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The Joypad is a place to find all the latest Joypad and Controller News. Part of the
DCEmu Homebrew & Gaming Network.
THE LATEST NEWS BELOW
21:56
February 8th, 2010
Posted By: wraggster
Newly released today:
features
Officially licensed product.
6 button layout (great for fighting games)
Turbo function on all buttons, including triggers (great for FPS and shooting games)
Turbo can be set to slow (5times/sec), Normal (12times/sec), Fast (20times/sec)
description
This is a hybrid of a game pad. The D pad is replaced by a joystick and the usual four buttons on the right now has six button. You can execute those moves in highspeed, provided that you have a strong, flexible thumb. You can set turbo function for all the buttons, at low, medium and high speeds, perfect for FPS lovers.
The pad comes in two colors, keep one for your own private use and leave the other color for public use when you invite your friends over for a party. Although these are perfect for fighters and shooters, you can use them for your RPGs and action games. Grip them in your hands and take over the (game) worlds.
http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...j-70-3jg8.html
20:44
February 7th, 2010
Posted By: wraggster
[Firestorm_x1] put together a tutorial about interfacing an analog joystick with a microcontroller. These analog sticks are easy to find; he got his from Goodwill but we’ve got a couple in our junk box right now. The stick uses variable resistors to report its position so it’s just a matter of reading and interpreting that data. After explaining the concepts he demonstrates how to use the joystick to control a Basic Stamp 2 based robot, the Boe-Bot. This could easily be adapted for use with other robot platforms.
http://hackaday.com/2010/02/06/inter...alog-joystick/
21:37
February 5th, 2010
Posted By: wraggster
Shoulder buttons? Never heard of 'em. Give us all our buttons in a nice rainbow-shaped array and a big stick for our southpaw and leave us well enough alone. Hori, the company behind the most righteous Tekken 6 arcade controller, is back with a Street Fighter-inspired effort for the true enthusiasts out there. This new deck is a direct copy of the Sanwa arcade cabinets housing Street Fight IV, meaning you can finally take your epic fighting skills home without fearing the misshapen things other people call controllers. PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of the Real Arcade Pro Premium VLX will be shipping by the end of March, and you can hit the Joystiq link below to find out how to import one for yourself.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/05/h...ch-its-size-p/
22:26
February 4th, 2010
Posted By: wraggster
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azfga...layer_embedded
22:24
February 4th, 2010
Posted By: wraggster
There's a stuffy business piece over on Yahoo! News about how gaming accessory makers are rolling in teh moneyz -- at least $5 billion last year, according to EEDAR analyst Jessie Divnich. Rather than offer up a bunch of boring figures on which plastic guitar sold best, or who had the most popular Wiimote charging solution, we figured we'd introduce you to some of the very items that have made accessories such a big business over the past few years.
Firstly, there's the Trauma Center Kit, a favorite of home surgeons and people who like to look ridiculous while playing games. Next up, the gun. Or, more specifically, just "gun." We'd be remiss to neglect one of our favorite faux firearms styled after an aquatic predator. For those who prefer reptiles, this sensor bar holder was hit or misss. And finally, we leave you with actual video footage of some of the fine products that make up this staggeringly lucrative industry in action. We hope you've had a ball.
http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/03/ac...-of-5-billion/
22:20
February 4th, 2010
Posted By: wraggster
via http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/04/am...rnament-fight/
Mad Catz's Street Fighter IV Tournament FightSticks are currently priced to move at sonic boom speeds on Amazon at $99 for Xbox 360. Regularly priced at $150, there was a serious shortage of the peripheral last year, but now these baby Blankas are looking for a home.
For those with a little patience, the Super Street Fighter IV Tournament FightSticks are coming in April, but are priced at $150 like the original.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...kiangagenew-20
22:54
February 3rd, 2010
Posted By: wraggster
To open the secret entrance to the cave, try left-left-up-left-down-down-right-left then a-y-y-x-b-a and then hold the d-pad down while clicking y-y-b-b. Press start twice, and you will get in.
