Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: my58vw on October 09, 2006, 01:11:45 am
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Is console emulation really feasable...
I know for NES/SNES/GENESIS/MEGADRIVE/ATARI you can but controller kits to convert to USB - 35 - 40 dollars per controller - so it costs 80 dollars for 2 SNES controllers to emulate SNES. The same applies to most other systems.
Today you can buy a SNES console and maybe 10 - 12 games or more for the 80 dollars. I can not list more than about 10 - 15 games on any one console (except NES - that is about 40) that I can say I would play regularily (For SNES - Super Mario World/All Stars/MegaMan (4 cars)/ Mario Cart/A few others). In actuallity even if it costs twice as much I would rather own the cartriges than emulate...
Now days many carts can be found for under 5 dollars at local used game places...
The N64 solution - the adaptoid - I was just outbig for - AT 126 dollars! - There are maybe 15 N64 games I want, and I can get them all for about 200 dollars or so - less than the price of the two adaptoids (at 100 each - easily the going rate)
I also play virtua fighter (1-4), virtua cop (1-3), Tekken (1-5), sports - which are all later console based (Xbox, Gamecube, Dreamcast, etc) - and will never (maybe), other than a few, on MAME, etc. I can but an adaptor that will let me play all these consoles on a wells gardner multisync (or other) vga monitor.
For MAME there is no choice - build a cab - and there is no reason not too---- KOF, Samuari Showdown, Street fighter, Killer Instinct, Metal Slug, Puzzle Bobble, etc...
When does it make since to just buy the games rather than trying to emulate them? I know if you love and can play the hundreds of NES/, etc games then maybe emulation makes since - but for me?
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This may seem like a dumb question, but have you tried just using a $20 USB analog PC gamepad? The Logitech ones work perfectly fine for N64 (and every other console) emulation for me. On a side note, most people with MAME cabs do not have the original controllers on their control panels either, so you may likewise have to make a small sacrifice with console emulation if you don't want to pay $126 for an adaptoid. Also, FWIW some of the older consoles like Genesis, Atari 2600, NES, and SNES play better with arcade controls IMO than a cheesy little Dpad.
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In the recient past I have not been able to find anything with "6" buttons on the face - like a genesis controller - in the USB arena. A 4 button analog pad (like a playstation or gravis pad) just does not work like it should in regards to N64 - mainly because they lack the ability to have the A/B buttons on the same plane as the C buttons - critical for say MK4, etc. It is very much like trying to play a MK or SF genesis game on the same pad - does not work.
I am looking for the original feel of these games when I play them, and the original controller is the only way to go about that - unless you build a panel with 9 buttons (A/B/Cup, Cdown,Cright, Cleft, L, R, Z). When it is a game that I never played before on the original system then feel does not mean as much - but for games like super mario bros 3, etc a D-pad and 2 buttons are the only way to go...
Now upon searching I did find this - and they have one in stock locally... I am going to go pick one up and try it...
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=334153&pfp=AVAIL
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There are cheaper N64 to USB adaptors...granted, you sacrifice rumble and real memory card functions, and they are incompatible w/ some controllers, but they go for like 10$ a pop.
Just make sure you get an N64 controller guaranteed to work on the adaptor.
http://www.emulation64.com/reviews/16478/
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I've read that the newer transparent N64 pads don't work with those adapters.
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I've read that the newer transparent N64 pads don't work with those adapters.
Like I said, make sure you gat one that WILL work. Most of the original N64 controllers work, as stated in the article I linked to.
It's just a matter of cost vs. features.
To reply to the original question:
Emulation is not worth it (in a cost-effective, i-just-want-to-play-as-many-games-as-possible point of view) if you legally do it, i.e. owning each cart that you have a rom of (and each console that you emulate). The only advantage emulation offers in this way is that you don't have to switch games (because of a hd).
Emulation is worth it for preserving things from the past and playing homebrew titles.
Note that I am not bashing emulation in any way. :timebomb: I completely support it in the legal sense.
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I can't believe adaptoids sell for so much moola.
Why is it that none of the others offer rumble or memory support?
Especially this long after the adaptoid's appearance and disappearance from the market, it just seems odd that there haven't been any that could match its quality.
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Man, and I thought the Adaptoid was expensive when I bought it at less than half that price.
I agree that having the original controller does increase the nostalgia effect of emulated console games. It also helps to get yourself in a dark messy room with a tiny color TV and four of your best buddies staring zombified at the light.
But, I can also attest that we all generally prefered the arcade controls over the console counterparts. That is to say, we dreamed of having an arcade type stick to control Mario in SMB. That's probably why any kid who had an NES Advantage was popular.
I can definitely say that a six button SFII layout suits my 8 bit and 16 bit fantasies perfectly. And my 49 way joysticks are a dream for N64 emulation, at least for most 3d platformers.
So, for me, emulation is a choice between what I had and what I wanted to have. Generally, I choose the latter.
Oh, and FWIW, I bought the adaptoid pretty much exclusively for single player Goldeneye ... I still love speed running the second level and the silo. :laugh:
Cheers,
KenToad
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Logitech made a few gamepads that had a nice button configuration for N64 games. They aren't made anymore but you can still find them on ebay and other places. I've been using a logitech action pad. The rumblepad and rumblepad cordless have the same button config although the rumblepad2 is not N64 friendly.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180024499357&category=74943 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180024499357&category=74943)
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the reason for the usb adaptors is simple.
everything in one nice little box.
to have all the consoles and carts, disks, to 1 TV is to massive
cords out the yingyang carts all over the floor, blowing off each cart only to have it to lock up in the middle of your game
I have most of my consoles hooked up to usb ( still need a turbo grafix)
I do not agree with arcade controlls to console
I have a Nintendo VS arcade with super Mario on it. I prefer the NES pad
do as I did. each birthday, Xmas, save a few dollars each payday and order one
with in a year and 1/2 I had most every one I want
I used a desk top case (looks better than a tower next to the DVD player, VCR, and satellite receiver)
2 usb hubs, all game pads in a cabnet allways hooked up
My N64 to USB is the one for PS1 also works just fine for me
My super NES are super smart joys from eBay came with new pads also
much cheaper than retro
I did buy my adaptors for Sega genesis from retro ( I had hoped it would work for Atari 2600 also) It works on Atari but when you push up on the Atari stick it also fires the button :angry:
It is also nice when you can find nothing to watch and fell like a game
turn on PC, pick what system, pick game and you are up and playing that fast, resting on you couch just like it was meant to play
with all that said . Any one have some old Turbo Grafix pads 4 sale?
darn things are hard to come buy and expencive on ebay