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expired Posted by Bahamian • May 13, 2021
expired Posted by Bahamian • May 13, 2021

X-Arcade Tankstick 2-Player Arcade Joystick w/ Trackball (PC/Mac) + Maximus Arcade

$155

$200

22% off
82 Comments 37,244 Views
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Deal Details
XGaming.com has X-Arcade Tankstick 2-Player Arcade Joystick w/ Trackball (PC/Mac) + Maximus Arcade License on sale for $130. Shipping is $25.

Thanks to community member Bahamian for posting this deal.
  • Note: Refer to the detail page here for more information on the Maximus Arcade License offer.
Features:
  • Easy to setup as the X-Arcade Joysticks work out of the box via USB
  • Compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, MAME & much more
  • Trackball Functions As A Standard 3 Button Mouse
  • Double Left/Right Pinball Flipper Buttons
  • Hardware-Programmable
What's Included:
  • X-Arcade Tankstick
  • X-New RED LED BUTTON (Configured For Mouse 3 Function
  • USB Cable and Keyboard PS/2
  • 100% Fully Serviced Lifetime Warranty
Maximus Arcade License Details:
  • Maximus Arcade is a Windows-based software application that allows you to manage and organize your games while keeping the Windows environment hidden.
  • Terms: Purchase any X-Arcade Joystick or qualifying product (as noted on Xgaming's website) and on the first of the following month, we'll send you a free Maximus Arcade License unlock.

Editor's Notes

Written by SaltyOne | Staff
  • About this Deal:
    • At the time of this posting, Our research indicates that this is $45 lower (22.5% savings) than the next best available prices for similar products with prices starting from $200. -SaltyOne
  • About this Store:

Original Post

Written by Bahamian
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
XGaming.com has X-Arcade Tankstick 2-Player Arcade Joystick w/ Trackball (PC/Mac) + Maximus Arcade License on sale for $130. Shipping is $25.

Thanks to community member Bahamian for posting this deal.
  • Note: Refer to the detail page here for more information on the Maximus Arcade License offer.
Features:
  • Easy to setup as the X-Arcade Joysticks work out of the box via USB
  • Compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, MAME & much more
  • Trackball Functions As A Standard 3 Button Mouse
  • Double Left/Right Pinball Flipper Buttons
  • Hardware-Programmable
What's Included:
  • X-Arcade Tankstick
  • X-New RED LED BUTTON (Configured For Mouse 3 Function
  • USB Cable and Keyboard PS/2
  • 100% Fully Serviced Lifetime Warranty
Maximus Arcade License Details:
  • Maximus Arcade is a Windows-based software application that allows you to manage and organize your games while keeping the Windows environment hidden.
  • Terms: Purchase any X-Arcade Joystick or qualifying product (as noted on Xgaming's website) and on the first of the following month, we'll send you a free Maximus Arcade License unlock.

Editor's Notes

Written by SaltyOne | Staff
  • About this Deal:
    • At the time of this posting, Our research indicates that this is $45 lower (22.5% savings) than the next best available prices for similar products with prices starting from $200. -SaltyOne
  • About this Store:

Original Post

Written by Bahamian

Community Voting

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+48
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Top Comments

spike888
1329 Posts
78 Reputation
You serious?
GuanabanaPR
2226 Posts
682 Reputation
I'm right handed and there's no game console or pc for that matter that I've controlled movement with the right hand. Movement has always been controlled with the left hand. Maybe I'm going crazy. 🤡
Tabe
190 Posts
49 Reputation
Same here. I've been playing arcade games for over 40 years and the only games I (also right-handed) can ever remember controlling with my right hand are the Pac-Man games.

81 Comments

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May 15, 2021
8 Posts
Joined May 2021
May 15, 2021
gr4dm101
May 15, 2021
8 Posts
Quote from TalentedBanana464 :
Cool, thanks, I appreciate it, rep sent your way... What are some good sites to get the roms? I think I'm gonna make one of these my next project. I restored an original Pac Man cocktail machine but only having one game gets old.
No one here can give the answer on sites for roms for legal reasons. Just use google is all I can say. A whole world will open up to you from there.
May 15, 2021
223 Posts
Joined Nov 2012
May 15, 2021
solomonchau
May 15, 2021
223 Posts
Quote from gldoorii :
I've been interested in one of these for awhile, but not for a cabinet, just to put on a table and play with. Now that it's a pretty good price and I'm doing research, I can't seem to find much current stuff about it. Has anyone here purchased one in the last year or two? They're social media and YouTube presence is almost non-existent and most reviews and stuff are from several years ago. I'm just trying to figure out if it has a USB cable in the back or what cause videos show like a plethora of cords coming from it.

