Alternative to X-Arcade Solo?

[pmc]

I've got a friend who's looking at the solo. He's not a builder and doesn't want to spend much. Just dip his feet in and get some decent controls in his hands. He just wants to play the classics. The solo seems fine to me although the stick doesn't appear to be 4-way/8-way switchable. I suppose he could replace the stick eventually if he wanted.

Anyway, Slik is gone. What else should he look at? I pointed him to some of the custom stick builders here, but I think he want's simple and cheap (and he likes the look of the solo). I'd build him something, but I don't have time for a few months now. And he's a little afraid of the homemade look. I think he wants a polished commercial product.

Is there anything else he should be looking at? Thanks in advance,

-pmc

[ItchyD]

If you're wanting to go cheaper you could try one of these pelican real arcades http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220350542935  this one happens to be for xbox but they make universal ones.  They come up on ebay about 2 per week, so it will take alittle patience.

[Jack Burton]

The Hori Real Arcade Pro is probably his best bet:

http://www.amazon.com/Playstation-Real-Arcade-Fighting-Stick-3/dp/B001GDQRZM/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1233436686&sr=8-1

or something from arcade-in-a-box:

http://www.aiabstore.com/main.sc;jsessionid=5DBB89E7728A928701EE089AC0B3054A.qscstrfrnt03

the SF4 Fightstick is very very nice and will be available in stores in a month:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Street-Fighter-FightStick-Playstation-3/dp/B001M22WLU/ref=pd_bbs_sr_5?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1233437003&sr=8-5

or if he really wants to go all out get the Street Fighter 4 Tournament Edition stick:

http://www.amazon.com/Street-Fighter-FightStick-Tournament-Playstation-3/dp/B001M25AY6/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1233437003&sr=8-8



 

[pmc]

Lots to look at here. Thank you both.

Some of these are intended for use with current revision consoles. Are they also PC compatible? He'll be using it with MAME for the classics like PacMan, Galaga, Dig Dug, Asteroids, Donkey Kong, etc.

-pmc

[J.Max]

I'd go with something from Arcade in a Box.  I own several Japanese made arcade sticks, like the Virtua Fighter High Grade, the Virtua Stick Pro, an HRAP2, and I have an SFIV TE on pre-order.  However, all of those are made with Sanwa parts, and if your friend wants the old school feel like the X-Arcade, he'll want something with made with Happs parts.  The AIAB stuff is very well made, they're made with real Happs parts, you can get custom artwork if you'd like, and you can even get one that is compatible with all current consoles and PC.

www.aibstore.com

MAS Systems is another choice, but AIB is probably nicer.  There's also GoPodular:

http://www.gopodular.com/

And WestControls:

http://www.westcontrols.com/files/home.php


But those two are a bit more expensive.

[Jack Burton]

Lots to look at here. Thank you both.

Some of these are intended for use with current revision consoles. Are they also PC compatible? He'll be using it with MAME for the classics like PacMan, Galaga, Dig Dug, Asteroids, Donkey Kong, etc.

-pmc

all of the sticks in my post are pc compatible.

[pmc]

Are any of these 4/8-way switchable? If not, I can't imagine playing PacMan or Donkey Kong or anything else that requires a 4-way.

Maybe the best thing is to buy something and replace the stick with an Ultimarc Mag-Stick Plus.

He's also looking at the Tank Stick so that he has the option to play with a friend. I reminded him that most of the classics use one set of controls...

-pmc