Questions on designing an Arcade Joystick for a Playstation


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Posted by Trevor on 19, 2000 at 1:00 PM:

I wonder if anyone here with some actual experience doing something like this would give some input/answer a few questions, but first I guess I should explain my plans.

I've been toying around with the idea of hacking a Playstation controller into an arcade joystick. Some games just lose their feel on the standard playstation controller, and I thought it would be fun to rig an arcade controller.

One thing I noticed however, is that one layout won't work for every game. I personally would love to be able to play Soul Blade using the original Soul Edge control scheme, Street Fighter Alpha 3 with its scheme, Robotron X with dual sticks, etc.

So I got the idea, why not rig a box with the PC board and external casing, and have it so you can replace the top panel and hook up the different controls? Use a ribbon connector of some sort for the wires and a simple latch of some sort, and changing control schemes should take less than a minute, and I'd only have to make one box/strip one controller.

My questions:

First off, does anybody know the chances of frying my Playstation if I screw up somewhere along the way? I've heard of people messing up their computers with keyboard hacks, but will a controller hack do the same thing?

Second, what kind of connectors should I use? The simplest way would probably be to use some sort of 28 pin connector, but what kind would work for something like this?

Third, what kind of joystick should I use? Should I get one with a 4 way option, or is it even worth the bother on a PSX? Does anyone know how the HAPP Competition stick feels? I haven't heard anything about that one. If I were to use the HAPP 360 joystick, how would I rig it, as it uses a ground wire and playstation controllers don't?

Last of all, which buttons should I use? I personally like the convex buttons like in the Tekken Tag cabinets, but don't mind concave either. Does anyone have an opinion over whether to use the HAPP Competition buttons or the standard HAPP Ultimate Pushbutton with horizontal Microswitch?

If I think of any more questions, I'll add them later in a reply.

If you have any help, please either reply here or send me an email.

Thanks in advance,

-Trevor


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