What a beast! Ever hear the phrase: 'They sure don’t make em like they used to'? Well, you won’t hear anybody say that about this one! Team Xgaming out did themselves constructing this baby. I also noticed that it could be used with your favorite video game console. The XGAMING console adapters achieve this, however they weren’t available at the time of shipping.

It’s easy! Turn off your PC, unplug your keyboard from your box, replace it with the connector from the X-Arcade, and plug your keyboard into the X-Arcade. That’s it! It actually takes longer to type these instructions than it does to hook it up.

Software? None required. Just plug it in and go. –Very nice

Programming the X-Arcade:
The X-Arcade allows you to program three different profiles via a four-position switch. You can also re-program any button ‘on the fly’ as you play the game. The four-position selector allows you to switch from the standard default settings (position one) to any one of the three remaining user custom configurations. I found this to be fairly easy to do, and if you have any problems, the manual explains all the how-to’s in detail.

No games are included; however I did find a link on their website that directs you to hundreds of downloadable arcade type games.

Support for this thing is incredible. Here’s an example of what I mean. The other day I needed the manual -dog ate my copy- so, I logged on to their website to go find one. I figured I’d find a link to it in the FAQ’s section but instead, I found a link for Live Help. I’ve used this type of service once before and didn’t have great results with it but I thought what the heck, I’ll give it a try. Boy was I surprised! I clicked the link and was quickly connected to a ‘Live’ support person via a chat session. A gorgeous female with blonde hair, blue eyes, and huge … knowledgeness (is that a word?!) of the X-Arcade was chatting with me! She {or more likely some dude sitting there eating Cheetos!) anyway, she answered all my questions and gave me a couple different links to the things that I needed. –AWESOME! After several minutes of intense Q & A, I was more than satisfied! Especially since I didn’t have to search anything out for myself! –I need a smoke!

With its huge base, my left hand and forearm rested quite comfortably while working the joystick –just as long as I was using my left hand. Being right handed meant an angle adjustment of the base and using the keyboard in place of the buttons, -or maybe I should just shut up, suck-it-up, and get used to it! Nahh! A bit of a set-back for this reviewer yet somehow I found the courage to continue on!

Ever notice how hard your pushing on the joystick in the heat of the battle?! So far, this thing has taken everything I’ve given it and it’s still just as good as the day I pulled it from the box. It seems as though the team at XGAMING set out to create a device that would endure the punishment we arcade gamers unleashed while at our local arcades - i.e. Track and Field! And create they did! The X-Arcade was built to last.

The first thing that grabbed my attention was its size -apparently size does matter at XGAMING! This thing is mammoth sized weighing in at just under 10 lbs.! More than enough weight to sit still while I reefed on the joystick guiding my marble along in Marble Madness. The next thing that grabs your attention is the black wood exterior with a huge cool looking ‘X’ painted directly in the center of the board. It just looks like it should be at a local arcade or something! Very retro yet sporting a new millennium style.

Retail price for this baby is $149.95 –from the XGAMING website. Most definitely a large chunk of change for a joystick, however, if nostalgic arcade games appeal to you then this controller is a must! There is nothing else like it on the market today. Add to that a lifetime warranty, 30-day money back guarantee, and the support XGAMING offers, and I’d say that makes it an easy decision.

If old style arcade gaming remotely interests you, then I highly recommend this joystick. It has enhanced my arcade gaming experience enough to get me to use it every time I play those types of games. It cost a bit more than the others, however there is nothing out there that remotely compares to it. -A definite must have in the world of classic arcade games.