SOLVED: Dreamcast Controller or Adapter

[Hobie-wan]

I don't play fighting games, but I can understand how those players need super precision. For other things where you aren't worried about matching frames as they are drawn on the screen in order to pull off a complex combo, I think buying lower tiers can be fine. Ziggy mentioned the SNES Super Advantage, so I mentioned that in there. Anyway, just as long as we all provide info and opinions so he can make an informed decision.

[Ziggy]

Meh, the stick was kinda just a thought. I have the MK Klassic stick, and I have the SNES Advantage. So I know what micro switches feel like compared to really (and I mean REALLY) shitty buttons.

But here's the thing, I'm not so good with using a stick in fighting games. I was thinking about trying to use them more (maybe I can get good with them if I practice) but I don't wanna drop a lot on something I'm rarely gonna use. I see the Dreamcast sticks go for about $75 and up. The Japan Saturn stick (that Hobie mentioned) looks nice, but all the ones I've seen on eBay are in Japan and end up costing too much after shipping. That's why I was kinda drawn to the Saturn stick, they don't cost an arm and a leg. But like I said, I have reservations after owning the SNES advantage.

Going off topic about modding the Virtua Stick with micro switches, then more talk about making my own stick from scratch...

Another thought I had, and this is me thinking out loud here, let's say I bought the Saturn stick for $20 and the buttons turn out to really suck. I have modding abilities! Push buttons from Suzo Happ are about $3 or less. I could buy six of them for about $15-18. If they couldn't be retrofitted into the Saturn stick, I could gut the thing and use the case/shell to make my own! If it needs to be replaced, a joystick from Suzo Happ is like $15 or less (assuming the height isn't an issue, I don't know the dimensions). Use one cheap Saturn controller to wire it all together, total investment would be maybe $50-60. Meh, I guess that's more than I was thinking. But look at how easy it would be:

http://www.slagcoin.com/joystick/pcb_di ... agram1.jpg

Hmm, I'm having a thought... Fuck the Virtua Stick. I could build my own stick from lumber if I really wanted to, paint it all nice and whatnot. Wire it all up, but not to any specific console. I could put something like a VGA connector on it. That's 15 pins. 1 for ground, 4 for directions, leaves 10 pins for buttons (right?). Then, take a Saturn controller and wire it appropriately so that it "connects" with the stick's VGA port. And I could do that with whatever controller I wanna use the stick with. It'd be a completely universal stick, I would just have to turn a controller into an adapter for each console I would want to use it on. Best part is, I could get away with using the cheapest controller for it (as long as they work).

Long story short, I think I'll just go with that Saturn-DC controller adapter for now. I've been using the Saturn controller on my PS3 for SF4 and liking it, might as well use the same controller for the Dreamcast. As for the stick, I would like to get one, but I'll have to think about it. I don't wanna spend the money on one right now. Maybe I can build one like I said in the spoiler tags, just spend money here and there on it and build it little by little. That'd probably be my best bet. I can build one with quality, it wouldn't cost any more than a decent stick would anyway, and as long as I make an adapter for it I'll be able to use it on ANY console I own. That and the "I made this" factor is always great.

[Hobie-wan]

That black Saturn stick is pretty shallow, so modding it might be difficult. If you wanted to make your own, perhaps a cheapie thick stick for the case if you don't want to make your own, then some nice parts and an ugly 3rd party pad for the interface guts?

[elmagicochrisg]

That black Saturn stick is pretty shallow, so modding it might be difficult. If you wanted to make your own, perhaps a cheapie thick stick for the case if you don't want to make your own, then some nice parts and an ugly 3rd party pad for the interface guts?

The Agetec official Dreamcast stick has a nice big case. Perfect for modding...

[Ziggy]

The Agetec official Dreamcast stick has a nice big case. Perfect for modding...

But the reason I was even considering the black Saturn stick was because it doesn't cost a lot. The Dreamcast stick looks really nice, for sure, but they go for more than I'm willing to spend on it.

That black Saturn stick is pretty shallow, so modding it might be difficult. If you wanted to make your own, perhaps a cheapie thick stick for the case if you don't want to make your own, then some nice parts and an ugly 3rd party pad for the interface guts?

Yeah, it does look pretty shallow. I think I'll just make my own, if I ever get around to it. I love working with wood, and I love working with electronics, so there's no reason I shouldn't enjoy making a stick. The only annoying part will be turning the controllers into adapters, figuring out which pin each button has to go to.

But I'll have a top quality stick, it will be completely universal, and it might still end up costing less than one of those Dreamcast sticks.

[Breetai]

In all honesty, that Saturn arcade stick in the OP is NOT the one to get. It's... okay, but not the real deal. The buttons and stick are small on it. There are really three different Saturn sticks that are tops.

This is one that is the read deal (and matches the DC stick):



This is the other "real deal" option:

7

Finally, the king:

[CD AGES]

The buttons and stick are small on it.

Yes for the buttons! A def No for the Stick! Look at the size of that sucker! Lol! Shits not small compared to its JPN counterpart.

[Ziggy]

Thanks for all the suggestions and input guys!

I've made up my mind. I'm gonna go with the Saturn-DC controller adapter for now. When I have the time, I plan to build my own stick from scratch.

[ninjainspandex]

In all honesty, that Saturn arcade stick in the OP is NOT the one to get. It's... okay, but not the real deal. The buttons and stick are small on it. There are really three different Saturn sticks that are tops.

This is one that is the read deal (and matches the DC stick):

ya thats the one i have i think i paid like $150 shipped ems for a mint CIB one. the hori one is just as good but it honestly looks like crapola. obviously the astro one is the best but they cost like $500+ after shipping so forget that haha, you have one breetai?

[Godot102]

In all honesty, that Saturn arcade stick in the OP is NOT the one to get. It's... okay, but not the real deal. The buttons and stick are small on it. There are really three different Saturn sticks that are tops.

This is one that is the read deal (and matches the DC stick):

ya thats the one i have i think i paid like $150 shipped ems for a mint CIB one. the hori one is just as good but it honestly looks like crapola. obviously the astro one is the best but they cost like $500+ after shipping so forget that haha, you have one breetai?

That stick looks soo cool! I WANT! But first I need to save up some money