The Official Mad Catz Arcade Controller Thread

[Shane R. Monroe]

Target is closing this sucker out at $19.99, so I bit.

First off, it comes with Frogger, AstroPop (an actual DECENT Popcap game - a lot stolen from Klax) and Time Pilot. At 400 points each, that's $15 right there - you're getting the controller for a fiver.

The controller is a USB controller - wired. Make no mistake.

The controller sports a joystick, d-pad, analog stick, all the buttons, turbo fire and even a "spinner" (untested) which feels terrible.

If you're thinking this will improve your maze game scores (like Pac Man CE), it won't. The d-pad is actually WORSE than the 360 wireless. The joystick, which actually DOES have less throw than the analog stick, is weak as hell. I can't even BEGIN to imagine someone got this thing through a quality assurance team.

The whole controller feels super cheap - right down to the buttons.

Now, if the spinner works well when Tempest comes, yeah - it might be worth the fiver. Chances are you own some or all the games it comes with.

I seriously can't recommend this to anyone. If you're REALLY jonsing for one, $20 is the best you're gonna get - hit your local Target.

Expect to be disappointed.

[davidmt]

I have to say that controller gets my vote as ugliest joystick of all time. Disappointing about the d-pad, as it would be the only reason to buy it. I can't imagine how you are supposed to hold that joystick? What a mess. Maybe that spinner will serve a purpose if and when Tempest gets released.

There are not a lot of options for 3rd-party 360 controllers, but there are a couple:

Hori Controller EX Turbo for Xbox 360
Hori generally makes good controllers, and this d-pad looks like it fits the bill. Unfortunately, it looks like there are other issues with sticky buttons and triggers. Plus, its wired.
http://www.amazon.com/Hori-Controlle.../dp/B000HS0Y6K

HORI Xbox 360 Fighting Stick EX2
Another stick from Hori, this is their standard fighting stick which they release for every console (one just came out for the Wii, in fact, which looks kinda nice). I don't do well with these types of controllers because I am used to using a joystick in my right hand and never got used to this setup (never was a hardcore SF2 player either). Reports are the stick feels "mushy", and I believe the stick itself spins.
http://www.amazon.com/HORI-Xbox-360-.../dp/B000V02P6Q

There are a couple other Mad Catz controllers that I haven't heard anything about. The d-pad on them looks like it would work at least, but I feel that Mad Catz makes some real crappy stuff so I wouldn't have high hopes.

Mad Catz - MicroCon Control Pad
http://www.amazon.com/Mad-Catz-Micro.../dp/B000BQUV5C
Xbox 360 Control Pad 3 Controller
http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Contr.../dp/B000BQUV52

Third-party controllers have never been worth it to me, Logitech being the exception. Too bad they haven't released a 360 controller.

[sci]

I own a hori fighting stick ex2, and it's pretty awesome.

[Womp]

No wireless, no sale.

That said I performed my D-Pad hack last night. Went off without a hitch. I replaced the D-Pad backing of the of 360's pad with one from the original XBOX Controller S. Its a piece of plastic underneath the D-Pad but between it and the rubber mapping overlay to the circuit board.

The results? Not flawless but I'd say BETTER than it was before. I can actually move left with one press now!

Luckily you don't even need a Controller S to do this.

http://www.shonk.org/Dpad/ Modification 2 (Not my image).

[WorknMan]

Now, if the spinner works well when Tempest comes, yeah - it might be worth the fiver. Chances are you own some or all the games it comes with.

Has anybody had a chance to try out the spinner? Specifically, I notice that Atari Anthology on Xbox1 is backward compatable on the 360... wonder how the spinner would work on Super Breakout

[Yodaporn]

Has anybody had a chance to try out the spinner? Specifically, I notice that Atari Anthology on Xbox1 is backward compatable on the 360... wonder how the spinner would work on Super Breakout

It's a butt-load of ass. All it does is rapidly tap left or right on the dpad as you turn it. Get it only if you want the game vouchers or a cheap controller to mod arcade controls to.