TwinStick mod: Dreamcast + X360 compatible.

[Fredo]

I just finished my TwinStick today so I'll explain you what I did.

I wanted it to be 360 compatible and to keep the Dreamcast compatibility, so I choosed to make an "empty" TwinStick I could connect to the external PCB I want: X360 or Dreamcast.

I used a Game Port extension cable (DB15) and cutted it in three pieces.

I connected every wire of the male-ending piece of cable to the barrier strips that would go inside of the TwinStick


After getting rid of the internal PCB, I connected everything like I planned and glued the barrier strips using some adhesive paste.


I connected the female-ending piece of cable to the PCB of an X360 controller. I choosed to use a MadCatz fightpad for this as it is REALLY easy to solder on it. I used a green Arcade button for the Xbox-guide button, I got it from a Dreamcast arcade stick mod.


I instaled the PCB inside of a project-box


Here is the closed box. I made a hole for the heased jack
(I love the design of that thing, it just looks like some kind of detonator box made by a Team Fortress 2 Engineer xD)


I made a female end to the remaining piece of Game Port cable



At the end of the wires, I soldered the ends of the wires I cutted from the TwinStick



I fitted that in another project-box (I made a hole for the VMU).


Box closed and connected


And here we go, I have now a Dreamcast and X360 compatible TwinStick that works perfectly, no lags or anything, I can finally quick-step CQC like on Dreamcast n___n

[MentholMoose]

Very nice! Now you just need to add Saturn and PS2 support, and you will be set!! (for VO on consoles, at least )

[Fredo]

I have neither of these consoles x)
I could make it for a PS2 but a Saturn version requiers the Saturn TwinStick PCB, so that'd be pretty useless if I have to buy a Saturn TwinStick

But what is interesting is that I can connect something else (like an arcade-stick) to the Xbox360 using the hacked PCB

And I can connect it to my PC too, maybe I could play Operation Moongate using MAME.

[Fredo]

I confirm, I managed to play Operation Moongate with my TwinStick using the Nebula Model 2 emulator yesterday.

In fact, my PC is not really good enough for this emulator, it lagged very badly and had some texture bugs, that was nearly unplayable, but I managed to beat the game though

I'll make a video once I'll have made the same thing with my Arcade Stick, but I'll have to find another game port extension cable, which are pretty rare in France now, even more in my town.

[Fredo]

u_u

I have a problem...

a BIG problem...

One of the joystick's microswitches is dying due to overusing , the one corresponding to "Right Stick down / A"

I need to replace it. And I'll probably need to replace the others soon.

Any ideas where can I find one of these ? (except from another TwinStick)

please, help me...

[MentholMoose]

Are you sure that it's the actual microswitch? I've seen similar symptoms, and the microswitch was actually functional, but it was separating from the PCB. I removed the microswitch, cleaned up the traces, resoldered the microswitch to the PCB, and all was well.

[Fredo]

I'll try this, thank you.

Anyway, I shall thank SEGA, as the microswitches are the same (except for that small metal plate) as in the Dreamcast Arcade Stick, and as I modded mine in full-Sanwa, I have 4 of these microswitches.

[Fredo]

Thank god, it was only the wire that was badly screwed inside the barrier strip, everything is ok !

Anyway I'm glad I kept these microswitches, they might be useful in the future.

Thanks for the help Methol !

[Testament/Seven7]

but a Saturn version requiers the Saturn TwinStick PCB, so that'd be pretty useless if I have to buy a Saturn TwinStick

Actually, no.

The saturn twinstick uses a standard controller IC. Any regular saturn compatable controller can be made into a twinstick.

I just need to remember the button mappings....Actually, i'm told the saturn sticks have what buttons go where, either on the box, in the manual, or somewhere on the twinstick itself. Maybe someone who owns a saturn twinstick can post the button mappings?

[Fredo]

Here is what I did to my Dreamcast Arcade Stick



(I didn't wanted to creat a new topic just for that)

[MentholMoose]

Very cool!