n64 controller hack for acrade controls?

[briktop11b]

I think my next project will involve an n64 with arcade controls. Ive searched everywhere and i cant find anything on it. Only thing i can find is pc parts that let me use a n64 controller with my pc.IM using an actual n64 so I need to eithere hack the controller so i can use real arcade controls or find an encoder for it. Is there an encoder, and or is it easy to solder to and hack my own? Thanks.

[Hoopz]

You want an Adaptoid.  It connects your original controller to a pc. 

[briktop11b]

no, im not using a pc. Im using an n64.I need to hack the controllers to an actual arcade control panel with pushbuttons and joysticks. So i can play the n64 with arcade controls.

[Hoopz]

Oops, I didnt read well enough.  Sorry.   

[Howard_Casto]

Why?  Dear god in heaven why? 

Let me spell it out for you.... n64 games, 99.9999999% of n64 games require ANALOG controls.  They do not play right without analog controls, period, end of story.  The ONLY exception I can think of is mk trilogy.  So if you  really want to play that one game (and don't have the pc version) then knock yourself out, but otherwise all n64 games either need an analog stick or optionally a steering wheel.

I'm even willing to play devil's advocate here and assume you are going to use one of the newer analog hybrid joysticks.  Well that still isn't good enough because of the placement of the z trigger on the bottom of the n64 pad, which is used in nearly every game.  Due to the way it's utilized, the only sensible arcade equivelent I can think of is a top-fire joystick.  Since an analog, top-fire joystick doesn't exist you are screwed unless you are one of those freaks that are willing to put 9 buttons on a panel for one player. 

So good luck with your bad idea. ..... your gonna need it. 

[briktop11b]

Ill go ahead and spill the beans. I have vigilante 8 which plays with digital controls. I have loved this game since it came out in the late 90s. I have 2 cheap flight sticks that i have gutted except for the triggers and 3 other buttons. Im gonna get some 8 way joys and mount these flight sticks around the joys then bondo around them for effect. Ill have a few buttons to the side of the joys for gas, brake, target and reaview. The cab will be a 2 player cab. Not sure im going to make it a bartop or upright. I think it will be interesting and super cheap to do,and very playable, since i already have everything i need. Also im using originall n64 controllers.

[gatordad]

I am investigating a solution as well, not so much a hack for arcade controls but looking to cover as many bases as possible.
Is there a pc gamepad that anyone is using and would recommend that would cover the console emulators and project 64?

[tommy]

Mario Kart 64 works great with an arcade controller, too.

[Hoopz]

I am investigating a solution as well, not so much a hack for arcade controls but looking to cover as many bases as possible.
Is there a pc gamepad that anyone is using and would recommend that would cover the console emulators and project 64?

I use a Xbox 360 controller and it works well.  I use it for SNES and N64.  USB so it connects simply and MSFT's drivers are good. 

[SGT]

I've heard all the arguments against arcade controls with an N64 and/or PROJECT64, and I just don't agree.   Use the U360s for the analog.  The trigger argument doesn't fly with me.  Regarding 9 buttons,  how many games use more than 6?   I don't think its a huge task to relearn finger positions.

Many people, myself included, hate the idea of using a console controller on their cab.    LOL, blazing guns erupt everytime someone suggests doing it.  The console purists had rather take arsenic than think of using arcade controls.    Geez I can see the headline now;  ".... mankind sends man to moon 40 years ago; using arcade controls with N64 still unattainable."

[Guywiththegun]

I agree with STG. An N64 controller is probably the best "fit" (99% based only on how you remember playing these games) I can think of a LOT of N64 games perfectly playable without the analog control.

One of my favorite N64 games, WWF No Mercy, requires NO analog control. The analog stick is only used to trigger a special move or a taunt. Everything else used the digital pad and buttons. Why would that not translate to an arcade control panel?

There's also Killer Instinct Gold, Clay Fighter 64, WCW Revenge/World Tour. And call me crazy, but I see Super Smash Brothers playing BETTER on arcade controls.

[versapak]

I agree with STG. An N64 controller is probably the best "fit" (99% based only on how you remember playing these games) I can think of a LOT of N64 games perfectly playable without the analog control.

Out of every console system ever made, the N64 is probably the system to benefit the least from arcade controls.

One of my favorite N64 games, WWF No Mercy, requires NO analog control. The analog stick is only used to trigger a special move or a taunt.

 

[Guywiththegun]

Out of every console system ever made, the N64 is probably the system to benefit the least from arcade controls.

Not sure why you would say this when every system since uses similar analog style controls? But that's not the point, nobody is arguing that arcade controls are great for every N64 game. There are just many games that play fine with them. Didn't realize I had to spell this out.

My statement is entirely accurate. It does not REQUIRE any analog style control, the analog stick is only used for a taunt in that you "tap" the analog stick as a button input almost. It is not used as an analog stick, but as a button, and it worked great. Setting this up to work using a single button in an emulator would be easy and 100% functional. Maybe I should have explained better.

[versapak]

Out of every console system ever made, the N64 is probably the system to benefit the least from arcade controls.

Not sure why you would say this when every system since uses similar analog style controls? But that's not the point, nobody is arguing that arcade controls are great for every N64 game. There are just many games that play fine with them. Didn't realize I had to spell this out.

