What would be a good way to remove rust off of a metal joystick post? A Hori EX2 360 stick specifically.
@“tomjonjon”#p128929 I did this recently! Practically the exact same way you de-rust hand tools!
Steel wool + vinegar to scrub off the corrosion.
Wash off all the vinegar and make sure it’s dry
Then olive oil or any proper oil, to prevent future corrosion. Sand paper is also what most people would use instead of steel wool.
At least, that’s the natural way, which I’d want for something my hands are on all the time.
You could go the extra mile with a buff/polishing with a power tool, but I didn’t.
New wireless Dreamcast controller from Retro Fighters.. The VMU dongle it comes with is interesting!
https://twitter.com/retrofightersco/status/1688569055907823616
@“treefroggy”#p128924 Honestly, I always find disassembling stuff nerve-wracking, haha. I don‘t know anything about electrical, so I can only ever fix obvious mechanical problems. There’s something nice about being able to take your own stuff apart, and I‘m glad I have the right tools. But pretty much the entire time I’m worried I'm going to lose a screw or find some way to electrocute myself.
But hey: in this case I salvaged by P2 controller, and it became my P1, so can't argue with results.
My kingdom for a controller with dual analogs and 6 face buttons. Really shouldn't be that hard!
I know retro bit were working on one but still yet to come out.
But lately, I've been gaming with one of my two Sega SLS USB pads designed for PC. Have two colour options, the classic Saturn grey with purple start/shoulders, same the Skittles coloured one. Still haven't found a repro since that feels as good.
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@“Shaneus”#p129185 a controller with dual analogs and 6 face buttons
you mean like?
https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_landscape/1179/11799911/3137579-duke.jpg
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@“Shaneus”#p129185 My kingdom for a controller with dual analogs and 6 face buttons.
Say no more fam
https://youtu.be/dFRTXieG5qs
@“◉◉maru”#p129233 Well, I can't say you didn't address my prerequisites.
@“Shaneus”#p129465 Xbox Duke unironically would be an adequate answer! There was recently a replica made that uses USB! You can draw a direct line from the Saturn -> Microsoft Wingman-> Duke! I paid thirty bucks for a used duke last month…… But yeah lets hope Retro-bit is really cookin it up!
It's been a journey. I‘ve finally come around to no longer being repulsed by Xbox controllers, and the Microsoft Xbox & PC controller format. If you play on PC, it’s an act of deliberate resistance and contradiction to mod out XBOX buttons in games, and use anything besides an Xbox pad to play on PC. I wasn‘t completely averse to using XBOX controllers, I still use them on XBOX hardware. I just wanted to use the controller that the game was made for. And when I’m playing games on PC, those are always multiplatform, and always Japanese games, so my curation calls for the 8bitdo pro's Playstation format, a Switch Pro controller, or a retro pad like the Retro-Bit Saturn replica.
Some people don't care about original hardware or put as much obsession and fetishization into controllers. I do, in a major way. Controllers are super important to me, directly affecting the experience in many ways, like my immersion, the profundity, my emotional state, gamefeel, the vibe, etc. The first thing I do when I play a game is think about what controller I want driving the experience. As I collect more controllers and **adapters**, I get excited to experience a game with a certain controller. It's not always black or white, but that's a huge part of the fun for me-- curating the experience. I have even taken to lubricating my controllers, down to the face buttons. You're in this thread where I'm talking to myself most of the time-- so you already know.
I know many others have felt this way about XBOX too. Maybe you'll glean a thing or two from this writeup, It's been a journey. There and back again, this is my controller story.
This is the story of how I trained myself to appreciate the XBOX controllers of the modern era.
The XBOX controller always seemed to me like it was just a dumb reverse engineering of US Playsation layout (X is confirm, O is cancel) with nintendo-style lettering slapped on top, and "A has to be confirm, so it's on bottom". I learned later this wasn't the intention, but by the time I had already long lost conciousness of that initial judgement, and I would always have a negative bias to XBOX, thinking it's just the dumbest video game console for the dumbest goons and jocks, and *americans*.
