The whole point of this project is, of course, the controls. To get the feel of a genuine arcade joystick in your hand, to spin a trackball madly across the screen dodging laser beams, to slam your hand down a hundred times a minute on the fire button trying to do unto them before they do unto you. Arcade controls can be gotten from at least four different sources that I know of. Arcade supply houses, scavenging parts from old arcade equipment, building your own from scratch, or (more recently) pre-made components from vendors that you can plug into your project.

 

	Buttons
	Dance Pads
	Joysticks
	Pinball Controls CustomArcade's Vibration Detection Technology (tilting!)
	Spinners
	Star Wars type yokes Twistygrip Joey's Project Jude's StarWars yoke hack
	Steering Wheels Thrustmaster Happ Controls Wally's World Dann's Build Your Own Detachable Steering Wheel! Lew's Wheels Oscar's Steering Wheel Controller
	Trackballs Hack your own Happ Controls arcade trackballs Happ Controls to mouse hack Kidsball CompUSA Crystal Trackball Crayola Trackball

 

	Overview
	49-way joystick
	Happs Ultimate Joystick
	Happs Super Joystick
	Happs Universal Joystick
	Happs 12 Position Rotary Joystick
	Happs optical Rotary Joystick
	Happs Perfect 360 Joystick
	Ultimarc T-Stik
	Ultimarc J-Stik
	Ultimarc E-Stik
	Build Your Own Trigger-Grip Joystick

 

Overview There are so many different models of joysticks that discussing a preference with someone is almost like a religious debate.  We'll let you decide which one's the best, but there are several factors to consider.  This discusses mostly Happ Controls joysticks, but similar sticks are often available from Wico. Ultimarc also sell a range of joysticks which they reckon are specifically geared towards emulation and all have a mechanical 4-8 way switchover, which have been getting good comments from the BYOAC community.  Aside from the information here, joysticks are a frequent topic of conversation in the message boards.

Directions TWO WAY - There are two-way joysticks that only move left/right or up/down.  Space Invaders is an example of a game that uses two-way joysticks. FOUR WAY - There are four-way joysticks that move left/right and up/down, but not diagonal. Pac Man is an example of a game that uses four-way joysticks. EIGHT WAY - There are eight-way joysticks that move in all four cardinal directions and the diagonals as well.  Most space shoot-em-ups, like R-Type, use eight-way joysticks. OTHERS - There are also a variety of varients, such as the 49-way joystick.  However, the bulk of joysticks are 4 or 8 way.   You might think that you get the most versatility out of the 8-way joysticks, and for the most part you'd be right.  However, there are some times that a 4-way is a better choice.  For instance, in Donkey Kong, when you're trying to climb the ladder, you want to be able to go from moving right to moving up without hesitation as a flaming barrel tries to make your acquaintance.  With a 4-way, if your timing is good this isn't hard.  With an 8-way however, it's easy to accidentally hit the up/right diagonal when you're trying to move from right to up, leaving poor Mario standing still while the flaming barrel barbecues him.  The same kind of reasoning applies with a 4-way in an 8-way game.  See reviews page for a very brief comment on the 4-way vs 8-way from someone who purchased both.

Style There are two primary styles of joysticks - the bat shaped handle, and the ball shaped handle.  There's no technical differences between the two shapes, it's just a matter of preference.

Switches(?) There are three types of switches that sit on the bottom of the joystick under the panel that send the actual signals to the game.  The microswitch is a tiny pushbutton that's pressed when you move the stick, with an audible click.  Leaf switches have two flat metal blades that contact each other when the bottom of the joystick pushes in that direction, with no audible sound.  Finally there are optical joysticks that use optical encoders to determine which direction the joystick is pushing.  Microswitches are the most common, but many people complain they do not feel as good as leaf switched joysticks, and they find the clicking distracting.  Leaf switches are not made anymore, and are thus hard to find.  Optical joysticks have the benefit of one less mechanical part to need maintenance/repair, a consideration with micro or leaf switches.

 

49-Way Joystick (The bulk of this information taken from a posting by Ray on the message board) The 49-way joystick is meant to mimic an analog joystick.  An example of a game it is used in is Sinistar.  Each axis has 6 LED's and detectors: +3 +2 +1 0 (center...no LED/detector) -1 -2 -3 Since there are two directions, you have 49 possible positions (7x7).  Deflecting the joystick interupts the various detectors so the game board knows how far you've pushed the stick. The game then interprets this however it wants (pseudo analog signal) Two options to interface to a PC:  1. Write a driver to remap these inputs as key inputs to an analog input (ouch)!  2. Do some PIC programming (with support logic) to make the digital inputs to an analog output that is suitable for the PC game port. Obviously, this is not an ideal joystick to use.

