Building a custom arcade stick controller for PS2 and PC

[nasty_wolverine]

I have been wanting to build a custom arcade stick for my mame setup and PS2...
I got my hands on a 8-way arcade joystick and arcade pushbuttons, also have an old ps2 controller, and found online a converter from ps2 controller to usb input.
i was looking for a empty arcade stick case so i can just put in the parts and wire them(can do it myself) but cant find one online, and complete ones with shipping to india is bloody expensive.(shipping is sometimes twice the cost!!!)
was thinking maybe i should just make the case myself.

any advice on how to go about making a ps2 and pc compatible arcade stick will be helpful.

thank you...

[z0mbie90]

Here is a good site with lots of info and tips. http://www.slagcoin.com/joystick.html
You could build youself case, just a square box and then drill out some holes for the stick and buttons. cheapest options to.

[nasty_wolverine]

thanks zombie...

saw the site, very informative... i was thinking of a plexi-glass top cover and the rest either wood or metal.

any ideas on how to make it ps2 and pc compatible at the same time???

[StarCreator]

Using an MC Cthulhu as your PCB would do the trick. Supports both out of the box - you'd just need to either be able to hack a PS2 cable to Cat5e or whatever the MC Cthulhu uses, or buy a premade cable.

[emphatic]

Using an MC Cthulhu as your PCB would do the trick. Supports both out of the box - you'd just need to be able to hack a PS2 cable together.

Or get the akihabarashop PS360+ with a PS2 cable when it's finally released. This'll get you PS3 + XBox 360 support as well.

[nasty_wolverine]

okay mc cthultu sounds very promising... do have a spare ps2 controller cable lying around somewhere...
but searched google, only site listing it says out of stock... ebay doesnt show up anything... any leads???

[StarCreator]

Try ordering directly from Godlike Controls.

[nasty_wolverine]

found it, thanks star...

now to build the case...

[beatsgo]

From experience: never build your whole entire box out of MDF.

[shmuppyLove]

Use a cardbox box GHETTO STTYTTYYYYYLLLLLLLLZZZZZZ



Yes, this is mine. No, it wasn't a joke. Yes, it actually works very well.

[nasty_wolverine]

@shmuppy: awesome, with crayon and waterpaint, that can look very steampunk. i did use cardboard from an old ups box, for making a mockup, the button layout was very similar (joystick and last three buttons were in the same line, first button one button lenght lower), if the board was stronger i would have built it right into it...

[moh]

Use a cardbox box GHETTO STTYTTYYYYYLLLLLLLLZZZZZZ



Yes, this is mine. No, it wasn't a joke. Yes, it actually works very well.

oh god, its so gorgeous.

[Barrakketh]

oh god, its so gorgeous.

Gorgeous?



Dat wiring.

[nasty_wolverine]

@Barrakketh: is that custom made or purchased??? the plexi glass on top would have been cooler, not that its not cool now... (still using psp as a joypad )

[z0mbie90]

Think it's custom made. You can check SRK (shoryuken.com) tech forum, they have alot of really nice custom sticks.
I used plexi for one stick I built along time ago, real nice because you can change artwork whenever you want.
Gonna see if I can find some pics of it, gave it to a friend some time ago.

[Barrakketh]

Think it's custom made.

It is, and that one isn't mine. I was posting it as a rare example of someone doing an amazing job at cable organization, and I usually find that one of the most impressive parts to a custom stick. There are a couple of builders at SRK who do this "thing" where they use a clear adhesive with some small hand tools and have the cabling come off of the PCB look practically like a ribbon cable.

People who put in the effort to paint and sand their wood cases to where it has a perfect mirror coating is something else I really like

the plexi glass on top would have been cooler

Most people like artwork on top.

As for cases, you can also buy plexi cases from Art. There are several button layout and color choices for the various panels of the case. I'm not sure what shipping would be, but the cases are fairly light (at least compared to metal and wood ones...I think they are around 2 pounds). I'm not sure what shipping would be if you went that route, but it definitely shouldn't be double the cost of the case with USPS flat-rate shipping.

[nasty_wolverine]

@Barrakketh: that is one awesome site you linked me to... i m gonna save up and get one... thinking transparent top and bottom and black sides...

[SolderFace]

http://www.amazon.com/Mayflash-Universa ... 0021Z7154/

buy one of these and mod it. or just rip out the PCB and use that for your custom stick. just be very careful not to plug in the PS2 and the PS3 at the same time or it will burn out the electronics in the stick

there is also this PS2 to PS3 converter you could use if you build a PS2 only stick. that should be really cheap cause you can get a PS2 controller for $5 at the pawn shop to pad hack the PCB.
http://www.amazon.com/PS2-Playstation-C ... 000PS1TG6/

[beatsgo]

http://www.amazon.com/Mayflash-Universa ... 0021Z7154/

buy one of these and mod it. or just rip out the PCB and use that for your custom stick. just be very careful not to plug in the PS2 and the PS3 at the same time or it will burn out the electronics in the stick

there is also this PS2 to PS3 converter you could use if you build a PS2 only stick. that should be really cheap cause you can get a PS2 controller for $5 at the pawn shop to pad hack the PCB.
http://www.amazon.com/PS2-Playstation-C ... 000PS1TG6/

IMO, PS1 Digital Controller is better since it's both compatible with PS1 and PS2. IIRC, wasn't there a firmware update that decrease the number of USB controllers allowed on the PS3?

[SolderFace]

Add that to the list of things sony likes to break. They broke linux and true ps2 support on the 60gb ps3 with lots of little updates that they said were improvements. You cant not take the wack updates either.