New NVIDIA Shield controller possible for MAME cabinets?

[Dungeonsdeep]

NVIDIA has released a pretty cool new controller. It's actually WiFi based as opposed to being Bluetooth or RF.

I want to use two wireless controllers to add onto my MAME cabinet for extra players, and was wondering if anyone knows anything about these and wheter or not they would be compatible with MAME/Hyperspin?

Here is a link ; http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834762005

[SavannahLion]

The mention of WiFi without the usual a/b/g is suspect. Nevermind the technical issues such as drivers and latency. So I dug around and found their FAQs. They're really light on specs re: the WiFi but it appears to be "SHIELD" only. This is in direct contradiction of the Newegg blurb that says it's cross compatible with PCs.

Yeah... look closer. ..

PC streaming.

According to one forum post, you have to stream the game to your SHIELD enabled tablet or phone to use this. You can connect to the PC via USB but you have very limited functionality.

[Dungeonsdeep]

Hmm...guess we will have to wait until someone writes some kind of workaround...if that even happens. Nvidia is really falling flat on their face with these devices I think.

[Rabidgamer]

Looks like someone made a tool to connect it to your PC via wifi:
https://sites.google.com/site/silentdesignsandroid/home/shield2pcgamepad

[nitrogen_widget]

I have Rock Candy wireless PS3 controllers that have their own USB dongle that is recognized by windows & linux.
Why not go with a controller that comes with it's own dongle?

[Rabidgamer]

Well you could use wireless 360 controllers. They sell a PC version that comes with a usb 2.4ghz receiver.
You could get a cheap $5 bluetooth usb adapter and use ps3/ps4 controllers, wii remotes/guns, etc

[Generic Eric]

I say go for the xbox 360 controllers and wireless USB dongle

I bought one on amazon (though it wasn't this link) and used the instructions in the comments to get it going:
http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Wireless-Gaming-Receiver-Windows/dp/B000HZFCT2

I've had a good experience.

[Warborg]

Nvidia is really falling flat on their face with these devices I think.

Based on?  I have one of the original Shield handhelds and it's an amazing little device...  I have multiple emus I can play on it, some cool native android games, plus the streaming works quite well.  I was able to sit at work on their crappy WiFi and stream from my home PC and play things like Arkham City and Amazing Spider-Man and played very smoothly.  Between emus, android games, and streaming from my PC I have a pretty substantial game library on it.  Plus I can also play videos from it to my LED TV nicely as well, and the thing have very solid battery life.  I'm not saying it's the greatest thing since sliced bread, but I've been pretty happy with it's performance.

[SavannahLion]

Nvidia is really falling flat on their face with these devices I think.

Based on?  I have one of the original Shield handhelds and it's an amazing little device...  I have multiple emus I can play on it, some cool native android games, plus the streaming works quite well.  I was able to sit at work on their crappy WiFi and stream from my home PC and play things like Arkham City and Amazing Spider-Man and played very smoothly.  Between emus, android games, and streaming from my PC I have a pretty substantial game library on it.  Plus I can also play videos from it to my LED TV nicely as well, and the thing have very solid battery life.  I'm not saying it's the greatest thing since sliced bread, but I've been pretty happy with it's performance.

I think what he means is that nVidia is missing the boat by alienating a potentially large percentage of the gaming population by making the controller a "SHIELD" only device. Yes, I can see that there is a user made driver (albeit without analog it seems) in another post that lets you use this direct with the PC but that's not the point. The point is having an "exclusive" little accessory might encourage people who already own a SHEILD device purchase it, however it does little, if anything at all, to encourage people who do NOT have a SHIELD device to actually purchase one. However, if nVidia straight up included PC drivers to create the ad hoc network and let people use it (see 360 and the PC dongle to understand) with their PC then that might actually encourage more sales above and beyond what would otherwise occur as a pure SHIELD device.

At this point in the game the controller, by itself, brings very little to the table that I couldn't put together from well established products and have intrinsic PC support. The very fact nVidia isn't marketing this, at least in part, as an intrinsic PC device is enough for a person to lose interest.

I also think it's pretty sleazy of their marketing to imply this is directly compatible with your PC when it is not meant to be used as such. I had to read the description very carefully to catch on to why they mentioned the PC component at all.

Take a look at the number of "exclusive" accessories that have appeared in the last ten years alone for the Android and iOS. How many of them were actually wildly successful? Not very many.

Best to wait until nVidia gets clued in and whips out PC support or this thing hits the discount shelf.

[Warborg]

Nvidia is really falling flat on their face with these devices I think.