Skipping the magazines I saw, the seeds of my negative XBOX bias sprouted on my birthday after the Microsoft XBOX launched, my adoptors surprised me with one. I wanted a Playstation 2 or a Gameucbe. I would go back to wal-mart by myself to exchange it for a Nintendo Gamecube. I was ten years old. The XBOX culture took hold of the nation, and especially where I was in the rural southeast, the redneck population became obsessed with HALO and first person shooters. The same kids that would kick the shit out of me for no reason. XBOX had a negative correlation, and just seemed dumb, only dumb kids liked it. Same when the 360 came along. 360 kids were hockin loogeys on my book bag. :/
At some point I had a 360 I got for free, and used it *only* to play geometry wars, and the Pop'n Music localized monstrosity that was *Beat'n Groovy*. I had a PS3.
So surrounding that brief stint, I only touched xbox controllers at friend's houses.
In 2021, I got a gaming PC. First one I had since 2005. I got it as a console replacement to play Japanese AAA's instead of a PS5. I resisted the XBOX control schemes like my life depended on it. I wrote about it here a whole ton. I was in love with my 8bitdo Pro 2. I modded Playstation or Switch style button layouts into everything, like Dragon Quest XI.
Part of me knew all along that these things were true:
Some day last year, I was thrifting in the valley and saw one of these for the first time in memory:
[URL=https://i.imgur.com/v7Z4azY.jpg]
[IMG]https://i.imgur.com/v7Z4azY.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
The Microsoft *Wingman* is a PC controller from the mid 90's. It has the same layout as the SEGA Saturn. IT uses the same exact plastic textures and similar curves and shapes, eerily similar dpad and button feel to what the XBOX controllers would use down the line, both the DUKE and the Japanese mini controller.
I modded XBOX's for the first time, played some Outrun, Otogi, and Silent Hill 2. I still intend to acquire a 360 and begin my backlog busting journey on XBOX.
[URL=https://i.imgur.com/OF8mzZC.jpg]
[IMG]https://i.imgur.com/OF8mzZC.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
Somewhere along the line I played the Xbox 360 version of Dark Souls, in like 2014, and was enthralled by the experience. I found it to be very comforting.
[URL=https://i.imgur.com/ga12OC0.jpg]
[IMG]https://i.imgur.com/ga12OC0.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
Through my natural progression, acquiring vintage consoles, controlers, ODEs and flash carts, building a van, I was able to do some serious backlog busting on SEGA consoles. I beat a ton of games on Mega Drive and Saturn hardware, finally playing through some real ass RPGs like Shining Force. I used my Saturn pad to play Sonic Mania and all sorts of things like Golden Sun and Etrian Odyssey. I had began to prefer the Saturn layout for games on Switch and PC, when applicable. When I wasn't using a saturn pad in Etrian Odyssey, I'd come to prefer keeping the SEGA/Playstation layout on my 8bitdo... Meaning I was basically using XBOX format now....
Still, when ToTK released, I got my first Switch Pro controller, and used it for PC gaming. The gyro controls are great for Breath of the Wild emulated at 4K60fps. Then it became my preferred choice over the 8bitdo Pro 2, for its offset joysticks and triggers that are *not* progressive. I realized this generation that I have little use for progressive triggers, and something binary like I'm used to from older consoles is much preferred.
So, ONLY NOW, with the release of Armored Core VI, here I am using a Switch Pro Controller... We just can't have that! It's not ideal! I wanna save that for *Switch* games!
It has it finally all come together. I ordered an XBOX Elite 2 controller, I got an "open box" listing for half the price of a new one. This is my first time buying a current-gen XBOX controller, and aside from acquiring *original XBOX* hardware long after it was considered "retro", this is my first time getting _any_ new xbox hardware since 2008!
