Options for stand alone arcade control

[jirovede]

Im looking to build a desktop arcade stick but am wondering what way to build it. What is the best way so I can use it for pc, dreamcast, ps2?
Thanks

[Serpent]

The most intelligent, cheap and easy way is to use a Playstation pad hack. Hacking pads is inexpensive and easy, just soldering cables on the surface of the pcb. The great advantage of this is that you can use it with your PSX, your PS2, your PC (there are dozens of models of PSX to PC USB adaptors), and also Dreamcast (I have two adaptors called Magic Convertor). All of these adaptors work perfect, with all digital controls working and with no delay at all. I have two arcade control panels and I use them both together with PC and Dreamcast.

[jirovede]

Do you happen to know a site that has a how-to? Also, when you made your controls do you keep the connector side in the box (place the pad plugs in) or how did you do that?
Thanks
Edit* What playstation pad do you recommend hacking?

[blue]

This is something that i'm looking into also, hacking a PSX controller.

I found this as a goog start:
http://wrongcrowd.com/arcade/joystickp2.shtml

I just have a question about the anolog stick, is this possible to hack also?

[NoBonus]

Why not just hack a PC gamepad?

[blue]

Why not just hack a PC gamepad?

Ok, which PC gamepad?
which ones work well and which ones don't?

I'm still trying to find out if an anolog control is easily hackable...

[Serpent]

Can you use PC gamepads witth psx and dc? The best pads to hack are cheap pads, not official. Generally, those thrid party pads with transparent case and with no extra functions are the best. They all have enough points on the pcb where to solder. You'll have to look for ground and solder a cable that you'll daisy chain on every microswitch. For the rest of functions, solder different cables and guide them to every microswitch. For my panel I use this method you can see in the photo, so as to make it stronger and safer in case I need to change anything.

[NoBonus]

Ok, which PC gamepad?
which ones work well and which ones don't?

I'm still trying to find out if an anolog control is easily hackable...

Any PC gamepad.  They use the same sort of wiring setup as any console controller. As far as an analog controller goes, I do not think it is cheap or easy to hack an analog controller.  My solution is to simply incorporate an analog PC flight stick or joystick intact (maybe mounted nicely, but not hacked) for analog controls on a PC.  This will not let you play analog games on a PSX per se, but it should work on a console.  One could even attempt to reshape or swap the stick out of the analog stick for added arcade like play, but the base and wiring of the analog joystick would need to remain the same.  Of course, if you are looking for the a set-up similar to the arcade, this is not the route for you.  

[ray_slup]

This maybe a stupid question but how do you exit mame
when you use a game pad hack?
I've tried joytokey but it does not regester in mame.
I use mame32 (haven't found a frontend i like yet) so maybe that's the problem.
It works within the menu but not once the game is loaded.
 

[NoBonus]

I thought this was for a standalone control panel; you would use the keyboard to exit MAME

[blue]

I thought this was for a standalone control panel; you would use the keyboard to exit MAME

i am looking at making a stand alone control panel that i can use with mame, or i hack a psx controller then also play with a playstation.

Another question:
Can you connect 2 joysticks to dpad?
Will they both work?

[NoBonus]

You can connect two joysticks to one d-pad successfully.  This is the method I am using to incorporate a 4-way stick on my console.


NoBOnus

[Serpent]

Why use dpad? USB adaptors are far better. You can redefine controls in MAME32 (ui_cancel). I exit emulation with one of the buttons + start

[blue]

Why use dpad? USB adaptors are far better. You can redefine controls in MAME32 (ui_cancel). I exit emulation with one of the buttons + start

I was thinking of hacking a PSX controller because i have a pSX to USB adaport. But i guess i could just as easily hack a gamepad also.
Thanks for the info on redefining the buttons.

[blue]

I

[NoBonus]

It's a terminal strip.  You can get them at Radio Shack by the wire and connectors, but they are oddly expe$ive for what they are (like $4 or $5 each).

[Stingray]

I agree they are too expensive. You can build one yourself with a handful of screws and washers for next to nothing.

-S

[blue]

I justed picked up 2 - 12 slot strips for 2.50 CND from a local shop! sweet!