Based on?  I have one of the original Shield handhelds and it's an amazing little device...  I have multiple emus I can play on it, some cool native android games, plus the streaming works quite well.  I was able to sit at work on their crappy WiFi and stream from my home PC and play things like Arkham City and Amazing Spider-Man and played very smoothly.  Between emus, android games, and streaming from my PC I have a pretty substantial game library on it.  Plus I can also play videos from it to my LED TV nicely as well, and the thing have very solid battery life.  I'm not saying it's the greatest thing since sliced bread, but I've been pretty happy with it's performance.

I think what he means is that nVidia is missing the boat by alienating a potentially large percentage of the gaming population by making the controller a "SHIELD" only device. Yes, I can see that there is a user made driver (albeit without analog it seems) in another post that lets you use this direct with the PC but that's not the point. The point is having an "exclusive" little accessory might encourage people who already own a SHEILD device purchase it, however it does little, if anything at all, to encourage people who do NOT have a SHIELD device to actually purchase one. However, if nVidia straight up included PC drivers to create the ad hoc network and let people use it (see 360 and the PC dongle to understand) with their PC then that might actually encourage more sales above and beyond what would otherwise occur as a pure SHIELD device.

At this point in the game the controller, by itself, brings very little to the table that I couldn't put together from well established products and have intrinsic PC support. The very fact nVidia isn't marketing this, at least in part, as an intrinsic PC device is enough for a person to lose interest.

I also think it's pretty sleazy of their marketing to imply this is directly compatible with your PC when it is not meant to be used as such. I had to read the description very carefully to catch on to why they mentioned the PC component at all.

Take a look at the number of "exclusive" accessories that have appeared in the last ten years alone for the Android and iOS. How many of them were actually wildly successful? Not very many.

Best to wait until nVidia gets clued in and whips out PC support or this thing hits the discount shelf.

Ok, on those grounds...  Fair enough.  Although at the price, you could also get the XBox 360 wireless controller that is branded for Windows that includes the tranceiver anyway...  And frankly I prefer having the Microsoft branded controllers cause there are a few titles that seem to only want to work on those controllers and will not work with third party controllers (YES, Capcom, I'm glaring at YOU...).

[Dungeonsdeep]

Nvidia is really falling flat on their face with these devices I think.

Based on?  I have one of the original Shield handhelds and it's an amazing little device... 

From what I understand there are a lot of limitations that just shouldn't be there, not to mention the horrible and uncomfortable controller design (this is all rumor/opinion, so really I have no clue. Guess I should try it for myself before I make accusations).

I feel like it should just be an easy to setup plug and play PC controller. Getting more PC games to have controller support as a standard would help it merge in on console territory as HTPCs/Steamboxes/etc. are becoming more commonplace (not that I would ever give up mouse and keyboard for the majority of my PC gaming) And the shield could easily be a part of that.

Back on topic, for all of those suggesting XBOX wireless controllers and PS3 controllers -

1. I have toyed with the PS3 "motioninjoy" drivers a lot in the past, and they have given me nothing but headaches. Have things improved? I even purchased one of the suggested dongles.

2. Xbox controller - I use a wired xbox controller on my PC for mame and emulators and love it. But when my cab is finished I'd rather not bother with the wires. With the wireless receiver have any problems transmitting through the wooden cabinet?

Thank you.

[Warborg]

Nvidia is really falling flat on their face with these devices I think.

Based on?  I have one of the original Shield handhelds and it's an amazing little device... 

From what I understand there are a lot of limitations that just shouldn't be there, not to mention the horrible and uncomfortable controller design (this is all rumor/opinion, so really I have no clue. Guess I should try it for myself before I make accusations).

I feel like it should just be an easy to setup plug and play PC controller. Getting more PC games to have controller support as a standard would help it merge in on console territory as HTPCs/Steamboxes/etc. are becoming more commonplace (not that I would ever give up mouse and keyboard for the majority of my PC gaming) And the shield could easily be a part of that.

Back on topic, for all of those suggesting XBOX wireless controllers and PS3 controllers -

1. I have toyed with the PS3 "motioninjoy" drivers a lot in the past, and they have given me nothing but headaches. Have things improved? I even purchased one of the suggested dongles.

2. Xbox controller - I use a wired xbox controller on my PC for mame and emulators and love it. But when my cab is finished I'd rather not bother with the wires. With the wireless receiver have any problems transmitting through the wooden cabinet?

Thank you.

Well like I said, I have the original Shield and I haven't used the new one with the separate controller but I've always found mine to be comfortable and love the flexibility of all the different games I can play on it.

As to the Microsoft branded wireless controller, I have been able to use it to do stuff like pause/unpause from another room so I would think it shouldn't have a problem going through the wood of a cabinet, but I haven't tried to specifically put one in a cabinet so I can't spead to that directly...  I wouldn't think it would be a problem, but what do I know?  I have one set up on my HTPC in my bedroom and can sit back on the bed and control everything and it works great...