How to Connect an X-Arcade Controller to your Xbox 360

Now all you have to do is map the buttons on the Tankstick to the appropriate functions.  To map the buttons, tap the XFPS’ program button, the press the button you wish to map on the Xbox 360 controler, and then touch the corresponding button on the X-Arcade Tankstick  If you want to map the A to your Tankstick:

1. Press XFPS Program button
2. Press “A” on your Xbox 360 controller
3. Press the primary fire button on the Tankstick

Although you can use the trackball for games, it really isn’t recommended.  The analog sticks of the Xbox 360 controllers have a relatively large “dead zone”, so the trackball has to travel a little bit before it gets out of the dead zone and registers movement.

You can map all of the buttons on the Tankstick (even those meant for Player 2), but you can’t have two players playing on the same controller (since the XFPS registers itself as a single controller).  You could if you had two Tanksticks, two XFPSs, and two wired Xbox 360 controllers, but that’s just getting a little silly.

The Tankstick works great in Arcade games and menu navigation, but its usability is lacking in first person shooter games.  The games are simply designed to be used with a gamepad, so you don’t have the freedom of movement you have with a keyboard and mouse.  For one, the dead zone issue will make aiming a little unresponsive.  Secondly, the game’s dynamics expect two analog controls, so movement can become difficult, especially while shooting.

The Tankstick excels at classic arcade games, and there is no greater experience than using a genuine arcade controller with Xbox Live Arcade (and new “classics” like Pac-Man CE).  Although getting this controller setup working with an Xbox 360 is expensive, you at least have a new choice in how you play your Xbox 360.