Lately, i've been thinking about buying a new controller to play my amiga games. At the moment, I use a logitech paddle but it just doesn't feel right...

I was thinking about a competition pro usb.
It is sold here and back in stock since last week. I don't know if the adaptation of the old classic is a success but i found this test and it seems pretty good. I was using it on my amigas, so to find it back would be really nice, also it wouldn't take too much space on my desk... I must admit that i would prefer a blue transparent with the silver stick but unless i would use an adapter and buy an old one, it doesn't seem i could find that model in a usb version...
I just wanted to know if anyone here had already tried it and if it works fine, if it's worth it... or maybe is there another brand which i would be unaware of.

Another option would be to buy an X-arcade solo (i mostly play alone), it would be fine to use with MAME as well but it's more expensive and i've never used such a controller for Amiga games... It sure would remember me all those hours (and all the money ) spent in those arcade rooms and, at least, i'm sure that a lot of people are satisfied of it.

Hmmm, difficult choice.
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A few months back, I bought the new version of the Competition Pro. I didn't buy the USB one, as I was going to use it with the CD32, 600 and 1200. I'm very happy with it and the quality is as high as it was back in the days.

In my opinion, it's worth the money, as you get to play the Amiga games they way they were meant to be played.

Vesalia has a bundle you can purchase for 17.99 EUR. Look here.
You'll get a CD with 185 classic games bundled with the stick.

AmigaKit has the blue USB version available for 30.46 EUR, which is a bit expensive. Here you'll also get a CD with games on the side.

Hope this was of some help mate.
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I don't own the new USB version of the competition pro, but I've heard that it is a very nice joystick for Amiga emulation, and other retro games. Very faithful construction. Plus you can use it for any PC and emulated games that can use a digital joystick. It also has 4 fire buttons which is useful for more recent games.

Instead I used a USB adapter and connect up my original Amiga joysticks to the PC to play Amiga games. I've currently got an original Black/red competition pro connected up to one of my PCs for this purpose. I also sometimes use a Competition Pro CD32 gamepad which also works well. My USB adaptor was from a US company called Retrozone. They no longer make this adaptor and are now focusing instead on direct game controller conversions, selling USB converted original gamepads for the NES, SNES, Megadrive etc... They do however sell USB conversion kits, including an Atari RetroKit for $17 USD if you fancy doing the conversion on an existing Amiga joystick.

But any USB to Atari Joystick converter will work with Amiga joysticks. The Stelladaptor will work perfectly well for example. You can find that here.

Or you could build your own adapter if you are handy with a soldering iron. A good example of such a project can be found here.

And regarding X-Arcade controllers. These are great for using with all emulation. I've got the standard X-Arcade two joystick controller and this works perfectly will WinUAE. The emulator even has support for it built in. And I have to say that if you want the best and most accurate joystick control for retro gaming get the X-Arcade. You won't regret it. The control is much better than any Amiga joystick. The controller is more solid and responsive and makes Amiga games feel suddenly nicer to play than you remember from years ago. However I still use the real Amiga joysticks with my USB adapter a lot for that retro feel, even tough I also have the X-Arcade. The other reason is that the X-Arcade is very large and takes up a lot of desk space. I only use that when I'm spending a whole day playing loads of games in MAME, WinUAE and other emulators. If I just want a quick game I just use the AMiga Competition Pro joystick.
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Thanks guys, I've just bought the competition pro red and black from Vesalia. The website of speed link actually only displays their products but doesn't sell them. I'll be soon mashing my favourite red button again

I've also ordered a second-hand transparentblue/silver but still for Amiga, happily i have found a second-hand Stelladaptor 2600 to USB Interface for only 10 euros.

For the x-arcade controller, my wife asked me not to buy it so she has a gift-idea for my birthday (december, arghhh)... It's a bit of a trap because i'm so excited to get one BUT i have to wait... It suddenly puts me back years ago when i had to wait Santa for my gifts...

So, thanks again to both of you for your hints and advices, i'll post some pics in this thread when they will have been delivered...
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Where did you find the stelladaptor for that bargain price? Anyway i have several real zipsticks and other joysticks which i'd love to plug into my pc for winuae etc i've also got the same usb comp pro you have and it's great but i'd love to use my other sticks too!

I'd also love a an X-arcade/hot rod but it's a bit out of my price range at the mo
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I work in Brussel and there is a huge shop named "pêle-mêle", they buy/sell all kind of video games, accessories and comic books. There was a competition pro blue and an adaptor for sale. The bundle was for 25 euros (17 for the stick and 8 for the adapter) or separate for 20 euros the controller and 10 euros the adapter, i bought the bundle.

A workmate saw me browsing for that kind of herdware this morning and, during his lunchtime, he saw one at the shop, he called me and i could order it on the phone... The shop has a website but i'm not sure that all they have is listed on their ebay section. That shop is kind of messy, that's why they are named "pêle-mêle" which means "placed on top of each other"...

Anyway, if you want, i can always keep an eye on what they have and if, one day, i see one for sale, i can PM you and we can manage something together (i buy it and i send it to you). I go there at least once every 2 weeks but my workmate goes there all the time. I had no idea they would have that kind of stuff but if they do again, i'll contact you

PS: If anyone else is interested as well, let me know and i'll make a PM list ^_-
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You could always get a certain people beginning with Z to build you one!

Avoid the hotrod arcade controller. While it does use real Happ arcade buttons/switches and joystick controls, while the X-Arcade's are made in house, the Hotrod has the disadvantage that the buttons are all hard mapped to specific keyboard keys. So for many emulators and a lot of PC games you won't be able to remap the controls to use the controller. In contrast the X-Arcade can be fully reprogrammed to map to whichever keyboard buttons you like.
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I mainly use the dual X-Arcade controller with MAME and use a Competition Pro USB with WinUAE.
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Bad news:

- My competition pro black/red oredered from Vesalia finally arrived but the right button is broken, i opened it and it's a plastic part inside that is broken, i can't repair it I am right handed, so it's not a problem to me but anyway, it was disappointing... I don't feel like sending it back and having to wait again to receive another one

- The shop in Brussels where i had ordered the adaptor and the blue version of the competition pro have sold it to someone else. I swear i'll never put a foot there again!

- I've lost an auction on an x-arcade and now i can't find any way to buy one here in belgium, except an online shop but i have contacted them by phone and it seems that it doesn't exist anymore (the shop). After what happened with the competition pro from Germany, i hesitate buying an x-arcade from USA. Damn, i really wanted one for my Mame games T_T
Anybody knows a way (safe) for me to get one?

Good news:

- I won an auction for a competition pro usb blue, it's already shipped, i hope this one won't be broken...
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The UK company http://www.gremlinsolutions.co.uk/ sell the X-Arcade units and ship worldwide.

DC might however know of a shop that sells them closer to you to reduce postage costs.
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