Hori Ace Combat joystick for Xbox 360 on display

Blink and you might have missed it: at Tokyo Game Show Microsoft is showing off the Hori Ace Combat joysticks that were announced a couple of months ago for the Xbox 360. They still aren't available until November 1st overseas (and who knows when the US will get 'em), but there's nothing that manages to excite us like glass-encased $150 video game flight sticks that use old school parallel connections. Sign us up!

Gallery: Hori Ace Combat joystick for Xbox 360 on display

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[reno6 @ Sep 21st 2007 10:59PM]

But Ace Combat is not a realistic flight sim at all! Why bother?

[ebrough @ Sep 21st 2007 11:12PM]

Gutar Hero is not realistic, but it is more fun with a gutar. Ace Combat 6 will be a blast with stick, I can't wait.

[merlin @ Sep 21st 2007 11:20PM]

looks very saitek

[Jon @ Sep 21st 2007 11:28PM]

ummmm....parallel serial cable? Is that possible? Isn't that like saying FireWire usb cable?

[mfed3 @ Sep 21st 2007 11:53PM]

exactly...too bad i can blatantly see a usb cable coming out the back. i seriously have no idea how these reporters got their jobs.

[DickHardknocks @ Sep 21st 2007 11:54PM]

This stick is a bootleg of the SAITEK X-45.

The serial cable they are reffering to connects the THROTTLE base to the STICK's base.


I'll assume this whole thing connects to the 360 via USB cable.

[TheChaz @ Sep 22nd 2007 2:05AM]

Again, exactly. Parallel and serial are, in fact, antonyms. A parallel serial cable is a contradiction in terms.

[Ryan Block @ Sep 22nd 2007 8:13AM]

Wow, yeah, that was pretty newb mistake. Thanks for catching it!

[DickHardknocks @ Sep 21st 2007 11:51PM]

Ace Combat is unrealistic as a flight sim and does not offer the depth FALCON 4.0 and 5.0 on the PC do. The Xbox's controller serves arcadey games like AC well enough. You don't need the extra precision for landings and takeoffs in AC so unless Microsoft releases Flight Simulator or JANES starts making 360 games, this gadget here is a waste of money. You'll use it for a few weeks and forget it.

Furthermore, this stick reminds me of the
Saitek X-45 HOTAS right down to the stupid hand guard on the stick which makes the handle uncomfortable for large hands.

[merlin @ Sep 22nd 2007 12:27AM]

the LED's on the throttle base (for the mode switch) look the same as my X-45, it seems the only thing they changed is the top of the joystick. I wonder if it is actually made by Saitek for them on contract, it wouldn't be surprising.

[mrberkut @ Sep 22nd 2007 2:07AM]

Hmmm.... Yea, looks almost identical to my Saitek X36 (which I picked up about 7 years ago). There are some very small changes, but they are nothing but trivial. I have a feeling that Saitek still had a lot of extra parts left from X36/X45 days, so they simply threw them into their production plans of Hori Ace. That is if Saitek is even involved in this project, it can always be a simple copy of the design by some Chinese factory that used to produce Saitek products. :)

[VeganFreak @ Sep 22nd 2007 12:44AM]

cmon.....THE 360?! that little controller...that looks like a dildo.

[VeganFreak @ Sep 22nd 2007 12:49AM]

I aint playin' my games with no DILL-DOUGH

[Paris @ Sep 22nd 2007 1:36PM]

It doesn't look like a dildo to me. But then again I don't use dildos so I'll take your word for it.

[VeganFreak @ Sep 22nd 2007 9:09PM]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25LceCPO1ys&mode=related&search=
if you don't already know...

[eh @ Sep 22nd 2007 2:32AM]

I had that saitek controller. Worked brilliantly with zero of the flight sims I had. And that serial connector, talk about great compatibility with sound cards. That sure was a pleasant device.

[Kelmon @ Sep 22nd 2007 6:40AM]

Reminds me a lot of the controller for Steel Battalion on the old Xbox. I've never owned either console but I still think dedicated controllers like this look awesome if you can afford them. Anything that helps you feel more like "you're there" gets my vote even if the title that you're playing isn't realistic.

[Kris S. @ Sep 22nd 2007 8:14AM]

I was expecting Ace Combat to be at least as realistic (but not as horrible) as Over G Fighters. But its not, get I will have to keep waiting.

