Modded Dreamcast Twin Sticks for Xbox 360 - complete!!!

[MentholMoose]

Here are some Xbox 360 Twin Sticks!! These were Dreamcast Twin Sticks, but I swapped in a modded Xbox 360 controller. I made this plug and play with no permanent alteration of the DC Twin Sticks, so it is completely reversible. A guide is available.

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Pics of installed modded PCB

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Originally posted pics

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[MentholMoose]

Here are some pics and info, and a guide is available. The pictured mod is very close to one of the official schemes (Twin Stick Type B), and only requires using the in-game control scheme customization to assign the weapon inputs to the stick "click" buttons. In the final version of this mod, I went ahead and just used the trigger buttons, which also work fine.

For this mod I have used black wire for ground throughout. I only had three colors of 26 AWG stranded wire for the mod pictured. Sorry for any confusion, and feel free to ask any questions you have!! If anyone needs higher quality photos, let me know (the originals are 3872 x 2592 resolution, not exactly good for web viewing, but maybe helpful to see exactly where a solder point is ).

For the connectors, see a post of mine below for the part numbers and how to obtain them.

This is how I have configured the Xbox 360 buttons to map with the DC Twin Sticks:

EDIT: I originally made a typo on the control scheme (swapped Left Stick with Right Stick). If you're doing a reversible mod (i.e. using JST connectors), there wouldn't be any problem. Hopefully this didn't cause anyone any problems.

Code: Select all

XBOX 360    TWIN STICKS
----------------------------
UP          Left Stick Up
LEFT        Left Stick Left
DOWN        Left Stick Down
RIGHT       Left Stick Right
A           Right Stick Down
B           Right Stick Right
X           Right Stick Left
Y           Right Stick Up
BACK        START
START       PAUSE
GUIDE       N/A
L. Bumper   Left Turbo
L. Trigger  N/A
L. Stick    Left Weapon
R. Bumper   Right Turbo
R. Trigger  N/A
R. Stick    Right Weapon

Complete modded controller PCB.

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Left and Right sticks.

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Buttons.

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[Turbovec]

What about those of us who have Saturn sticks?

[Testament/Seven7]

What about those of us who have Saturn sticks?

i don't think the process whould be much different...

[circuscommando]

Awesome!

[Knoxximus]

*Eagerly awaits all of the pictures/instructions*

[MentholMoose]

What about those of us who have Saturn sticks?

It's basically the same mod... that is, the modding of an Xbox 360 controller is the same. However, I want to find a connector compatible with the Saturn Twin Sticks, so the mod is reversible (rather than hacking it up, like the one in my Saturn Twin Sticks mod thread).

[Knoxximus]

Is the PCB pictured the one from the Mad Catz arcade stick monstrosity that came with a spinner? Cause I got one of those and it only cost me $10...I'd be more than happy to sacrifice it in the name of VOOT. He'll, it's so crappy, I'd sacrifice it in YOUR name, Menthol!

[MentholMoose]

Is the PCB pictured the one from the Mad Catz arcade stick monstrosity that came with a spinner? Cause I got one of those and it only cost me $10...I'd be more than happy to sacrifice it in the name of VOOT. He'll, it's so crappy, I'd sacrifice it in YOUR name, Menthol!

Yes! It is the ridiculous "retro" arcade stick from Mad Catz. I chose it because it's cheap and was supposedly easy to mod.

It actually is somewhat easy to mod. Making it compatible with the DC Twin Sticks was the hard part. If someone doesn't care about making a reversible mod (for either DC or Saturn Twin Sticks), then it is easier than what I did.

[NGEFreek]

Yeah, that MadKatz retro stick is the only one worth trying to mod, every other stick out there is just a bitch. Looks great, now mass produce those or tell MadKatz how to do it with getting a cut in the profits.

[MentholMoose]

First and second posts updated with more pics and details!!

[Knoxximus]

Hold up...so basically, you are using the left and right motions of the actual stick on that controller for the weaps? What about the button on the top? Any way to use that. I also wonder if the stick is actually just a swap for the D-Pad, meaning if your using one then you can use the other?

Oh and Menthol...would you be willing to do that for mine? If so, how much would you charge? I also have the DC stick (killing myself on eBay this week).

[MentholMoose]

Hold up...so basically, you are using the left and right motions of the actual stick on that controller for the weaps? What about the button on the top? Any way to use that. I also wonder if the stick is actually just a swap for the D-Pad, meaning if your using one then you can use the other?

