N64 Controler Layout - Any Suggestions

[Zeno]

I'm looking to create a CP that works with MAME (easy... been there/done that) and also works with all N64 games.

How the heck am I going to pull this off without the CP looking like a dog's breakfast?

By my calculations, the N64 will require the following for each player...

9 buttons (A/B/4Cs/L/R/Z)
1 8-way stick
1 Additional 8-way stick for the + control on the left

Any photos from people that have made this work?

[willhs]

Wouldn't you also need an analog?  I have never seen this done before, but it sounds really cool.  I'd try making a computer mockup first, of course.

[ahofle]

It's so much easier to use the arcade controls for MAME and use a USB gamepad (or original N64 controller) for the N64 games.  And you definitely need an analog controller as willhs mentioned.  Playing Mario Kart with a digital stick blows.

[Zeno]

Yeah... your dead on with the analog.  I didn't even think of that.  Good call.

Hum... This project may not be worth the $$.  Maybe I'll just stick to running SNES on the cab.

[PsychoAU]

Why do people want to run console games in a cab, anyway?  I thought the whole idea of building a cab is to recreate the experience of the original arcade games.  To me, consoles have no place in a cab.  Maybe someone could explain it to me...

[Zeno]

Sounds like your mind is made up.

[DarkBubble]

For some games, especially those that are arcadey and would be even moreso with a big analog stick or wheel, tossing them into a cab isn't such a bad idea.  The problem you run into is how to do so effectively and practically while maintaining a setup that is capable of handling multiple games.  I think that of all of the systems to try to adapt to an arcade setup, N64 is probably going to be one of the hardest unless you stick to games where the analog stick isn't necessary or you're going to stick with the racers.

[Kaytrim]

Maybe someone could explain it to me...

It is called lack of space and "One Cab to Rule them All".  Personally I agree in the fact that consoles are supposed to be next to the TV but they can also be put in a cab if the owner chooses to do so.

[SodaPopinksi]

I love old console games, snes, nes, genesis they have just as big a place in my heart as the old arcade games. However, when it comes to N64, PS or PS2 I definately break out an adapter and that console's controller. There are exceptions though, like Castlevania Symphony of the Night plays pretty well with arcade controls. For an N64 setup though you could use an Ultimarc 360 for analog. Especially like the thought of a swappable control panel with this kind of control setup, but it would be expensive.

[ahofle]

Why do people want to run console games in a cab, anyway?  I thought the whole idea of building a cab is to recreate the experience of the original arcade games.  To me, consoles have no place in a cab.  Maybe someone could explain it to me...

Because you can.  I never understood why people think some "law of arcade cabinets" is broken just because you run console emulators in them in addition to MAME.  Many of the older console emulators are far better when played with real arcade controls, and the newer console emulators can be run just fine with USB gamepads (or the original controllers with adapters).  None of this takes anything away from the cabinet's ability to "recreate the experience of the original arcade games".  This is of course all ignoring the obvious fact that the alternative, having a stack of consoles and dozens of cartridges to wade through, is not very practical for most people.

[AlexKidd]

It's not really possible to have a button layout that works with n64 games that require the use of all the buttons like zelda. Without an analog stick like the ultimarc ultrastick it'd be pretty hard to play a lot of games like mariocart. I have ultrasticks on my cab and was messing around with using them to play n64 games. It's possible to set up the sensitivity and range settings to be able to steer okay in mariocart but it's still hard to press and hold the buttons required to play though. Games like super smash bros play pretty good with just an eight way joystick and 4 buttons. I have some logitech wingman action pads that have a great layout for n64 playing. I use them a lot to feed my mariocart addiction.

[TheAdMan]

Why do people want to run console games in a cab, anyway?  I thought the whole idea of building a cab is to recreate the experience of the original arcade games.  To me, consoles have no place in a cab.  Maybe someone could explain it to me...

Amen,

Although I guess there are exceptions with games like tekken5, SFIII - arcade games that aren't emulated or too hefty to play on mame - this is when I appreciate a simple X-Arcade (I know there will be repercussions for saying that).

[meequalgreat]

for the d-pad or c buttons this might work, I dunno if it would be practical, but it would look cool and appropriate.

http://www.arcadeshop.de/Joysticks-Thumbstick-yellow_452.html