Nintendo Switch 2 + Brook Wingman XE2 + X-Arcade setup (Tankstick Max / Tankstick with Trackball)

Overview

This guide covers the most reliable setup for using an X-Arcade Tankstick Max or X-Arcade Tankstick with Trackball on a Nintendo Switch 2 using the Brook Wingman XE2 adapter.

The most common “not recognized / won’t sync” cause on Switch 2 is a required system setting plus a full restart.

Before you start

  • Confirm your X-Arcade works on a PC first (basic sanity check).
  • Update the Wingman XE2 firmware using Brook’s official download/support pages.
  • Brook product page: https://www.brookaccessory.com/products/wingmanxe2/index.html
  • Brook downloads: https://www.brookaccessory.com/download/Wingman_Series/

Step-by-step setup (recommended)

1) Enable wired controller communication on the Switch 2

  • System Settings → Controllers & Accessories → Pro Controller Wired Communication → ON

2) Fully restart the Switch 2

  • After turning that setting ON, power the Switch 2 off and back on.

3) Set your X-Arcade to Keyboard Mode

  • Set the rear toggle switch to Mode 1 (Keyboard Mode).

4) Set the Wingman XE2 to Nintendo Switch (NS) mode

  • Use Brook’s instructions to put the XE2 into NS mode (shortcut is commonly PS + Up on supported controllers).
  • If your X-Arcade does not have a PS/Home button to perform the shortcut, temporarily connect a standard controller that does (for example, a PS4/PS5 controller), set NS mode, then swap back to the X-Arcade.

5) Connect and confirm recognition

  • Connect the Wingman XE2 to the Switch 2 USB port.
  • Connect the X-Arcade to the Wingman XE2 (per your adapter kit/cable setup).

Success signal

When the Wingman XE2 is fully recognized by the console, the XE2 LED is typically solid (not just flashing).

If it still does not work

Try these checks in order:

1) Reconfirm Pro Controller Wired Communication = ON, then restart the Switch 2 again.

2) Confirm the X-Arcade is still in Mode 1 (Keyboard Mode).

3) Confirm the Wingman XE2 firmware is up to date and the adapter is in NS mode.

4) If your adapter kit uses a “2‑in‑1” cable, confirm which cable style you have (some older detachable‑cable styles are not compatible with some console adapter setups).

If it still does not work after these steps, contact support with:

  • Your Wingman XE2 firmware version (or screenshot)
  • The Wingman XE2 LED behavior (solid vs flashing, color if applicable)
  • Which X-Arcade model you have (Tankstick Max vs Tankstick with Trackball)
  • Which cable/adapter kit style you are using (attached vs detachable 2‑in‑1 cable)

Optional: two-player setup notes (if you have two adapter chains)

If you are setting up two-player support with two adapter chains:

1) Connect Player 1 first and confirm it is recognized.

2) If a manual handshake is needed, press the left lower side button + P1.

3) Connect Player 2 only after Player 1 is working.

4) If a manual handshake is needed, press the right lower side button + P2.