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Pro Pinball • View topic - List / Experiences with Controllers

List / Experiences with Controllers

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List / Experiences with Controllers

Postby db10-1Propin » Sun Oct 13, 2013 7:40 pm

Thought it might be good to list all the available (or decent) controllers for pinball whether or not they are dedicated to pinball. Any hands on with them would be good to hear.

The obvious starter is X-Arcade with it's lifetime warranty. Gets rave reviews
http://www.xgaming.com/store/category/arcade-joysticks-and-game-controllers

Then there is the crazy French keyboard with pinball flipper buttons
http://www.keyflip.fr/keyFlip_keyboard.html

Similar keyboard controller....
http://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-Keyboard-Controller-Controllers-Flippers/dp/B001JG8NRQ

Was there was another link I saw on the Kickstarter threads for a dedicated pinball flipper controller if I remember?
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Re: List / Experiences with Controllers

Postby LoB » Sun Oct 13, 2013 9:46 pm

I guess you're talking of "Philips Virtual Pinball": http://www.ebay.de/itm/Philips-Virtual- ... 7675.l2557
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Re: List / Experiences with Controllers

Postby Penguinator » Mon Oct 14, 2013 3:35 am

I don't really see the need for a custom controller. Unless your keyboard is really flimsy and/or unresponsive, it should be just fine. Keyboards that use mechanical key switches (instead of rubber domes) and PS/2 output (instead of USB) should be especially suitable for their responsiveness and reliability.

I wouldn't recommend the X-Arcade. The parts (joystick, buttons and the adapters) aren't as good as in Japanese arcade machines (instead, they are similar to parts used in American machines that sacrifice accuracy for indestructability) and the price is ridiculous. For the same money you could get a premium single-player stick like MadCatz SFIV Tournament Edition that uses Sanwa parts and has lot of customizability. A budget version is doable by getting a cheap stick (like MadCatz Brawl / SFIV SE / Tatsunoko vs Capcom) and replacing the default knockoff parts with Sanwa or Seimitsu. Drilling holes on the sides for additional pinball buttons should also be possible.

If you want a controller just for pinball, then just you might as well start from scratch. In that case you should read hootowl's posts about his hand-made controller and ask for tips.
viewtopic.php?f=21&t=21#p113
http://pinballarcadefans.com/showthread ... troller%20
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Re: List / Experiences with Controllers

Postby insx » Mon Oct 14, 2013 8:48 am

I toyed with the idea of making a controller before but never bothered and was happy with keyboard control. Now that my mini cabinet is playable, it is rather cool to have realistic buttons on the side. I got buttons with leaf contacts from Arcade World UK and hacked a USB game pad.
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Re: List / Experiences with Controllers

Postby pcraenme » Mon Oct 14, 2013 2:13 pm

On a PC a keyboard works fine, but when you are sitting on your couch in the livingroom playing pinball on a HTPC, a controller works better. Like playing pinball on a PS3. However, a controller has a big advantage over a keyboard. Nudge and magnosave are easier on a controller.

On the iPad I prefer the iCade Core above using the touchscreen. And as a 'bonus' arcade games like pacman or donkey kong play great with such a controller. And it will only cost you about €25.
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Re: List / Experiences with Controllers

Postby Jim » Mon Oct 14, 2013 4:27 pm

I've used the X-Arcade with Timeshock on PC and it works great. I've also used it fine on my Android tablet, but could not use it with the other pinball game because the buttons could not be customized.

I also have used several USB controllers and PS3 Sixaxis with Android and they all work well. Although right now I am liking the Gametel with my phone for mobile gaming.

If I play Timeshock on my phone (which I hopefully will be able to) it will definitely require an external controller as touch controls just won't work well for pinball.
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Re: List / Experiences with Controllers

Postby settingsons » Mon Oct 14, 2013 5:25 pm

If you can't make a cabinet then a home-made controller would probably be the best way to go because you could come up with some fantastic box like Groni (VP table builder) did - see below. Although the box is PS3 based you could obviously use an IPAC although Virtuapin's plunger kit would probably be a better option as it would act as a keyboard encoder and would give you a plunger and nudge too.

http://pinballarcadefans.com/showthread.php/1280-PS3-Pinball-Controller-WIP?p=17876&viewfull=1#post17876
My Virtual Pincab Running Pro Pinball Ultra Alpha - https://youtu.be/EjR1CPKZios
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Re: List / Experiences with Controllers

Postby cottonm4 » Mon Oct 14, 2013 6:21 pm

Here is the Pinball Wizard Controller. I think there was discussion at Kickstarter where Ade said they could make Pro Pinball Ultra sims work with this.

http://virtuapin.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8&products_id=71

I hope that will come true because I used the Virtuapin plunger kit when building my cab.

http://virtuapin.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=105
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Re: List / Experiences with Controllers

Postby db10-1Propin » Mon Oct 14, 2013 7:51 pm

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Re: List / Experiences with Controllers

Postby db10-1Propin » Mon Oct 14, 2013 7:54 pm

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