Why the Tankstick MAX Belongs in Every Arcade Setup
If you have been searching for a 2-player arcade controller that feels like a real cabinet, the X-Arcade Tankstick MAX is the answer. Built on over 20 years of arcade hardware expertise, the Tankstick MAX delivers genuine arcade-grade controls in a single, solidly-built unit that sits on your desk, your cabinet, or your coffee table.
The Tankstick MAX is an upgrade to our legendary Tankstick with Trackball controller. Everything our community loved about the original is still here, but we have added features that players have been requesting for years: built-in spinners, multiple input modes, and expanded compatibility with the DIY modding community.
What Makes the Tankstick MAX Different?
The Tankstick MAX features a full-size 2-player layout with two 8-way joysticks, 18 action buttons, a trackball, and two built-in spinners. Those spinners are a game-changer. They unlock an entire library of spinner-based arcade classics that most controllers simply cannot play: Arkanoid, Tempest, Pong, Tron, Discs of Tron, and dozens more. Having them built in means you do not need to buy separate spinner hardware or modify your controller.
Every button uses genuine arcade microswitches rated for millions of actuations. The steel top panel and solid wood enclosure give it the weight and rigidity of a real arcade cabinet control panel. The button layout follows the standard 6-button arcade configuration per player, making it compatible with thousands of classic titles from Street Fighter II to Metal Slug.
4 Switchable Input Modes
One of the standout features of the Tankstick MAX is its 4 switchable input modes: Keyboard, DINPUT, XINPUT, and a dedicated programmable mode. Switch between them with a simple button combination on the controller itself.
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Input Mode
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Best For
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Notes
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Keyboard Mode
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MAME, custom emulator setups
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Fully remappable via software utility; mappings save to the controller
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DINPUT Mode
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Legacy emulators, older software
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Classic DirectInput for traditional gamepad compatibility
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XINPUT Mode
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Steam, RetroArch, LaunchBox
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Native Xbox-compatible input; works without any configuration
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Programmable Mode
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Specialized or custom setups
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Create and store custom mappings directly on the controller
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GRS and DIY Parts Compatible
The Tankstick MAX is designed to work with the GRS (Glen's Retro Show) ecosystem of DIY arcade parts. This includes the popular rotary joystick from Thunderstick Studio, which transforms the standard joystick into a rotary controller for games like Ikari Warriors, Heavy Barrel, and Midnight Resistance. The mounting pattern and wiring are fully compatible, making the upgrade straightforward for any DIY enthusiast.
This compatibility with third-party arcade parts means the Tankstick MAX is not just a controller. It is a platform. You can customize it, upgrade it, and adapt it to your exact play style and game library as you grow your collection.
Full Technical Specifications
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Feature
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Specification
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Joysticks
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2 full-size 8-way joysticks with genuine microswitches
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Buttons
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18 action buttons + 2 player-start buttons + 2 coin buttons
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Trackball
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Built-in arcade-grade trackball
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Spinners
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2 built-in spinners (Arkanoid, Tempest, Tron, and more)
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Input Modes
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4 switchable: Keyboard (remappable), DINPUT, XINPUT, Programmable
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Connectivity
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USB plug-and-play — no drivers required
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Native Compatibility
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PC, Mac, Raspberry Pi, Linux
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Console Compatibility
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PS5, PS4, PS3, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Switch, Wii, GameCube, Dreamcast via X-Arcade adapters (sold separately)
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Modding
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GRS / Thunderstick Studio rotary joystick compatible
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Dimensions
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24" x 10.5" x 6"
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Weight
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~9 lbs
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Warranty
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1-year warranty included
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Setting Up Your Tankstick MAX
Setup is dead simple. Connect the Tankstick MAX to any USB port and your system recognizes it immediately. In XINPUT mode, it works natively with Steam, MAME, RetroArch, LaunchBox, and hundreds of emulators without configuration. On Raspberry Pi running RetroPie or Batocera, it maps automatically.
For MAME users, the Keyboard mode is particularly powerful. Use our remapping software to assign exact key bindings per button. This means you can match the default MAME key layout perfectly, or create custom profiles for specific games. The settings save directly to the controller, so your mappings travel with you.
Recommended Video: X-Arcade Tankstick MAX Setup Guide: 4 Input Modes and Button Remapping Tutorial — 4-6 min, 1080p, YouTube embed (560x315). Covers USB connection, switching between all 4 input modes, button remapping in Keyboard mode, and first game launch in MAME.
Pro Tips for Power Users
•Use XINPUT mode for Steam and RetroArch. Use Keyboard mode for MAME with custom key bindings.
•Enable the trackball in MAME settings for trackball and spinner games. Both analog axes are supported.
•Install a GRS rotary joystick from Thunderstick Studio for Ikari Warriors and other rotary titles.
•Pair with a Raspberry Pi 4/5 running Batocera for a dedicated all-in-one retro station.
•Mount it inside a bartop cabinet shell for a permanent arcade setup.
Why We Moved to a 1-Year Warranty
Long-time X-Arcade fans will remember our lifetime warranty. We made the decision to move to a 1-year warranty for an important reason: it allows us to invest more of our budget into the product itself. Instead of reserving funds for decades of warranty claims, we put that money into better features, higher-quality components, and more new products for the community.
Let us be clear: quality is not compromised. The Tankstick MAX uses the same high-class materials and build standards that X-Arcade has been known for since the early 2000s. Steel panels, genuine microswitches, solid wood enclosures. What has changed is that our business model now prioritizes innovation. The spinners, the 4 input modes, the GRS compatibility, the remappable keyboard mode — all of these exist because we redirected resources from warranty reserves into product development.
This approach lets X-Arcade survive, innovate, and keep bringing better hardware to the retro gaming community. That is a trade we think our community will appreciate.
Who Is the Tankstick MAX For?
The Tankstick MAX is built for anyone who takes retro gaming seriously. Whether you are building a MAME cabinet, setting up a retro corner in your game room, or hosting fighting game nights with friends, this controller delivers the authentic arcade experience. The dual spinners and trackball mean you can play games that most controllers simply cannot handle.
Educators and STEM programs also use the Tankstick MAX as a centerpiece for DIY arcade projects. Students learn hardware integration, input mapping, and software configuration while building something they actually want to play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the Tankstick MAX work with Raspberry Pi?
A: Yes. It works plug-and-play with RetroPie, Batocera, Lakka, and any Linux distribution that supports USB HID controllers. No drivers needed.
Q: What games can I play with the built-in spinners?
A: The spinners unlock classics like Arkanoid, Tempest, Pong, Tron, Discs of Tron, Warlords, and any MAME title that uses spinner input. They work alongside the trackball and joysticks.
Q: Can I install GRS parts like the rotary joystick?
A: Yes. The Tankstick MAX is designed to be compatible with GRS (Glen's Retro Show) parts including the Thunderstick Studio rotary joystick. The mounting pattern matches directly.
Q: How do I remap buttons in Keyboard mode?
A: Use the X-Arcade remapping software (free download from our site). Connect in Keyboard mode, assign any key to any button, and save. The mappings store on the controller itself.
Q: Can I use the Tankstick MAX on PS5 or Xbox?
A: Yes. The Tankstick MAX is console compatible via the X-Arcade console adapter, sold separately at shop.xgaming.com. The adapter supports PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Switch.
Q: What happened to the lifetime warranty?
A: We moved to a 1-year warranty so we can invest more into product features and innovation. The build quality is identical. Same steel panels, same microswitches, same standards. The difference is more of our budget goes into making better products instead of long-term warranty reserves.
Ready to level up your arcade setup? Get the Tankstick MAX at shop.xgaming.com
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