Setup and How-To Video Guides

Welcome to Ultimate Joystick. Start by opening the application and waiting for the main screen to finish loading. At the top of the Monitor and Test tab, find the connection area. If you are preparing the software without the control system attached, select No Hardware Mode. For normal operation, leave that option off and choose Refresh. Select the correct controller when it appears, then choose Connect. A ready status confirms that the application can continue. If the status does not change, check the cable, confirm the controller has power, and refresh the list again. Do not begin a gate test until the connection area shows the expected ready state. You are now ready to continue with the remaining setup.

Next, tell Ultimate Joystick where your arcade files are located. Open the Settings tab and find the MAME and ROM location fields. Use the Browse button beside each field instead of typing a long path. Choose the MAME application first, then choose the folder containing your game files. If your setup uses an XML or custom list, select it in the matching field. Review each selection and choose Save. The application will load the available game information and return to a ready status. Open the game list and confirm that game names are available. If the list is empty, return to Settings and check that the selected folders are correct. Once the list loads, the software is ready for game assignments.

Use calibration only after the controller and gate assembly are ready for careful testing. Open the Calibration tab and select the player and gate you want to set. Follow the on-screen order one control at a time. Make a small adjustment, observe the gate, and stop if anything binds or moves unexpectedly. Set the engaged position first, then set the released position. Use the visible test controls to confirm both positions before moving to the next gate. Repeat the same process for each player and each gate type. When every required item is complete, choose Save Calibration. The saved confirmation means the visible setup has been recorded. Never rush calibration, and never continue if the hardware does not move freely.

Open the Monitor and Test tab to check joystick input and gate selection. Start the joystick test, then move one direction at a time. The matching direction indicator should respond on screen. Test up, down, left, and right for each player that is installed. If an indicator does not respond, stop the test and review the key settings before continuing. After input detection is confirmed, use the gate test area. Select one gate type and watch the visible status until the test finishes. Return the gates to the released position before choosing another test. Work through the gate types one at a time. When the direction indicators and visible gate status respond as expected, stop the test and continue to game assignments.

Open the Game Management tab to assign games. Use the search field to find a game by name, then select it from the results. Choose the gate shape you want that game to use. Review the selection and choose the save or assign control shown on screen. A confirmation in the list shows that the assignment was stored. Continue with the next game and repeat the same steps. You can also select an existing assignment to change it later. Keep the choices simple and verify the game name before saving. When you finish, search for a few completed games and confirm that the expected gate appears beside each one. The saved assignments are now ready for automatic monitoring.

After paths and game assignments are ready, return to Monitor and Test. Confirm the connection area is ready, then choose Start Monitoring. The status line will show that Ultimate Joystick is watching for a game. Launch a configured game using your normal arcade workflow or the visible launch control. The application identifies the game, selects its saved gate assignment, and displays the user-facing progress message. Keep hands away from the joystick while a gate change is in progress. When the ready message returns, the game can be used normally. After closing the game, return to Ultimate Joystick and confirm monitoring remains active. Choose Stop Monitoring whenever you need to change settings or perform manual tests.

Ultimate Joystick can show clear full-screen messages while a gate change is taking place. Open the Settings tab and find the Splash Screen section. Turn splash screens on, then review each available message. Choose the image or message you want users to see and use Preview to check the result. Keep the wording short so it can be read quickly. Confirm the display time, enable only the screens you need, and choose Save. Run the preview again to make sure the image is centered and the text is readable. These messages help users know when to keep their hands clear and when play can begin. Return to the main tab when the previews look correct.

If something does not respond, begin with the visible status areas. Confirm the controller has power, check the cable, and use Refresh. If joystick directions do not appear, stop the test and review the input settings. If the game list is empty, confirm the MAME and ROM locations. If a gate cannot move freely, stop immediately and inspect the assembly before trying again. Do not repeat a movement while anything is blocked. To close the application, first stop monitoring and close any running game. Return the gates to the normal released state when the visible controls allow it, then use the application's Exit control. Wait for the window to close completely before disconnecting power or cables.

This guide shows how to replace the servo. Remove the old servo, connect and center the new servo, install it into the joystick restrictor gate, teach the two positions, then test the movement.

First, remove the old servo from the joystick restrictor gate. Take out the mounting pins or screws and remove the servo from the gate assembly.

Unplug the old servo from the board, but remember exactly which board pins it used. The replacement servo plugs into the same connection.

Detach the restrictor gate linkage from the old servo before installing the replacement.

Connect the new servo to the same board pins, but do not install it into the restrictor gate yet.

Move the replacement servo to center, which is fifteen hundred microseconds. This centers the servo before the arm is installed.

With the servo centered, install the servo arm.

Now mount the servo into the joystick restrictor gate and reconnect the restrictor gate linkage.

Back in Ultimate Joystick, open the Calibration tab.

The orange Pos2 Default warning means released out is the safe default position.

Click Teach for the replaced servo. Teach mode is where the new servo positions are saved.

Move the servo to the released out position, then set and save Pos2.

Move the servo to the engaged in position, then set and save Pos1.

Test the servo by moving it to Pos1 and back to Pos2. Confirm that the travel is clean before normal use.

Finish by returning to Circle, all position two, so the joystick restrictor gate is left in the released default state.