I was thinking of modding my old X-Arcade since it’s been with me for a while now and I had a few basic questions.
1- If I use parts like sanwa parts for my x-arcade will it sill work with all the adaptors etc…or do I have to use x-arcade parts (I dont know how things work for multi platform sticks)
2- I hear really bad things about X-arcade sticks the fact that they are regarded as inferior sticks, is it because the components (buttons , stick etc…) are bad or does it have to do with the x-arcade itself (it might not be accurate or it might not be responsive etc.)
3 - have you seen it beeing done before.
My english is bad and I’m very new to this so please bear with me and thanks for your help.
1- Its only easy to put iL/happ parts in it. Everything else you are going to be doing way more work than its worth (the disconnects and holes are all the wrong size for Japanese parts).
2- The parts are cheap chinese happ knock-offs. Some people say it lags horribly. I’ve never noticed it on PC or Dreamcast though.
3- Put an iL competition joystick and happ competition buttons on my x-arcade. It’s a lot nicer.
The easiest method is to buy Happ iL Competition stick and Happ Competition buttons and just do a complete replacement of the cheap X-arcade clones but you are still stuck with the CRAPPY X-Arcade PCB (Only lagless on PC, on any CONSOLE, it lags majorly).
The best method is to do the above and replace the original PCB with PSX PCBs if you want to play PS1/2/3, DC, GC and PC games by buying lagless adapters for each system you own.
Here are photos of my X-arcade total conversion using Sanwa JLW joysticks, PSX PCB, Madcatz 360 PCB and Happ Competition buttons:
Hum that psx pcb sounds a little complicated…where do I get it. ( i dont mind not beeing able to play with my other systems anymore). And with the psx pcb how would I then play on my PS3 with it…if you could give me sort of a step by step on how to procede i would appreciate it.
If you want the MOST compatibility PSX PCB is the best because there are lagless adapters for it for GC/Wii, Xbox (not 360), DC, PS3(and PC).
If you want the easiest mod (in terms of wiring and no zero soldering) but only works with PS3/PC buy below from lizardlick or toodles here on tech forum:
Toodles Cthulhu PC/PS3 Board
You can even re-use the existing wires from inside the X-arcade. Just cut off the wires from the X-arcade PCB and attach them to the Cthulhu board. I would trace the wires and cut 1 at a time so you won’t forget or get confused which wires goes to what.
I was on the site for the board and they dont seem to explain the installation process.
If you could like me to the installation process of both mods. I will make my choice based on how hard the operation is.
Buy a pre-soldered PCB from fellow SRKer in the trading forum. Or message TingBoy here on SRK. I bought a couple of pre-soldered PSX PCBs (I can do it myself but I am busy with work so I buy stuff to save time, time=money). If you purchased the pre-soldered PSX PCB from Tingboy, then it is just as a matter of taking out the old wires and PCB from X-arcade and replace it with this new PSX PCB with wires and quick disconnects already pre-made for you. This is probably easier than Cthulhu board if you can get it.
If you cannot buy it pre-soldered and wired up, then this option is quite time consuming and difficult without soldering irons/soldering skill/wires/familiarity with PCB rework etc… I wouldn’t recommend it to beginners only advance modders.
Option 2: Cthulhu board
Buy the board from LizardLick and I believe it comes with a wiring diagram, but if not the guy who invented it is here by the name of Toodles, you can always PM or post here to ask for help from him. He’s a cool guy. With this route you can use the existing wires already there in the X-arcade and just as I mentioned before label all the wires and do 1 at a time cut from the old X-arcade PCB and plug the cut wire into the right slot on the Cthulhu board.
I modded my x-arcade with iL Euro and comp buttons also. I’m not a fan of american sticks at all though so I rarely use it. Comp buttons are great though.
faux123, I notice you put a JLF in yours. Was that difficult/complicated to do? The iL fitting was obviously straight forward but I can imagine some work would be necessary to get the mounting plate in, then you have the issue of the mdf being too thick for the stick shaft no? How did you get around this issue?
-edit-
To the OP: I highly recommend getting some plugs for those bottom two buttons though. They are useless in 99% of the games you will use it with and they seriously get in the way. Yenox sit more flush than the Happ ones so those are the ones I’d recommend.
I modded mine with JLW not JLF. They are similar on the outside but complete different on the inside. JLW is much more similar to the Happ iL, I only needed to cut the default mounting plate 1/4" inch on the elongated portion so its more square to fit into the Happ mounting area.
Here’s a close up photo of it.
on the right hand side, you will see the JLW mounted flush in the Happ Mounting area. Notice I cut the JLW mounting plate to be square so I can fit it in. JLW is so close to Happ iL, even the screw holes lined up perfectly.
There is no easy way to put in a Perfect 360 since it requires a 5v line. The Cthulhu board may be more p360 friendly though. It is definitely your best option for doing this without power tools. I think uPinball even uses p360s in their sfIV cab.
I don’t want to sound like an &/$ but if you just read the few couple of posts, no it’s not better then a custom joystick, which is why I created this tread to learn how to customise it.
all my parts are on their way, I’m gonna try to have the local work shop make me some kind of customly cut glass cover for the stick
Well X Arcade is like $150, and custom ones are like $200, so they are similar in price range. I’m not an avid fighting gamer. I used to play a lot in the arcade, and now just trying to make the jump to home consoles so I can play online. Just trying to figure out which ones to buy since they are similar in price.
