PC & Wii Compatibility without using X-Arcade Controls <flame="on">

[pcguysam]

So I realize that I'm about to get roasted right off of this board.  This thread might even set the server on fire.  I'd first like to say that I am extremely impressed with some of the skill and workmanship that I have seen here.  I never knew that this board existed, much less the dedication to quality work in building some of these cabinets.  Hats off to you guys.  So here's where I am.  I purchased an old arcade cabinet on Monday.  My original plan was to build a decent PC MAME box that I could also play some modern PC games on.  Then I realized that I had a homebrewed Wii with tons of games(and emulators) already on it.  Worst case, I could also run a PC emulator in addition to the Wii, but I really like the Wii and the actual Wii games lend themselves perfectly to a stand up arcade.  So I've already taken one shortcut.

Now, I could really be lazy and just build a glorified control holder for the Wii controllers and game pads.  But I don't want to do that.  I want actual arcade controls to use with the older games.

This brings me to the topic of X-Arcade and the Tankstick.  For a few extra bucks, I can get an adapter that will plug right into the GameCube ports on the Wii.  If I order the Tankstick, this adapter says it costs a penny.

My FEAR is that I will not be able to build controls that will work with the Wii.  I could take apart a GameCube control pad and use the board from it which I have seen done, but then I have arcade controls that will not work with my PC.

Now I really like the idea of designing my own controls.  But I really like the flexibility offered by the Tankstick in being able to work with virtually any platform I choose.  I wish I were more of an electronics guru, but I am not.  I understand the software and computer side of everything but the component side really flusters me.

Would it be stupid to buy a Tankstick and take it apart?  I know that they sell kits as well, but those seem to be just as frowned upon here, plus the kit is almost as expensive as the complete unit once you add the Trackball and Wii adapter.  I might save $40 or $50 total.  I am at an impasse.

[thatpurplestuff]

You should wait for the KADE miniConsole+ to be released.  It should be out sometime late September(?), and it allows you to have arcade controls that output to PC/MAC and an insane amount of consoles.

Supported outputs:

    Mac
    Windows
    Linux
    RasPi
    Android (this includes OUYA and Nvidia Shield devices)
    PS1
    PS2
    PS3
    Wii Wiimote (Classic Controller emulated)
    WiiU Wiimote (Classic Controller emulated)
    WiiU via USB (gamecube converter emulated)
    xBox original (with simple converter cable)
    NES (with muti out expander)
    SNES (with muti out expander)
    Atari 2600 (with muti out expander)
    Sega Master System (with muti out expander)
    Sega Genesis (with muti out expander)
    Sinclair ZX Spectrum (with muti out expander)
    Atari 400/600/800/1200/XL/XE (with muti out expander)
    Atari ST (with muti out expander)
    Commodore Vic20/64/128 (with muti out expander)
    Amiga (with muti out expander)
    Neo Geo CD 15 pin (with muti out expander)
    Supergun Arcade(with muti out expander)
    xBox 360 (with PSX active converter cable)
    Dreamcast (with PSX active converter cable)
    Game Cube (with PSX active converter cable)
    Sega Saturn (with PSX active converter cable)
    many more!

The other cool thing is that you can plug in retro controllers for various consoles and use them as well.

Supported inputs:

    NES
    SNES
    Nintendo 64
    GameCube (with beta rumble)
    Wii/WiiU Wiimote Classic Controller
    Wii/WiiU Wiimote Nunchuck
    PlayStation 1
    PlayStation 2
    Atari 2600
    Atari Analog Paddles
    Atari 5200
    Atari 7800
    Sega Master System 9 pin
    Sega Genesis 3 button
    Sega Genesis 6 button
    Sega Saturn
    Sega Dreamcast
    TurboGrafx-16 US large plug
    TurboGrafx-16 Japan small plug
    Neo Geo CD
    DDRgame.com metal (beta)
    RedOctane DDR metal (beta)
    Apple Vision Joystick
    Commodore C64/Vic20
    Commodore Amiga
    Amiga CD32
    Amstrad CPC
    Sinclair Spectrum MSX (Spectravideo)
    Collecovision (Joysticks only)
    Arcade via expansion board
    Arcade via DB 15

The miniConsole+ units are a bit pricey, but I'd imagine that 2 of them would still be less than a tankstick and you have MUCH more functionality and the ability to create the exact control panel that you want.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kadevice/kade-miniconsole-a-smart-open-source-retro-gaming
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,142133.0.html

[pcguysam]

I think that may be the answer to all my problems.  Pretty freaking awesome.  Thanks!

[ark_ader]

Don't listen to them - buy your tank stick.