Dreamcast Arcade Stick > PC interface...

[SideShow Rob]

Hi Guys,

Due to a mad splurge on EBay, I have a couple of official Dreamcast Arcade Sticks (Model HKT-7300) as spares.

The cabinet that I will (eventually) get round to building will be mainly used for Fighting games (SF, KOF series etc.) , and Shoot ' em ups.

Being the inquisitive sort...I opened up one of the Arcade Sticks...and was pleasantly surprised to see that it should interface to either my I-Pac or Mini-Pac fairly easily...with only some wire lengthening to do.

Their are no distinguishing names or markings on either the 'stick or the buttons, but I am guessing that the 'stick is a Sanwa, and possibly the buttons too. Can anyone confirm or deny this?

Has anyone tried using the Dreamcast Arcade Stick controls in a control panel? If so, how did the controls feel for general MAME usage? I wouldn't use the 'sticks for the classics, but I am hoping for general use they will be fine, and for fighters/shmups, they will excel...

Regardless of experience...what do you guys think of the idea? Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks for your time guys...

[countchocula8]

can you post a picture or 2 of the joysticks you are referring to? are you talking about the green one made by agetec?

[SideShow Rob]

That's the one...

[Dave_K.]

These DC sticks do not contain sanwa parts.  Although is common to buy them and modify them with real sanwa stuff (check the projects forum on himuragames.com). 

That being said, and the fact that you want to mount these in a cab's control panel, it would have cost the same if you just bought original sanwa parts.  But if you like the way these buttons and stick feel than you can certainly use them.

I also hope you understand that these controls cannot be mounted in a wood control panel (at least not easily).  They are made for metal control panels, just like the original Japanese sit-at cabs.

[SideShow Rob]

I thought that the joysticks, whilst "close" to the Sanwa feel...they felt a little bit looser. The buttons too, don't quite feel like Sanwa parts...close, but again, not quite right.

I'm glad that has cleared that up.

I knew that I would have to mount them in a metal control panel...or hack the top of the DC Arcade Stick into a routed wooden control panel - not really worth the effort on reflection.

I have a couple of options...either go for Ultimarc J-Sticks, and Happ Competition convex push-buttons - these will be easy to mount in a wooden control panel...or get a complete, fully populated metal control panel, such as the one in the picture attached...

I'm waiting for a price on that item...if it is fair, then I think I will go that way.

Thanks for the advice and info, guys.