Author Topic: My XBOX to Arcade Misadventures :( (Read 4999 times)

Demon-Seed · « **on:** August 20, 2004, 11:42:38 am »

Hey
I just wanted to let you guys know on my progress with the xbox to arcade controls. Originally I was going to go with hacks, but I learned that x-arcade supported analog. Well I purchased an x-arcade and to make a long story short, I would not recommend it. The unit was very tempremental (even with a pc), keys were sometimes lagged, but the worst thing was it was not hot swappable (even with the usb adapter) and would stop fucntioning. I spoke with support on several occasions who were very helpful, Il but the thing just wouldnt work. I got it working with xbox then it stopped.. Ordered a new xbox adapter and still did not work. Maybe my stick was just a bad one, I am not sure, but I lost the patience, and sent it all back yesterday for a refund. I figured with the x-arcade sticl, usb adapter and xbox adapter at 189.90 US I could better spend the money.

However I did purchase a great xbox to PC adapte from http://www.vdigi.com/ and wow is it remarkable! XBOX looks amazing, I highly recommend it.. Only problem is they are often out of stock.. I did see the unit for sale on some game accessory website.

Forward.....Well I have the xbox in the cabinet and it works great, but I do not have it connected to the controls. I need analog to work, thats the big problem. X-arcade claimed it worked but I had a lot of problems with it. Can anyone help me out? How else could I do it? I thought it would be the way to go but negative. Any suggestions? how is everyone else doing it? Please let me know, any advise or links is very much appreciated!

Thanks
Jim

Dave_K. · « **Reply #1 on:** August 20, 2004, 11:53:30 am »

Jim, when you say you need analog controls, are you saying you want to play games that require use of the analog sticks? Can these same games also be played with the just dpad for movement?

You will find that games which require precice analog movement are not really suited for an arcade cabinet (sorry). IF you are wanting to play games which can work off the dpad (like Metal Slug 3, Capcom v.s. SNK 2, ....) then you should be going the route of hacking 3rd part sticks (or hack PSX pads and use a PSX->Xbox adapter). Thats pretty much what everyone else here is doing.

Demon-Seed · « **Reply #2 on:** August 20, 2004, 04:09:34 pm »

Hello
I know that everyone uses the d-pad hack the problem is there is not enough games that use it. Most games use the left analog stick (even just to move). I dont care so much about the right stick but the left. I would pay someone to make me a hack that could support it or switch back and forth. That was the greatest selling feature of the x-arcade, it was supposed to be able to switch back and forth. When I tested mine it woked for a bit, then stopped..they sent me a replacement xbox adapter and it didn't work.....dam I wish there was a way......Has anyone sucessfully hacked it? I have thought that someone had hacked analog steering wheel?

I think that it would be neat to have the controls hooked up to the xbox, but Its got to have enough games to be worth it. The thing is with so many fighters etc... supported on DC its not exactly worth it unless the left analog can be supported.

Is there a list of games compatible with d-pad? maybe that would help?

Any suggestions?

thx
Jim

derek1800 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 21, 2004, 11:14:54 am »

Wow I have never heard of anyone have problems like you had with your xarcade. Did you read the manual that is online on how to set up the x-arcade properly? Good luck getting analog.

Derek

Demon-Seed · « **Reply #4 on:** August 21, 2004, 12:26:45 pm »

Hello
of course I read the manual 100 times over. I know how to connect things etc.. the thing just did not work. I guess it is possible it was a lemon.but the company stated its a plug and play unit.

Jim

Demon-Seed · « **Reply #5 on:** August 21, 2004, 01:34:39 pm »

I guess I will have to sit tight until someone can come up with another alternative.

Just curious is there a list of how many games can use d-pad instead of left analog?

Is there a place to see how many games have the option of switching to it?

Can anyone advise a reputable source for hacks?

old school gamer · « **Reply #6 on:** August 21, 2004, 11:25:26 pm »

Demon-Seed,I am currently running my cabinet with a x-box and the 2 player version of x-arcade. Now I am not even close to being computer literate,but let me tell you a few of my experiances with the x-arcade controller. I only got the x-arcade because I didnt want to (didnt know how to ) wire up my own controllers. Here is the biggest problrem with there setup. The buttons were not assinged to the proper locations on my controller....for instance the X button was not the X button, the B button was not the B button etc. etc. etc. This could have been your problem when trying to switch between analog and whatever the other way is called. In order to switch between modes you need to push a series of buttons,,very easy to do if the buttons are assinged correctly,not so easy if the buttons were mis-assinged at the factory like mine were. I have had no problems with mine since I straightened the buttons out. OSG

notaburger · « **Reply #7 on:** August 22, 2004, 01:50:12 am »

i know this may not be of much help but if the xbox analog uses hall sensors then you should be able to wire them just like you would a dc stick
i've done it before if you need any help
what i'm planning on doing with mine is installing a mod into my system so that it can function as a computer would
the mame that's on there runs really well now
and right now the xenium mod is being shipped with a handy dandy little xbox controller port to usb adapter so you can plug keyboards and such into your controller ports
so you can just hack a keyboard to controls and use that
it's just an idea
i think it'll work good for me
besides, they've also got just about any other emulator that you'd ever want for xbox now since linux has been ported to it
anywayz
hope i helped at least some

Demon-Seed · « **Reply #8 on:** August 22, 2004, 06:56:55 am »

Hey
Ok let me address two things here.

