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U360 had its Thunder Stolen.
TPB:
For those using MAME as their sole emulator ...
MAME .118 onwards offers the joystick_map option, which uses predefined joystick maps to configure an analogue joystick for each game.
Does this mean that any PC analogue USB joystick could be used in MAME, and work fine for all games, correctly simulating all types of joysticks (2, 4, 8, Q*Bert, Analogue) ?
I'm not sure if MAME has a predefined map for 49 way games such as Sinistar etc., but you can also make your own maps in an INI file for such games.
Any analogue stick could therefore deliver the same benefit as the U360 ?
Has the U360 had its thunder stolen ? :dizzy:
PC analogue USB joysticks offer the following advantages :
* Many "lower end" sticks can be purchased new for under 10 bucks.
* Most offer topfire buttons.
These sticks lack the arcade design & feel, and the configurability, of the U360's ... but it's nice to have different options available for purchase.
ahofle:
The problem is a PC joystick is not even close to arcade quality. They are also difficult to mount properly on most CPs. I don't know of many (any?) arcade analog sticks other than the U360 below $200 or so. Also, as you mentioned a PC joystick is usually much bigger and lacks the compact feel of a typical arcade joystick. So I don't think the U360 is any danger of being replaced.
But yes, the new MAME mapping is very nice. I wish I had an analog stick on my panel to take advantage of it.
(+_+):
--- Quote from: TPB on June 03, 2008, 11:37:34 am ---Any analogue stick could therefore deliver the same benefit as the U360 ?
:
--- End quote ---
Perhaps. But IMHO, it comes nowhere near having a properly mounted real arcade quality joystick that has much more sophisticated mapping features.
--- Quote ---Has the U360 had its thunder stolen ? :dizzy:
--- End quote ---
No Chance
Ginsu Victim:
No PC controller feels as good as a U360.
Hell, a majority of arcade joysticks don't either.
u_rebelscum:
This has been discussed before. To rehash:
u360
pros:
arcade quality joystick, in ball or bat models, with different restrictors and springs
can remap as needed for different games, emulators, or applications
different sticks can have different maps at the same time
made for mounting on CPs
translation done within internal firmware, with 14 bit internal analog
cons:
only works on u360
more expensive than cheap analog sticks
no thumb or trigger buttons
no flightstick, throttle, or other shapes
need to set up special plug-ins to automatically switch
need to mount on CP
-----
PC analog stick + mame's -joystick_map option
pros:
works with any analog joystick that works on the PC (wide selection of shape & features)
automatic defaults already setup for all games in mame
no plug in, or plugin ready FE, or even FE, are needed
cons:
only works in mame
only one map can be used at a time, all analog joysticks get that map
applying non-default maps is on game by game basis
most are hard to mount on CP
Did u360 "lose thunder"? Well, very little, about from 120 dB down to 118 dB, but mostly in the high pitch, and the midrange actually increased a little. (Lost "only stick to switch between analog, 8-way 4-way 4-way diag", gained "easier to set up".)
Me, I have u360s, but use mame's -joystick_map.