NEW PROJECT! Building a one size fits all arcade stick solution

[Michiel K]

After digging into how to stream / capture from older hardware in a manner that’s satisfying to me, I’m getting ready to commit to another video game fun enhancing project and one that is looooong overdue.

I’ve been wanting a pair of arcade sticks that I can use on my PC and all my consoles, at least Dreamcast and up.

The Brook Universal Fighting Board seems to be a good starting point for this and I’m theorising that the Retropad32 could be a neat way to further expand compatibility.

Now, since I want to do this for two sticks and this is going to be costly, I don’t want to buy the highest end arcade sticks of 150 bucks and up to mod, but I’m still looking for something quality, like the Hori sticks for PS4/Switch of about 40. But are they even moddable with the Brook board? Or should I just build two sticks from the ground up?

Any advice or recommendations?

[Flabyo]

The forums over on Shoryuken.com should be able to help you out as regards what the brook board works best with.

Only advice I have is invest in quick connects and a wire crimping tool, soldering is too much like hard work.

[Michiel K]

Thanks, Flabyo!

[Stanshall]

No advice because I only know my own stick and never spent time with any other but I'm excited to see where this goes. My Mayflash solution certainly adds a tiny bit of lag so performance only feels perfect on the 360 it was designed for.

[hazeredmist]

Seconded - excited to see how this goes!

I have a Venom PS4 arcade stick I really, really like (courtesy of wor clippa) - it's big and heavy and feels great. He stuck different buttons in but the stick is stock, and it's nice. I don't have much in the way of comparison, but I have tried my mates Mayflash F300 Elite and I definitely prefer mine. Think I've got the same Mayflash device Stanshall has, lets me use it on Switch, PC, Xbox (if I had one) etc, I don't notice lag but as you will be aware, I'm not at a level where that means much.

[Michiel K]

Thanks for butting in, guys! Thought I'd pop in for a small update.

First off, the Hori sticks I was eying are MINI and really more useful for their portability. Not ideal to mod either, considering how little space there is in the box and everything in there is soldered together.

So the Qanba Drone seems to be the affordable but quality stick I should be going after. I have a bit of experience with Qanba sticks and they're super solid. The Drone is compatible with PS3, PS4 and PC out of the box. They were sold new for 120 euros, but now you can find new ones for about 60. Hundred twenty for a pair sounds like a good deal!

I want to investigate the Retropad32 a little bit more, because if it works as reviewed, tested and advertised, I might not even need to mod a Brook Universal Fighting Board into the sticks x 2. Just a bit confused as to what add ons and extra cables I'd need to order for it.

[Michiel K]

Small update: so I will be ordering 2 Drones next week and when I get them in, I'll connect them to my PC to get the USB VID/PID in each mode and send it to the maker of the Retropad32, so he'll update their firmware before he sends me 2 of these adapters with connectors for all my various consoles, to make sure everything will work fine.

Since the stock buttons of the Drones are proprietary and sound a bit cheapo plasticky from video reviews, I'm thinking to replace at least the main 6 buttons of both sticks with these yellow Seimitsus. I think that will look stylish and feel much better.

[hazeredmist]

Well that looks rather nice now doesn't it

[Michiel K]

It'll look nice and waspy in the drone, they've already got a bee theme haven't they, with the honeycomb design and stuff?

This is the stick I'm using right now, and has the same colours.

Eggschmactly.

And that does look nice!

[Michiel K]

Alright, it took me a long time, but I now got around to getting this whole project sorted.

I've got...

* 2 Qanba Drone sticks for PS3/PS4/PC
* 2 Retropad32 units with all necessary connectors and attachments



I've tested the accessory and sticks out with the Gamecube, original Xbox and Nintendo Switch... and this thing is LIKE MAGIC. The Switch case especially surprised me, as the output is just a simple USB printer cable, but the Retropad instantly recognises PS4 stick in and Switch out and makes the connection.

Was playing a fair bit of Capcom vs SNK 2 on the Gamecube with the Drone and it was so smooth and responsive. Feels like the stick was directly connected to the console.



Dreamcast and Saturn connectors were out of stock, but they'll be available in a month. Right now I can use the arcade sticks (and any that friends would bring) for PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, Wii, Switch and Xbox 360, next to the ones they were intended for. This is all I really wanted.

Small sour note is that the yellow Seimitsu button mod didn't pan out as the buttons I got were fine in terms of diameter, but too shallow, so they could not click/lock into place. But I'm also quite used to the imitation Sanwa stock buttons by Qanba on the sticks now. At least they're not as sensitive as real Sanwas!

[Suits]

I don't understand any of it but it all looks rather interesting and fun !!

[OldBailey]

This looks so cool. Very jealous!

[Michiel K]

I don't understand any of it but it all looks rather interesting and fun !!

Basically I’ve got 2 sticks and a fingie that allows me to use them on any gaming system I have, as opposed to having to buy bespoke sticks for each separate system that I’ve got arcade games/ports on. And it works so well!

Bailey Boy, just tell Mrs. Bailey you’ll be saving a ton of money by going the Retropad32 route.

[Suits]

Rad .

[OldBailey]

Bailey Boy, just tell Mrs. Bailey you’ll be saving a ton of money by going the Retropad32 route.

Will you tell her for me?

[Michiel K]

Of course!

[Michiel K]

Delivered on that promise.

[OldBailey]

Doing God's work