Everybody knows that Tempest isn't Tempest unless you have a paddle controller. Are there any USB controllers that this will work with? Will/does somebody make a wireless one?

I think, mostly, you are dreaming. This would be great, but you really need a pretty specific paddle controller to make it "Tempest". Something that is smooth and fast moving is what is needed. I don't really see anybody making a production, wireless one. What would be sweet is to figure out how to make a homebrew one that works accurately.

What I really hope will work is a better control scheme than Space Giraffe, which felt terribly broken to me. If I am pressing right it should always move toward the right side of the screen, regardles of if my ship is on the top or bottom. Oh well, we'll see soon enough how well the 360 controller works for Tempest.

If I had infinite space and money I would have a REAL Tempest machine in my house. Maybe this will be a nice approximation? We'll see. The graphics in the screetshots looks nice.

Won't the joystick work in the same way has a paddle? Unless im thinking of something else.

^- It's different. Think of a "paddle" controller as a giant volume knob that you twist to control the action: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paddle_(game_controller)

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Not at all - there are already good wired USB paddles (eg, Griffin Technologies' Powermate). Tempest just needs to understand how to use it. Then, a wireless USB hub might do the job - it might not, though, depending upon latency issues.

But yeah, homebrew wireless would be acceptable too. There are rabid Tempest fans about.

I *did* have a real Tempest machine in my house in college :) I think there's a cabinet that's MAME on the inside that has a Tempest-like paddle on it, too.

The Madcatz arcade stick has a spinner controll-

http://www.amazon.com/Madcatz-Arcade-GameStick-Xbox-360/dp/B000MCHETQ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1198008673&sr=1-5

Now I don't know if it would work, or would even be any good, but I remember seeing it a while back and thinking, "only if they would release Tempest on XBLA."

Someone has got to try this out tomorrow and let us know!

I too still want a Tempest Cabinet. That and a Star Wars Arcade- Vector Graphics FTW!

=MATT=

 

 

 

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Yeah, I was wondering the same thing about that controller. I might have to check it out!

I just stumbled across this thread, and I actually have the Madcatz controller. It is no wheres near as accurate as the arcade controller, being that it isn't programmed for it, but its still a fun experience. The main difference is that its missing the free wheel effect of the arcade paddle, where you spin it and even when you let go the paddle is still spinning and you go a bit farther until you grab the paddle. Its a very tight dial. I still have yet to buy the full version, I need to pick up some points, but I will be using this controller once I finally get it.

 Babasyzygy wrote:

Everybody knows that Tempest isn't Tempest unless you have a paddle controller. Are there any USB controllers that this will work with? Will/does somebody make a wireless one?

The best Tempest experience i ever had/have is on the Atari Jaguar. Just get that with Tempest 2000 (4 game types including original plus an extra 2-P vs game) and check out ebay for a rotary controller for it. Trust me - you WON'T be disappointed!

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A good commerical controller for XBLA Tempest probably isn't in the cards. Given the USB firmware lockout for 360 controllers, your only retail choice is an offical licensed product, such as the Madcatz that has a spinner control. PC/MAC USB controllers will not work on the 360, which is too bad as there are a number of nice products out there that would make many of the XBLA games more playable.