 

Happs Ultimate Joystick The Happs Ultimate specs: Spring return to center Microswitch Adjustable shaft length for metal or wood mounting Available: 8-way, 4-way, 2-way Bat shaped handle Exploded mounting view. Messages in the 9/10/99 message archive about Ultimate joysticks: 344, 351, 371, Comments There are at least two reviews on the reviews page proclaiming the ultimate is not the joystick to use. Review 1, review 2.

 

Happs Super Joystick The Happs Super specs: Microswitch Spring return to center Their "strongest" joystick 4-way / 8-way switchable Adjustable shaft length for metal or wood mounting Bat shaped handle Exploded mounting view. Messages in the 9/10/99 message archive about super joysticks: 157, 358, 611, 629, 746, 819, 824, 939, 942. Comments Misato-San: A common problem is that diagnol movements are not registered even close to consistently. On some cabinets they don't work at all. In any case, I was wondering how to fix this. matt(v): If you look at the microswitches you will see that there is a metal lever on it.  If you bend the end of this lever outward on all four of the switches it makes the diagonals more responsive.  You don't want to bend them too much or they get so responsive you can't move anywhere EXCEPT diagonals. Some comments from folks with 3/4" wood control panels that the shaft on the Super Joystick is a bit short.  Suggestions have been to esponsive you can't move anywhere EXCEPT diagonals. Brian: I've got mine in a 3/4" particle board control panel, but in order to make them stick through the panel high enough I routered the area where the joysticks go until there was only .25" thick wood. This works great and I really like the height. I'm not worried about the heavy play breaking the wood since I've got plexiglass on the top too and that gives it even more strength. Jim M: I mounted my Super 8's on the under side of 3/4" plywood and have 1/8" plxyglass glass on top of the wood. From the plexyglass to the top of the ball on the super 8's is (aprox) 2.5". It may to to short for most people but it seems about normal to me. The super 8's come with to shaft sleeves one for metal and one for plywood control panel. I think the one for metal is about 1/4" shorter than the one for wood...... By most accounts, the Super-8 joysticks are the favorite joysticks to use.  My cabinet will be using Happ Super-8 joysticks.

 

Happs Universal Joystick The Happs Universal specs: "Universal mounting on wood/metal" (shaft length?) 4-way / 8-way switchable Low profile knob (bat shaped) Microswitch Exploded mounting view. Comments

 

Happs 12-position Rotary Switch Joystick The Happs Rotary specs: 12-position rotary switch ("Ikari warrior type") 8-way microswitch (Joystick directions up/down/etc) Bat shaped handle Exploded mounting view. Messages in the 9/10/99 message archive about rotary joysticks: 197, 199, 246, 247, a huge thread starting with 928, and 973. Comments on the rotary switch interface Happ Controls puts both the 12-position rotary switch joystick (50-5618-00) and optical rotary joystick (50-5619-00) under one category.  They are, in fact, two separate products.  This makes discussions on the joysticks a bit confusing.  They accomplish similar goals - not only being able to move the joystick up/down, left/right, but also to be able to twist/rotate the joystick for games that require it (such as Ikari Warrior).  The rotary switch accomplishes this via a 12 position rotary switch mounted underneath the regular joystick controls.  The optical accomplishes this via an optical interface.  Compare the two figures below.     Several folks have reported great success interfacing the rotary switch joysticks to Druin's SNK LS-30 Rotary Joystick to MAME Interface.

 

Happs Optical Rotary Joystick The Happs Optical Rotary specs: Optical rotary interface 8-way microswitch (Joystick directions up/down/etc) Bat shaped handle Exploded mounting view. Messages in the 9/10/99 message archive about rotary joysticks: 197, 199, 246, 247, a huge thread starting with 928, and 973. Comments on the optical interface Happ Controls puts both the 12-position rotary switch joystick (50-5618-00) and optical rotary joystick (50-5619-00) under one category.  They are, in fact, two separate products.  This makes discussions on the joysticks a bit confusing.  They accomplish similar goals - not only being able to move the joystick up/down, left/right, but also to be able to twist/rotate the joystick for games that require it (such as Ikari Warrior).  The rotary switch accomplishes this via a 12 position rotary switch mounted underneath the regular joystick controls.  The optical accomplishes this via an optical interface.  Compare the two figures in the section above. Torgo: The folks at Happ have assured me that their optical rotating joysticks can be connected to a pc using the trackball interface kit (either the serial or USB version).  After speaking with Happ tech support some more and with information gleaned from other folks, you only need one serial (not USB) trackball interface for two rotary joysticks.  Contrary to initial reports from Happ, you do not need to splice any wires together.  The serial interface comes with everything you need, ready to go (except the power supply which they also told me I would not need, but, in fact, you absolutely do). You don't need to know anything about what each wire/pin does, as you just hook everything together with the wire harness that comes with plastic connectors pre-connected to the ends of all the wires.  The picture below makes it crystal clear: (Click for a larger view) It is extremely easy to set up, and only takes about 15-20 seconds to make all the necessary connections - the whole thing is plug-and-play.  In conjunction with Optimame, This setup is incredibly cool. Two player, authentically controlled Heavy Barrel, in my home absolutely rocks!

