Pi gaming platform compatible with CRT and Ultrastik 360 as analog controllers?

[bobbyb13]

Hey y'all!

So in the continuing saga of me fighting with software to get hardware to do what I want, has anyone built something that addresses the requirements of my thread title?

I have successfully put together a few PC based machines with a standard MAME build using GroovyMame but still would also like a Pi based machine now that the speed and power of them runs what I want to play.

I have a Recalbox RGB hat that works well with a Pi4, a multisync Kortek, and 8Bitdo controllers.
It doesn't however utilize the U360s I want to add as analog contollers, at least not without tweaking I am not aware of and probably can't manage to implement myself.

This weekend I hope to put my RapberryJamma setup into something and see what that looks like and I also have a Jammix MiSTer build to test too.
No clue if those will recognize my U360s and be able to take advatage of their analog abilities though.

The goal is to be able to play some VERY old console games with the 8BitDos and golden era arcade games with the U360s in the same machine (which of course has a CRT in it) and I really don't care what hardware it is if the games look right and play properly.

Am I sniffing glue to think this is happening with a Pi build, and I should just go back to my PC builds and find a frontend that works for this concept?

I can't believe I'm the only person hoping for a build like this to just work.
Would appreciate some wisdom!

I have accepted that I SUCK at overcoming software and configuration challenges.

[bobbyb13]

Wow, over 400 views and me adding to this is the first reply?

So I'm adding an RGB-Pi (the jamma adapter version) to the ever growing pile of Pi stuff that doesn't do what I want yet.
Maybe whoever wrote the image for this one thought about analog joysticks?

I understand there is a new version of this thing in development to work with a Pi5 but no idea when it will be released.

Seems like nobody cares about arcade games with these things really as everyone is obsessed with emulating consoles.
I know my 8bitDo controllers have analog sticks in them but I have no idea if they are recognized as such by any of this stuff.

Frustrating that there is so much chatter about all of these emulators for the Pi and no detailed discussion about controls that I can find.

[bobbyb13]

So then, maybe... bots?

[Zebidee]

I feel your pain Bobby, but unfortunately I am completely clueless. So this is really just a post in support.

Maybe you need some kind of PiAnalog build? Seems like something smart people (smarter than me, about this stuff anyway) should be thinking about already. Maybe some of the people into driving sims emulation know more.

Good luck!

[bobbyb13]

Andrew!
Nice to hear from ya.
Man, has life been too busy with nothing fun.

Well, I am still Pi stupid.
It is remarkable that nobody who knows these "so simple and easy to use!" computing devices cares to play any arcade games requiring analog sticks.

How's things in your (inevitably just as hot/humid?!) environs?

[Zebidee]

U360 is a MS product so not native for Linux/Pi. Nonetheless, the community overcomes. Try searching "u360 driver pi". OpenKinect project looks interesting.

You are correct! It is hot ( and humid) here, as always. Have been slowly working through some CRT TVs in my dungeon shed. Modding (to component or RGB) and usually repairing them too. Sometimes I even know what I'm doing. Resurrecting dead/dying CRTs is always satisfying. Then storing in plastic bags & boxes to protect against the environment, humidity & inevitable bugs.

When I've gotten bored of fixing TVs, I'll start building more cabs to put them in 

[Rick]

I'm watching this thread, as I only just posted my own thread in regard to the Ultimarc ServoStiks... (here: https://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,169780.0.html)

I've cross-posted the same to Reddit in a number of subreddits, and will let you know if there are any helpful hints that may also pertain to your question.

Good luck!

[bobbyb13]

Appreciate that Rick!
I have a set of those Servosticks too and I have never been able to make up my mind about which machine to put them in.
Don't mind using a toggle switch if I need to with those myself really but the U360s natively as analog sticks would be like magic at this point.

[Rick]

I have a set of those Servosticks too and I have never been able to make up my mind about which machine to put them in. Don't mind using a toggle switch if I need to with those myself really but the U360s natively as analog sticks would be like magic at this point.

I hear you! I ordered these back in 2019, and only just installed them.

I sold my second-last arcade machine, and got the bug immediately once it left - so I've been completing my last machine ever with these. I will say they are a huge step up from the joys I had in my other cab - I sprung (heh) for super-tight springs and longer shafts, and they are a dream.

I don't want to have to select using a button, although that is a possible solution. I've read too many notes where people have the joys automagically switch from 4-8 way based on the game, and selfishly, I want that.

As I noted, if and when I have 'the' solution for me, I'll post up here with any help I can provide.

EDIT: OMG SUCCESS!!! While I am only partially done, I found a Wayback Machine link to RGBCommander Beta 0.4, downloaded and installed it onto my Pi, and tried their Dev Tool "rgbcmdcon" to run commands. Running "set,stick,4", I heard the motors engage, and the joysticks both automatically switched! Running "set,stick,8" switched them back.

Now, I have a lot more learning to do to try and determine how to make each game automatically trigger the switch between 4 and 8 way, but I am super happy with the current progress! (I will definitely be writing up some instructions on the site for anyone interested as well.)

SECOND EDIT: After reading some config files that came with the app, it said that it "listens" for the configuration and sets the joys accordingly. As that is, I tried it after installation and OMG it's already configured and works without any additional config from me!

I selected and started Pac Man, and the motors engaged and set the joys to 4-way. I exited, and the motors engaged and reset the joys back to 8-way. I tried Double Dragon, and they remained at 8-way. I tried Galaga, and they switched to 4-way.

You cannot believe how happy I am with this. Hope this works out for others as well!

[bobbyb13]

I had stumbled onto RGBcommander as potential fix for this but haven't had time to take a shot at it.
I really suck at software configuration anyway.
I think it may have been mahuti who was the reigning master of RGBcommander configuration around here?

Even getting the Servostiks to act on their own doesn't mean the same operation/configuration will get a Pi to recognize an auto-switched joystick map for a U360 though, and for me the critical metric is that the U360 is recognized and utilized as an analog unit- which nobody seems to ever talk about.