An arcade trackball is a heavy ball riding on bearing rollers, read by optical encoders on two axes. It's the control behind Centipede, Missile Command, Marble Madness and Golden Tee — and the single most transformative upgrade you can make to a cabinet that fakes those games with a joystick. Here's how to choose one and install it right.

What separates a good trackball from a toy

  • Ball mass — a real arcade ball has momentum; you can rip it and let it roll. Light balls stop dead.
  • Bearing rollers — smooth, silent tracking for thousands of hours.
  • Optical resolution — high counts-per-revolution means Golden Tee drives and Centipede sweeps register exactly as fast as you rolled.
  • USB HID output — shows up as a mouse; MAME, RetroPie and RetroArch support it natively.

Choosing your GRS trackball

Model Best for Notes
GRS LED Arcade Trackball (TS-UTB-02) Most builds and Arcade1Up upgrades Illuminated, drop-in friendly, the value pick
GRS RGB Arcade Trackball (TS-UTB-PRO) Custom showpieces Addressable RGB lighting, same industrial internals
Trackball + Spinner Combo Complete analog panels Covers every dial and trackball classic at once

Add the GRS mounting plate for a flush, factory-style install that stands up to Golden Tee abuse.

Compatibility

USB plug-and-play with PC, Mac and Raspberry Pi. Upgrading an Arcade1Up? Trackball-ready cabinets accept GRS trackballs with minor panel work, and the 12-in-1 needs the interface board — model-by-model details in the Arcade1Up compatibility guide.

Setup tips

  • In MAME set Trackball Device to Mouse and tune sensitivity per game — Centipede fast, Missile Command a touch slower
  • Mount with the ball slightly proud of the panel so your palm rolls it flat
  • Game-specific setups: Centipede and Golden Tee guides

FAQ

Do I need a separate encoder board?

No — GRS trackballs output USB directly. You only need an encoder like the Universal Encoder Hub when wiring a full panel of buttons and sticks alongside it.

LED vs RGB — any performance difference?

None — identical tracking. RGB adds programmable lighting for custom builds.

Browse the trackball collection, or plan the whole control panel with the MAME cabinet parts guide.