Advice on Arcade Controllers for a PC running MAME?

brettule on 03/11/2025 - 10:52

I want to set up a 2-person arcade controller to play old school games. In my garage I’ve got a laptop and monitor set up for music etc so I was thinking I’d grab MAME and run that off the laptop, then buy an arcade controller kit off AliExpress and make up something I can clamp to my workbench, plug it into the USB port of the laptop and play a few rounds of street fighter. Is this a workable solution?

I see that most of the kits are designed to run off a raspberry pi so you can build your own self contained cabinet. I’m just looking for a cheap and cheerful setup that I can whip out and use on my existing computer. Any tips, links or things that I might not have considered would be appreciated.

Gaming Game Controller

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  • samcro on 03/11/2025 - 11:10
    +2

    Have a look at Batocera.

    • brettule on 03/11/2025 - 11:28

      Wow! That looks awesome. I'll certainly go for Batocera over MAME. Any tips on arcade controllers?

      • beltdrive on 03/11/2025 - 11:58

        Haven't used one personally, but I've watched a video of the 8bitdo arcade stick, and it looks pretty good to me

        If you want to dip your toe in with minimal investment, Jaycar is selling a lil controller for $20 at the moment. No doubt it's identical to something from Aliexpress, but it's a local option

        • fantombloo on 03/11/2025 - 12:33
          +1

          I have this device and I'm not a fan mostly because the joystick provides 8-way control (incl. up-left, up-right, down-left, down-right) which does not work well on some games that require only 4-way (up/down/left/right). Examples of negatively affected games that immediately come to mind are Qbert, MrDo, and DigDug. I have for a long time wanted to make a 4-way gate and insert it into the "stack" but not got around to it yet, and it also limits it for other games that do well with 8-way (Xevious, Bombjack, etc.). A software solution to disable 8-way might be better but the last time I looked for one I couldn't find one.

  • kekw on 03/11/2025 - 12:00

    If you want to setup on your existing PC just run retrobat or launchbox (easier for MAME). IMO batocera is not worth the hassle unless you want to setup on a standalone "console" that just boot straight into a game catalog interface.

  • timmof on 03/11/2025 - 14:11
    +1

    I built one of these. Fun project.
    https://www.instructables.com/Retropie-Ikea-Arcade-Table/

  • jizmo on 03/11/2025 - 14:51

    I've an original Pandora's Box from memory there's a plastic lock you can able disable so it's either a 8 way or a 4 way, from what I've read Sanwa are the leaders.

  • zestorer on 03/11/2025 - 15:08

    Depends on your budget and DIY motivation. X-Arcade Tankstick has been around a long time, I have one from 20 years ago, theres other options for a bespoke controller. Or at the budget end, buy a Zero Delay encoder with joystick and buttons on Ali, a holesaw and DIY as you have suggested. Both these options use USB and will work with your set up.

    Software just start with MAME, it's free and works on windows. The menus are ugly but servicable and you'll get the feeling if you want to go further with the hobby.

    Your PC cpu is a limiting factor depending on what it is, no graphic card required. If its old, you can get older versions of mame which will run on older pcs.

  • AndyC1 on 03/11/2025 - 19:15

    Google "USB MAME controller kit" and go from there.

    I have used a real arcade joystick and buttons from about 1986/87 that has gone from a C64 to a A500 to a PC to then a USB hacked joypad controller and then to a Mame single joystick controller. I also have a DIY Mame kit and I also have a arcade joystick from Ebay (aka china).

    My advice is to make sure you get a kit that has normal (okay the ones I am used to) micro-switches and not the mini ones. Also if the mcro switch sounds not right then 99% of the time it is stuffed and is the problem.

  • sraven373 on 04/11/2025 - 08:43

    Hi,

    I set up an arcade controller recently
    Jaycar had a sale for $50 for this one - https://www.jaycar.com.au/retro-arcade-game-console-with-ret…
    Whilst it is set up initially as a crappy pi ripoff with copied games it can be converted to 2 x usb controllers easily

    Jaycar used to also have a Raspberry Pi verson for $80, where you are supposed to bring your own Pi, however it too can be converted

    I recommend a setup like this as it's heavy and feels like playing in the arcade without suction cups that never work right.

    Perhaps something like this, then re-wire it (no soldering required);
    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008749308597.html?spm=a2…

    Then you buy something similar to the following (make sure you get correct sizes)
    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007811816893.html?spm=a2…

    You need kit with;
    1. 2 x USB board to 5 pin joystick connector (confirm your device is 5 pin first, some are 4 pin)
    2. 2 x USB boards
    3. 2 x USB board to USB
    4. 2 x cables from USB board to each button

    When i purchased I didn't get teh 5 pin joystick connectors, so ensure whichever kit you buy includes all of the above

    The actual conversion is pretty quick, you just unscrew existing system, then unplug each button and controller, then replug the new ones in

    Regards
    Bob

  • frondono on 04/11/2025 - 12:04
    +1

    have a look at https://www.arcadepunks.com/

    • BewareOfThe Dog on 04/11/2025 - 22:04

      Not all images work (that could be due to dodgy Micro SD cards), and sometimes the torrent files are non-existent, but an awesome way to start.

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