidto's stuff all the time here but they are worth a look for some ideas.

[Bdubbs]

8 bit duo might be an option, do the controllers maintain the same ID even after being turned off?

I will look at the controller remap utility as well. Thanks for the suggestions.

[vwalbridge]

do the controllers maintain the same ID even after being turned off?

I think so but that is a big "think". The reason I'm not sure is because I don't know if that is going to be a Windows "game controller" responsibility or a bluetooth responsibility. Ideally you would want Windows to recognize 2 distinct game controllers.

The nice think about 8bitdo's stuff is that it can be configured to operate in different modes. For example, you can have it power on as a bluetooth keyboard or power on as a regular game controller. I'm just spitball-ling ideas here not really giving you any direct answers. I don't want you picking up 2 8bitdo's expecting them to solve everything.

Nothing beats the feel of an original controller so you would have to sacrifice that gain the convenience of consolidating all your controllers into one.

[Bdubbs]

OK this is the plan. I am going to get 1 8bitdo and one PS3 bluetooth and a Mayflash Adapter.  Then we will test it out and see if I can do everything wireless except for the Gamecube controllers.  Luckily I know the game cube adapter maintains the ID's whether they are plugged in or not.


This way I can test if the wireless device will hold ID's and I can use "almost" original controllers for every game system I care about.  Fingers crossed. I will test the PS3 controller with SCP by the end of the week. The 8bit do should arrive end of this week or next.  Thanks for everyones help so far.