Switchable, multi-console arcade stick?

[DarkBubble]

I'm new to the forum, but not to arcadecontrols.com.  I have no projects to my name yet, but plan to in the near future.  First will probably be a PS1 hack, due to the number of arcade ports and fighters I have for PS1 and the fact that I have a PS1-to-USB adapter.  My question, however, is in regards to a project that will follow it.

I've yet to see any information on a multi-console stick.  I want to avoid having to hack a controller for every system or buying a PS1-to-<insert system> adapter for every system I own.  While I do have a cheap SNES/Genesis stick that should work for both systems (single board with 1 switch for switching between systems), I'd still like to be able to build a second one.  If I were going to try to cram an SNES, Genesis, and PS1 controller into a single stick, would it be possible to set it up with a single 3-way switch, rather than having a switch for every button and stick direction?

[Lilwolf]

XArcade is probably what your looking for... they come in an encoder also.

And dreamcast being 20 bucks... I STRONGLY recommend it for a cabinet.  I am playing my dreamcast cab 90% of the time since I built it...

Of course... once I get my new oscar spinner I believe my mame machine might be taking more of my time.

[spiffyshoes]

X-Arcade isn't a very good solution.  He said he didn't want to have to buy playstation to system adapters for his different systems and X-arcade is essentially the same thing except he would have to buy X-arcade adapters.

There are some universal controller that you could hack like the pelican one or the nube ones but I here that they can blow out your controller ports if you switch between x-box and playstation to quickly.

Your best bet would be to hack a pad for each system.  And yes you could hook up a single 3-way switch to switch between the systems.  You just need to have it set up to change which system is providing the power.

You can find more info here.
http://www.shoryuken.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78549&highlight=spdt

[DarkBubble]

XArcade is probably what your looking for... they come in an encoder also.

And dreamcast being 20 bucks... I STRONGLY recommend it for a cabinet.  I am playing my dreamcast cab 90% of the time since I built it...

Of course... once I get my new oscar spinner I believe my mame machine might be taking more of my time.

If it weren't for my desire to build the sucker myself, I probably would go with a pre-built setup.  As it is, I've got multiple "arcade" sticks, like the official Dreamcast stick and Blaze PS1 two-player stick, neither of which I'm terribly happy with.  I also prefer more spacing between the stick and the buttons than most of the arcade sticks out there allow for.  I'll be building a new DC stick eventually, because I've got 2 complete Madcatz pads and the guts of one that my friend took the rubber button parts off of.

Your best bet would be to hack a pad for each system. And yes you could hook up a single 3-way switch to switch between the systems. You just need to have it set up to change which system is providing the power.

You can find more info here.
http://www.shoryuken.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78549&highlight=spdt

Thanks for that link.  Commercial combos are more common these days, but it just doesn't seem like very many people are doing them themselves.  My $2 SNES/Genesis stick will most likely become a custom stick all it's own, as it's pretty much collecting dust.  Later though, I'd like to stuff everything I can into a stick, namely Genesis, SNES, PS1, and possibly DC.  Xbox will most likely be on it's own, but I'd probably cram a PS2 controller in there too.

I'd like to go fancy, with lit button designations based on which system I'm using, but my electronics skills are little rusty.  I'm just going to ease into it.  Thanks for the feedback guys.

[daywane]

I have been thinking of this trick for a couple years now. never did it yet.
Radio shack has a board that you put stickers on and then dip it in acid all the gold is melted off except where the stickers are. Peel of the stickers and BOOM you have the solder points.
i think 2 hacked PS2 pads (in my case) in a box with a 25 pin connector. (male)
cut the board to fit in each type pad you want
Sega, Nes , Super, Atari, with the female 25 pin.
This should work its a simple down and dirty hack but all you need it to make the signal no power is really needed.

[Lilwolf]

Remember they sell a encoder only version. 

I think its the best solution.. but not the cheapest (by far).

hacked controllers that you are going to be swapping around are prone to break connections in soldering.   But after all the work it will be by far the cheapest. 

XArcade is probably what your looking for... they come in an encoder also.

And dreamcast being 20 bucks... I STRONGLY recommend it for a cabinet.

[simplygriff]

Look at MAS systems sticks.
http://www.massystems.com

Their sticks have a custom PCB inside that with the proper chips installed can work on PS2, Camecube, Dreamcast & PC.  You could possible just buy one of their PCB's and chips and do everything else yourself.  I have 2 of their PS2 & Gamecube compatible sticks and have taken them apart when putting new artwork on.  Essentially they have 1 set of wiring to all the buttons but then 2 output cables, 1 for each system.  Both can remain hooked up at the same time and the only one that works will be the system with the power on.  Let  me know f you want me to explain further.
-G

[clanggedin]

PELICAN UNIVERSAL REAL ARCADE STICK is what you want. It has connectors for XBOX, PS2 and Gamecube.

I am sure you could use a PS2 to Dreamcast adapter to get this to work with problems. You can even swap out their cheaper joystick and buttons for Happs ones.

It's only $40. It ends up to be cheaper than hacking pads for each system and connecting them to your controls.