Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: opt2not on January 27, 2009, 02:33:56 pm

Title: Mad Catz FightStick Review - Sanwa joystick analog control!
Post by: opt2not on January 27, 2009, 02:33:56 pm
(http://media.1up.com/media?id=3674288&type=lg)
http://gear.ign.com/articles/947/947933p1.html (http://gear.ign.com/articles/947/947933p1.html)
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3172420 (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3172420)

Quote
...features six white Sanwa buttons and a white Sanwa joystick
Nice high quality parts...

Quote
In addition to the standard six-button layout, the FightStick includes two additional grey buttons, a "turbo" feature, a switch that toggles the joystick between directional pad and analog controls, and a locking mechanism to prevent accidental button presses.

...but what is this joystick switch all about?  I'd be interested in knowing how they mapped the Sanwa stick to the analog controls. This could be an avenue to look at for us DIY'rs that have been salivating over the idea of having dual-stick Analog control with arcade parts! Geometry Wars anyone?

Does anyone have an info on this?
Title: Re: Mad Catz FightStick Review - Sanwa joystick analog control!
Post by: Jack Burton on January 27, 2009, 03:13:29 pm
It's analog emulation only.

All it does is press the analog stick in the farthest direction possible in eight directions.

Title: Re: Mad Catz FightStick Review - Sanwa joystick analog control!
Post by: Ginsu Victim on January 27, 2009, 08:45:45 pm
I already have a switchable Sanwa analog joystick. ;D

(http://www.ultimarc.com/images/ultrastik_logo.jpg)
(http://www.ultimarc.com/images/UltraStik1.jpg)
Title: Re: Mad Catz FightStick Review - Sanwa joystick analog control!
Post by: J.Max on January 27, 2009, 09:36:35 pm
I already have a switchable Sanwa analog joystick. ;D

(http://www.ultimarc.com/images/ultrastik_logo.jpg)
(http://www.ultimarc.com/images/UltraStik1.jpg)
'

Too bad it doesn't work on a console...
Title: Re: Mad Catz FightStick Review - Sanwa joystick analog control!
Post by: Ginsu Victim on January 27, 2009, 11:01:10 pm
Since that SF IV stick isn't sending true analog, yes it will.
Title: Re: Mad Catz FightStick Review - Sanwa joystick analog control!
Post by: opt2not on January 28, 2009, 03:10:54 pm
Since that SF IV stick isn't sending true analog, yes it will.

This is fine, if I can hook up a second joystick for right stick control... I've been looking for information on creating a dual-stick XBOX 360 controller for all my favourite console SHMUPs (Geometry Wars 2, Mutant Storm 2, etc...) and was wondering how they mapped these switches to the analog input of the 360 controller.

Brian Crecente on Kotaku took the back panel off this stick to look at the insides. The sanwa stick has microswitches that are soldered directly to a PCB, which I'm assuming emulates the  faux-analog signal.
http://kotaku.com/5140845/hands-inside-the-sfiv-tournament-edition-fightstick (http://kotaku.com/5140845/hands-inside-the-sfiv-tournament-edition-fightstick)

If I only could get my hands on one of these, or a similar cheaper equivalent to dissect. My Xbox 360-ready cabinet would be 100 times more awesome if there was a Dual stick option for the analog sticks.
Title: Re: Mad Catz FightStick Review - Sanwa joystick analog control!
Post by: Jack Burton on January 28, 2009, 05:50:07 pm
I'm 99% certain that you could hack an Xbox 360 pcb and wire analog sticks to a digital joystic, albeit with the "always 100% direction" restriction. 


Also, MAS systems used to used analog emulation on their sticks.  They had an analog/digital button, and you could hold down L1 and L2 while holding Start and Select to set the analog sensitivity.  Maybe they could help you  out?