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 |
Playing Continued
MAME was easy. Recent versions of MAME have an option to set up the controls for the X-Arcade so its as easy as selecting the X-Arcade from a drop down list in the controller setup (see screenshot below) and launching your favorite game. Without exception the X-Arcade performed flawlessly in games that used a joystick and buttons in the arcades, Some, like Tempest however used an analogue spinner and the X-Arcade doesn't fare so well here. That doesn't reflect badly on the controller, it simply isn't the right thing to be using for those games but I had to give them a try just for the sake of being thorough.
One thing I was anxious to try out were games that required four way stick movement. Sometimes with these games unless you hit the directions precisely, poor Pacman is just going to sit there and not go where you want him since they don't recognize diagonals. I needn't have worried. The directional control is so precise with these microswitch sticks that hitting it right was never an issue. Its that good.
The other thing I was eager to try was the performance in games which require two sticks like Robotron and Crazy Climber. If you've ever tried to play Robotron using a keyboard you'll know its an exercise in frustration. This is where the X-Arcade really shines. I had previously given up on Robotron in MAME even though I think its one of the best games of all time. Its simply impossible to play with a keyboard but with the X-Arcade it's just like being back in the arcade. In fact the control is actually better with the X-Arcade due to the extremely precise nature of the sticks. The only dual stick game that didn't fare so well was Battlezone. Again that's due to the uniqueness of the controls on the arcade machine. If you're a Battlezone fanatic you can get a stick from Happ Controls that has a button which could be easily installed in the X-Arcade in about 5 minutes.
Another area in which the X-Arcade works great is fighting games. Going head to head against an opponent using real arcade controls with six buttons laid out just like the Streetfighter 2 arcade cabinet is a blast and you'll find your old arcade skills coming back to you very quickly.
In Kawaks, a NeoGeo emulator, the X-Arcade continues to impress. The buttons are laid out in such a way that you can map them so they match the unique layout on a NeoGeo arcade machine. A thoughtful touch and one that is much appreciated by we NeoGeo aficionados. Again the controller shines in every NeoGeo game since you're playing on controls that are identical to the arcade machines.
For pinball games and pinball emulators like Visual Pinball and PinMAME the X-Arcade is a no-brainer. Its SO much better to play with real flipper buttons instead of being stuck with the shift keys. The experience is vastly improved over using the keyboard.
Magic Engine, which emulates the PCEngine/Turbografx16 console worked beautifully. A spot of programming to set the controls and you have a more arcade like experience than the TG16 ever provided with its gamepad. Zedblade, a horizontal shooter was much more fun to play with real arcade controls. Great stuff.
Ok, now down to the nitty-gritty. How would the X-Arcade fare with games that were never designed to run in an arcade cabinet? Lets get the awkward ones out of the way. Neither Tony Hawks' Pro Skater 3 or FIFA 2002 worked very well although FIFA fared slightly better out of the two. The combos required for both games are much easier to do on a gamepad than the X-Arcade. You simply cant hit them quick enough to do the games justice. Although both were playable this really isn't the ideal controller here.
Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project was a completely different story. Anyone who has played this old school side scrolling platform shooter knows that its an "arcade style" game. With the X-Arcade it really comes to life. Its like playing an arcade machine with the best graphics you ever saw. I really wasn't expecting this game to work all that well since the controls are a little more complicated than most arcade platformers but with the plethora of buttons on the X-Arcade it never gets to be a problem. Once you have the controls set to your satisfaction its the most fun you can have with a joystick and a PC. In fact I was never all that interested in buying the game but since I got the X-Arcade I'd consider it a must-have. Traditional platformers for the PC may be a bit on the scarce side these days but with a PSX or Dreamcast and the easily installed adapters I can only imagine the fun you could have with this thing.
Conclusions
I'm usually a little wary of gushing about products like this but in the case of the X-Arcade I think it's justified. Playing games on the controls they were designed for is simply light years ahead of trying to use a keyboard or gamepad (or god forbid, an analogue joystick) There are games in MAME that you simply cannot play with any other type of controller. The setup is a breeze with no drivers or software to worry about. Take it over to your friend's house for some head to head action and it simply plugs into any PC. Programming is simplicity itself once you get past the caveat of not being able to use the cursor keys. The unit is solid and should stand up to many years of abuse. In fact if you DO break it its cheap to fix with readily available components and anyone with half an ounce of sense could do it.
Lets face it. This controller isn't cheap so it wont suit the casual retro gamer but if you're a hardcore arcade and emulation freak like me then this is a must have. Beg, borrow (don't steal) to get one. The programmability and versatility put it miles ahead of the competition. It is quite simply the right tool for the job. Mad Uncle George would be proud.
Pros
- Great build quality
- Real arcade controls
- Terrific looks
- Superb feel in gameplay
- Simple to program
- Great manual
- You can finally play Robotron!
- Adapters available to fit many consoles
- Easy maintenance
Cons
- You can't program the cursor keys properly
- At this price its for the serious arcade junkie only
- The console adapters are a little expensive
- If you have a legacy free motherboard a USB adapter will cost you extra
As stated above, this item is certainly aimed at the hardcore gamers out there, but with this type of quality, it easily gets an "OCA Recommended" Award. Great job guys.
OCAddiction would like to thank X-Gaming, Inc. for supplying the unit to review and the tireless, unpaid retro gaming community who make it all worthwhile.
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