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Reviewed by Ian Johnston
Gaming accessories are a big business these days - a really big business. Be it memory cards, game pads, joysticks, Internet adapters, steering wheels or what have you, gamers are buying plenty of accessories for their system or systems of choice. Wading through all the options and getting the best quality product for your buck can oftentimes prove to be quite a daunting endeavor.
Everything from price, availability, and manufacturer has to be factored into the decision making process, leaving consumers frequently puzzled and sometimes even bewildered. For the most part first party accessories are superior to third party accessories, but there are always notable exceptions. XGaming's X-Arcade joystick is one such exception.
Constructed of high quality injected wood, the X-Arcade feels incredibly sturdy and is comfortable to use. The two-player model, the one we tested, looks and feels virtually identical to what you'd find in an arcade. The buttons look and feel identical, as do the joysticks themselves.
Each side of the two-player X-Arcade features a standard six-button layout as well as two additional buttons below those six. On the sides of the X-Arcade are two white buttons that are used for pinball games as well as controller configuration. By holding the left side white button and pressing the proper button on the face of the joystick you can configure it to work with the system you're using.
The X-Arcade works with a PC right out of the box via the keyboard socket, and will also work on a Macintosh with the aid of a USB adapter. Additional adapters for the GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Dreamcast can be purchased separately for $20 each. When we tested the X-Arcade with Super Smash Bros. Melee we were incredibly impressed. Never before have we encountered a joystick that so perfectly replicated the feeling and durability of an arcade cabinet joystick.
Our only complaint is that the two-player model could have been just a little bit wider, but that's a very minor thing considering how phenomenal this joystick truly is. And for fighting game aficionados, the X-Arcade is a must own item. This is as close to arcade gaming in the home as you can get without actual arcade machines.
Highs:
Well-built, comfortable to use, adaptable to all current generation systems.
Lows:
Expensive at $150, could have been even more comfortable to use had it been a bit wider.
Verdict:
Although the price of the two-player model is somewhat steep at $150 (the one-player model is $100), it's worth every penny for the serious gamer. Since XGaming plans to release new adapters as new systems come out - and considering the fact that the X-Arcade has a lifetime warranty - it's the only joystick you'll ever need. When you can get a joystick for your home that's this good, $150 is a small price to pay.
99%
Copyright © 2004 Ian Johnston
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