Starting my first arcade project. Need help buying controller parts.

[Craig Pilecky]

Ive just started my first arcade machine project.   Ive drawn up my plans, and just started on the frame. Im going to do a multi-console cabinet. PS2/DC/Neo Geo. Ive read through the section on hacking PSone and DC pads, and wiring them to an arcade pad.

What I need to know is what the best place to buy arcade parts is? Which joysticks and buttons are best possible quality for fighting games? What type of soldering kit will I need to buy? What guage wire to use? And any soldering tips.

Ive never soldered before, so ill probably practice on old NES pads or something before doing my DC and PS2.

[StephenH]

I would recommend HAPP Super Joysticks, and Buttons.  See www.happcontrols.com.   In addition, you can mount a Hanaho Hotrod (www.hanaho.com), if you want a pre-made arcade control panel.


Instead of a gamepad hack, I would recommend considering a key encoder such as an I-Pac (www.ultimarc.com), or a Hagstrom KE-24 or KE-72.   These assign keys to the buttons, and are easier to wire.

[ripzone]

The easier way to do what you want is to get a X-Arcade and their consoles adapters.  (www.X-Arcade.com )

If you want to build it yourself the Happ's Super Joysticks and the Happ's Horizontal Pushbuttons are the best. (www.HappsControls.com)
 
To connect to the PC use an I-Pac from Ultimarc. (www.Ultimarc.com)

To connect other consoles just do consoles pads hacks!

[Craig Pilecky]

I want to build my own controlls. Its the only way for me to have exactly what I want.  

Ive gone over to Happ controls, what type of joystick should I get 8 way or 4 way?

Keep in mind im going to be wiring PS2 and DC controllers up to this. Im not sure which joystick to get for that.

[eightbit]

I want to build my own controlls. Its the only way for me to have exactly what I want.  

Ive gone over to Happ controls, what type of joystick should I get 8 way or 4 way?

Keep in mind im going to be wiring PS2 and DC controllers up to this. Im not sure which joystick to get for that.

Depends on what you want to play, PS/2's and dreamcasts use 8 way sticks. An 8 way stick will play all the games. Certain games are better with a 4 way. Some sticks are switchable from 8 to 4 but few of these are near as good as a real 4 way. oscarcontrols.com also sells restrictor plates that will convert most joysticks to a true 4 way.

[Craig Pilecky]

I want to build my own controlls. Its the only way for me to have exactly what I want.  

Ive gone over to Happ controls, what type of joystick should I get 8 way or 4 way?

Keep in mind im going to be wiring PS2 and DC controllers up to this. Im not sure which joystick to get for that.

Depends on what you want to play, PS/2's and dreamcasts use 8 way sticks. An 8 way stick will play all the games. Certain games are better with a 4 way. Some sticks are switchable from 8 to 4 but few of these are near as good as a real 4 way. oscarcontrols.com also sells restrictor plates that will convert most joysticks to a true 4 way.

Fighting games. Probably 95% of what im going to use my cabinet for is fighters. Should I go with the 4 way then?

[eightbit]

If you want to play fighters you don't want 4 ways. You definately want 8 way sticks. Happ supers are good for fighters. Happs perfect 360's are even better but pricey. They are the same as supers but use optical switches instead of mechanical switches.

[Brax]

Many people prefer the competitions for fighters. They have more of a square feel where as the supers are more round.

[neuromancer]

What I need to know is what the best place to buy arcade parts is? Which joysticks and buttons are best possible quality for fighting games? What type of soldering kit will I need to buy? What guage wire to use? And any soldering tips.

Ive never soldered before, so ill probably practice on old NES pads or something before doing my DC and PS2.

For fighters you can buy supers or ultimates from HappControls.com, or therealrobroberts.com. Rob sells Happ parts for less, and it sounds like he has better service too. If you have any interest in the classics (like pac-man) then check out ultimarc.com for joysticks with built in restrictors.

Soldering: 15 watt iron, pointy tip, and thin rosin core solder. Practice on bits of wire first. Clean the wire with very fine sand paper, steel wool, or erasers first. Heat the wire. Touch the solder to the wire. Solder should flow towards the iron, towards the joint. Keep the tip clean with a damp sponge or something. Before use, "season" the tip with solder all over.

Wires: it doesn't really matter. A lot of guys use Category 5 wire cause it comes from the office for free. Anything else will work too.

Bob

[m3talslug]

Most of the SF players I've come across prefer the circle feel.  Makes doing 360s and 720s easier.

Team USA brought P360 sticks to Japan during their visit... then again they got wiped by the Japanese team who used Sanwa sticks which feel square.

Many people prefer the competitions for fighters. They have more of a square feel where as the supers are more round.

[hyiu]

I'm a SF player.... (well... not an expert...)

but I do prefer Competition than Super...

I mean... Super is round and good... and smooth...

but when I block down (down left or down right).... I need to know that I'm hitting the corner...

when I'm using Super... some of the times... I think I'm blocking... but however... I'm actually just pressing down (cos my angle is wrong...) and I cannot feel it....

but when using Competition, I KNOW I'm hitting the corner... (when I press it that way....) no miss... much better....

now... with the Japanese sticks.... I'm pretty sure the Jap. team didn't win the US team with Zangief... haaa haa haa...
cos its next to impossible to pull those 360 spin moves out.... but for Ryu and others that only uses quarter circle or half circles... those are manageable....

my $0.02 of personal opinion....  

[DeathMonk]

Heya Craig,

Don't buy the fuggin ultimates...  They suck for fighters big time...    You ever let go of the joystick after a move or something?  BOOIIINNGGG..  and your charachter flails around like he's having an epileptic seizure.  It also has a little too much throw..

[DeathMonk]

I'm about to spend the bux for the p360's...  If you can hold off on buying the controller parts for a little bit i'll tell you how they perform.

[m3talslug]

Don't buy the fuggin ultimates...  They suck for fighters big time...    You ever let go of the joystick after a move or something?  BOOIIINNGGG..  and your charachter flails around like he's having an epileptic seizure.  It also has a little too much throw..

YEAH!!

[Dr. J]

Many people prefer the competitions for fighters. They have more of a square feel where as the supers are more round.

I agree.  I had 4 supers to put in, but one was acting very strange, so I put in a competition I had laying around for another project.  People bicker over who gets to use the competition when playing fighting games.  It's because you can feel the corners a little bit better for doing things like Ryu and Ken's uppercuts.  It all comes down to preference.  I bought a super, competition and ultimate to see which I liked.  I can honestly say that I feel the Ultimate is a worthless piece of junk.  Stay with the supers or competitions.

[SirPoonga]

Don;t buy from happ!!!  they can be expensive, and they have the $25 minimum.  Goto www.therealbobroberts.com and get the parts you need.  He rules.