N64 on Arcade Machine

[WhereEaglesDare]

I am using Project 64 and I have a 7 button + coin and start layout on my machine
 
      U       Start  Coin
 L   JS   R              1  2  3
      D                7  4  5  6

What layouts do you use for N64 game on your machine and which games do you play most on it?

[Hoopz]

You may have trouble playing some games with a digital joystick instead of an analogue controller.  Unless you have U360s on there....

I use an Xbox 360 controller for N64 games.  It's not authentic, but neither is playing N64 on a CP.

You may also look for an adapter for your N64 controllers.  The adaptoid was pretty popular before but I haven't kept up on it. 

[DillonFoulds]

Mario Kart 64, every time the machine gets fired up when people are over...

Happ Competitions w/ 8 button layout...
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8

B R cl cu
A Z cd cr

Start = Start
Coin = L

[ragnar]

Without an analog joystick, you are going to be severely limited in the games you can play.  I can not think of one game that didn't use the analog stick off the top of my head.

The good news is that you get lots of games that will work.  Including Rave Race which alone makes it worth doing!  The only thing you can do is think about what games you want and then see what the controller config was like on the N64.  Don't laugh but I am busting out a 9 button CP granted the N64 only needs 8 buttons.


    (1) (2) (3)
                (8)
    (4) (5) (6)
(7)             (9)


1-6 represent the traditional 6 buttons layout
4-7 are Neo Geo

For N64, I will not be using 1 even though I will map it to L
2,5=A,B
7=Z
4=R
3,6,8,9 = c-pad (notice how they almost form a diamond shape like on the N64 :)


Now, people have warned me against doing this but I figure hte button costs $2 each.  So $4 per player.  I'd rather try and fail rather than never try at all.  Mappings are not definite yet but they are my starting point.  I think the above is good for Wave Race, but not something like Street Fighter.

Enjoy the discussion:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=104864.0

[WhereEaglesDare]

Was the D-PAD and L Button used much?? Im sorry, I cant remember the last time I picked up a N64 controller to play anything but Mario 64.

[ragnar]

Was the D-PAD and L Button used much?? Im sorry, I cant remember the last time I picked up a N64 controller to play anything but Mario 64.

I think Goldeneye used the D-pad.  I forget what for but it was used on occasion.  The single player campaign is still workable on a dual player cab though.  Use player 2 for the single player game and the right most buttons for player 1 can be used for the d-pad.

But my recollection is that most games did not use the d-pad.  And if they did, you did not use the analog stick.  Street Fighter might be an example.

The L and Z buttons were usually the same command.

[WhereEaglesDare]

Cool Im gonna try this


      U       Start  Coin
 L   JS   R              1  2  3
      D                7  4  5  6



      U       Start  R
 L   JS   R               A   CL  CU
      D                Z   B  CD  CR

Did I miss anything?

Lets list cab worthy N64 Games:
So far, Mario Kart 64 and Ridge Racer were mentioned.

Mortal Kombat 4 and F-Zero X are both perfect for this.

[EVEGames]

N64-to-USB adapters are cheap, and still available. 

My favorite:
http://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-64-N64-2in1-Controller-Adapter/dp/8565000168



Getting your hands on OEM N64 controllers, however, is much, much more tricky these days.

-EVEGames

P.S.
It also handles a Playstation Dual Shock controller with the flick of a switch.

[SephYuyX]

Could just get an Xbox 360 controller and be set with most all consoles that arent easy to play with an arcade set up.

[WhereEaglesDare]

N64-to-USB adapters are cheap, and still available. 

Getting your hands on OEM N64 controllers, however, is much, much more tricky these days.

-EVEGames

Could just get an Xbox 360 controller and be set with most all consoles that arent easy to play with an arcade set up.

I think if you use a controller on a cab that kinda defeats the purpose of having a cab.  I can play games with a controller on my home PC or my laptop, I'd like to put a few great N64 Games on my game list for when people come down we can throw down.

[ragnar]

Z,R,A,B are the more common buttons.  I'd map one of the C buttons to the coin button.

Having said that, I think you are going to have to do this trial and error.  I don't think one mapping will work with all games.

[SephYuyX]

I wonder if it would be possible to use a trackball as the N64 joystick lol.

[MikeyMerse]

I wonder if it would be possible to use a trackball as the N64 joystick lol.

To emulate an 'Up' position on the analog joystick, you would need to continuously scroll up on the mouse. Not ideal for any N64 game.

I would need to use an N64 controller, I would get fed up playing games with the CP or a different controller. And not to mention guests getting irritated from it.

I second the adapter option.

[bufalo]

I have this six buton config:

    up
left   right          (L)  (Z)  (R)       
   down             (B)  (A)  (??)  and start buton the same as on mame. I don´t remember what had i put on the 6th buton but it works ok at least on the games i´ve tried.

I have many games of n64 on that PC, but I´m going to make a clean leaving only cab friendly ones, like driving, or fighting (the few that exists  )

Adding some to the mentioned games, I think pilotwings64 is the most played on my control panel

[sstralkowski]

I just "finished" my first MAME and I'm already working on an N64 addition.  My CP has yellow, green, blue, and red  buttons so I bought one matching N64 controller of each player as well as two converter cables.  I figure storing them under the CP and busting them out for MarioKart parties or whatever would be fun.