Arcade Stick
Overview
Building an arcade stick to replace the HORI Real Arcade Pro 4 Kai that I got many years ago. The buttons on the HIRO stick are very spread out so my fingers get tired easily. Here is how I build a custom arcade stick by using RP2040 microcontroller and GP2040-CE firmware. I added an OLED Display for debugging and so many extra buttons to the controller. The page will focus on how to build a standard one and briefly cover what I did for the extra stuff.
Final Product
Side by Side
Tools
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| 3D Printer | Print the cases |
| Multimeter | Test connections |
| Soldering Kit | (Optional for small buttons) |
| Wire Stripper | (Optional for OLED Display / extra buttons) Make DuPont connectors |
| Crimping Tool Kit | Same as above |
Parts
Bold items are what I use for this project
| Item | QTY | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cases | 1 | |
| Microcontrollers | 1 | RP2040 Advanced Breakout Board V5.6E, Raspberry Pi Pico RP2040 |
| Joystick | 1 | SANWA JLX-TP-8YT |
| Buttons | - | CROWN/SAMDUCKSA SDB-202 MX SCREWBUTTON |
| Type A-B Cable | 2 | One long, one short |
| A/B USB Feed-Through | 1 | Neutrik NAUSB-W-B |
| 20-Pin Joystick/Button Harness | 1 | Making the wiring easier |
| 4-Pin L3/R3/Touchpad Button Harness | 1 | Same as above |
| 24 Gauge Stranded Wire | - | For extra buttons and stuff |
| M3 Flat Head Screws | 4 | Mounting the microcontroller |
| M3 Heat Set Threaded Inserts | 4 | Same as above |
| M4 Flat Head Screws | 16 | Assembling the case |
| M4 Heat Set Threaded Inserts | 16 | Same as above |
| Rubber Feet | 8 |
Steps
Making & Print Cases
My case is mostly based on Fightstick Case from the OpenStickCommunity. There are many other options online.
I modeled in Houdini but I would like to give Autodesk Fusion a try next time.
Wiring Everything
I recommend reading RP2040 Advanced Breakout Board page first. The pins on the microcontroller are well labeled. We just need to follow the Button Labeling Table. The joystick orientation matters, so either find the product instructions or just plug it in, record the registered inputs, and then replug them.
Configuring Firmware
Using the Web-Configurator from the firemware, you can customize the controller to your preference.
Happy Fighting!
[Optional] Extra Buttons
GPIO26, 27, 28, 29 can be used as extra buttons, e.g. hitbox direction buttons while using the joystick.
[Optional] OLED Display
I have a 1.3-inch OLED Display SH1106 Module. It has GND, VCC, SDA, SCL pins on the module.
I connected those pins to the G, 3x3, SDA, SCL pins next to the EXPANSION label.
Beware that the order of the pins between the module and the microcontroller might not be the same.
Using a wire stripper and crimping tool to make a 4-pin connecter can make the wiring looks cleaner.