Arcade game machines rely on a robust and straightforward system to handle inputs from joysticks and buttons, designed for high durability and immediate response. The core components are microswitches. Inside an arcade joystick, the stick's movement physically presses a series of microswitches corresponding to the four cardinal directions. Similarly, each arcade button has a microswitch mounted directly beneath it. When a player presses a button or moves the joystick, it activates these microswitches, creating a physical electrical connection.

The signals from these switches are sent via a wired harness to a central printed circuit board (PCB), often called the input interface board or the game's main PCB. This board continuously scans the state of all inputs in a matrix pattern. It checks which switches are open (not pressed) and which are closed (pressed) many times per second. When the PCB detects a closed switch, it registers this as an input and sends a corresponding signal to the game's central processing unit (CPU).

The CPU then processes this input based on the game's programming. For example, it might translate a "right" joystick signal into moving a character across the screen. This entire process, from physical contact to on-screen action, happens with minimal latency, which is crucial for fast-paced gameplay. The system's simplicity and use of physical switches make it incredibly durable, capable of withstanding millions of presses, which is essential for commercial arcade operations. Modern solutions, like USB encoder boards, allow these same classic microswitch-based controls to be used with modern computers, preserving the authentic arcade feel.