I mean come on, I want real-world locations, with real-world names, with some form of realism. Having an F-16 carry 64 missiles isn't realistic.

[Neeko @ Sep 22nd 2007 9:36AM]

Take it easy. i dont think anyone has said ACE COMBAT for 360 was a simulator. And its not trying to be. i just like the controller. ill get it off ebay after it comes out.

[Jason Cox @ Sep 22nd 2007 11:21AM]

I'll just wait for an adapter for my X45, thanks.

[Denver_80203 @ Sep 22nd 2007 11:48AM]

Wonderful but, will it work with other games? (talking about flight game compatibility). Ace is a good game but, not good enough to have me dumping 150 buck on a controller for it alone.

Yeah I understand it will work with Halo to some degree...

I guess as long ans the regular controller layout is the same on two games are identical you're ok but, what's the chances of that?

[squizzi @ Sep 26th 2007 11:36AM]

Ohhh, yeah, I can use my joystick to fly a banshee. Sounds like a blast.

[scolen2 @ Sep 22nd 2007 2:34PM]

God, i hope my old Hori Ace Combat controls work since they ARE THE SAME!

[Goldberg365 @ Sep 22nd 2007 3:32PM]

The stick is a Saitek X-52, they sold them the cases to be used for the controller.

[Claus @ Sep 22nd 2007 5:58PM]

Quite not.
Have a look at actual shoots of the X52, and the price.
Can't be.
It's an old X36 (for the game port thing) and the thumb hat has been replaced by single X-box style buttons.

[Claus @ Sep 22nd 2007 5:53PM]

Those look like old Saitek X36 refurbished in a sleeky metal green suite.
Well at least for the aesthetics and shape.
The X36 was a game-port device but with the ability to load presets of macros, commands, and so on for each and every button.
With also a 3 position slider to assign up to 3 functions to each button.
A very nice joy for its time.
Then there was the X45 usb (basically an X36 with an usb interface) and the current X52.

[JeffDM @ Sep 22nd 2007 6:40PM]

Why are the Saiteks so popular? The drivers & software are pretty ghetto, it's sad.

[jayeffaar @ Sep 24th 2007 11:05AM]

The main reason I'm not interested at all in flight sims on a console (realistic or not) is the lack of a full-size joystick. Flying an airplane or space ship with my thumbs is out of the question, after using a great flight stick on my PC for years. This might turn me around, even if it's not the best flight stick in the world. Same situation with the microsoft steering wheel: as a force-feedback wheel, it's a complete piece of crap, but it sure beats "driving" with a gamepad.

[Don @ Sep 25th 2007 11:01AM]

Exactly. Frankly, I hope that someone puts out a decent, realistic flight sim for the 360. The Horsepower is there, and with USB they can come up with all sorts of great peripherals - or just allow using a USB keyboard - for the many functions usually needed. 16 player furball on a giant screen, or a projector? Sign me up.

[T_ @ Sep 26th 2007 4:22PM]

I feel like enough of a dork having my TM HOTAS sitting around my apartment, im sure not going to buy a new stick for every game/system that comes out.
What is the point of buying high quality USB peripherals if you cant use them? No 360 or PS3 for me for this, and only this reason.

[DickHardknocks @ Sep 27th 2007 11:06PM]

You only need a HOTAS for PC Flight Simulators. Get an X-45 or X-52 and upgrade your room with surround sound and a gaming chair.

Play in the dark and there is NOTHING LIKE IT.

A true dork actually buys a game COCKPIT for his living room. cockpits cost around $10,000 I think.

[Novaseta @ Oct 23rd 2007 9:39PM]

Picked up the stick bundle... Gotta say its pretty nice. It takes a little getting used to but once you get it down its awesome. If you are a gamer who likes the occasional flight game stick with your controller. But if you are the type who is dead into flying games its for you. And all this business about it being just another stick... Look guys.. Joysticks are joysticks... It has everything it needs and there really isn't much they could change to make it better. Asking for a different stick design is like saying, "Hey... reinvent the bicycle. Cause this one is just like that one." If I give it one negative remark... I would say that its a little bit hard to find a way to mount them. But the suction cups on the bottom really help with that. :)