http://gizmodo.com/5463292/the-nipple-gamepad-t+shirt
18:41
February 2nd, 2010
Posted By: wraggster
We've already seen some mods for using a real drum set with Rock Band or Guitar Hero, but it looks like Omega Music Technology's new GM-1 system is the first off-the-shelf option, which should no doubt please the less DIY-inclined among us. Available on its own or bundled with a Pearl drum set, the system packs individual sensors that detect each drum hit with "speed and accuracy" and, most importantly for those not playing, support for mesh heads and a dampening system for the cymbals -- of course, if you opt for the drum set package, you'll also get some real drum heads. Omega is even going so far as to promote the system as an ideal way to learn to play the drums and, conversely, says that non-gamer musicians that tried it were able to start playing songs with ease immediately. Hit up the gallery below for a closer look at the complete kit, and look for the basic system to run you $249.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/01/o...-to-rock-band/
21:51
February 1st, 2010
Posted By: wraggster
Circuits@Home has put together some libraries that make it easy to use gaming controllers with an Arduino. They interface through the USB host shield. This means that PS3 controllers connect via USB through a cable or a dongle. With the Wii remote things get a little more interesting. A Bluetooth dongle is used to make the connection wirelessly. What we have here is a cheap and easy way to add Bluetooth connectivity to your projects either through the USB Host shield, or by building your own hardware with the schematics and code that are available from Circuits@Home.
http://hackaday.com/2010/02/01/game-...b-host-shield/
18:55
February 1st, 2010
Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft's just outed a new gaming keyboard -- the SideWinder X4 -- which promises to hold up in even the most intense situations. Boasting what the company says is the "most advanced" anti-ghosting technology around, the X4 allows the pressing of up to 26 keys at once for the ultimate gaming moves. Other features include macro recording and auto macro repeat functions, plus profile and mode switching allows your 'board to remember all your moves for different games. So, you probably want it right now, but you're going to have to wait a little longer -- the SideWinder X4 will arrive in March, and it'll run you $59.95.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/01/m...ting-keyboard/
20:24
January 26th, 2010
Posted By: wraggster
The Wii may not be the console of choice for most fighting game fans, but it is starting to earn a bit more respect with the release of Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom and, just as importantly Mad Catz's new Arcade FightStick to go along with it. The best news, however, is that like Mad Catz's fightsticks for other consoles, this one is moddable for those that prefer some arcade authentic parts, and it even packs a few features not found its Xbox 360 and PS3 counterparts. Most notably, that includes a toggle switch that will let the arcade stick control either the d-pad of the classic controller or the left or right analog stick, meaning you'll also be able to use it with an array of Virtual Console titles. Look for this one to set you back $80.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/26/m...le-fightstick/
23:10
January 22nd, 2010
Posted By: wraggster
Newly released today:
More excitement and more realistic gameplay, MadCatz Driving Wheel and Pedal will redefine the racing experience. Press down on the gas pedals and feel the speed, stomp on the breaks to feel the impact, with vibration feed back technology, you'll experience every bump and crash.
It emulates everything that a top ranking race car could do, the ten analog buttons give you optimal control, you can just feel the machine roaring to life when the game starts.
http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...j-70-3nyd.html
19:05
January 21st, 2010
Posted By: wraggster
The guys at DVICE got one of the first fondles of the bizarre Microsoft Arc keyboard that raised some eyebrows at CES. Initial impressions were positive for both design and functionality
http://gizmodo.com/5453829/microsoft...ets-a-hands-on
21:12
January 18th, 2010
Posted By: wraggster
Activision CEO Robert Kotick has said that the company plans to continue developing the DJ Hero brand despite slow sales of the first title.
Although well-received, the game did not perform well in the charts, launching near the end of last year when the entire music genre category was down over 40 per cent on 2008.
"If you're going to make a commitment to doing something original, the odds are that you're not going to get it right on the first chance," Kotick told Game Informer. "I think DJ Hero is a really innovative product. I can't wait for you to see next year's.
"That's the thing; we're sticking with it. We'll stick with it and get it right. But it's going to be less games, better games. That's our strategy."
News of a sequel was seemingly confirmed before the first game was even released, with an independent UK developer expected to be working alongside in-house studio FreeStyleGames
DJ Hero wasn't the only music game released last year to not meet expectations – Guitar Hero 5, The Beatles: Rock Band and Band Hero all sold less than publisher estimates.
According to EEDAR, the music category could bounce back in 2010, although dance games which take advantage of new motion control technology from Microsoft and Nintendo are likely to benefit more than software bundles with plastic instruments.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...g-with-dj-hero
21:59
January 13th, 2010
Posted By: wraggster
ProjectExciteBike is on its second iteration of an exercise bike controller for Xbox 360. The controller takes pedal input from the cranks of the exercise bike. The sensing is handled by a ring of five hall effect sensors that detect a passing magnet attached to the crank. The sensor data is collected and processed by an Arduino which connects to a wireless Xbox 360 controller for output.
