NES, SNES, DREAMCAST setup.. Arcade controls or gamepad

[cornishHen]

Looking for opinions on the best way to set up my hardware to play NES, SNES, DREAMCAST emulators on my mame machine.   My mahine is currently using an ipac to map the controls.  Will arcade controls handle these emulators well or would a gamepad be better? 

[ablizno]

if your looking for a frontend i suggest mamewah.

[joebells]

I don't know personally about arcade controls as all I have is a 360 stick. But I imagine the dreamcast at least would suffer since I don't believe arcade controls are analog(I'd like to ask that myself can you get an analog joystick for your arcade)? I know if you try to play n64 with a keyboard or digital pad it sucks.

[ablizno]

IF u search the forum for dreamcast controller hacks you will see how to attach it to your control panel, If u want to use a gamepad i suggest getting a xbox 360 wireless controller and the adapter for pc. I use that setup to play my snes emulator on my laptop at the university.

[Kajoq]

All three of those Systems tend to do well on arcade controls.  Basically every NES game will work good, if not better than a pad.

There are some SNES games that will be a little awkward at first, but plenty that will be awesome.

Dreamcast is basically a System of Fighters and Shmups... Which are meant to be played on arcade parts anyways.

[HaRuMaN]

Very few DC games require the analog controls...

[NickG]

...and you can use analog arcade controls for those that do.

[Ginsu Victim]

...and you can use analog arcade controls for those that do.

Got a link to back that up?

[HaRuMaN]

Yeah, that's not possible...

You can hack the analog control on an official dreamcast pad, but in doing so, you make it act like a digital control.

[SGT]

Several people here have reported using the U360s in analog mode with other emulators.  I have read of people using the U360s with project64 and also nulldc successfully.

[HaRuMaN]

Ah, I misunderstood the OP...  emulators...

I thought he was using original hardware... my bad. 

[NickG]

Ah, I misunderstood the OP...  emulators...

I thought he was using original hardware... my bad. 

Yes, and doubly so.  It is possible with a real controller as well.  I have got my 0-5V from my U360's injected in the proper place on my Dreamcast Pad with full analog functionality.  Just because you do not do it does not mean it is impossible...