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X-Arcade 2-Player Controller Review - Page 4 of 4 |
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So how easy is this joystick to program and why would you need to? The manual explains the procedure well, and I found a perfect use for programming. First off, the default controls (with the back panel switch in the #1 position) are situated just fine for 2-players. Some keyboard input is still necessary though for getting into and out of the game, or saving and loading (yes, it's possible to save and load all your old arcade favorites with MAME, even if they didn't support it, and most didn't). So I flipped the back switch to the #2 position and decided to set up #2 completely for the single player experience. With 8 now-unused buttons on the 2-player side, I mapped the two bottom ones to the Save & Load keyboard equivalents, so no longer will I need the keyboard for that. And I made the first 5 of the top two rows of buttons equal to the Save & Load slot numbers (1-5) to easily access my save games. Finally, I made the 6th button on the 2nd player side map to the Escape key, so now I can get out of games with the touch of a button. I must say, after using it for awhile, that this setup is superb. The only mousing I need to do now when playing is the selecting and starting of a game, and that's about it.... though if I made other buttons equate to the Enter key and Up and Down arrows (perhaps the 2-player start and pinball buttons), it may be possible to do it all! And when another player is handy, I simply move the switch back to #1 and hit the load button on the back panel twice to load it up. It really couldn't be easier.
You might have been wondering how the X-Arcade works for games like Robotron, Smash-TV or Karate Champ that use two joysticks (one for moving and the other for firing in 8 directions). For these few but popular games, there is no need to re-program; the default setup is all you need, and the game will automatically work as intended, feeling just as it felt in the arcade.
Value
The X-Arcade is a fine, fine piece of hardware, a worthy addition to any arcade gamer's must-have gear. You should, however, consider the reason you're buying it. For example, it's a no-brainer and obviously most suited for the PC MAME crowd or, for that matter, your own custom arcade cabinet. For consoles, the choice becomes more murky and cost, at $150 for the 2-player version and $100 for the 1-player, begins to play a larger role. If you're going to use it mainly for your favorite fighting game(s), chances are it will meet and exceed your expectations, so I would say go for it. If you have other console action games you'd like to try it out on, but are not much of a fighting game fan, check the button layout first (at their site or in these pictures), and be sure that it seems manageable for your game, or that your game has built-in customization.
Its high quality construction makes it as durable as it probably could be without being permanently encased in a gelatin mixture. For a 2-player joystick, it looks like an aesthetic cross between elegant and tuff. The black veneer finish, joystick and buttons are all arcade quality, and it's light enough and small enough to sit on your lap(s) for an extended time, if that's how you prefer to play. Lastly, the lifetime warranty provided by Xgaming should alleviate many of your long-term concerns.
The cons of course are that it's currently non-programmable for consoles (you must accept the default button layout), and that the optional $30 USB adapter currently has some issues. There are also some console collection games that I found did not work with the controller. For potential PC buyers, I would personally recommend sticking with the included serial adapter and cable, as they are really all you need (and the ROMs of course) to experience the real thing at home on PC.
Final Words
And to think... one of my friends and I were very seriously considering purchasing a $3,500 Street Fighter II: Champion Edition machine in 1992. To that I say, "whew!"
| GameBanshee Rating |
Overall
9.0
How We Score |
Installation & Setup (15%) |
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| Design (15%) |
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| Performance (45%) |
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| Value (25%) |
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| Article Details |
| Reviewed X-Arcade 2-Player Controller
Reviewer Tyson McCann
Published 06.06.04
Pros Arcade quality parts, programmable (for PC), works with MAME, works with consoles, plenty of buttons, pinball buttons included, delivers arcade experience
Cons Cannot be re-mapped with consoles, USB adapter has control issues |
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