CP / USB controller question

[gman314]

This question is somewhat related to my previous post. 
Let me start off by saying that I cannot picture myself playing, let's say, the NES version of Metroid with real arcade controls.  That's what retro USB controllers are for, right?  Also, it is out of the question to have to manually configure my console emulators back and forth between my control panel settings and various USB controller settings.

My ultimate goal is to have two seperate, but simutaneous, player 1 configurations for each of my console emulators (my arcade control panel and each console's respective USB controller).  For instance, when I select an NES game, I want to have the choice of using either my CP or my NES controller.  In essence, both would perform the exact same player 1 functions.

I figured that the JoyToKey program would take care of this problem by telling my PC that each of my USB controllers (just like my CP with its Ipac) are in fact keyboards.  Would this work?  More specifically, would it would seamlessly with a frontend such as Maximus Arcade?  Does anyone know of a different solution?  As always, thank you so much for your help 

[Stobe]

I guess it mainly depends on if the chosen emulator accepts multiple inputs for a command (like Mame does-- i.e. Left Arrow OR Joy 1 Left).

If not, then the JoytoKey solution is probably the best bet. 

I would then optimize the front end to work with the full CP, since its always there (as opposed to your USB controllers, which might be tucked away for arcade goodness)

-Stobe

[gman314]

How would I optimize it exactly?

[Stobe]

What I meant is, given the choice between programming the Emu's controls for the full CP vs the retro controller, I would choose the Full CP.  There are several retro console emu's that have been coded for using a full CP's controls (escape to exit, "1" to start, etc).  And most Emu's you can fully config the controls already.

Unclet has a great writeup in the "Mala" forum that lists all the Emu's he used to setup inside Mala.  And I believe there is a link to the Emu's that I am talking about (with special key mappings).

-Stobe