Tankstick 2-in-1 adapter with Wingman converters

Useful Answer

When using a Tankstick through the DB9 cable, X-Arcade 2-in-1 adapter, and Brook Wingman converters, the Tankstick must be in Keyboard Mode. XInput mode can prevent the adapter chain from lighting or responding even when the Wingman adapters themselves appear solid.

Setup sequence:

• Disconnect the adapter chain from the console.
• Connect the Tankstick USB-B port directly to a PC or console data port.
• Hold P1 Mode for about 5 seconds until the controller blinks red.
• Red blink means Keyboard Mode; green means XInput and is not the right mode for this adapter chain.
• Reconnect the chain in order: Tankstick to DB9 cable, DB9 to 2-in-1 adapter, 2-in-1 USB cables to the Wingman converters, then Wingman converters to the console USB ports.

After everything is connected and powered, perform the manual handshake for each side:

• Player 1: hold Left Flipper + Player 1.
• Player 2: hold Right Flipper + Player 2.

The 2-in-1 adapter may not illuminate until the correct mode and handshake are complete. If the adapter still does not light, confirm the customer is using the correct DB9 cable from the accessory box and the correct power/connection order.

For Xbox Series S/X adapter chains, confirm the customer has the current two-output 2-in-1 adapter. An older single-output 2-in-1 adapter can produce strange symptoms even when the X-Arcade controller tests correctly on PC, such as the Xbox menu drifting up-left and other buttons not responding. In one resolved case, replacing the older one-output adapter with the current adapter restored Xbox operation.

For Xbox 360, use the X-Arcade Xbox 360 / Original Xbox / PC adapter kit rather than the modern Brook Wingman chain.

For PS5 fighting games, avoid promising universal PS5-game support. Support has specifically confirmed that a Brook Wingman FGC setup works on PS5 for the PS4 edition of Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection, including Street Fighter 2: Hyper Fighting. For two-player Tankstick use, the 2-in-1/splitter package is needed so Player 1 and Player 2 each have their own adapter path.

For customers who already have the X-Arcade 2-in-1 adapter and want to buy Brook adapters separately, support has recommended Brook Wingman FGC / FGC2 for PS5 and Brook Wingman XE2 for Nintendo Switch.

Source Context

The customer had the Tankstick connected through DB9, a 2-in-1 adapter, and Wingman converters for PS5 and Xbox Series X. The adapters did not light while the Tankstick was in XInput mode. Support instructed them to switch to Keyboard Mode and perform the left/right flipper plus player-button handshake. The customer then confirmed the setup was working on both PS5 and Xbox. A separate Xbox Series S case confirmed that an older one-output 2-in-1 adapter could be the bad link even when the fighting stick worked correctly on PC; replacing it with the current adapter fixed the Xbox behavior. A January 2025 PS5 compatibility answer confirmed the Wingman FGC path for the PS4 edition of Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection on PS5 and confirmed the splitter package for two-player use. A November 2024 adapter question confirmed the standalone adapter choices: Wingman FGC/FGC2 for PS5, Wingman XE2 for Switch, and the X-Arcade Xbox 360 / Original Xbox / PC adapter kit for Xbox 360.