This version of the gaming device includes a fine adjustment widget. It uses a row of LEDs to represent the speed of the pedals and has a slider to adjust how much of an effect this has on the game. This is what we envisioned for the trainer computer we saw yesterday. Take a look at some game play video after the break and dig through the code if you have an exercise bike waiting to be recommissioned.
http://hackaday.com/2010/01/13/bike-...60/#more-20697
21:38
January 13th, 2010
Posted By: wraggster
The big NAMM show's not started yet, but Otus is rolling out its latest DJ controller just in time. The Otus Raw is a controller that can work as one or two virtual turntable decks, depending on your needs, each with a SL-turntable-style pitch slider. Other notable features include mega-sized velocity pads, a layer switch for "virtually unlimited" possibilities, and we've got a feeling that with one of these bad boys, chopping and screwing Ke$ha's never been so mindlessly easy and entertaining. Regardless, the Otus RAW should be available this spring, though we'll have to wait a bit longer for pricing, unfortunately.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/13/o...ahead-of-namm/
17:56
January 12th, 2010
Posted By: wraggster
Hot off the success of their licensed Street Fighter tournament edition fight sticks in the U.S., Mad Catz is hoping to expand their reach into the land of Street Fighter: Japan
http://kotaku.com/5446221/mad-catz-w...-hori-in-japan
21:44
January 10th, 2010
Posted By: wraggster
Much like the multi-million dollar jet systems that inspired it, the Saitek Pro Flight X65F joystick/throttle system for PCs doesn't move at all. That's right, not an inch, and yet the controls were compared to mind control.
http://gizmodo.com/5444730/saitek-x6...light/gallery/
23:18
January 8th, 2010
Posted By: wraggster
This snazzy Mad Catz Street Fighter fight stick keychain doesn't just keep track of your keys, it also includes a slide away allen wrench perfect for popping open a life-sized fight stick case.
http://kotaku.com/5443420/the-littlest-fight-stick
01:19
January 8th, 2010
Posted By: wraggster
After teasing us with half an image last night, Mad Catz and Capcom have announced a new "Tournament Edition" arcade stick is in development, branded with new art featuring Super Street Fighter IV. The stick will be made available in two flavors (check them out below!) for the Xbox 360 and PS3. Alongside the "Tournament Edition S" sticks, Mad Catz "anticipates" releasing four new FightPads for consoles, branded with new art. Considering the supply and demand issues the original batch of controllers saw, we "anticipate" Mad Catz will flood the market with the new batch of peripherals.
Unfortunately, Capcom recently pulled Super Street Fighter IV from its Q1 release window; however, we can only presume the controllers will be made available within the same time frame as the game itself. When we pried a Mad Catz rep for a release window on the new controllers they would only confirm it's slated for a release this spring. Hopefully that means we'll get our hands on both items in time to shield us from the April showers.
http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/07/ma...v-accessories/
23:30
January 7th, 2010
Posted By: wraggster
No one can apparently pimp a PC mouse like Mad Catz can - not even Tim Westwood.
Revealed at CES 2010, Mad Catz' Cyborg R.A.T. Gaming Mouse can be "customised for any grip preference" and looks like something from an underground army base.
Due this spring, prices range from £35/€50 for the minimum spec model (3200dpi laser, USB powered) up to £100/€130 for the top-spec build (wireless, fully adjustable, 5600dpi laser, programmable, weight system).
The question remains: how much would you spend on a gaming mouse?
