How to use Joysticks as USB Gamepads and not Keyboard Buttons

[superman2k2]

Helllo I want to know what Hardware/Software can I use so that my I can use my Arcade Cab joysticks as USB Joystick. I dont want the Joystick to use the Keyboard buttons but plain old USB Gamepads. Thank You

[Slippyblade]

Either hack a gamepad or use a Xin-Mo or Zero Delay encoder.

[superman2k2]

Thanks for your input I did some research and these are just what I need but ask I'm sure most people have asked before...Which is best?

[BadMouth]

I've read too many posts about defective Xin-Mo encoders to recommend them.

There's also the GPWiz from groovygamegear (shows up as 2 gamepads).
I haven't used it, but have been happy with their keyboard and optical encoders.

There are also options that show up as an xbox360 controller, which is the standard controller for newer PC games.
Ultimarc has the ipac2 paired with the paclink adapter.
focusattack has the PS360 interface.
I have hacked MadCatz xbox 360 fightpads in my cab (wires soldered to the original gamepad pcb).

Which one is best depends on the reason you want it to show up as a gamepad.
I went to hacked xbox360 pads because I got tired of trying to find workarounds for the newer PC fighting games.
It's still not a perfect solution.  Some older indie PC games and emulators default to either the left analog joystick or D-Pad.
The fightpads can be set to one or the other, but not both.  So I have to use x-padder for the directions on those games.

I believe the ultimarc setup allows you to switch on the fly through pressing a combo, but you'd have to remember which games you need to switch it for.

[Jamesbeat]

I asked that very question just last week

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,149920.0.html


I ended up getting a Xin No. It arrived on Saturday but I have been too busy to test it.
It looks like a reasonably good quality kit.

[Malenko]

My most recent project used a 360 hacked controller from Haruman, because it'll be playing mostly PC games, and the 360 controller is the new standard for PC gaming controllers.

If you want a cheap and good solution, I have no complaints about the zero delay boards. Best is always going to be subjective, but the Zero Delay boards are a very cost effective gamble.
So, I guess if you have a tight budget, use Zero Delay encoders but if you have the cash hacked 360 controllers are better.

[yotsuya]

I just pulled a GP-WIZ from a MAME cab I'm refurbishing. I thought it was and would use one over a Zero Delay or XinMo.

[baritonomarchetto]

Since there's a dedicated joystick library, arduino leonardo/micro could be a good solution for this.

[thomas_surles]

I can recommend the xin mo. it works great. but I wanted one as a keyboard encoder so I use joy to key so it doesn't really matter how I wired it.

[getnbizzy]

I've read too many posts about defective Xin-Mo encoders to recommend them.

There's also the GPWiz from groovygamegear (shows up as 2 gamepads).
I haven't used it, but have been happy with their keyboard and optical encoders.

There are also options that show up as an xbox360 controller, which is the standard controller for newer PC games.
Ultimarc has the ipac2 paired with the paclink adapter.
focusattack has the PS360 interface.
I have hacked MadCatz xbox 360 fightpads in my cab (wires soldered to the original gamepad pcb).

Which one is best depends on the reason you want it to show up as a gamepad.
I went to hacked xbox360 pads because I got tired of trying to find workarounds for the newer PC fighting games.
It's still not a perfect solution.  Some older indie PC games and emulators default to either the left analog joystick or D-Pad.
The fightpads can be set to one or the other, but not both.  So I have to use x-padder for the directions on those games.

I believe the ultimarc setup allows you to switch on the fly through pressing a combo, but you'd have to remember which games you need to switch it for.

have you considered using relays to toggle between analog and digital sticks/dpads? The analog sticks would wire to the normally open contacts and the d-pad would wire to the normally closed contacts. The arcade joysticks would wire to the relay commons. The only thing I'm unsure of is how the analog sticks are wired.

[AndyWarne]

The I-PAC and Mini-PAC boards can be configured to send any keycode or any game controller button from any input pin.

The current firmware has the board appear as one game controller device. We were considering new firmware which has it as two game controllers, but I am not sure how much interest there is in this functionality. In fact users on the Raspberry Pi have to install firmware which disables the game controller device completely.

Any feedback on this is welcome.

[fablog]

Andy I have 2 U360 and an Ipac UIO. I love them but I can't use them with games like MKX. If you find a solution for this problem then the UIO will really be the ultimate Ipac

[getnbizzy]

Andy I have 2 U360 and an Ipac UIO. I love them but I can't use them with games like MKX. If you find a solution for this problem then the UIO will really be the ultimate Ipac

have you tried vjoy yet? 

[fablog]

Not yet, I don't have any time right now.