A while back I planned to build a twin stick controller so I bought a large project case and one (to test) bat top stick and realised that the box wasn’t big enough for two of these so repurposed that to a 4-way arcade stick instead.
I went back to the drawing board and made a new plan, 2 of these boxes bolted together and a hole between them for wiring. I knew this wasn’t going to be cheap so it had to wait. That time has come!
The controller is an Arduino Pi Pico. The boards are just strip board to which I’ve soldered pin headers to reduce the soldering required later and make maintenance easier.
Next was to fit the arcade parts to the top panels.
Two panels here so top and bottom views in one picture! I did come across a new problem though. These Suzo Happ sticks are deeper than the bat top stick I used last time so pressed against the bottom of the case. A solution was found which you see here.
The hole in the bottom now provides ample clearance and the sticks move freely without actually touching the desk. I use a case mount MicroUSB socket which uses standard USB cables. I keep fooling myself that I’ll be able to create something with good cable management one day. I doubt that will ever happen given how these things go together though!
Here it is complete! Suzo Happ sticks and QanBa buttons work well together. Tested on Robotron 2084 and it really makes the experience of that awesome game!
