New project - Virtual-On Twin Sticks

[srgbilco]

Hi! I'm starting my first project, but it's not really MAME or retro, but definitley arcade. I'm planning to build an arcade "Twin Sticks" controller for the upcoming Virtual-on game, Marz, for PS2. The game is described here.

My plan is to buy a couple of Sidewinder Standard joysticks from Ebay, which I'm 99% sure are analogue. I'll then take out the joystick and button assembly from the case.

Then I'll get a cheap PS1 dualshock controller and remove the PCB. The joysticks and triggers on the joystick will then be wired onto the analogue sticks and L1, L2, R1 and R2 points on the PCB respectively. Then I'll wire a couple of arcade-style buttons to Start and whatever else is needed.

If the joysticks are big enough, I'll try to mount the motors and weights from the vibration system into each of the joystick housings, hopefully giving me force-feedback.

VO:Marz won't use the analogue functionality of the PS2 buttons, so I should be OK using a PS1 Dualshock pad.

The whole assembly will be mounted onto a wood case with some kind of plastic or metal cover, I don't know what yet.

Does anyone have any tips for this? Or does anyone see a flaw in my design? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

[Dave_K.]

I'll let you in on a not so well known secrect.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3019886309&category=11328

Should hopefully save you a lot of money and frustration.  You will still have to hack a dual shock inside of it to make it fully PS2 compatible....I have one, and the PS2 doesn't recognize the analog.

Maybe if you email this guy, and offer him $5 he will take it since there were no bidders.

[srgbilco]

Unfourtunatley, I'm in the UK, so no-go for me. I've actually heard about this, but I was pretty mistified, so thanks for the link to some actual images.

This project is more a test for me though, to see if I can actually build something that works.  

So I still need info. Of especially good help would be some rough dimensions of the size of the VO arcade panel, space between the two joysticks, etc.

[mj147]

From what I know these sticks were as close to arcade as u could get http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2725081731&category=1247 Only real problem most internal pieces were made outta plastic so broke kinda easy. Joystick and button placement could be for reference . Cant remember if sticks were digital tho.


mj147

[kspiff]

There are also Twin Sticks for Dreamcast.. might be easier to find an adapter for..

LOL.. cost me $100 and I can only play like 3 games with 'em.. wouldn't trade it for anything, though (well, OK, maybe not anything[/]).

Keep in mind, too, that those Sony dual sticks are likely analog.. dual sticks for Virtual On and the like are digital.