Trying to get to the bottom of 4way problems. Do they exist on MAME?

[jimmer]

I've read lots of times about problems with 4way games, and the need to cut the diagonals with a diamond or cloverleaf restrictor (or a small actuator on a circle gate).

But I can't find any games on MAME 148+ where an overlap causes a problem.

I just had someone tell me they are having (undefined) trouble with DoRunRun on a 19in1 board, but it's works fine for me on MAME.

So is this a problem that occurs on original hardware, but that MAME has fixed (ie made MAME 8way stick friendly) ?

If someone can tell me a 4way game that doesn't work well with an oversize diamond on MAME 148+  I would get a chance to experience the problem.

thanks.

[Haze]

MAME blocks diagonals on games tagged as 4 way (just as it blocks opposing directions on other joysticks) so you never get 2 directions pressed at the same time.

I'm not sure if it forces a center position between directions tho, but i'm also not sure if anything cares about that.

[jimmer]

Thanks. I suspected as much.

Is the protocol the same for all 4way games?

I've just tried Pacman and DoRunRun, on those games when you press the second cardinal the output switches to that one. Are there any games where it switches only after the first cardinal is released? (ie it holds onto the current key until released)

[adder]

if im understanding correctly, for the 4way game zookeeper, if you hit a diagonal by mistake your character stops running along.
edit: oops sorry, ignore. im using a keyboard encoder (ultimarc).....
it's a shame the joystick_map solution for playing 4way games with an 8way joystick cannot also be utilised by keyboard users (as in, many of us are using keyboard encoders eg. ultimarc products along with 8way arcade joysticks)