XARCADE
My buttons were mapped correctly, I know there was a button combo to go from analog to d-pad. I did it. It worked on analog for a bit then stopped. It would not remain on... Xgaming told me it was the xbox adapter, I recieved a brand new one and then it wouldnt work at all on xbox. I had it working on PC then it stopped, and I was told I had done something wrong like plug it in while pc was on and the unit had to reset..... it kept doing that..even if i turn off power etc.. connected it exactly as directions said it was tempermental and wouldnt respond 90% of the time. I told them my probs and they suggested usb adapter as it was plug and play hotswappable i mean. I used it, worked at first then it too stopped.. maybe the xarcade unit itself was dead or lemon.. but iwas frustrated and did not want to mess with it anymore. i did read on the net however many ppl have expierenced similar probs. I dont want ppl telling me i am an idiot, and read the directions etc.. i did, I have , and I have dealt with support...

XBOX HACK/INFO
I know xbox has lots of emus etc.. thats why I too want it hooked to my controls.

I am sorry I have never hacked a dc stick and have no idea what a hall sensor thingy is.. however I would like to learn more any links? I would need hlp if I hacked xbox but everyone seems to say that analogs can not be hacked.

I already have my xbox mod chipped, but do they sell a keyboard adapter?? that allows pc keyboard? will it do analog though? i doubt it....

any more info is much appreciate
thanks as always
Jim

versapak · « **Reply #9 on:** August 26, 2004, 05:22:00 pm »

Pelican Real Arcade stick has been a decent stick for me.

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=801759

The universal one has connections for Xbox, PS2, Gamecube, and works great on a PC with an Xbox->USB adapter (easily made by just splicing a USB end onto a $5 extension cable). It has a memory/communicator port for Xbox Live use, and it has a button that switches the stick to function as the left analog stick.

I will be building a cabinet soon, and my plans are to put 4 of these and into it.

Demon-Seed · « **Reply #10 on:** August 26, 2004, 09:14:20 pm »

That looks interesting and its cheap. However what does it look like on the inside? how have you hacked it? do you have images or website?

thx
Jim

versapak · « **Reply #11 on:** August 26, 2004, 09:48:02 pm »

On the inside it is using actual arcade buttons and stick, so no hacking necessary. Most you would need to do is extend some wires to adjust placement in its new home. When adapting it for use on a PC, in Windows XP, it installed as an HID Compliant Game Controller with a driver included in Windows.

I have taken it apart to check it out, but haven't bought the materials for its new home yet. Hopefully in the next few weeks the project will be well under way to completion, and there will be plenty of pics.

Demon-Seed · « **Reply #12 on:** August 27, 2004, 03:16:52 pm »

Kool keep me posted on it.

Gunstar Hero · « **Reply #13 on:** September 20, 2004, 02:04:00 am »

Yeah, using the wiring and encoder out of a couple univeral Real Arcades is the way to go. You still don't get analog functionality, but for fighters and arcade ports it will do ya.

I used a couple PS2 RA sticks with XBOX/Cube adaptors for my "console" panel. Worked like a charm.

Maradona10 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 10, 2004, 12:55:12 pm »

Hi there, to try to help me I post my thread here because someone might have the sollution for me: http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=25710

Thanks.

Puds · « **Reply #15 on:** October 10, 2004, 03:38:16 pm »

Hi guys im new to the console arcade myself. I began working on an arcade because I had the modded xbox with all the mame games and ported games like marvel vs capcom 2. I built the cabinet, and adventured into creating a control panel by buying 4 used and third party xbox controllers and taking them apart - then soldering wires to each side of each button. the wires then were attached to the buttons i ordered from x-arcade. Im really glad I found this site because I hadnt really met anyone who was in the same boat as me. My problem is shared with Jim, I'm in need of the joystick on the controller, at least to click it. Not only do I need the thumb buttons but also was wondering if Anyone has any idea how the analog R and L buttons work. The reason is because many of the emulators use the thumb stick buttons as well as R and L (Fighting games). If you take a look at the inside of an xbox controller xyab start select white and black are all just digital buttons. Meaning theres a connection or theres not a connection. The problem with the R and L buttons is that xbox designed them to be able to slightly hold down the button for more gas (such as in a racing game) or you could also hold it down for maximum speed. This gives the soldering points connected to the R and the L buttons 3 Points. When a digital button only has two (the one on the right and the one on the left) Enough of all that giberish though, let me know if you can even understand it

The point is that in order to navigate through my modded xbox (emulators, getting back to options within an emulator) I need to be able to use those buttons. Ive run into a few more problems but my message is already so long i'll leave it for another day, but I would just say that while the soldering has been a ---smurfette--- and a half, i would suggest looking into it or for god sakes think of a better way to get a connection onto a control panel that you can design yourself. No offense but buying 4 gamestop one player controllers and setting them on a desk wouldnt really give you the oldschool arcade feeling. Let me know if you guys got any questions- and hopefully maybe some of you are in the same boat.

