Simplest way to make a PS2 joystick

[RacingFB]

I want to make a joystick to be used solely with PS2, what would be the simplest way to go about this?  

I'm looking for an 8-way joystick with a circular internal motion (I'd prefer to spend extra to get one with good action because I'll be using this for Tekken 4 and other fighting games where I'll be doing many quick circular motions)  Any suggestions or links to debates would be much appriciated.  

It would also be great if there was a way to canabilize one of my existing PS2 controllers into this new controller.  I looked at the internals of both my game pad and crappy joystick I recently bought.  They both use the bottom of the buttons to complete a circuit on the board itself.  The stick however does have 5 wire input points for the joystick, so that part would seem simple.  

RacingFB

[SNAAAKE]

UMM....ever heard of a super joystick from happs..that one is pretty smooth and hack a cheap $2 psx game pad that works with ps2 and play all the tekken you want.

yehhh ! ! ..its not as easy as i am makin it sound but hey..you can do it.

[RacingFB]

Thanks for the info, I found a site that has the basics of soldering onto the push button style printed circuits of the PSX controllers

Anyone else have any comments about the best stick for good circular motion?

RacingFB

[Jakobud]

I think the competition Joystick from Happs is the best for fighting games.  It will get you all the circular motion you will want.

Don't try to hard to hack the analog functions of the PS2 Dual Shock2 controllers...

[hotboy_92]

What's wrong with hacking the DS2 analog controls? I'm in the process of doing just that.

BTW, I'd be interested in the link on soldering racingfb.

[RacingFB]

Here ya go, http://axelb.free.fr/caj/psx.html

Now will I have to hack a non-analog PSX pad, I figured it wouldn't make too much difference because input switches from happs would just send the max signal when the button was pressed.  

Any suggestions here for good PSX pads to hack, I'm looking for a pad where the circuit board is directly under the buttons, this is the style demonstrated in the above link.

The Dual Shock 2 has the input pad separate from the board which I can see as a possible plus.  I could trace the wires back from the input pad and wire to them.

hotboy, how you doin hackin the DS2 whoodi?

RacingFB

[toilet]

I recommend the cheaper / larger 3rd party PSX controllers. The official sony ones come with a carbon film over the contacts that is an unnecessary pain to deal with.

If this is for a SF variant purpose I also recommend happs competiton buttons (the convex ones) and the competition joysticks. You may want to get a loose and tight spring for the sticks while you're ordering. They're only like 18 cents and you may never use them, but it's good to order them now since happs has a $25 minimum order.

[gnateye]

for my street fighter style setup i use happs ultimates (make sur eto get the stiffer springs, its a MUST) the regular happs horizontal push buttons, and a cheap old  gamestop brand ps controller, it has no analog but for my fighting games i dont use analog anyways.

save yourself a headache and drill a small hole thru the pad you are goin to solder thru and thread the wire thru from the back, it makes it so much easier and nicer looking, you can check pics of mine if you want i will offer any advice or help you need

http://www.cosmicbreaks.com/images/arcade_stick/padhack

[m3talslug]

Actually only the Supers and the P360s have a circular motion.  The Ultimates and COmpetitions have a square actuator which give it a square motion.

I think the competition Joystick from Happs is the best for fighting games.  It will get you all the circular motion you will want.

Don't try to hard to hack the analog functions of the PS2 Dual Shock2 controllers...

[SNAAAKE]

Actually only the Supers and the P360s have a circular motion.  The Ultimates and COmpetitions have a square actuator which give it a square motion.

Well..thats what i said to begin with .

Go supers if you cant afford perfect 360s.

[RacingFB]

Alright, I need a little clarification on this.  

It seems to me from looking at the exploded views on the Happs site that either the bracket or the actuator could give it a circular motion.  

So the question is, does the actuator or the bracket restrict the motion of the stick.  Speaking from a purely engineering point of view I'd guess its the bracket to save on wear and tear on the microswitches.  However if the bracket is the attachment and pivot point of the stick it wouldn't have any affect.    

So of the conflicting opinions here which of you are speaking from ownership/experience?  Snaake, I saw you made a couple setups which stick did you use, and how do you like it?

If the P360 is the only bat shaped handle with circular motion I'd be happy to drop the extra dough on that.  But of course if I could use a comp or ultimate instead I don't wanna waste $ on something I don't need.  

RacingFB

[SirPoonga]

could always get that arcadeish stick from liksang.com

[SNAAAKE]

Snaake, I saw you made a couple setups which stick did you use, and how do you like it?

well,
To be REALLY honest...super joysticks are great.i built sticks with ultimate,comp,supers and best are supers.However,i used to have 360s long time ago and they are the best out of any joystick and the best part is you can use that sensor hub for comp and supers.just in case you didnt like the super joystick shaft,the perfect 360s would let you use comp shaft and you get "NO CLICKING" setup.

if i were to suggest anything here,i would say go for supers as they are the best you can get for your money.
Also they are on special from happs.we all paid $13 a piece and now they are $7.show us pics when things get moving.

[SNAAAKE]

could always get that arcadeish stick from liksang.com

EWW ...

isnt it BUILD you own?NOT buy crap from lik-sang.
I am not pickin on you but why would anyone here wanna buy those crappy plastic joysticks...again..EWWW..

[RacingFB]

I just bought an arcadish stick the other day which is what sent me on this quest to build my own to arcade spec.  Thanks for the heads up on the website though, lots of goodies there.  

RacingFB

[rampy]

I just bought an arcadish stick the other day which is what sent me on this quest to build my own to arcade spec.  Thanks for the heads up on the website though, lots of goodies there.  

RacingFB

have you looked at the x-arcade stick at all yet?  Of course it isn't build your own (although they do have kits available if you are so inclined)  ... but it interfaces with ps2  (and other consoles) not sure how/if it handles analog stuff...

Good luck!

Rampy

[SirPoonga]

EWW ...

isnt it BUILD you own?NOT buy crap from lik-sang.
I am not pickin on you but why would anyone here wanna buy those crappy plastic joysticks...again..EWWW..

I've never had issues with liksang.
I know this is build your own arcade controls, but if something already exists that isn;t bad why go through the extra work when it is a difficult thing to do from the start?

If oyu don;t like liksang there is always redoctane.com.

[RacingFB]

I've seen the X-Arcade controls.  They look pretty sweet and it basically came down to the economics of it for me, I could make a top of the line set up for $60-70 where as I'd pay $100 for a single player X-Arcade and have no idea what parts went in it.  

I just ordered a P360 and 8 horizontal microswitches.  I'll be starting this project next week after finals, so hopefully I'll have some pics early next month.  

I also just wanted to thank everyone that's helped me out so far by posting.  Thanks for all the great info guys  

RacingFB