Can MS EasyBall for Kids used as Trackball?

[NoBonus]

I was searching for a cheapo trackball on eBay and found the Microsoft Trackball for Kids cheap.  THis is a huge trackball, but has anyone ever attempted to use it for arcade applications?  Is it good? bad? the end of the world?


NoBonus
Neophyte, Pest, Newbie, and Question Asker

[cdbrown]

I have a crayola kidsball which sounds like it is the same although I haven't made a trackball panel yet.  It works well enough for me considering.  Especially considering I really don't have anything to benchmark it against.  1Up also has one on his panel http://www.1uparcade.com/

[bionicbadger]

I have the crayola trackball in my cabinet and it works fine.  I bought it cause it was cheap, but it looks good and works good, so I'm happy.

[ashardin]

Just be forewarned that the Kidsball (and probably this one as well) doesn't work in Golden Tee PC or Tiger Woods Golf.  No idea why, but others have experienced this as well.

In MAME it works like a charm,

[NoBonus]

Good to know.  Thanks.

[Lilwolf]

I have the crystal trackball that was also used...

It was ok... but not right.  No weight in the ball... No big spins.

It was ok for centepede and games where speed doesn't matter... but even marble madness kinda stinks.

I would say, go for a 2 1/4" trackball fro 26 bucks new..  And Oscars $10 hacked mouse...  The end product will be MUCH better in my opinion.

And if you cant afford it... leave space and wait.  Until then, your mouse will probably be an better no cost, temp solution.

[NoBonus]

The problem for me is the $$.  I have a job, but an expensive habit (a family) that requires all of my $$.  So, I am trying to build a controller on change I find in the couch, stuff I have floating around the house, and anything anyone will give me.  However, I will not beg or steal.  So I am just trying to find a very cheap alternative to a arcade trackball (since $40 is about all of the $$ I could scrounge up for the whole project and I only have about $5 for my trackball AND spinner).  So I have been trying to pick up a good trackball substitute on eBay.  If anyone knows a cheaper trackball resource than eBay, let me know.

[Lilwolf]

Leave space for now... and add it later.

a real arcade trackball is SO much better.. And there are TONS of games that you can play while waiting to save some cash.

I personally liked a mouse better then the cheap trackball I had..

[NoBonus]

That sounds like a good plan.  My goal is to make a desktop console with three or more detachable/connectable pieces.  It would start as a single stick + six to eight buttons + a spinner; then you could attach to either side a trackball, or second player controller or a flight stick or a steering wheel.  This should give me the maximum amount of use of the limit space on my desktop AND I can work on it in little sections allowing me to slowly build it over a long period of time (helps the $$ issue)  Once I get working on it, I will post some pictures.

NoBonus

[rchadd]

The real Happ 3" Golden Tee Trackball its on sale at the moment  $69.99 (instead of $94.50 until 31/5).

Check out their website.