[URL=https://i.imgur.com/JUE77LZ.jpg]
[IMG]https://i.imgur.com/JUE77LZ.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
~(I'd actually prefer the aesthetic of the standard Xbox controller in white, instead of breaking up the stark white design here with the black rubber grips and such... But I'll accept it. I thought about getting a standard controller and then just buying trigger lock and paddle add-ons, haha. I'm also aware the Elite 1 doesn't break up the monochromatism, but, no, it's fine! I'm fine!... really...)
It makes sense to me.
From Soft games like this were always cross platform on XBOX, and **sometimes even exclusives that were rad!!!** (I have memories of my friends being obsessed with CHROMEHOUNDS)
It has the cool style *clear* buttons, like the original xbox and 360 controllers had, only in monotone with the controller colorway. I got white, because that is the color I associate with XBOX 360 and onward.
I've become really comfortable with a SEGA layout for all kinds of games, *RPGs included*, **no small feat** when I had a lifetime of SONY and Nintendo RPG gaming to unlearn.
With my custom firmware Switch, I have a mod that allows for any controller with the correct format of bluetooth to be used on my switch. It works for PS5 controllers and lots more, but only certain modern XBOX controllers work, so we'll see. It will be ironic if I end up using an xbox controller for switch gaming, too-- something that was blasphemous to me just a couple months ago. 🤪 That'd be truly full circle.
It goes without my explaining what the merits of an Xbox Elite 2 controller are. Even Timothy Rogers has explained that, many times. So I'll skip that part. Also it goes without saying that his one size fits all philosophy with the elite controller just aint my bag, baby. Similarly to something like the *Analog Pocket*, I refuse to spoil myself in such a way.
So this is an example of the way I think. I'm feelings-oriented. The cold, hard facts are appreciated and taken into account, but what matters with something like this is how I *feel* about it. For that reason, it was a roundabout journey. I had to do it on my terms, by playing the games on *their* terms. I had to play my way through a specific path of SEGA gaming history in order to appreciate the crowning glory of the Xbox Elite 2.
~(I saw on aliexpress you can buy replacement parts for the elite 2 easily. I saw many listings that *had* the colored buttons reminiscent of the xbox 360, but *every single shop was sold out*. I don't think I want to add aftermarket parts, and think the white clear buttons are cool, but it's also very cool to think that I could add the color back to the face buttons.)
whatever the fuck happened here, I just know from looking on offerup that there are *old* xbox controllers that I *don't like* and new xbox controllers that I do like. At the very least, I know searching on offerup, all I have to do is type "xbox controller", because 9 out of 10 of xbox users are illiterate and use offerup auto-titler.
[URL=https://i.imgur.com/cjA7eAZ.jpg]
[IMG]https://i.imgur.com/cjA7eAZ.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
I'm excited to use Microsoft XBOX's big boy customizable controller for my big boy customizable mech game. It felt weird dipping into the XBOX controller market on offerup, seeing all the normal people in LA who are hocking the controllers I used to think were dumb by design. Buying the controller, I'm thinking _"they don't know I'm **actually an intellectual**"_
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@“treefroggy”#p131013 I feel that the Original XBOX controller S is decent. All 360 pads are pretty bunk. But the XBO pad in all variations is my go to controller for anything dual analog. The biggest thing for me is the heft of the controller and especially the throw of the triggers (which are clearly an evolution of the triggers on the DC controller). Best controller for racing games bar none.
@“robinhoodie”#p131025 the only driving game I have on my PC is GTAV. I can‘t not give that a go now that I have an xbox controller, haha.
360 controller rules, major game changer, standard-setter. it’s just becoming more difficult as the years go on to find any that haven't been completely used up and worn out.