I bought last generation a year ago and sold it in eBay after it was taking up too much space in the home. It's a solid build and useful for Raspberry Pi arcade mods. The wires can be a bit clunky and short depending on how you position things. None the less, it's great. Also, the ball is extremely hard to program and get to work unless you're an actual nerd. The other stuff is okay. Yes, it uses USB and needs a 3 prong to connect for power at all times when operating.
May 15, 2021
3,480 Posts
Joined Feb 2009
May 15, 2021
sdaddict001
May 15, 2021
3,480 Posts
How does this one show up in windows? Is it using xinput or directinput?

edit:. nvm. I see the description on their website. xinput and directinput. that's pretty nice compared to legends pro where you have to use mapping software to get the controls recognized.
Last edited by sdaddict001 May 15, 2021 at 01:06 AM.
May 15, 2021
1,423 Posts
Joined May 2018
May 15, 2021
TalentedBanana464
May 15, 2021
1,423 Posts
Quote from gr4dm101 :
No one here can give the answer on sites for roms for legal reasons. Just use google is all I can say. A whole world will open up to you from there.
Makes sense. I'll do some searching. Just trying to avoid downloading the wrong thing and getting my gas pipelines shut down somehow. 😂🤣
May 15, 2021
2,404 Posts
Joined Dec 2011
May 15, 2021
jedinat
May 15, 2021
2,404 Posts
Quote from NedHead :
Buyer beware.

I bought one of these a few years ago. Didn't care for the spongy feel of the sticks, and the ball had a gritty feel when spun. On top of that, rubber feet had been sloppily glued on, warping/cracking some of the the plastic veneer. I contacted customer support about the cracks in the veneer and they blamed it on me. I mailed it back it for a refund, but they wouldn't even pay for the return.
They must make bank on these things. It's not like name brand arcade quality joysticks and buttons cost a lot of money. But they probably save 5 dollars using their shit knockoff ones.

edit:

For $35 more you guys can get two Mayflash F300 Elite arcade sticks which use the parts in actual arcade cabinets.
Last edited by jedinat May 15, 2021 at 01:57 AM.
May 15, 2021
3,480 Posts
Joined Feb 2009
May 15, 2021
sdaddict001
May 15, 2021
3,480 Posts
Quote from jedinat :
They must make bank on these things. It's not like name brand arcade quality joysticks and buttons cost a lot of money. But they probably save 5 dollars using their shit knockoff ones.

edit:

For $35 more you guys can get two Mayflash 300 Elite arcade sticks which use the parts in actual arcade cabinets.
Ohhh this is the answer! I was really looking for stick was compatible with both xinput and directinput but that also worked with 360. I wish I had known about this one before I got the legends pro. I'm thinking I could still sell that off and get two of those May flash units instead. Would be freaking amazing to play MK on 360 with a stick. Thank you for this!!
May 15, 2021
2,404 Posts
Joined Dec 2011
May 15, 2021
jedinat
May 15, 2021
2,404 Posts
Quote from sdaddict001 :
Ohhh this is the answer! I was really looking for stick was compatible with both xinput and directinput but that also worked with 360. I wish I had known about this one before I got the legends pro. I'm thinking I could still sell that off and get two of those May flash units instead. Would be freaking amazing to play MK on 360 with a stick. Thank you for this!!
Glad to help. I have the Mayflash F500 (I got the non-elite version because I wanted to put my own parts in), and with an update they even support PS5 if you get their $30 dongle.
Last edited by jedinat May 15, 2021 at 02:00 AM.

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May 15, 2021
3,480 Posts
Joined Feb 2009
May 15, 2021
sdaddict001
May 15, 2021
3,480 Posts
Quote from jedinat :
Glad to help. I have the Mayflash F500 (I got the non-elite version because I wanted to put my own parts in), and with an update they even support PS5 if you get their $30 dongle.
Nice!! The 500 looks good and similar price for the non elite version as the 300 elite. Trying to understand what this means: The wireless controller that comes with your console will become a wired controller by simply connecting a standard USB cable (with exception of Xbox 360 which requires an official wired Xbox 360 controller).

Do I need to plug in wired xbox 360 controller in order to use the MayFlash unit?
May 15, 2021
2,404 Posts
Joined Dec 2011
May 15, 2021
jedinat
May 15, 2021
2,404 Posts
Quote from sdaddict001 :
Nice!! The 500 looks good and similar price for the non elite version as the 300 elite. Trying to understand what this means: The wireless controller that comes with your console will become a wired controller by simply connecting a standard USB cable (with exception of Xbox 360 which requires an official wired Xbox 360 controller).

