Need some advice regarding controller interfaces

[phantompower]

Hi all,

I am really not sure with what direction to go in...and this was a lot clearer when I didn't own the Perfect 360 joysticks....

Here is my dilemma...I am building a console controller for my Xbox and PS2.  No real need to support the Dreamcast or the GameCube (but I have these systems should I ever have a game that would use them later...but that's besides the point).

In an effort to make the nicest controller I could...with the most longevity with regards to supporting multiple consoles with little adjustment required, I decided to invest in the X-Arcade PCB kit.  I did a cost analysis and found the price difference to be not as large as I had expected at first glance....getting the PCB made sense to me.

Two days ago, I received the PCB and have since found out that it doesn't support the Perfect 360s because of the lack of providing +5v power.  Now I don't want to run an external power source since there is no computer I can draw the power from and any external source would literally be a plug going into the wall to power my controller...not attractive.  Before I owned the Perfect 360s, I have been very happy using the Competition sticks for my fighting games...so again, the PCB made sense.

Now, basically motivated by http://tobywong.50megs.com/ and having some conversations with him, I am now thinking about going the route of the sodlered PS2 pad so I can power the Perfect 360s.  I am very comfortable with soldering as I have done many controllers in the past, but I am not that familiar with power requirements, etc...

I truly think the only difference between the two options is the use of the Perfect 360s.  Is the only question I need to ask myself, "How bad do I want to use the Perfect 360s?"  There is a small part of me that likes the actual "make-it-from-scratch" approach as it adds to the experience...but the design of that PCB makes that as viable an option as the IPac for MAME machines.

Anyway, sorry this was so long, but I am very interested in hearing other people's opinions on this.

Thanks in advance,
Chuck

[m3talslug]

Hey Chuck,

I'm a bit of a fighting game fanatic... and I really like the feel of the P360s.

Here are the PROs about using a PS Dual Shock PCB

1) FutureProof - someone will MOST LIKELY make an adapter for it on ANY system that comes out in the future

2) TONS of buttons - 4 analog axis (which can be converted to digital axis) + 2 digital axis + 12 buttons.  That's a LOT of buttons.

3) Easy to find +5v

4) Currently the most universal PCB you can buy.

5) Cheap

I've done Keyboard hacks, and USB gamepad hacks... and I can safely say that after this PS DualShock hack, I no longer use any of the others.