Controllers and Emulators..... The Great Dilema

[Anthony1]

When it comes to playing games on emulators, things are getting better and better. The power of our PC's keep increasing. Emulators get more and more polished and refined.

Some people even go as far as to come to the conclusion that the actual real hardware and games are basically unneccesary.

But the big stumbling block in the illusion, has been the control pad. There are lots of very good control pads out there for the PC, but when it comes to playing console games, most of us prefer to use the actual real controller that came with the system. Yet it seems that there isn't a lot of options out there that allow us to use the actual real controller.

So I thought that what we should do, is try to determine if there are any options out there, that allow us to use the actual real controllers.

For example, I will examine every system I own and see if the controllers can somehow be used on the PC.


Atari 2600 - I don't know of any option of using an actual Atari Joystick on the PC. Or the Paddles. There may be an option out there. And if somebody is aware of this option, please let us know.

NES - There is a guy that makes NES controllers that hook up to your PC's serial connection. It's called the J.U.M.P Interface. You can go the the website and check it out http://www.dreamcliff.com/personal/daniel/jump/index.html

This is one guy that is doing a "homegrown" type option, but there isn't any particular standardized option for using actual NES control pads on the PC, as far as I'm aware of. If anybody knows about one, please let us know the details.

TurboGrafx-16 - I don't know of any option of using an actual Turbo pad on the PC. If somebody knows of something, let us know.

Sega Genesis - J.U.M.P Interface also does both 3 button and 6 button Genny controllers. So check them out for that too. Again, this is a "homegrown" type of an option, and it's not really standardized, so to speak. If anybody knows of anything else, please enlighten us.

Super Nintendo - Again J.U.M.P Interface does these too. I'm not aware of any other option

Atari Jaguar - I don't know of any way to use a actual Jag controller on the PC. Does anybody else know anything?

3DO - I don't know of any way to use a actual 3DO controller. Does anybody else?

Sega Saturn - I don't know of any way to use a actual Saturn control pad. Does anybody else?

Sony Playstation - I know that there are adapters that will let you use a PS2 controller on your PC through USB. So I would think that this would work great with PS1 emulators. Does anybody have one of these and use it with a PS1 emulator?

Nintendo 64 - I recently got an "Adaptoid". It's a little USB Adaptor for the N64 joystick. So far it's worked pretty damn good. Anybody know of anything else? Or anybody have one of these and have no problems with it too?

Sega Dreamcast - Well, it will be awhile before the Dreamcast can be emulated, but it will eventually happen sooner or later, right? So is there anyway to use a DC controller on the PC?

Anyways, I was just wondering if anybody knows anything more about using these "real" "actual" controllers on the PC with these emulators.

[§ Gideon §]

Theoretically, every controller can be hacked in one way or another. One of my favorite solutions is here (http://www.ianalbert.com/misc/snescontroller.php). It's pretty nifty.

[Anthony1]

Theoretically, every controller can be hacked in one way or another. One of my favorite solutions is here (http://www.ianalbert.com/misc/snescontroller.php). It's pretty nifty.


That's interesting, but I sure as hell don't have the necessary skills to build my own.

[IntvGene]

Surprisingly enough.. there are those of us who prefer the original Intellivision controllers. The guy who did the Nostalgia Intellivision Emulator, also made a USB interface for the original Intellivision controllers.

Check it out here:
http://www.shinytechnologies.com/cgc.php

[whoisKeel]

the psx -> usb adapter works great for epsx...with one exception. the analogue isn't analogue...it works (ie you can move around with it) but it isn't analogue. however, last time i tried it was probably 6 months ago so maybe it has been fixed.

i use my psx controller for everything on my pc. no complaints. analogue works in mame.

[Ze_ro]

The guy who did the Nostalgia Intellivision Emulator, also made a USB interface for the original Intellivision controllers.

That's funny... personally, I'd rather have an adaptor that lets me hook up a PC keyboard to the INTV... I never got the hang of those INTV pads.

--Zero

[SoulBlazer]

I agree with you, I play all my NES, SNES, and N64 games on the emulator on my computer now. Often the games look and play better then they did originaly (thanks to my kick ass computer) and they have this wonderfull little godsend called SAVE STATES! LOL

A company I found online sold me a NES converter ribbion -- just plug one end into your NES controller and the other into the parell port. (They probaly do USB now, but this was a couple years ago.)

