X-Arcade Controller

Order Me

I tend to build-my-own as far as arcade stuff goes. In the realm of controllers for Mame/Mame32, I've been this close to starting a controller project for years now. I have a computer all set, mame installed, joysticks for the project, a keyboard controller from a keyboard, it's all there, I just have to get my lazy ass moving to build the thing.

Enter X-Arcade. The X-Arcade 2-player controller showed up at my door (I really want to play Robotron, so the two sticks are necessary) and unpacked it. Excellent construction, feels solid. Plugged it into my keyboard port, plugged the keyboard into that, and then fired up Mame32 and set my default controller to X-Arcade. That's it, works perfectly. Robotron is now controllable. Donkey Kong feels like Donkey Kong. This kicks ass.

Then I read the manual. Very cool. Four "sets" of controller options, all stored inside the controller in flash memory. The first set is hardwired to Mame's setup and unchangeable, but the other three are programmed so easily it'll blow your mind. So you can have a few sets for those games that have fixed controls. And, since it emulates a keyboard, it works with any OS. Brilliant.

I also received the PS1/PS2 adapter for our Playstation 2. Again, it works flawlessly, so you can take your console fighting games to the next level. There are also adaptors for the Dreamcast, Xbox, Mac, and more.

I like this so much, I'm contemplating making one of those "kick-ass" style award logos for the site.

You can order the X-Arcade controllers direct from the XGaming website.