Analog arcade stick?

[Timstuff]

Although I know it's quite common to mount an analog trigger grip joystick to arcade controls, I was curiouse... Has anyone ever attempted to hack a normal (competition, super, perfect 360, etc) type joystick to use pots so that it can be used as an analog joystick? Or taken an analog trigger grip stick and hacked it to have a classic arcade style handle? I was thinking about this the other day, because there are many console games that would be fun to play using an arcade cabinet, but they all use analog controls. I know that quasicade is a pretty good solution to this, however there's something alluring about the concept of playing Super Smash Bros. Melee on the same set of controls as Street Fighter 2 and Metal Slug. It would definately be a cool project for someone with the know-how to attempt.

[markrvp]

Happ makes exactly what you are asking about:



They are expensive though, $123.75.     Here is the link:  http://www.happcontrols.com/joysticks/50287600.htm

Someone posted a few weeks ago about his idea for how to hack a joystick and add pots, but some of the older guys dissuaded him from trying it (I think his design was flawed, but I'm not sure).

Ultimarc made a future product announcement sometime back that they were coming out with an analog stick for their A-Pac.  Hopefully this one will be a lot cheaper than the Happ stick.  IIRC you could hook two of these analog joysticks to one A-Pac which would appear to the computer as Joystick 1 & Joystick 2.

[Timstuff]

Yeah, you did a pretty good job I'd say. I hope that a cheaper alternative to Happ's version comes along eventually, because I can't help but imagine how cool a Smash-Bros arcade machine would be...

[spiffyshoes]

I remember Tim created plans for a circuit you could build yourself to convert a 49-way joystick so it would give off analog or hall effect signals so you could hook it up to a console pad.  Much cheaper than getting one of those analog sticks.

[Doc-]

You might want to look at this solution.  Its cheap and involves no electronic hacking:

  http://www.beersmith.com/mame/panels.htm#analog

Look at the analog joystick.  It is a Saitek joystick modified to mount easily on a wood panel.  It has an electronic throttle and works great for flying games and other analog games (motorcycle and such).

Cheers!
Doc-

[tmasman]

You might want to look at this solution.  Its cheap and involves no electronic hacking:

  http://www.beersmith.com/mame/panels.htm#analog

The only problem with this is he's looking to use it with CONSOLE games... PS2, X-Box, etc...

[Timstuff]

Well, it's not for anything I plan on building immediately. But it's something that I definately think could be cool of a future project possibly.

[Lilwolf]

I would guess the best solution would be to find a cheap ebay flight stick and change the stick. 

I got my flight stick for 10 bucks + some shipping.  I never tried to fit another joystick in it... It might fit a 48 way ball top stick (and I have an extra one).  I should look since I don't play flight games... but would REALLY love a good n64 joystick.

[Bursk]

Probably a stupid question, but does that Happ analog stick work well in MAME?  Anyone here got one or know of any reviews?

[Kremmit]

Minwah put a J-stik balltop on a Happ analog base.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,20409.0.html

[vrf]

Happ makes exactly what you are asking about:



They are expensive though, $123.75.

[Minwah]

Sorry for bumping the old thread, but does anyone know how this analog stick works as a regular 8-way? Does it feel "soft" or something.

I don't know for sure, but my guess is that it would have too much travel and be a bit sloppy for decent 8-way gameplay.