USB options for N64 controllers?

[norkusa]

I've been messing around with N64 emulation on my Mac recently with the sixtyforce and Mupen64Plus emulators. Games run well but it feels awkward playing with the Logitech Dual Action controller.

I've been looking into getting some kind of USB adapter that'll let me use a real N64 controller with these emu's. I see 2 different kinds on Ebay but haven't really seen any reviews, so I don't know how well they work.

Anyone have experience with these adapters or know of something else to try?

[kainemaxwell]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310073308254&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&salenotsupported

There is/was an old thread about this somewhere I started or posted in some time ago and someone recommended the one in the above link.

[roushimsx]

I picked up a couple of the ones in the above link and they work pretty well. No support for memory cards/rumble packs/whatever (RIP Adaptoid :(), but other than that I've had a lot of fun with these babies.

[actofgod]

I bought one of those N64/PS adapters years ago -- it worked, but I wasn't particularly impressed with the analog stick's feel on PC compared to the real system. I always wanted to try the Adaptoid but couldn't find one.

This seems to be a newer model and looks interesting: "Dual USB Adapter for N64 Controller (http://cgi.ebay.com/Dual-USB-adapter-for-N64-controller-Nintendo-64-to-PC_W0QQitemZ200345827377QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Joy sticks_Game_Controllers?hash=item2ea58ab831&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262&_trkparms=|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A30)" (seller fourtriangles)

Description states "This is not the adaptoid and it's not the buggy N64 adapter with the Playstation ports either." Build quality looks good from the pics and the two player option would be nice for Goldeneye. For $19.99 shipped it's not a bad gamble.

Be sure to post a review here of whichever one you try. :)

[norkusa]

^^^

Thanks, that was the one I was thinking about getting. I just noticed that the description doesn't say anything about Mac compatibility though. I figured he probably didn't test it since most people use these on PC's anyway, but he has a listing for a NES USB adapter that's Mac OSX compatible.

OSX is pretty good about recognizing random USB devices like this. I dunno about this one though. Guess I can try it and find out.

[norkusa]

Just got my adapter today. Actofgod asked for a review when I received it, so here's a mini one:

I settled on the dual USB adapter. The other one looked kind of cheap, so I thought this would be a better buy even though it was $5 more. Didn't say anything about being OSX compatible in the description but the seller said I could return it for a refund if it didn't work. So I figured it was worth a shot:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Dual-USB-adapter-for-N64-controller-Nintendo-64-to-PC_W0QQitemZ200345827377QQ

Anyway, first thing I did was plug it into the USB port on my Mac keyboard. Right away, I got a "USB Low Power Notice" pop-up. Thought that was strange because my Logitech Dual Action controller works fine when plugged into the same port. Must just need a USB 2.0 port because I plugged it into my non-powered USB hub after that and the pop-up disappeared.

Plugged a Nintendo brand n64 controller into the adapter and the first emulator I boot up is Mupen64Plus. Went into the controller config menu and it recognized the controller immediately and all the buttons mapped properly. I had a few probems mapping the analog stick at first (up direction wouldn't work) but I reconfigured the stick and it worked fine after that. Played a little Super Mario 64 and everything was working great.

Tried another N64 emulator, Sixtyforce. Same deal as Mupen64. The emu recognized the controller right away and mapping the controls was no problem.

Now I decided to go a little crazy and try it with some non-N64 emulators. Booted up MAME OS X and played some 1944. Analog stick and Button #2 (B button on N64 pad) worked but nothing else. I realized I had the N64 controller plugged into the 2nd port on the USB adapter, so I switched it to Port #1. Nothing. I don't know if I can re-map the controlls for MAME to get the n64 controller to work, so for now I'll just say it partially works.

Next I tried Kega Fusion (Genesis emulator). Controller was recognized and I was able to map everything.

Haven't tried any PC stuff with it yet. Box says it doesn't need any PC drivers, so it should just be plug and play like in OSX. Overall I'm happy with the adapter though. It works with what I intended to use it for and even works in a few other emulators which is a bonus. If I can figure out how to get it working in MAME OS X properly, I'll let you guys know.