- Puds

geomartin · « **Reply #16 on:** October 10, 2004, 10:17:19 pm »

Sorry to hear about your misadventures with the X-Arcade controller. I think you just got a lemon though. I used one to build my dreamcast arcade cabinet, and it fired up perfectly right out of the gate.

Demon-Seed · « **Reply #17 on:** October 11, 2004, 05:45:08 pm »

Hey
Yea I tried the x-arcade too and it was terrible.. sometimes it worked other times it did not work. I sent it all back and have been looking for an alternative. Still nothing sadly

The thing with me is, that it is not worth it if the Analog will not work.. most games need it

Not sure if there is an answer out there

Thanks
JIM

geomartin · « **Reply #18 on:** October 11, 2004, 09:51:01 pm »

I'm glad I used the Dreamcast then. It doesn't seem as dependent on the Analog stick as the Gamecube/Xbox. Here is a pic of the cabinet. I got the marquee graphic from the Arcade Art site. I could use some help with side-art and cpo graphics, as I am at total loss in the art dept.

geomartin · « **Reply #19 on:** October 11, 2004, 09:53:12 pm »

forgot to mention, I pulled all the electronics out of the X-Arcade case and made a custom control panel at work. It's made from a solid piece of 5/8" aluminumn. Benefits of being a machinist!

Gunstar Hero · « **Reply #20 on:** October 12, 2004, 02:55:55 am »

Make the cab white, with orange buttons and trim, and a SEGA logo on the front, same marquee and bezel, that would look authentic and clean!

geomartin · « **Reply #21 on:** October 12, 2004, 09:18:14 pm »

Cool idea! Now all I have to do is find the time to do it. Right now I'm working on my MAME cab.

Demon-Seed · « **Reply #22 on:** October 13, 2004, 08:10:12 am »

Say
where do the dreamcast cds go?

how do you access it?
thx
JIM

geomartin · « **Reply #23 on:** October 13, 2004, 08:30:42 am »

The Dreamcast is behind the lower coin door. The cd's are removed from thier case, placed in a soft cover cd case, and are stored in a box I built behind the top coin door. I installed new locks after the picture was taken and everything now looks tidy, and I can control how much time the kids play on it.

Demon-Seed · « **Reply #24 on:** October 13, 2004, 12:33:53 pm »

Hey
Yea thats what I thought, so everytime you wish to play a game you have to swap cds right? That is how I run my xbox on my cabinet right now.... I made a little door that opens and closes to hide it... I was thinking of making a dc machine when I move out of my home here. Your machine looks pretty good, all it needs is some good artwork...give SNAAKE an email... if you want someone to make it.. he does it cheap but it take him a little bit of time.

Thx
Jim

Billkwando · « **Reply #25 on:** October 22, 2004, 02:55:30 pm »

I knopw this thread is old but.....

FYI if you purchase the Super Joybox 10 (mayflash.com) from http://www.jandaman.com you can choose in the calibration utility to have the analog and D-pad controlled by the same stick, so if you use the famed d-pad hack, your arcade stick will work as both. This adaptor is the most important part of my emu setup....

MiahXGaming · « **Reply #26 on:** October 22, 2004, 05:53:42 pm »

Here is how to change modes on the X-Arcade: http://www.xgaming.com/service/images/Layouts/XBOX.htm

Demonseed obviously had a defective unit.

geomartin · « **Reply #27 on:** October 23, 2004, 03:33:09 pm »

Yeah. I mounted the buttons to change the mode on the underside of the control panel for a cleaner look.
One thing I discoverd after buying the Midway Arcade Treasures game is that it is not compatible with VGA mode

Demon-Seed · « **Reply #28 on:** October 23, 2004, 05:51:01 pm »

hey
I know how the switching was supposed to work but mine did not work correctly........ must have been defect.. they replaced some of the parts but it did not help. I got mad and sent it all back.

JIM

geomartin · « **Reply #29 on:** October 24, 2004, 02:35:19 am »

I don't blame you. They should have sent a new one, not tried to send parts to get a broken one to work.

Demon-Seed · « **Reply #30 on:** October 24, 2004, 01:04:40 pm »

Yea that is what they did just sent parts.. it really ticked me off.


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