Our X-Arcade Review

[digitalpress]

A contender for greatest arcade stick manufactured for home use is reviewed RIGHT HERE (http://www.digitpress.com/archives/arc00143.htm).

We've been pretty high on the HotRod SE for the last two years, but the X-Arcade provides some enhancements... and one critical problem. Read on.

http://www.digitpress.com/columns/images/xarcade_006sm.jpg

[Raedon]

good review.. I'll bet the designers never even considered Robotron 2084 on an Xbox MAME emu. Whats the MSRP on both of these sticks again?

[digitalpress]

X-Arcade twin retails for $149.95
X-Arcade solo retails for $99.95
HotRod SE retails for $199.95

[kingpong]

We've been pretty high on the HotRod SE for the last two years, but the X-Arcade provides some enhancements... and one critical problem.

I think that's hardly a critical problem. While unfortunate that it doesn't support dual joysticks on a console, are you really missing out on much? So it doesn't work with some homebrew stuff and a handful of commercial releases - that's far from a critical problem. Especially since the games that are problematic on a console can be played on the PC. Now if there wasn't a way to use it in those games on the PC, then that would be a critical problem.

A far more critical problem with the X-Arcade is the joysticks. It needs Happ Competition sticks, not clones of Happ Supers. Still, it is the best option out there if you're not going to build it yourself, and aren't happy with console sticks and converters.

[qaotik]

kingpong's right. You should only buy it for its compatibility with the pc and consoles and then go to arcadecontrols.com to see what you need replaced.

[wberdan]

hasd anyone here used or reviewed the SlikStik models?
i was wondering if they are worth the (much) extra money, or if they are a low value?
any one have comments on them?

willie

[digitalpress]

I think that's hardly a critical problem. While unfortunate that it doesn't support dual joysticks on a console, are you really missing out on much? So it doesn't work with some homebrew stuff and a handful of commercial releases - that's far from a critical problem.

I certainly see your point, but you should meet the gamers here - I'd have to say that between Robotron: 2084, Total Carnage, and Food Fight, you're looking at a significant chunk of the action. Personally it's not that big of a deal - especially since I have the HotRod too :)

I didn't think the quality of the stick was an issue at all - what would I notice about the Happ stick that would make me see the problem?

Thanks for the feedback by the way!

[k8track]

What a fortunate coincidence, I was going to ask a question about the Hotrod joystick, and here this thread is, so I don't need to start a new one. My question is, simply, is the Hotrod joystick compatible with a Mac? Does it have a USB plug? I'm getting a new Mac and want to make sure this stick is compatible before I take the plunge.

[kingpong]

I think that's hardly a critical problem. While unfortunate that it doesn't support dual joysticks on a console, are you really missing out on much? So it doesn't work with some homebrew stuff and a handful of commercial releases - that's far from a critical problem.

I certainly see your point, but you should meet the gamers here - I'd have to say that between Robotron: 2084, Total Carnage, and Food Fight, you're looking at a significant chunk of the action.

But can't they just be played on the PC? I get the impression that the XBox is being used as the MAME machine, and that's why it is an issue for these games. If the PC wasn't an option, perhaps it would be a problem, but it appears as though the PC is an option. I suppose the gang there prefers playing on a TV vs. playing on the monitor, but that's why they make TV-Out ports and scan converters. So I would think this to be more of an annoyance than a critical problem.



I didn't think the quality of the stick was an issue at all - what would I notice about the Happ stick that would make me see the problem?


Many people complain about the diagonals. The round actuator and leaf style microswitches allow for smooth, circular motions, but it can be tough to find the diagonals. You also need to make sure that the leaves are bent identically so the diagonals get hit precisely (it used to be a common complaint that it took much adjustment to get the X-Arcade right, but those complaints don't seem to be as frequent recently). The Competition sticks have square actuators and regular microswitches, taking out the variability of the leaves, and making for very distinct diagonals.

Here's a good look at the different types of Happ sticks, though the ones in the X-Arcade are clones and not originals.
http://www.oscarcontrols.com/joycompare/joyreview1.shtml

[scooterb23]

I've been wanting to get one of these kinds of arcade style joysticks. There is one issue with them that keeps me from plopping down the money.

The buttons are on the wrong side of the joystick!!!!!! For me at least. And I'm tired of having to play arcade games with my damn hands crossed!!!

Is it possible to set the 2nd players stick as the first, but use the first players buttons? That would at least be close to playable...

[digitalpress]

The buttons are on the wrong side of the joystick!!!!!! For me at least. And I'm tired of having to play arcade games with my damn hands crossed!!!

Is it possible to set the 2nd players stick as the first, but use the first players buttons? That would at least be close to playable...

You can do that, but then you remove the two-player functionality. Unless you two want to play a wicked game of video game TWISTER. :-D

Thanks for the info, KingPong, I'll see about getting the sticks replaced. I didn't have an issue with the diagonals, personally. As for the Xbox issue, yeah, that's a big problem for the reviewer but probably not for everyone. I've asked him to modify his text a little bit to reflect this.

[k8track]

Does anyone know the answer to my question? I want to buy one soon.