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Console Emulation
mlalena:
I was just wondering how people dealt with emulation with newer consoles, and the great number of buttons required.
Newer game console emulators can have up to 21 buttons.
I figure a standard joystick + 7 button layout can be used as 13 buttons:
* Joystick: as the main joystick on the controller - Acts as 4 buttons
* Standard 7 button layout
* P1 Start: as the start button
* P1 Coin or Pause: use as select
Most people seem to ignore the lower trigger buttons and the D-Pad to get down to a normal button count. I was wondering if anyone did anything different. My kids are too young (think button mashers) so a shift-key concept won't work.
I don't want 2 joysticks + 13 buttons for player 1. I want something small and flush with the CP that is obviously for special purpose. I don't want to dedicate control panel space for a new joystick just so I can look around without moving in 007 on N64. I looked for other options and found this:
Starpoint Joystick Pushbutton: http://gamingstuff.com/game_joy.asp
Note that I can't even find this product on the manufacturer's web site: http://www.starpoint.uk.com/
I can't find a price and it doesn't look like it will mount to wood.
Found this on Digikey, but too expensive: http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=CKN9538-ND
This might work but looks fragile. Only $1.40 but minimum order is 1000 units. This is more like something you put into a stereo.
http://www.newark.com/alps/skquaaa010/navigation-switch-4way/dp/59M1981
This version can be pushed: http://www.newark.com/alps/skqucaa010/navigation-switch-5way/dp/59M1983
I will continue to look, but does anyone else have any ideas?
These are the snapshots of the controller layout screens in the different emulators.
PSX - 14 buttons
PS2 - 21 buttons
Nintnedo 64 - 18 buttons
Gamecube - 21 buttons
XBox and PS3 emulation isn't really working yet, but figure a similar button count and layout
severdhed:
it has been my experience that most console games just don't play that well with arcade controls. yeah, certain genres work ok like fighters or platformers, but trying to play goldeneye on arcade controls just plain sucks. why not just use gamepads? emulators exist so you can closely recreate the experience of playing the original game...thats why we want arcade cabinets for arcade emulators. so why not use a gamepad when emulating console games that were originally played with a gamepad?
it is pretty easy to make a few adaptors to use original xbox controllers on your PC, they have plenty of buttons for just about any emulator you want to play.
dkubarek:
Here is a simple solution. Make/Keep your cab the way you have it and include a USB hub under the control panel. That way you can plug aftermarket controllers into it. I got a Phillips dual-shock PS2 controller that works for about anything with analog sticks for $15US. I plan to do this for my next cab to also make room for more players. In the rare case when 4 people want to play, players 3 and 4 can just plug in to play.
DJ_Izumi:
I agree with the idea of just putting ports on the cab to allow for external controllers when needed.
Goldeneye 64 (or ANY FPS game) on an arcade CP would just plain suck.
mlalena:
OK, I will investigate the hand held controllers.
Follow up question.
My P1 & P2 buttons are driven from my U360's w/ the button harness. This means that they are recognized as game controller buttons and do not generate key click events.
The emulators for some of the consoles don't support game controller buttons - NES...
Is there a solution to this? Is there a U360 (or 3rd party) plug-in / driver that can convert the game button events into key click events?