31 October 2006, 23:59 in PC Hardware & Gadgets
OzStick Ultimate Arcade Controller
Some weeks ago I placed an order for an OzStick Ultimate. It is an arcade-style two-player controller with a joystick and six buttons for each player, as well as player 1 and 2 start buttons and a coin button. It has a PS/2 plug and is recognised by a PC as a keyboard, so you can simply plug it into your PC using the supplied PS/2 cable or a PS/2 to USB cable. Moving the joysticks or pressing the buttons registers as keystrokes on the PC.
It is perfect for playing old arcade games via the MAME32 emulator on my home theatre PC. I had previously tried using the keyboard and also some wireless gamepads, but a real arcade controller like this makes the experience more authentic.
The controller arrived today in a large cardboard box, packed in plastic and padded with newspaper.
The only assembly required was screwing the joystick knobs onto the threaded poles.
Krzysztof was over so we played some Bubble Bobble 2 and then some Street Fighter Alpha 3.
The controller worked well, and feels very solid. Our only gripe was that the joystick knobs come loose very easily. A little thread-locking compound on the thread should solve that problem.
Next article: iiNet plan downgrades
Previous article: Firefox 2.0 released
Can you not!
— Kz Nov 1, 02:04 pm #