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/ma...y-new-pc-mouse
00:10
January 7th, 2010
Posted By: wraggster
Last we heard anything about ezGear's You Rock Guitar it was on track for a launch in "either Q2 or Q3" (of 2009) and would supposedly pack a price tag in the neighborhood of $150. Well, it seems that another year and another CES can make quite the difference, as the company (now known as Inspired Instruments) is now promising that the not-a-toy guitar will launch in February of this year, and that it will sport a slightly higher price tag of $179.95. From the looks of things, however, that's about all that's changed with the guitar, which still packs the same USB connectivity, MIDI functionality, and iPod or MP3 player connectedness as before. The company is even going so far as to reuse its tried and true promotional video -- see it after the break.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/06/y...-rockin-still/
00:08
January 7th, 2010
Posted By: wraggster
Alright, we got a chance to check out iGUGU's Gamecore setup, and we're simultaneously impressed and disappointed. The fact that for $80 you can get all the hardware necessary to beam your PC video to your TV wirelessly and control games with a full QWERTY wireless controller is just plain great. We also love the form factor of the controller, since it's basically a clone of the Xbox 360 controller -- a little shameless, but our hands and fingers don't seem to mind. Unfortunately, the drawbacks are many. First and foremost, iGUGU's software is pretty abysmal, and for all its seeming attempts at simplifying access to games and media in a "TV friendly" manner, it only serves to complicate such actions. The second problem is that we're just not sure a trackball could really serve to satiate the desire of most PC games for a mouse control. We tried out a FPS and would've much preferred a joystick nub for aiming the camera, and while there's an accelerometer built into the controller, it felt overly sensitive in the racing game we tested -- and has rarely been proven to be much beyond a gimmick in the console world outside of very specifically targeted software. That said, the Xbox-style triggers and shoulder buttons are great, and the QWERTY keyboard is uncomfortably cheap but very usable. Perhaps for lower-impact games that don't involve the precision of a shooter or a racer we could see this working, but we're unconvinced we'd really enjoy the majority of the "27,000 available PC games" at this thing's disposal.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/06/i...core-hands-on/
23:20
January 5th, 2010
Posted By: wraggster
We've seen plenty of methods for emulating PC input schemes from a couch, but nothing's really beaten the tried and true "put a board across your lap" method. We're not sure the new iGUGU Gamecore has a leg up on the competition, but you can't fault it for trying. The system is actually a three-fold approach to the problem: there's a 50 foot VGA cable or wireless USB method for beaming your PC video to the TV and some TV-friendly software for managing your games library, but the obvious centerpiece is the monstrous wireless controller (pictured). Bearing a slight resemblance to an Xbox 360 controller and retailing for $80, the beast packs in a trackball, d-pad, joystick, full QWERTY keyboard and six accelerometers for making a mess of just about any PC game imaginable. Seems interesting, and we'll try to give it a look here at CES, but the completely ridiculous promo video (embedded after the break) makes us think twice about taking these folks seriously.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/05/i...licated-accel/
11:46
December 29th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
Still not satisfied with any of the with iPhone and iPod touch steering wheel or game controller accessories available these days? Then perhaps PosiMotion's recently announced Helix gaming grip will be more to your liking -- it does promise to be ideal for "virtually any game," after all. To that end, the Helix is able to accommodate your iPhone or iPod touch in either portrait or landscape mode, and it boasts a "grip-enhancing" soft-touch coating to keep it from slipping from your hands during particularly intense gaming sessions. Still no firm word on a release date just yet, but PosiMotion will gladly take your $20 now and deliver one to you sometime in the Spring.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/29/p...ne-ipod-touch/
18:20
December 28th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
In an age of advertising hyperbole so gratuitous that every spec tweak or color change is accompanied by a press release, it's honestly refreshing to watch Lenovo tip-toe interesting new products into retail with nary a peep. Like this palm-sized Multimedia Remote with Keyboard spotted by an Engadget reader inside a Singapore mobile phone shop. Seems this wireless pup (model 57Y6336) has been on sale for about a week across the globe with a $60 MSRP or about $30 after a quick Google for discount coupons. That meager tithe takes home a 2.4GHz keyboard with trackball and USB "nano dongle" for your Windows home theater PC good for about 10-meters of wireless sofa surfing. See it in the wild after the break.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/28/l...neaks-our-for/
11:13
December 24th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
[Marcan] picked up this device on the cheap and is working to reverse engineer the controller. This media player is an off-brand Chinese model that can be had for the low-low price of $33.97 with free shipping. That’s worth it just to scavenge the parts for other projects, but the challenge here is to hack the controller because a datasheet was never produced for it. Warm up your logic analyzer, check out the wiki, and you can be pounding away at this ARM926EJ-S based system in no time.
