Building an arcade controller console

kakomu

kakomu

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I own a few games that I'd like to build a arcade box for (Kof, Guilty Gear, VF, etc).

The idea was that I could buy myself a used PS1 or USB controller that I would hack up and connect to arcade buttons and joysticks.

However, I'm not TOTALLY sure how to hack up a controller.

I found two sources that I think will help guide me, but I was hoping that I could get some input from other people.

The general principle of a microswitch button is that the circuit is broken until the button is pushed, and the circuit is complete. It appears on the PCB of a controller, two copper circle halves are present. When you press on the button, a piece of metal touches both of them at the same time to join them.

So, it seems that if I were to gut a controller so that all I'm left with is PCB, the controller chip and the wiring to the controller port, all I'd need to do is solder the arcade pushbuttons to those metal contact points.

Is this correct?
 
I'm not sure about the microswitches, but on say a Playstation controller, the switches are actually closed until you press a button, then the circuit is broken and it registers the button press. It works the same way with your keyboard too.

If you are just looking to play on your computer I would go with an I-pac, though more espensive, much easier to wire up than hacking a controller.
http://www.ultimarc.com/
 
People use PS2 controllers to make arcade joysticks all the time, so I know the pcb will work. Ive never done it myself, yet... hehehe but in theory its not too hard, as long as your familiar with soldering. Probably the toughest part would be the carpentry involved withg buidling your own housing for the joystick and buttons.


Before you decide anything, you should check out the hardware and technical forum at shoryuken.com theres a stickied thread there all about building custom sticks and its full of links and valuable tips and information. They have links to just about every single site on the net with info on building custom arcade style controllers.

Im actually planning my to make my own stick someday soon. Im starting out simplee, by modding my Pelican stick with real Happ stick and buttons. That should be simple, but eventually I want to build my own stick from scratch, cos its the only way to get what you truely want.

There are some very talented builders/artists out there that make custom ordered sticks for people, but expect to pay upwards of $150 for a basic model. Check out byrdo.org and quartercircleforward.com for two examples of custom stick builders work.

good luck and keep us informed of your progress! :D
 
[quote name='doomlv20']Well I'm sorry I even bothered to try and help you.[/QUOTE]

I suppose you should be. You neither helped nor provided accurate information.
 
I built a "Franken-Stick" ... 2 of em actually. I used a regular PS1 controller as a base, works with PS2 and is much easier to trace (finding common ground etc.). The first one I used was a POS Interact made one that I got at Gamestop for $3 ... worked on PS1 but not PS2, so I redid all of the wiring using an official Sony PS1 controller (old one ... digital only) that I had lying around. But using offical Sony one's causes another problem ... all of the contacts are covered with this black junk that you have to CAREFULLY scrape off with a razor-blade.

Anyway one thats done, I sodered the wires to the button contact points, out to a wiring strip (forgot actual name ... has two sets of screw down terminals) and ran wires from the strip up to the actual "arcade parts" (sticks/buttons).


The hardest part was building the cabinet for the stick ... so I sugguest buying a shell online unless you like carpentry.
 
[quote name='Deathmonkey']The hardest part was building the cabinet for the stick ... so I sugguest buying a shell online unless you like carpentry.[/QUOTE]

Well, the idea is that I'd like to do this all by myself. Call it a pet project. While it may be fun to play some arcade games using an arcade stick, I don't play enough video games to warrant paying for anything.

Just one of those projects to build something I'll never use. 'Twould be really cool to have someone at your apartment and they see a set of arcade sticks sitting on the floor, or a full sized arcade cabinet in the corner.
 
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