I got the SNK NEOGEO CD pad working on Nintendo Switch and it's good for a lot of games… For example Downwell
@“treefroggy”#p131013 froggy, your Xbox controller journey is so close to the trip I‘ve been on, too. Right down to the early days Nintendo Kid aversion to what I always saw as arbitrarily “flipped Nintendo buttons” slowly wearing away as I realized that those were just Sega buttons (remembering the overlap between Microsoft and the Dreamcast, and Sega’s early relationship with Xbox, holding a Dreamcast controller – which I owned for myself for the first time only a few years ago, having only played at friends‘ houses at the time – and saying “oh yeah”). I also recently picked up a Series S largely in part to start that weird 360 backlog dive for myself (already got stuff like Blue Dragon, EDF ’17, Lost Odyssey, Hard Corps Uprising, Ridge Racer 6, etc. for so cheap and running so good) and I admittedly love that controller. Haven‘t tried the Elite, but even the base Series pad had a lovely weight, great chunky-feeling sticks, good triggers, insanely clicky d-pad, and a super satisfying texture. Got a nice USB-C compat battery pack in there with a super long braided cable for wired charging times, too. It’s also kind of amazing that after decades of sticking to YXBA layouts – even forcibly going that route on PC (with 8bitdo stuff) despite it being the nonstandard choice – I‘m already sort of preferring the XYAB layout after about two months of regular use. It just kinda feels like a more natural place for a general “confirm” button. Just about the only thing I’m missing is gyro, which feels real gone after you've gotten used to it in stuff like Monster Hunter (a joy for gunners) or the Quake remaster
I'm also getting a lot better at switching between Xbox and Nintendo controllers, but I will say that it still manages to mess me up. Every once in a while I'll definitely press the wrong button for an Estus flask, and unexpected QTEs or Yakuza karaoke are all but fubar for me at the moment. Hopefully that'll come in time, but yeah, the Xbox controller is real nice, even as a late-comer
The Retro-Bit Dual Analog Saturn pad has an appropriate level of hype surrounding it.
Something that isn‘t the most obvious that I’m really looking forward to is the dual analog rumble feature. That means I can play Resident Evil on Dreamcast, bypassing the terrible Saturn D-Pad, and with rumble. Also this may be the first saturn pad with rumble, that I know of.
I’m bought an Xbox elite series 2 today. I haven’t had a chance to try it yet, maybe later this weekend. I’ve at least unboxed it and it feels good in the hands. I was concerned that two paddles on each side would be too much, and it’d be too easy to false click — at least just holding it, it feels like that’s not going to be a problem. Keen to give it a go
I‘ve had a minor annoying issue with my Xbox Elite Series 2 I wasn’t sure anyone here could help with, but I figure now I might as well ask and see - I got that Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows and I‘ve been using the Elite as a 2.4g controller for my MiSTer. Most of the time when I turn it on, it connects automatically, but every once in a while it takes a full minute or two and I have to just sit there waiting for the little light on the adapter to come on. Is this normal? I feel like if it was, Tim wouldn’t have recommended it on the show so heartily. I don‘t know whether or it’s an issue with the adapter or the MiSTer software or the hardware. I'm using a Multisystem and I run the updater pretty regularly.
Oh gosh
I was excited for the Retro-Bit Analog Saturn pad to use on Dreamcast, but, now we‘ve got a Dreamcast Controller coming out with the Saturn D-Pad it should have always had…. LORD!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA9137JeXnw
those dogs know exactly what they’re doing
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@“rejj”#p136386 Keen to give it a go
I haven't had much time to play with it, but I've given it a brief run in a couple of races in Forza, running around for half an hour in Lies of P, and one mission in Armored Core 6.
Brief, initial trip report: I like it! Nobody here needs an attempt at a detailed discussion or review from me about it, you've all no doubt heard or read a million words about this controller by now.
One question I have for anyone else that has one of these: which paddles do you prefer to use as the "main" ones, for paddling? On my 8bitdo Pro 2 I mostly had L3/R3 bound to the back paddles, since clicking in the sticks always sucks no matter what. Being able to press a paddle to crouch or target lock-on is a significant upgrade in playing experience. Presently, I can't work out if I want to use the upper, smaller paddles for that or the lower, larger ones.