 

Happs Perfect 360 Joystick The Happs Perfect 360 specs: Photo-electronic switching instead of conventional switches Precise 45° and 90° 4-way operation 4-way and 8-way Conversion kit available for Ultimate & Super joysticks Comments Marlin:  Since it is controlled via optical sensors rather than microswitches, it only contains a single pin for the U/D/L/R directions, plus a pin for +5V and a ground pin. My question is, how do I wire the single pins to my keyboard matrix? Do I just solder both the + and - wires to the same pin? Ryan Osborn: I don't know exactly how the Perfect 360 sticks operate, but with only one lead per direction you'll end up seeing the individual leads go 'active' for their respective directions. This 'active' signal will either be high (~5 volts) or low (~0 volts). The JAMMA standard is for the leads to be pulled low, so I'd guess you'll normally see ~5 volts on each lead and then ~0 volts to indicate the direction. You'll need to use these active signals to drive a switch that will complete a circuit between two of your keyboard decoder's contacts. Go to the PC2JAMMA page and look through the plans. You'll find the circuit you need there (for active low). If the 360 provides a high active signal you can use the same circuit but leave out the inverter (7404).

 

Ultimarc T-Stik, J-Stik, E-Stik Ultimarc have a range of joysticks which have been designed with emulation in mind. They are made by the two top manufacturers of Arcade controls, but tailored to their specs.  The main design brief was that for a true 4-8 way switchover, a mechanical restrictor plate is the only way to go, and this must be adjustable easily, for example through the coin door. Limit plates provide a true 4-way feel, rather than simply preventing two switches from being hit in the corners, (ie by reversing an actuator) because you can "slide" the stick across the diagonals.  T-Stik is a small-angle high spring rate stick with a neat "toggle switch" 4-8 way changeover.  J-Stik is a ball or oval-topped Japanese stick with a rotating 4-8 way limit plate.  E-Stik (easy-mount) is a single-hole mount stick similar to the Happ universal but can be adjusted 4-8 way without undoing screws.

 

Build Your Own Trigger Grip Joystick Gaming Technology Xtreme put up a tutorial on how to build your own trigger grip arcade joystick from a Raider Pro flight stick and a Happ Controls Competition 4 way or 8 way joystick.

 

Hack your own - One person on Dave’s Classics, Dale, purchased the mechanical parts to an arcade trackball (no electronics) for $10.00 from a junked machine. After cleaning it up, he had a fairly cheap device to hook up his electronics to.  He hooked it up to an old mouse and it worked like a charm.  Using two mice, "I took the optics out of one and attached them to pieces of circuit board and soldered leads back to the other mouse optics.  I cut the circuit boards to fit where the original trakball circuit boards went."  He is ordering new shafts and a mounting plate from HAPP, so it will cost a bit more than originally planned but still much cheaper than a brand new kit from HAPP.  Other folks are intending to use a cue ball and the guts of a mouse to build their own, similar to the spinner design of Drew's (below). Happ Controls - Happ Controls sells a variety of genuine arcade trackballs, and a couple of interface kits (serial or USB) to hook it to your PC.  These are a bit pricy, but by far the easiest way to go to get a genuine arcade trackball with a minimum of hacking. Hagstrom Electronics has a couple of keyboard encoders including the KE72 that include an interface for Happ trackballs (and others using the same standard interface).  You can see pictures and a writeup on the KE72 page. Ultimarc makes an interface that also works with Happ Controls trackballs called the Opti-Pac that is inexpensive and has been very well received by the Build Your Own community.  Happ Controls to mouse hack - Most efforts to interface trackballs and spinners have been via a mechanical hack to a mouse using the mouse optical pickups and electronics, or using a purchased interface. MAMEzilla instead hacked a Happ Controls trackball (and since they're the same optical interface, it will work for a Happ spinner as well) direct to the electronics of a mouse, requiring soldering but no mechanical hacks.  Very cool. Kidsball - Stephan Hans found a stand alone trackball at the WORLD GREATEST COMPUTER AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS FAIR in Germany.  The trackball is from the Genius company (Kye corp.) and is called the KidsBall. The "KidsBall uses a huge 3 inch ball, and because the design of its case is relatively flat, it should be easy to dismount the top of the case and integrate the remaining core into an arcade console." (Quote from Stephan)  It is expected to run around $40.  Thanks for passing this on Stephan! David emailed me that he found the Kidsball at Buy.com for $20.95 (direct link).  The nice surprise was that the Kidsball has a mouse pass-through port, meaning you can hook another pointing device up without a splitter!  Thanks for passing this on David! Feedback on the Kidsball has been mixed - some folks are very happy with it, and others just didn't like it at all.  Your milage may vary. CompUSA Crystal Trackball - The CompUSA Crystal Trackball is a wonderful PC trackball.  I purchased two of them before I decided to go with a real arcade trackball from Happs.  Even though they are not on my present cabinet design any longer, they very well may show up on a future panel.  At any rate, they are cheap, glow red and green, and currently are being used on my 3 year old daughter's machine as a mouse.  Highly recommended. Two folks have written up excellent how-to-hack guides on using this trackball on your cabinet/console. Andrew Bartmess did a very nice writeup on how he interfaced the trackball as part of his Tron's Game Grid arcade cabinet, and VoodooChile wrote up a tutorial on how he used the trackball in his Radical Arcade Cabinet.  Excellent work by both, much appreciated! Crayola trackball - Got an email from Craig about another good trackball candidate, the "Micro Innovations Crayola Kids PC Trackball.  The only difference is the color scheme.  They are typically priced from $35-40.  I have seen them for sale on amazon.com,  outpost.com, and several for auction on ebay." Full product details can be found on their site. Thanks Craig!