The analog sticks can be pressed down to activate a button, i.e. the thumbstick buttons. Some I'm using this, not the analog directions. I am using the bumper buttons, but I wanted to avoid using the trigger buttons since they're analog (the Twin Stick buttons are digital only, so connecting them to an analog input requires a workaround).

Oh and Menthol...would you be willing to do that for mine? If so, how much would you charge? I also have the DC stick (killing myself on eBay this week).

It took me a long time to do this one. For now I'll say maybe. I'm going to be doing another one of these for my arcade Twin Sticks, so I'll see how long it takes me, and will decide if I can do it for other people. Also, I'm trying to find someone capable who will be happy to do the mod.

[Dreamcazman]

Awesome stuff. I'd like to do this mod to my sticks but for the life of me I can't find those tiny pin headers anywhere. Where did you get them from? I noticed you need a 2x 3-pin, 1x 4-pin and 2x 5-pin.

I wish they would use something that's readily available.

[Knoxximus]

Oh, and to be clear Menthol, I meant just the PCB itself so that I can pop it into the Twin Stick. Didn't mean the whole jobber.

And great thinking for the "L3 and R3" button use!

[MentholMoose]

Awesome stuff. I'd like to do this mod to my sticks but for the life of me I can't find those tiny pin headers anywhere. Where did you get them from? I noticed you need a 2x 3-pin, 1x 4-pin and 2x 5-pin.

I wish they would use something that's readily available.

The are made by JST, series PH (pdf here). The 3-pin header part number is B3B-PH-K-S, 4-pin is B4B-PH-K-S, and 5-pin is B5B-PH-K-S. I actually also got contacts and 5-pin housings since the DC Twin Stick stick PCBs have the headers, but my crimp tool didn't work properly with the contacts. You can get free samples from the manufacturer, just fill out the Sample Request Form form on the site with what you need. When I got the connectors for myself, I didn't know about the samples option, so I actually ordered everything from Future Electronics.

Note that the connectors are not very tolerant to heat, so use a low wattage soldering iron, or a low setting on an adjustable one.

[MentholMoose]

Oh, and to be clear Menthol, I meant just the PCB itself so that I can pop it into the Twin Stick. Didn't mean the whole jobber.

That makes the most sense, since it is plug and play, there's no need to spend extra cash on shipping the sticks. Once I build another one I can better decide if I can do it for others. I'm also working on finding someone who is able to do this.

And great thinking for the "L3 and R3" button use!

Yeah, hopefully the controls in the game will be customizable so I can actually use those buttons.

[Dreamcazman]

Awesome stuff. I'd like to do this mod to my sticks but for the life of me I can't find those tiny pin headers anywhere. Where did you get them from? I noticed you need a 2x 3-pin, 1x 4-pin and 2x 5-pin.

I wish they would use something that's readily available.

The are made by JST, series PH (pdf here). The 3-pin header part number is B3B-PH-K-S, 4-pin is B4B-PH-K-S, and 5-pin is B5B-PH-K-S. I actually also got contacts and 5-pin housings since the DC Twin Stick stick PCBs have the headers, but my crimp tool didn't work properly with the contacts. You can get free samples from the manufacturer, just fill out the form on the site with what you need. When I got the connectors for myself, I didn't know about the samples option, so I actually ordered everything from Future Electronics.

Note that the connectors are not very tolerant to heat, so use a low wattage soldering iron, or a low setting on an adjustable one.

Thanks for the info! The biggest hurdle I had was to find what that actual name of that type of connector was. I'll try the manufacturer, but I don't know if they'll ship to Australia. Might have to see if I can find them locally, now that I know what they're called.

Appreciate the help.

[MentholMoose]

Thanks for the info! The biggest hurdle I had was to find what that actual name of that type of connector was. I'll try the manufacturer, but I don't know if they'll ship to Australia. Might have to see if I can find them locally, now that I know what they're called.

Appreciate the help.

No problem. The connectors actually have identifying info printed on them, which is how I identified them, but the text is microscopic!

Try out the sample request first... they might ship internationally.

[MentholMoose]

Interesting... people are selling DC Twin Sticks modded for Xbox 360 on Yahoo! Japan Auctions:
http://page10.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/m65992835

The control scheme in the diagram looks pretty wrong, though. The reserve price is about US $250.

And another one:
http://page7.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/g77316209

The control scheme is the close to mine and should be fine, and the bidding is currently at about $250!!

Modded Saturn sticks:
http://page10.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/m65988165

No bids, currently at $150.