The call to arms comes from [Marcan's] blog. You may remember him as the guy who is working to solidify iPhone sync in Linux or… what else did he do? Oh yeah, he had this little project called the Wii Homebrew Channel a while ago. Get involved and you can learn from some folks who really know what they’re doing.
http://hackaday.com/2009/12/23/rever...media-players/
16:35
December 19th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
Saitek's PC flight stick heritage merges with Mad Catz's console peripheral expertise to create the Saitek Aviator Flight Stick, containing all the controls you need to get your arcade flight games off the ground in style.
http://kotaku.com/5429956/saitek-avi...-a-barrel-roll
22:16
December 18th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
Now that the Peregrine gaming glove is finalized and taking pre-orders, we had a chance to sit down with creator and company CEO Brent Baier, who guided us through the use of the military-spec'd mitt and gave us our first glimpse at the calibration / key-mapping software (PC only for now, Mac coming later). We're still fiddling with our review unit, and while the gaming aspect is intriguing, we're actually pretty interested in how it could be applied to production and design software. The one issue with that is a conscience decision to limit each finger press to activating only one key at a time -- macros are theoretically possible, but according to Baier that would disqualify the glove from being used in professional gaming competitions. Maybe down the line, perhaps? Video after the break.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/18/p...moed-on-video/
19:26
December 16th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
What makes being stuck in math class even worse? Doing math on a calculator that reminds you of something much more fun: video games. Unless you love math more than video games, in which case, congrats.
http://gizmodo.com/5427133/video-gam...s-pure-torture
18:43
December 15th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
What do you get when you combine a former Disney imagineer, Guitar Hero, a house and 21,268 Christmas Lights? Probably one of the coolest light displays you will see. Ric Turner turned his house into an interactive Guitar Hero Display. As he explains: 'Christmas Light Hero is using 7 light controllers from Light-O-Rama built from kits to control 21,268 lights and LEDs. Each controller has 16 outputs and 2-3 TTL level control inputs that are used by the game system to fire different programmed light sequences depending on what happens in the game. It relies on the fact that the game sequence is very consistent. If the game and the lighting sequences start together, they will stay in very good sync through the length of the song. The light program allows branching and overlays for fail, star power and "ready." I have some ideas to automate the initial show/game sync, but for now you have to push doorbell buttons at the right moments.
http://gizmodo.com/5425808/guitar-he...od-competition
16:24
December 15th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
What's that? You were just thinking your mouse wasn't round or mushy enough? Yeah, not exactly our thought process either, but that doesn't mean the Jelfin ball-shaped, gel-covered mouse hasn't captured our interest. Though the squishy, 1,000 dpi mouse is available in the colors of the rainbow, is Mac and PC compatible, and has a three-directional scroll wheel, for $35 you won't be getting a cordless experience upon purchase. We've got to admit it looks like it could replace our stress ball, but we're going wait on some full reviews to see if we can roll with it as a mouse.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/15/j...-it-is-ballsy/
23:44
December 14th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
Hori revised their EX Turbo pad with a six button layout for 2D fighting games like Street Fighter IV and Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix. Well, Japan doesn’t have SSFIITHDR, but fighting fans there and here can use the EX2 Turbo pad for Marvel vs. Capcom 2 too.
The EX2 Turbo has adjustable analog sensitivity (normal, narrow, and wide), turbo firing for all buttons, and a 3m / 9.8ft. cord. Hori will release the controller in two colors, white and black, on December 17 for 3,980 yen ($45).
http://www.siliconera.com/2009/12/14...-fighting-pad/
23:39
December 14th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
What can we say about this peripheral that we didn't say when it was known as the OpenOfficeMouse? It still has more buttons than any mouse has a right to have, but now it's adopted an edgier, darker look, and its eschewed the optical sensor for a 5600 CPI laser. Oh yes, and it has a new name: The WarMouse Meta. War is Hell, kids. PR after the break.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/14/w...me-18-buttons/
20:02
December 4th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
Tatsunoko vs. Capcom proves that the Wii is a perfectly capable platform for fighting games -- except that it doesn't have a high-quality arcade stick. If these box images found on MadCatz staffer Mark "MarkMan" Julio's Flickr stream are any indication, the company behind the Street Fighter IV FightSticks is going to take care of that. Julio posted two images of a retail box for a Tatsunoko vs. Capcom FightStick using the same shape and layout as the company's Standard Edition Street Fighter IV FightStick for PS3 and Xbox 360. It would seem that response to the Comic-Con mockup (seen above) was positive enough for the accessory manufacturer to go ahead with a retail release!
The stick may be included in a special bundle for the game, as well. One Shoryuken forum user claims to have found both a normal and arcade stick bundle SKU in the GameStop database. We've contacted Capcom and MadCatz to find out just how we'll be controlling a giant lighter in a fight against Mega Man.
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/04/ru...le-on-the-way/
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