If one is bored, and just looking to make a new arcade stick for the hell of it, or maybe your absolute favorite game is Killer Instinct or one of the other 5 arcade friendly N64 titles, then why not, but generally speaking... The N64 is the worst choice for an arcade controls, as far as consoles go anyway.

I say this because pretty much every other console system ever released has a much larger library of titles that would make good use of arcade controls.



As for hacking the analog stick to be a button... Sure... 

[SGT]

If one is bored, and just looking to make a new arcade stick for the hell of it, or maybe your absolute favorite game is Killer Instinct or one of the other 5 arcade friendly N64 titles, then why not, but generally speaking... The N64 is the worst choice for an arcade controls, as far as consoles go anyway.

So the U360 did not work well for you with Project64 or a console, or is your argument all theoretical?

[versapak]

If one is bored, and just looking to make a new arcade stick for the hell of it, or maybe your absolute favorite game is Killer Instinct or one of the other 5 arcade friendly N64 titles, then why not, but generally speaking... The N64 is the worst choice for an arcade controls, as far as consoles go anyway.

So the U360 did not work well for you with Project64 or a console, or is your argument all theoretical?

Well a U360 isn't going to do crap for you on a console, so no not theoretical.

As for its usefulness as an analog control...

Not really my point. The N64 does not have a great line-up of titles that are arcade control friendly.


The only reason I use arcade controls for any game is because I find them to be better suited for the game. If a gamepad or other control style is better suited, then I won't be using an arcade stick.

I can play Forza on the Xbox with an arcade stick. Just because I can, surely doesn't mean I should.


I never said there were no games on the N64 that would benefit from or be decent with arcade controls. My basic point was just that out of pretty much every other console ever made. It has the least amount of games that would.

The N64 did not have a very large library of games to begin with. Whittle that down to just the ones that would be good with an arcade stick and you have a pretty tiny selection.

[SGT]

I can play Forza on the Xbox with an arcade stick. Just because I can, surely doesn't mean I should.

Really, well I wouldn't have been smart enough to know that.  We're talking cabs here, not lugging around a joystick control panel to various consoles.

Well a U360 isn't going to do crap for you on a console, so no not theoretical.

For someone who has a N64 in a cab, a U360 can't be hacked to be the analog stick for the console?  (I really didn't know you couldn't if the answer is no)

The only reason I use arcade controls for any game is because I find them to be better suited for the game. If a gamepad or other control style is better suited, then I won't be using an arcade stick.

Well as I mentioned before, some with (PC) cabs do not want to pull out a set of game controllers.  I have read of people being very satisfied with U360s though granted they were using an emulator but we're arguing whether arcade controllers can be used successfully.  Since you are positive that its a terrible idea, I was asking if you knew that from experience.  I think that you have not tried, but you're one of those who just KNOW that the idea sucks.  I'll let you get the last word in as I've said what little I know about the subject.

[versapak]

Really, well I wouldn't have been smart enough to know that.  We're talking cabs here, not lugging around a joystick control panel to various consoles.

And an N64 is a poor choice for an arcade cabinet. (That was my only point really)

For someone who has a N64 in a cab, a U360 can't be hacked to be the analog stick for the console?  (I really didn't know you couldn't if the answer is no)

The answer is indeed no.

Well as I mentioned before, some with (PC) cabs do not want to pull out a set of game controllers.  I have read of people being very satisfied with U360s though granted they were using an emulator but we're arguing whether arcade controllers can be used successfully.  Since you are positive that its a terrible idea, I was asking if you knew that from experience.  I think that you have not tried, but you're one of those who just KNOW that the idea sucks.  I'll let you get the last word in as I've said what little I know about the subject.

The thread starter said that it was NOT for use with a PC, but with an actual N64.

If it was with a PC, then the U360 would be of some use. Not just for analog control on N64, but for actual use with better arcade cab options.

Again though... It is not a PC being discussed here, and an N64 is the poorest choice for an arcade cabinet.


That being said...

It isn't like people don't build single game arcade machines, so if the N64 has that one or few games that you really really want to play on an arcade machine, then by all means build away. It just seems a real waste to do it with a real N64, when a PC could do plenty fine to play N64 games, but then give you a MUCH better library of games overall.

[briktop11b]

 Ok i have been watching this and man is it intense. I agree its kind of a waste to build an arcade with a n64 in it when a pc can play a lot of the games and some of the analog can be used with arcade controls through a pc. But vigilante 8 is uplayable still on the emulator. My initial question was has anyone actually opened up and soldered from the n64 to arcade controls and the difficulty. I do not need analog. Since ive posted this i have inspected the controller and the solder points and they are huge. It  will be an easy job. The only reason im thinking about making this is because i used to love vigilante 8 and still do. I think it has arcade characteristics. Its super fun, its easy to just pick up and play, and its great fun with just 2 people. I still enjoy the game so to me its worth building a little cab. To others it may not be ideal. But i will really enjoy it. And ive been thinking for a long time how i can pull off a 2 player vigilante 8 cab?  i have 2 cheap flight stick shells that i think are perfect for this game. So im gonna attach them somehow to 8 way sticks and wire up the trigger and other buttons on them. I think it will be a very slick and playable setup. Its just in the planning stage and i have a few more projects to finish before i start this but i will post pics and info when i do. If anybody has any control thoughts on button placement or anything let me know. Thanks for all the replies. I really like hearing everybodys opinion on this.