X-Arcade Controller - X-Arcade Controller
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Manufacturers: | X-Gaming, Inc. |
| Product: | X-Arcade Controller |
Price: | $149.99 direct |
Availability: | Now |
Reviewed By: | Visionism |
Edited By: | SPeeD |
Installation
Since the X-Arcade works by emulating the keyboard, installation is a snap. There are two connectors on the back panel. One 9-pin D connector (Think serial type cable) and a PS/2 port. Simply plug your keyboard into the PS/2 port (If you have a USB keyboard you'll have to use an adapter) and plug the hookup cable into the D connector The other end of the cable is where things start to get interesting. Instead of the PS/2 plug you might expect there is another D Connector. Why? Adaptability. Included in the box is a second cable that goes from this connector to your PS/2 port. Also available are adapters to plug into your X-Box, Playstation, Gamecube, Mac or Dreamcast. Soul Calibur with a proper arcade controller? You betcha. These adapters do cost a little more but the flexibility they allow you is vast. Top marks for versatility. And also for ease of hookup. No drivers to mess around with or programming software to install, just plug it in and go.
While you're reading the manual for the setup instructions you come upon a rather astonishing page. Modding instructions! Not only do they allow you to tweak your X-Arcade they positively encourage it! It has detailed instructions for tweaking the responsiveness of the controls by adjusting the microswitches. Great stuff for people who have to tune everything to their liking. The adjustments are simple to do once you take the back off the controller. Simply bend the microswitch actuators a little so that less or more stick deflection is needed to close the contacts. Out of the box I'd say the adjustment is about 'medium' if that means anything. The sticks might not have the close tolerance you need to pull off the dazzling combos in fighting games or the more relaxed tolerance you might want for games which feature 4 way control like Pacman. That isn't to say it doesn't work out of the box but you might just want to tweak it to perfection for your favorite game type.
Programming
Programming the X-Arcade is done on the fly and is entirely hardware based. The first position on the program switch is hard coded for MAME which is probably what most people will use the X-Arcade for. A sensible choice since you'll never mess up your MAME settings and have to reprogram them. The remaining three positions are fully programmable and programming couldn't be simpler. Slide the switch to the desired preset position and push the button by the switch. The LED on the panel goes out to let you know that you are now in programming mode. To program a function, hold down the button on the controller that you wish to program (or push the joystick into a certain position) and press the key on your keyboard you want the button to emulate. The LED flashes to let you know its done. Repeat that process for all the buttons you want to define then press the programming button on the back again and watch the LED light up to tell you that you're in playing mode. Done.
One little hitch is that you cant actually program the cursor keys properly. I'm not sure why not but its a known issue with the X-Arcade and really isn't too much of a problem. A way around it can always be found. I can't remember the last time that I played a game where the controls weren't configurable in-game. It is a hassle though so its something you should be aware of before spending your money.
Playing
Now here is the part that I was eagerly awaiting. How does it actually work with the games? I tested the X-Arcade with the following games, some of which are obvious and some which maybe you wouldn't expect.
In MAME: Asteroids, Defender, Amidar, Pacman, Robotron, Tempest, Gyruss, Nemesis, Do Don Pachi, Dangun Feveron, Time Pilot, Vampire Savior, Streetfighter 2, Ghouls and Ghosts, Shadow Dancer, Sidearms, Puzzle Bobble 3, Magical Drop, Space Zap, Crazy Climber, Battlezone, Gauntlet.
In KAWAKS: Street Hoops, Garou: Mark of the Wolves, Blazing Star, Metal Slug 2, Last Blade 2, League Bowling, Soccer Brawl.
In Visual Pinball: Original Tables, High Speed, Addams Family
In Magic Engine: Zedblade, Neutopia, Bomberman.
PC Games: Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project (Demo), Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, FIFA 2002
Ok so I think you could say I have the basics pretty much covered for gameplay styles. Obviously there were some games that there were no point in trying. I'd hate to try to play a FPS game with a digital joystick, right tool remember? Mad Uncle George would agree with me I'm sure.
Throughout the testing the feel of the controller was superb. You may be used to the older ball-top arcade sticks with leaf switches which feel very smooth. The X-Arcade on the other hand uses microswitches. The result is an audible and tactile click when you move the joystick or press a button. Being used to leaf switch joysticks myself, I wasn't sure how I'd like the 'clickiness' of the more modern controls but after a short while I grew to love it. Control feels very precise and crisp in all cases and you honestly won't notice the noise after a while (especially playing Robotron with the volume cranked!) The sticks feel great in the hand and I experienced less hand cramping with the 'bat' style sticks than with the old ball-tops. If you really MUST have old style sticks and buttons you could easily replace the standard controls with leaf switch units without any soldering or electrical knowledge at all since everything is connected with push on terminals. That being said I'm not sure why you'd want to since the feel of the X-Arcade is great out of the box.
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