Looking for Xbox 360/PS2 custom stick solutions

[TransatlanticFoe]

So I bought a Hori EX2 as a cheap 360 starter stick and shell for later customisation. I'm already fed up with the shitty buttons so I figure it's time to get some Sanwas in there and I may as well switch in an LS-32 while I'm at it. However the PCB for the buttons looks flimsy as hell so I was thinking of either bypassing it or getting a PS360 (whenever somewhere has one in stock).

Now, I also have a PS2 and, though there is little shmup-wise I'm that fussed about (Shikigami, Raiden Project on PSX) because it's just a straight-up PAL console, I was thinking of using the EX2 shell for a custom PS2 stick in a two-birds-with-one-stone move. Now, I have the board from a cheap Mayflash stick (which was used as shell for a Saturn custom jobby I did) which is PS2 compatible - so that's an option there. Or go for a Cthulhu. Then of course grab an Xtokki 360 converter so I can use it with the 360.

I wouldn't need the stick for anything else - as far as my other shmup needs go, I have a Saturn converter to use my custom Saturn stick on my PC, a stock Dreamcast stick (which I get on wonderfully with) and a Japanese model Mega Drive arcade power stick.

Question 1: With the standard EX2 board, is there anything wrong with simply splitting the ribbon that bridges the PCB for the buttons to the main controller and using those individual wires (the pictures here should make it clear http://pineconeattack.com/2008/12/07/ho ... 0-version/)? They're I figure that's the least risky way (i.e. so I don't have to solder directly onto the control board - I wrecked a Saturn pad at my first attempt and only rescued the second through a kludge!)

Question 2: Is it worth trying with the cheap Mayflash PCB or just go straight for a Cthulhu?

Question 3: Is there any noticeable latency when using the Xtokki to go PS2 to xbox 360?

[shmuppyLove]

Question 1: With the standard EX2 board, is there anything wrong with simply splitting the ribbon that bridges the PCB for the buttons to the main controller and using those individual wires (the pictures here should make it clear http://pineconeattack.com/2008/12/07/ho ... 0-version/)? They're I figure that's the least risky way (i.e. so I don't have to solder directly onto the control board - I wrecked a Saturn pad at my first attempt and only rescued the second through a kludge!)

Can't see why you couldn't do that. Additionally, you could simplify the design by tying all the grounds together. You'd go from 8 wires to 5 instead, much easier.

Question 2: Is it worth trying with the cheap Mayflash PCB or just go straight for a Cthulhu?

Problem with the Cthulhu is no 360 compatibility. PS360+ is the way to go, but they are basically impossible to get at this point. So if you have a PS2-compatible PCB (like the Mayflash), then I think the eTokki adapter is kind of the only way to go, unless you want to dual-mod, which is not a simple job, especially in a tiny stick like the EX2.

Question 3: Is there any noticeable latency when using the Xtokki to go PS2 to xbox 360?

I don't have any experience with it, but it claims to be lagless. There are also lots of favorable reviews.

[TransatlanticFoe]

Oh yeah I'd be doing a Cthulhu for PS2, then using the Xtokki. I guess that leaves me options if I do end up ruining the existing board! Cheers!