An arcade spinner is a weighted rotary dial that spins freely on bearings and reports rotation to your computer with an optical encoder. It's the control that made Tempest, Arkanoid, Breakout and Pong feel the way they did — you flick it, it coasts, you catch it. This guide covers how spinners work, how to pick one, and how to set one up in MAME, an Arcade1Up cabinet, or a custom build.
How a spinner works
Inside a good spinner there are three things that matter: a weighted flywheel (that's the coast), real bearings (that's the smoothness), and a high-resolution optical encoder (that's the precision). The encoder output reaches your machine as USB mouse-axis movement, which is exactly what MAME and RetroArch expect for dial games. Cheap spinners skimp on mass and resolution — they feel like turning a volume knob, and in Tempest you'll feel the difference in the first ten seconds.
Choosing the right GRS spinner
| Spinner | Best for | Why |
|---|---|---|
| GRS Arcade Spinner (TS-USP) | Arcade1Up upgrades | Sized as a drop-in for Arcade1Up panels, USB out |
| GRS Push & Pull Spinner Ultra (TS-DOT) | Discs of Tron, advanced builds | Adds push/pull axis; Ultra precision sensor |
| GRS Button-Hole Spinner Ultra (TS-BSP) | Retrofits | Mounts in a standard button hole — no new panel cutting |
| GRS Spinner Steering Wheel | Racing classics | Wheel attachment for Pole Position-style games |
| Trackball + Spinner Combo | Full panels | Both analog classics in one kit |
Already own a TS-BSP or TS-DOT? The Ultra precision upgrade kit brings it to the latest sensor spec.
Compatibility
Every GRS spinner is plug-and-play USB with PC, Mac, Raspberry Pi, RetroPie, Recalbox and Batocera — no drivers. For Arcade1Up cabinets, the TS-USP drops into spinner models directly; on the 12-in-1 you'll want the 12-in-1 interface board — the full mapping is in our Arcade1Up compatibility guide.
Setup in MAME
- Set Dial Device to Mouse in MAME's input settings
- Tune per-game sensitivity in Analog Controls — Tempest high, Arkanoid moderate
- Playing Tempest specifically? We wrote a dedicated Tempest spinner setup guide; Tron players want the Tron stick + spinner setup
FAQ
Spinner or trackball — which do I need?
Spinners rotate on one axis (Tempest, Breakout); trackballs roll on two (Centipede, Golden Tee). Serious panels have both — that's the combo kit. See our trackball guide for the other side.
Will it work on my Arcade1Up?
Yes — that's what the TS-USP was designed for. Check the compatibility table for your exact cabinet.
Browse all spinners in the spinner collection, or plan a whole panel with the MAME cabinet parts guide.