Do I need to plug in wired xbox 360 controller in order to use the MayFlash unit?
Apparently, yes. That's how it works with the PS4. It needs the driver from the official controller for some reason. Maybe a licensing issue. I have a Magic-S Pro that I got for PS5 compatibility (usb stick that you plug in) that makes the PS4 controller unnecessary. It might be the same for the 360.
May 15, 2021
3,480 Posts
Joined Feb 2009
May 15, 2021
sdaddict001
May 15, 2021
3,480 Posts
Quote from jedinat :
Apparently, yes. That's how it works with the PS4. It needs the driver from the official controller for some reason. Maybe a licensing issue. I have a Magic-S Pro that I got for PS5 compatibility (usb stick that you plug in) that makes the PS4 controller unnecessary. It might be the same for the 360.
Bummer. I don't have any wired xbox 360 controllers. Just have wireless controllers and do have the play charge kit that allows them to be wired but not sure if that'd do the trick....
May 15, 2021
2,404 Posts
Joined Dec 2011
May 15, 2021
jedinat
May 15, 2021
2,404 Posts
Quote from sdaddict001 :
Bummer. I don't have any wired xbox 360 controllers. Just have wireless controllers and do have the play charge kit that allows them to be wired but not sure if that'd do the trick....
edit: nevermind. Yeah, the play and charge kit just charges. It doesn't convert it into a wired controller.
Last edited by jedinat May 15, 2021 at 02:39 AM.
May 15, 2021
222 Posts
Joined May 2012
May 15, 2021
eyeoncomputers
May 15, 2021
222 Posts
I have gotten several X-Arcade sticks over the years.

Make sure to switch out the cheap joystick with a better one, such as an iL-EuroStick

It will make it much more accurate and truly arcade quality.

And maybe replace the buttons while you are at it. I like convex buttons, also from iL brand.

The stock control board it comes with is good enough for PC, but if you want to use it for any consoles, you can get one of their adapters for that console. They actually work pretty good, just annoying to have extra wires and adapters hanging around.

If you really want to overhaul the stick for MAME, check out the I-PAC boards that can be swapped with the stock PCB in the X-Arcade stick.

Also, get yourself some custom vinyl art for the X-Arcade sticks to really make them stand out and be unique to your style. There are a number of templates and designs out there being made and sold.
Last edited by eyeoncomputers May 15, 2021 at 03:25 AM.
May 15, 2021
734 Posts
Joined Sep 2005
May 15, 2021
Vikroda
May 15, 2021
734 Posts
Here's an old review (~4 yrs) on reddit [reddit.com]. I don't know if it's still relevant or not.
Quote from reddit :
I have a Tankstick and here's some honest feedback:

Pros:

The build quality is very good. Although they're using particle board, the unit is very sturdy.

The built-in X-Arcade service (Xarcade2Jstick) allows the Tankstick to be mapped as 2 separate joypads. This makes for a very high level of compatibility with RetroPie.

Cons:

The X-Arcade uses knockoff Happ parts. The buttons and springs are bad. The joystick is bad. The microswitches are bad. If you don't know any better, you'd assume this feels right ... it doesn't. It's sluggish, unresponsive, and crippling at times.

The PCB is very slow. It can only register 6 buttons pressed simultaneously, over both sides. Also, there is a delay in the signal processing. Throwing fireballs in SF2 isn't easy.

With the money already spent, I decided to go all-in and fix the situation. Here's a random album of images

I replaced all of the knockoff Happ parts with authentic Industrias Lorenzo parts. These are the exact same pieces found in 90's arcade machines.

I tore out the X-Arcade PCBs and replaced them with "Zero Delay" USB encoders. These are only $12 on Amazon.

After the fixes, the sticks feel just like they should
Edit: the review seems to match what eyeoncomputers posted immediately above
Edit2: a little further down the thread: "They did upgrade the PCB several years ago and eliminated some of the issues like the 6 simultaneous input limit and delay. Personally I'm ok with the buttons but the joystick had to go (poor diagonals)."
Last edited by Vikroda May 15, 2021 at 03:43 AM.
May 15, 2021
28 Posts
Joined Sep 2017
May 15, 2021
Zmonkz
May 15, 2021
28 Posts
Quote from spike888 :
You serious?
No he not. It is a two player arcade stick.

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May 15, 2021
618 Posts
Joined Nov 2017
May 15, 2021
fieldcar
May 15, 2021
618 Posts
I bought one right when the zerolag module came out. I actually had to install it since it just came out. It was pretty easy. While I'm not a diehard arcade gamer. I've been extremely happy with how good the controls feel and function. I'm really kind of puzzled by the negativity of the buttons and stick. They feel exactly how I want. I'm sure most of the actual directed criticism was for the obsolete control board that they discontinued years back.

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