View Full Version : Slickstik vs. X-Arcade
boatofcar
01-21-2006, 10:54 PM
Now that I'm almost ready to get my MAME - dedicated PC up and running, I need to decide which arcade stick to buy. I've basically got it narrowed down to two.
http://www.slikstik.com/images/solitairel.jpg
or
http://www.x-arcade.com/graphics/dual.gif
The first image is the SlikStik solitarie panel, and it is $179.
Pros: I really like the dual joystick for Crazy Climber and Robotron. Side pinball buttons for PinMAME. It looks like it's made well.
Cons: Only for one player, obviously.
The second image is of an X-Arcade 2 Player joystick. It is $129
Pros: 2 player simultaneous play.
Cons: Big, bulky. Looks tacky. Seems to be made of lesser-grade materials, although I could be wrong.
Please help me decide!
PapaStu
01-22-2006, 12:29 AM
I've used the Xarcade. Not the best looking, but it worked well for the system it was hooked up to.
Goblin
01-22-2006, 12:20 PM
I can't give any comments about the SlikStick, but I do own a one player version of the X-Arcade and think it is fantastic. One of the best purchases I have made in recent memory. I don't have a dedicated MAME machine, so I like that this is small and can sit nicely on the shelf next to PC. Also it has three different programable configurations so I see nothing from stopping you using the side buttons for pinMAME. I think the contruction is rather well made and don't find it "tacky" at all. I look at the SlikStick and it just looks boxy and bland to me. You probably can't go wrong with either, but I'm partial to my X-Arcade.
Kid Ice
01-22-2006, 05:15 PM
Looks like the Slik Stik has a spinner at the top there. That's a big bonus. If you didn't want that you could probably replace it with a four way joystick.
There's no substitute for a Slik Stik if you ask me.
boatofcar
01-22-2006, 08:37 PM
Thanks for the responses, everyone. Kid Ice, the spinner is an extra $60, so I won't be getting that. Right now actually I'm leaning towards the X arcade after reading these positive reviews. Do you think I could configure the two joysticks to work at once for Crazy Climber?
Captain Wrong
01-26-2006, 09:10 PM
I have X arcade parts in my Supergun stick. No complaints at all and the price was killer. Some people don't like the action on the sticks, but you can adjust that, to an extent.
You should be able to configure that any way you want with MAME. If you use a frontend with an Xarcade setting, I wouldn't be suprized if it is already done for you.
freckledpeas
01-29-2006, 04:29 PM
Now that I'm almost ready to get my MAME - dedicated PC up and running, I need to decide which arcade stick to buy. I've basically got it narrowed down to two.
http://www.slikstik.com/images/solitairel.jpg
or
http://www.x-arcade.com/graphics/dual.gif
The first image is the SlikStik solitarie panel, and it is $179.
Pros: I really like the dual joystick for Crazy Climber and Robotron. Side pinball buttons for PinMAME. It looks like it's made well.
Cons: Only for one player, obviously.
The second image is of an X-Arcade 2 Player joystick. It is $129
Pros: 2 player simultaneous play.
Cons: Big, bulky. Looks tacky. Seems to be made of lesser-grade materials, although I could be wrong.
Please help me decide!
I actually have an X-Arcade for my cabinet, and am very pleased with it. If you're not opting for the spinner on the SlikStik, the X-Arcade is less expensive and will do the job well. If you're interested in dual joysticks for Crazy Climber, Robotron, Smash TV, etc., you can use the dual joysticks on the X-Arcade for these games by default (as long as "X-Arcade" is selected in your setup options). I do know these things are made to be abused, and are backed by a lifetime warranty. Plus, if you're one who owns multiple systems, the adapters that you can get for all the current systems (Xbox, GC, PS2... even Dreamcast) makes this joystick a real value. As far as its looks are concerned, I don't think it looks tacky on my cabinet at all, but really, this is just a matter of opinion. What's non-tacky to me, could be tacky to others... Are you planning on constructing/modding a cabinet? If so, I honestly can't think of a more satisfying endeavor... :)
rally9x
02-04-2006, 02:45 AM
I'm suprised by the comments so far. I don't want to offend this board so I will say this as nicely as possible.
These two joysticks are not really even comparable. For a brand name setup the x-arcade is probably in the bottom two and the slikstick is in the top 2.
The slickstick is made of thick good quality wood. Has one of the two best encoders(sends the button singnals to the computer) on the market. Also it is filled with all actual arcade quality parts.
The x-arcade is not.
Captain Wrong
02-07-2006, 09:20 AM
...Also it is filled with all actual arcade quality parts.
The x-arcade is not.
What parts of the X-Arcade aren't arcade quality? I'm just curious.
rally9x
02-09-2006, 12:13 AM
...Also it is filled with all actual arcade quality parts.
The x-arcade is not.
What parts of the X-Arcade aren't arcade quality? I'm just curious.
The joysticks and buttons are cheap chinese knockoffs of Happ products, where as the slikstick uses the actual real Happ products that have been used in arcades for years.
boatofcar
02-09-2006, 05:17 PM
...Also it is filled with all actual arcade quality parts.
The x-arcade is not.
What parts of the X-Arcade aren't arcade quality? I'm just curious.
The joysticks and buttons are cheap chinese knockoffs of Happ products, where as the slikstick uses the actual real Happ products that have been used in arcades for years.
If you say so. They feel the same to me.
freckledpeas
02-09-2006, 10:41 PM
...Also it is filled with all actual arcade quality parts.
The x-arcade is not.
What parts of the X-Arcade aren't arcade quality? I'm just curious.
The joysticks and buttons are cheap chinese knockoffs of Happ products, where as the slikstick uses the actual real Happ products that have been used in arcades for years.
If you say so. They feel the same to me.
I take it you actually did decide on and purchase the X-Arcade, yes? Congrats! I'm sure there's no question that the Slik Stik is an incredible joystick, but the X-Arcade feels plenty authentic to me.
boatofcar
02-09-2006, 11:13 PM
I take it you actually did decide on and purchase the X-Arcade, yes? Congrats! I'm sure there's no question that the Slik Stik is an incredible joystick, but the X-Arcade feels plenty authentic to me.
Yep! I'm no arcade junkie by any means, and most of the cabs I have played have been worn down by age, so this stick feels as good as any I've used. I was able to get the dual stick on sale for $129, which is a price I just couldn't say no to. If I ever do get a hankerin to upgrade anything, according to the manual I can add different buttons or sticks.
Setup was a piece of cake (almost-see my other thread), and I've been playing Track and Field all night! :)
Now I just need a faster computer to play Samauri Showdown 2...