 

Steering Wheel Miscellaneous Steering Wheel links The first steering wheel setup I’ve seen is from Thrustmaster – it plugs into the joystick port. They have a variety of designs, including rudder pedals on one model. Happ Controls has a variety of steering wheel/pedal products as well (found in their print catalog, not online).  However, I have not heard of anyone interfacing them to a PC.  Happ Controls sells a PC interface kit which apparently will interface their steering wheels to a pc, see below for more information.  Also, check out the Oscar steering wheel interface a few links down.  My hands down favorite right now is the Microsoft Sidewinder steering wheel, but I haven't tried the Oscar yet :) Wally's World Wally's World is gone again.  :(  I'm looking for a mirror.  This update dated 7/23/02.  If you think too long has gone by without this being updated please feel free to holler at me :)... Dann's Detachable Steering Wheel A guy named Dann emailed me that he had come up with plans for an "almost instant detachable wheel."  Picture your arcade cabinet running all your games, and then pulling a steering wheel out of the coin door, hooking it up, and racing your brains out . . . Awesome!  Dann says it took him roughly an hour to put this together!  Here's the page!  Lew's Wheels Cletus pointed out yet another site to me for building a steering wheel control. Lew's Wheels is an extremely detailed site, very well put together, great pictures.  He has plans for wheels, shifters, pedals, clutches, etc.  How deep into it do you want to get? :)  Thanks Cletus! Oscar Steering Wheel Controller   Oscar's Spinners branched out to steering wheel controls as well.  From their web page:   The SWC is not a spinner adapter, but rather constructed around a rigid housing and is a brand new design that was developed after studying different arcade steering wheels. The construction of this housing is heavier and more solid than the original arcade ones that were used as a model.  Designed to fit a Happ Controls steering wheel with a 3-hole center cap. Hardened alloy steel shaft Dual bearings Custom encoder wheel Continuous 360 degree rotation Hardware is included to mount a Happ Controls steering wheel Optional mini-wheel (6” diameter) is available from OSCAR Serial – PS/2 version available now, Opti-Pac+ version will be available shortly Dual steering wheels can utilize a single port, same as the Model 1 OSCAR  The SWC comes complete with housing, encoder, & mounting plate.  It does not include a Happ Controls steering wheel. The Mini-Wheel is a natural finish all metal wheel.  It is perfect for compact control panels or where space-saving is necessary.  Check out their web site for more information!

 
 

 

Star Wars type yokes The first yoke on the scene was the TwistyGrip build it yourself model.  Twistygrip was purchased by CustomArcade, now defunct.  The TwistyGrip originator has a web site you can visit for more information. More information on the TwistyGrip can also be found on our Alternatives page. The second example of a yoke that I laid eyes is a home-built control system from Joey Holman.  Joey's project has a page here and is worth a look.  The yoke is incredible and I wish he'd consider selling them :) Finally, Jude submitted an amazing writeup on hacking a genuine StarWars yoke and hooking it to a PC.  Amazing!