MAME controller for PC

[funhouse]

The great Ten Pence Arcade podcast has made me revisit MAME on my Windows 10 PC.

I asked a similar question last year, but I have now come to the conclusion that I MUST get something better to control MAME.

I currently have a generic handheld XBOX-type USB controller with thumb sticks but it just doesn't cut-it for proper arcade action. I am after something realistic with a proper joystick or two etc that sits on the desk in front of my PC.

What is everyone else using for this?

Is it best to buy the parts and make your own, or are there half-decent (and not too big) controllers available anywhere?

Cheers.

 

[robotech]

Buy the bits and build your own you can chose which stick and buttons you prefer the feel of

 

[virtvic]

Do NOT buy an X Arcade stick. They are awful and expensive.

The easiest thing to do is get a psx / xbox 360 / etc arcade stick and shove a Zero Delay unit in it.

You can mod it with a decent set of sticks / buttons etc and the colours and style you fancy. This is my one -

I actually remade the top panel (I'm an engineer) and wrapped it in carbon fibre style vinyl, as it had been trashed by the previous owner.

 

[K1ngarth3r]

That looks very nice!

 

[funhouse]

Thanks so much guys!

I've just bought a cheap semi-broken arcade stick from Ebay. Will get a zero delay USB adapter next.

A bit of tinkering with it and then some proper gameplay!

 

[virtvic]

I forgot to show you the clever part - A machined hole in the base so you can get to the 4 / 8 way gate easily.

 

[funhouse]

Nice. I'm going to do that too.

 

[Flinnster]

Or just pick up a cheap PS3 usb arcade stick. Works on PC too.
I've been running a playstation one Namco arcade stick on a PSX -> USB adaptor for about 2 decades.

 

[funhouse]

Just bought a very cheap first go for £10 delivered from Ebay. It was only partially working but on case opening I could see a cable was loose from one of the joystick axes. It all works now and I like the general curve of the buttons but man is this joystick cheap and clicky - same for the buttons!

I also now realise that us vintage game players just don't need so many buttons

Not sure yet, I might try and mod this or I might get a better-made one with less buttons to start with.

Anyone got any recommendations for joysticks/ buttons? Sanwa seems to be a name that keeps cropping up.

Cheers.

 

[virtvic]

That is a bargain!

Sanwa or seimitsu for the stick & buttons.

Just make sure the box is deep enough to take a different stick.

 

[big10p]

Just don't be tempted to go cheap on the stick and buttons. Cheapo ones may look the same as the more expensive branded ones, but they're not. Same goes for micro switches. Go for a good (expensive) brand like Cherry. As well as the brands already mentioned, Happ is also a trusted brand.
big10p2018-06-13 11:18:50

 

[Beaps]

I made one of these jobbies. It's one of them zero delay boards inside an enclosure with auto fire and annologue switches added.





I made it double input so I can connect a competition pro joystick to it also.Beaps2018-06-13 13:40:58