Arcade-Style Controllers for PC USB? Help Me Find/Rate Them! :)

[stupidhead]

Hello! :)

I'd like to evaluate the widest range of PC-based arcade-style controllers before I purchase one - but I'm having a hard time finding any source that features many, so I can't be confident that I really know "what's out there."

Do you know any websites that list the various products available in this style for the PC? Do you know of any websites with comparisons between products? Do you know the websites of the manufacturers that are held in the highest regard amongst manufacturers who produce products of this nature? Or does anyone know or any hobbyist arcade-controller makers who work on projects in their spare time, who may cost less or create better products than the "bigger" manufacturers?

Thank you!!!

[emwearz]

You would more than likely be better off to buy a PS2 arcade deck, then just buy a PS2 to USB adapter and you should be set.

[stupidhead]

Would not the PS2 arcade decks likely be much lower quality than those designed for PC, since PC is the basis for MAME and many use MAME as a means of reproducing arcade units?

[MasterPhW]

I've bought two PS1 Mod-It Arcade Stick for each 15 bucks and they are really great for MAME! But you need some place for them, because they are big! :)

[Cid Highwind]

Depends, PS2 sees a lot of Arcade ports, so there's probably a nice selection of arcade controllers as well. I know there's also one for Dreamcast, and there's a convertor that accepts PS2, DC and GC at the same time. But Dreamcast hardware is probably slightly more expensive, and the quality of that particular arcade controller doesn't look as good to me.

[LensLarque]

Look for the Brands Hori & Sega :thumb:.

Edit: Ok I asked a pal who knows his stuff when it comes to arcade sticks:

1. Sega Virtua Stick Pro (saturn)
(best one ever, for 2 players, very big, expensive)
2. Hori Real Arcade Pro 1, 2 & 3 JAP (2 is for PS2, 3 is for PS3 & PC, less expensive)
(best one for single player, equiped with SANWA or SEIMITSU stick & buttons: easy to replace and mod. Buy only imported japanese versions bcse the US ones are crap)
3. Hori Soulcalibur II Joystick (PS2)
(excellent reputation, dunno the price)
4. Namco PSX Joystick (PS1 & PS2)
(excellent reputation too, cheap)
5. Sega Virtua Stick (Saturn, also a PC version)
(quite good, stick is placed a little to low, buy only japanese version, cheap)
6. Hori Fighting Stick 2 & 3 (2 is for PS2, 3 is for PS3)
(excellent stuff, it's Hori ^^, cheap)
7. NeoGeo Stick (PS2)
(a bit old fashioned now but still good stuff, buy latest v3, cheap)
8. Dreamcast Joystick (DC)
(stick is a bit fragile, still good stuff, cheap)
9. Other Sticks...
(quite below in terms of quality and ergonomy)

Well all these can be used on PC via adapters, but remember that PS2->PC adapters are the easiest to find.
2 ,3, 4 and 6 are the best choices imho :thumb:
(but these sticks are quite rare !)

[Paratech]

I have a Blaze joystick, it's a 2 in 1 controller for the Playstation, I have the Capcom joystick for the Playstation, and my favorite, the Dead or Alive 4 joystick for the 360.

The Blaze Joystick is HUGE but supports 2 players, make sure you have a 2 in 1 USB adaptor for it! and it's 8 way, so 4 way joystick games won't work very well...

The Capcom joystick is smaller and only 1 player, but it is very nice, although it is 8 way so it's like the Blaze joystick.

I use the DOA4 stick for MAME, CPS2&3, Neo Geo, although it HATES both Taito Legends 1 and 2, they crash if it's plugged in! I dunno why. It's also an 8 way stick, but I use it strictly for fighting games. I don't keep it plugged in when it's not in use.

[Yeloazndevil]

better off making one yourself!

[Paratech]

better off making one yourself!

I disagree, the ones I and others listed can be had for under or close to $50, and you don't have to buy a lot of parts and assemble them.

If you factor the time, material, and labor, you might have to spend upwards of $100 to get a decent controller, and how is it superior to a pre made controller?

My 360 controller cost $24 used, my PSX controllers were $10 *Blaze* and $5 *Capcom* on clearance, I saw a nice Tekken 5 controller with game for $29.99 clearance, I'm sure if he looked on EBAY he could find some nice controllers, it's just shipping that'd be expensive! :eyespin:

I like all of my controllers... :evil: :wub:

However, if you want a 4 way controller for Pac Man / Donkey Kong, you're better off building one! :innocent:

[Yeloazndevil]

I made a lot of arcade controllers...some only costing me $50. I just used broken controllers to connect it to a console or use usb. There are a lot of places to get cheap parts to make arcade controller. You can also go cheaper in the design of it, I once made one out of ply wood.

[LensLarque]

Yeloazndevil you're damn right !
The best stuff is home made
Buy Sanwa or Seimitsu parts + a cheap console or usb controller + a self made wood/metal/plastic case and build the best arcade stick ever for around 100$.

Or buy either a Virtua Stick Pro or an Hori Real Arcade Pro :innocent:.

Honestly, that's what all arcade pros will say.