Introduction
Experience immersive pinball gaming with your X-Arcade controllers, including the Tankstick series (Solo, Dual, Trackball, Max, VR) and Arcade2TV-XR, on Meta headsets. Whether you’re playing Pinball FX or Pinball FX2 VR, this guide walks you through the setup process for seamless gameplay on your PC.
By default, Pinball FX games, including the PCVR version, do not support keyboard input out of the box; they are designed to work with Xinput. Our older Tanksticks operate as keyboards by default, while newer models like the Tankstick Max, Tankstick with Trackball, Tankstick VR, and Arcade2TV-XR support Xinput. However, the Xinput on these newer units treats Player 1 (P1) and Player 2 (P2) as separate inputs, which cannot be configured to function as a single Xinput device. As a result, a workaround is required to make them compatible with the game. This guide provides step-by-step instructions to bridge this compatibility gap and ensure your controllers deliver an authentic pinball gaming experience.
Standard Setup for Tanksticks and Arcade2TV-XR
1. Switch to Keyboard Mode:
• Connect the controller to your PC via the USB-B port.
• For Tanksticks, ensure it’s in keyboard mode.
• For Arcade2TV-XR:
• Long-press the P1 Mode button for 5 seconds until the indicator blinks red (keyboard mode).
2. Remap All Buttons:
• Use the controller’s configuration tool to remap all buttons to characters or numbers (avoid function keys).
• Download the Arcade2TV-XR Configuration Tool here.
3. Keyboard-to-Xinput Conversion:
• Download and install Keys2XInput here.
• Map the keyboard inputs to Xinput keys compatible with Pinball FX/FX2 VR.
4. Enable Steam Input:
• Open Steam, navigate to the game in your library.
• Go to Controller Settings and enable Steam Input for the game. This ensures the Xinput emulator works seamlessly.
5. Launch the Game:
• Open Pinball FX or Pinball FX2 VR.
• Enjoy immersive pinball action with your Tankstick or Arcade2TV-XR!
See this: Setting Up Arcade2TV-XR for Pinball FX VR on PC.pdf for detailed setup instructions.
Alternative Firmware Solution for Arcade2TV-XR and Tankstick VR
For Arcade2TV-XR and Tankstick Max users, you can bypass the keyboard-to-Xinput setup with our custom Pinball FX Firmware:
Download the Arcade2TV-XR software here
1. Upgrade to Pinball FX Firmware:
• This firmware transforms your controller into a single Xinput device, eliminating the need for Xinput emulators.
• Download the firmware from this link.
2. Switching Back to Factory Firmware (v2.22):
• Press and hold the bottom-left button of P1 while connecting the controller’s USB to your PC.
• Use the firmware upgrade tool to flash back to version 2.22.
Notes on Firmware Updates:
• Future collaborations with Zen Studios, developers of Pinball FX, may simplify the process further.
• Check back regularly for updates or enhancements.
Conclusion
Whether using the traditional keyboard-to-Xinput method or the firmware solution, the X-Arcade Tankstick and Arcade2TV-XR deliver authentic pinball gameplay on PCVR with Meta headsets. Stay tuned for updates as we continue to enhance compatibility and features.
If you encounter any issues or need assistance, contact our support team at [email protected].