Is it possible to accurately emulate Ikari Warriors?

[spystyle]

Hello from Maine,

A buddy of mine wants to build a cab specifically for Ikari Warriors, but it must also play other games so emulation is a must, not just the Ikari PCB.

I have read some of the older posts about this and it seemed emulation was far from perfect. Is it fixed yet?

If so, what is the most cost effective and accurate way to emulate Ikari warriors? What hardware and software would be needed?

Thank you,
Craig

[Kremmit]

It still doesn't play right.  The MAME code has the inputs mapped to the wrong input type for perfect emulation.  Barring the use of a real Ikari PCB, you can't get perfect play.  The best options available are:

Mechanical rotary joysticks run through a Druin's encoder.  Sadly, the Druin's board is currently off the market.  Rdagger posted some info for a DIY rotary encoder a while back, you could try that.  Most folks find that they still get missed/extra turns every once in a while.

Optical rotary joysticks run through a mousehack, OptiWiz, OptiPac, etc.  These won't have the same feel as the original sticks, the click-feel will be missing.  However, since MAME doesn't always keep sync with the clicks, this may be preferable, at least until such time as somebody fixes the input issue with MAME. 

As for the sticks themselves, you can look for original SNK octagon-topped sticks on Ebay, or buy the Happ replacements, which have a standard black bat-top.  Yellow topped SNK's are mechanical rotary, Green topped SNK's are optical rotary.

Hope this helps. 

[rdagger]

I have found that Ikari emulation works well with MAME Analog+ version 83.2 and a rotary interface.  It may also work using 24 direct inputs, but I have never tried.
I've had several requests for Rotary Interfaces so I will be selling a very limited batch.  I'll have more information next week.  I am still working out production details.

[Kremmit]

Ikari was one of the games that did not work with 24 inputs, so that's out.

[spystyle]

Thanks for the input fellas!

Has anyone tried this:

http://www.trimoor.com/rotary_joystick/index.htm

I was thinking of maybe combining a spinner with a joystick for Ikari (as Mahuti stated in a different thread that a spinner is the way to go) and while googling I found that, it looks good!

Cheers,
Craig

p.s. I like 

[Kremmit]

The BYO project you linked is a homebrew version of the optical rotary sticks I mentioned above.  You might check out this one, too:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=20018.0

Or, Happ sells optical rotary sticks for $50 a pop.  Ponyboy could probably get you a better price.

[LandShark]

I was fortunate to get one of the Druin boards and I am using the Happs mech rotary. The previous post was correct that clicks are missed or counted double. This is avery common issue that has been reported numerous times. After playing around with the settings on mine, the missed/double clicks are fewer now... to the point that Ikari is playable. 

Obviously, the SNK's have the true feel versus the Happ Rotary. But the Happs play better in non-rotary games it so they were a good compromise for a second joysticks to use for Robotron, etc.

Since the druin interface isn't available, does anyone know what Slikstik uses for their Rotary option? This may be another choice for someone to use... <EDIT> Duh - Just checked Druins sight. Looks like they were the option for Slikstik. I wonder what Slikstik will be using now for that option??