USB arcade controller project

[patman]

So I've got a pair of joysticks and a bunch of buttons that I've had laying around for a while that I'd intended to make a arcade-style controller out of. It finally ocurred to me that I wanted USB controllers so I picked up a pair of cheap PS1-style USB gamepads to hack.

I opened one up and the boards are perfect - nice, big, fat pads on each button's trace to solder to. I wired up a button the other night to test it out and it worked great.

With these gamepad boards, I've got 10 buttons, plus the directionals, to work with so here's the layout I came up with. I started with the measurements from a MKII manual that I found online and then sorta went from there. It's your basic 7 button layout plus 1 & 2 player start buttons and an coin button.

http://home.comcast.net/~patman0322/arcade_layout.gif

Any suggestions? You guys with controllers or cabinets have any pointers?

I am thinking about rotating the buttons a few degrees counter-clockwise so that they fall under your fingers more naturally.

As far as the over all shape, it'll probably be similar to X-Arcade's Solo controllers - I figure that's a good starting point.

I'll probably do some more work on them this weekend and I gotta start scrounging some materials to make them out of.

[Shane R. Monroe]

I think you're in good shape there!

[Dragon57]

Great project!

Keep us informed of progress.

[patman]

Here's an update for you

The unsuspecting donor:
http://home.comcast.net/~patman0322/arcade_controller/donor_gamepad.jpg

The PCB after stripping:
http://home.comcast.net/~patman0322/arcade_controller/pcb_front.jpg

Here's the prototype - I just used a piece of scrap plywood and set it on a cardboard box - please pardon the ugliness

http://home.comcast.net/~patman0322/arcade_controller/prototype_top.jpg

Bottom side:
http://home.comcast.net/~patman0322/arcade_controller/prototype_back.jpg

It's ready to wire up now - I should get that done over the holidays - and then it'll be ready to test out and de-uglify.

[erikthecat]

if your anything like me, once you get it up and working, there will be a very long pause between the initial completion to playable and the completion to looking good:) , but at the end of the day, that's what it's for.

don't forget 2 x 8 way sticks for Robotron, it's the law!!

good idea using the USB, cheaper than an i-PAC

GAME ON.

GaRy:)

www.splatthatcat.com/arcade/