Joysticks and Buttons

[spudzaiah]

Has anyone ever bought the X-Arcade joysticks and buttons? They seem like a really good deal, but I wanted to know if they are of okay build quality.

Thanks!

[Titchgamer]

Never used them so I cant say how good they are.

But I have seen loads of threads about people wanting to change them out so.....

[jeremymtc]

The X-Arcade sticks and buttons are of reasonable quality - they won't break under regular use and moderate abuse. They are basically copies of IL/Happ units.

Both the X-Arcade sticks and buttons have a little more 'slop' in their feel than the equivalent IL units, in my opinion. The button plungers have more side play, and the sticks are slightly more vague-feeling (this might have more to do with the switches than the sticks themselves). 

[spudzaiah]

Thanks! Very helpful, I think I'm going to go for them just because the price point of the two player bundle.

[paigeoliver]

Thanks! Very helpful, I think I'm going to go for them just because the price point of the two player bundle.

If you ranked all American style controls these would be the worst available. Spend another few bucks and buy something better.

[yotsuya]

Thanks! Very helpful, I think I'm going to go for them just because the price point of the two player bundle.

If you ranked all American style controls these would be the worst available. Spend another few bucks and buy something better.

I know, right. Both bits of feedback say he can do better, so naturally he goes straight to price.

[acvieluf]

May I piggyback on this thread? I'm wondering what their trackball kit is like? I'm sure there is better, but is it worth it for the price? Or will I just want to buy a full blown commercial one later?

Sent from my Atari 2600

[paigeoliver]

May I piggyback on this thread? I'm wondering what their trackball kit is like? I'm sure there is better, but is it worth it for the price? Or will I just want to buy a full blown commercial one later?

Sent from my Atari 2600

I would get a used commercial trackball over a new cheapy one any day of the week. Nothing beats the Atari/Happ trackball design.

[acvieluf]

May I piggyback on this thread? I'm wondering what their trackball kit is like? I'm sure there is better, but is it worth it for the price? Or will I just want to buy a full blown commercial one later?

Sent from my Atari 2600

I would get a used commercial trackball over a new cheapy one any day of the week. Nothing beats the Atari/Happ trackball design.

Not to be redundant, but is the xarcade model crappy? I've seen crappy on eBay, those trackballs without any rollers at all. But are these a 3.5 out of 5?
Just wondering. Sorry to be a pest.

Sent from my Atari 2600

[PL1]

Check with Rodney.

He may have a few refurbed units left here.   


Scott

[paigeoliver]

Everything Xarcade sells is the worst available in that style. If it is a button then it is the worst button. If it is a control panel then it is the worst control panel. Etc. They sell nothing of any quality whatsoever. Everything they sell would rank a 1 on a 1-10 scale because it is the worst you can get. If you went to the Xarcade office and had a coffee it would be the worst coffee you ever had. If you kissed a girl who worked at Xarcade she would be the worst kisser in the world.

While their products do indeed function (the buttons press, the joysticks aim, etc), they are the worst available in their style, period. I am cheap as crap, and have like 20 games in my basement and I wouldn't install their stuff on a single game I own, much less something like a real mame cabinet that I would play all the time.

May I piggyback on this thread? I'm wondering what their trackball kit is like? I'm sure there is better, but is it worth it for the price? Or will I just want to buy a full blown commercial one later?

Sent from my Atari 2600

I would get a used commercial trackball over a new cheapy one any day of the week. Nothing beats the Atari/Happ trackball design.

Not to be redundant, but is the xarcade model crappy? I've seen crappy on eBay, those trackballs without any rollers at all. But are these a 3.5 out of 5?
Just wondering. Sorry to be a pest.

Sent from my Atari 2600

[Titchgamer]

Everything Xarcade sells is the worst available in that style. If it is a button then it is the worst button. If it is a control panel then it is the worst control panel. Etc. They sell nothing of any quality whatsoever. Everything they sell would rank a 1 on a 1-10 scale because it is the worst you can get. If you went to the Xarcade office and had a coffee it would be the worst coffee you ever had. If you kissed a girl who worked at Xarcade she would be the worst kisser in the world.

While their products do indeed function (the buttons press, the joysticks aim, etc), they are the worst available in their style, period. I am cheap as crap, and have like 20 games in my basement and I wouldn't install their stuff on a single game I own, much less something like a real mame cabinet that I would play all the time.

May I piggyback on this thread? I'm wondering what their trackball kit is like? I'm sure there is better, but is it worth it for the price? Or will I just want to buy a full blown commercial one later?

Sent from my Atari 2600

I would get a used commercial trackball over a new cheapy one any day of the week. Nothing beats the Atari/Happ trackball design.

Not to be redundant, but is the xarcade model crappy? I've seen crappy on eBay, those trackballs without any rollers at all. But are these a 3.5 out of 5?
Just wondering. Sorry to be a pest.

Sent from my Atari 2600

[yotsuya]

I, too, love Paige's rants. They are things of beauty.

[Cynicaster]

Both my brother and I have X-Arcade tank sticks and both of us found the stock joysticks to be pretty much unusable.  Assuming you’re OK with microswitch buttons, there is nothing wrong with the buttons on X-Arcade sticks.

If I had a machine that needed parts, I wouldn’t seek out X-Arcade products to install on it just to save a few bucks.   But, if you can find a good price on an X-Arcade controller, and if you replace the stock sticks with a set of Happ Competitions for about $10 each (they’re a bolt-on replacement) you’ve got yourself a very serviceable general-purpose arcade controller without having to design and build one from scratch.  I bought mine because I wanted the ability to play MAME in my garage “next week” but didn’t have the time (or energy, frankly) for a full build like I have in my basement.  It has done exactly what I expected it to do (after the joystick swap, that is). 

[paigeoliver]

The Super is also a direct drop in and is a better all around stick than the ultimates and comps. It has a more neutral feel that works well with almost all games.

Both my brother and I have X-Arcade tank sticks and both of us found the stock joysticks to be pretty much unusable.  Assuming you’re OK with microswitch buttons, there is nothing wrong with the buttons on X-Arcade sticks.

If I had a machine that needed parts, I wouldn’t seek out X-Arcade products to install on it just to save a few bucks.   But, if you can find a good price on an X-Arcade controller, and if you replace the stock sticks with a set of Happ Competitions for about $10 each (they’re a bolt-on replacement) you’ve got yourself a very serviceable general-purpose arcade controller without having to design and build one from scratch.  I bought mine because I wanted the ability to play MAME in my garage “next week” but didn’t have the time (or energy, frankly) for a full build like I have in my basement.  It has done exactly what I expected it to do (after the joystick swap, that is).