Controls

Design

I decided to build my own panel instead of using one of the pre-built units that are available. I considered the Slik-Stik panel but it was a little too pricey for me and I was also looking for a very specific control layout. Before I started the design I made a list of games that this panel had to work with. The list I came up with is:

  • Robotron
  • Tron
  • Missile Command
  • Asteroids
  • Tempest
  • Vanguard
  • Centipede
  • Quantum
  • Star Wars
  • Defender
  • Any 4-Way Joystick Game

    I think the final design I came up with works well with all of the games listed except Vanguard which I eventually dropped from the list. The button configuration for Vanguard just wasn't going to work out. Defender doesn't play as well as I would like but I was never very good at Defender in the first place. Star Wars was going to have to be an add-on controller from the very start. I used and old Star Wars yoke I had and used the Microsoft Dual Strike hack to turn it into a USB device which works great. I haven't yet acquired a Tron style joystick but when I do it will fill the large space next to the Tornado spinner.

The choice of joysticks is a tough one. I tried the Happ Super, Ultimarc T-Stick Plus,and the Ultimarc J-Stick. I liked the idea of the Ultimarc's because of their ease in converting from 4-way to 8-way. The Happ Super can be turned into a 4-way by flipping its actuator over. I finally settled on the Happ Super because I like the feel during games like Robotron and Time Pilot. The Ultimarc sticks felt too "square" in 8-way mode which annoyed me during games that require a more circular motion (Robotron, Time Pilot). If the square motion of the Ultimarcs doesn't bother you then I would recommend the J-Stick over the T-Stick. The J-Stick felt better in 4-way mode than the T-Stick did. I really didn't like the T-Stick at all. It just didn't feel right in 8-way or 4-way mode.

The J-Stick makes a good 4-Way stick and an OK 8-Way stick. The Happ Super makes a good 8-Way and an OK 4-Way stick. I really don't mind flipping the actuator on the Happ since I don't play 4-way games nearly as often as 8-way games. If you play a lot of 4-way games then the J-Stick is probably a better way to go because of the built in restrictor that can be rotated easilly.

This is the control panel template that was created using Visio. The Visio template is available from ArcadeControls.com and is the perfect tool for creating full size panel designs.
This is the completed control panel. The top is 3/4" MDF with gray Formica laminate. The sides are 1/2" MDF with white Formica laminate. The mounting plate for the trackball was routed into the MDF and then covered with the Formica. The joysticks have been routed in 1/4" into the bottom side of the panel. I used black T-molding to finish the edges.
This picture shows the wiring and control mounting. The KeyWiz is mounted to the bottom of the case. I used cabinet hinges that could be completely concealed and don't require any clearance behind the panel for proper operation.
I decided to add buttons for Visual Pinball. Notice the plunger button on the front where a normal pinball plunger would normally be mounted. The orange button on the side is the right flipper, the blue button is the right tilt, and the black button is the forward tilt. I have a similar configuration on the left side as well.
This is the Star Wars yoke controller using the Microsoft Dual Strike Hack.

 

Materials

1 Happs 3" Trackball and Mounting Plate
2 Happs Super Joysticks
1 Slik-Stik Tornado Spinner
1 Keywiz Keyboard Controller
35 Happs Buttons (Various Colors)
1 Radio Shack Wiring Block
50' Roll of 22 Gauge Stranded Wire
Crimp Connectors (Female)
2' x 4' 1/2" MDF
2' x 4' 3/4" MDF
2' x 4' Gray Formica
White Formica
2 Cabinet Hinges