As for the SNES, someone here on the forums made a converter ribbon for me -- and I wish I could recall who it was. :hmm:

[jonjandran]

I have a USB converter I got off Ebay that does PS1 and N64.
You plug in either one and flip a switch to decide which one to use.
A very handy device. :-P

[jonjandran]

Here's one I found on Ebay :

Custom NES : http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3074796943&category=41047


Oh and this is the one I use. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3074755119&category=11328

It's da bomb and works perfect with Emurayden, Epsxe, Project 64, and 1964. In fact I use the PS1 controller on ALL my other Emulators. Like the tg-16 , Snes, Nes, GBA , etc. and it works terrific. :D

[NE146]

I dunno.. If the functionality is similar, I personally don't have a problem substituting a pad for another. I'm just as content using an DC pad or Xbox S-Pad for an NES game (or SMS game, or whatever)..

I mean lets face it.. for the majority of the 8/16/32 bit era, you got a cross pad and buttons. There aint much of a leap. If you aren't picky it's very much not a problem playing SNES games with an Xbox pad.

Where it gets sticky is where there IS a distinct difference.. like for Paddle games on the 2600, or keypad-heavy games on the Intellivision, or where it's most noticeable is for arcade games with custom controls. My attitude about these is pretty much one of acceptance. You just aren't going to get the correct feel one way or another. And thus if you REALLY want it, get the real thing.

[Ze_ro]

I dunno.. If the functionality is similar, I personally don't have a problem substituting a pad for another. I'm just as content using an DC pad or Xbox S-Pad for an NES game (or SMS game, or whatever)..

I'm with you. I have a pretty decent gamepad for my PC, with a PSX style layout, and it works perfectly fine for pretty much any emulator. It might not be as authentic as using a real SNES pad... but if I'm going to go through the trouble to hook up an actual SNES pad, I might as well play my actual SNES. In any case, the PC gamepad is certainly better than using the keyboard (although even the keyboard will do in a pinch).

For any Linux people out there, Linux actually has built-in support for multi-system joysticks... You have to build a cable to connect them to your parallel port, but Linux provides it's own drivers to have them act just like any other joystick. I can't seem to find information on the cable itself, but the kernel documentation claims it supports all DB9 style joysticks (Atari 2600, C-64, Amiga, Master System, Genesis, etc), Saturn, NES (including the FourScore), SNES (Including the Multitap), PSX (including the NegCon, I don't know what that is), N64, and Jaguar pads. I have to say,I'm surprised that it supports multitaps! That's pretty cool!

--Zero

[goatdan]

I actually have a bunch of devices that, if I can find someone with an old 5" floppy drive will allow you to hook up any Nintendo controller to your computer with the help of a couple cheap adaptors. I need to do some more experimenting with it, and I need to find someone with a computer the can get the old drivers off of it but hopefully it will be soon :)

These were a standard thing produced that were found among a bunch of Capcom pinball division leftovers. How they got there, I'll never know...

If anyone has a computer that can help me out, PM me and I'll send you one for free :)

[Sylentwulf]

Personally, I carry these at my website/ebay store:
N64 Controller to PC adapters
Ps1/Ps2 Controller to PC adapters
and Xbox to PC Controller adapters
various variations of all of the above

Theres another place besides the one mentioned above for a NES USB controller, but I can't seem to find it now.
Go over to BYOAC and check around there, LOTS of good links for just this subject.

[Jorpho]

Here we are:

http://www.arcadecontrols.com/Mirrors/www.ziplabel.com/dpadpro/

It's all do-it-yourself, though.

[Sylentwulf]

Here we are:

http://www.arcadecontrols.com/Mirrors/www.ziplabel.com/dpadpro/

It's all do-it-yourself, though.

THAT, is a GREAT F*%&ing Link.

"And that's all there is to say 'bout that"

[Ze_ro]

Wow, Virtual Boy support? Someone must have been really hard up for a joystick...

--Zero

[Flack]

Just thought I'd add, there are lots of PSX clone controllers for the PC. I bought one at EB last week for $9.99, and then I ran across a Gravis one for $1.99 at a thrift store this week (NIB, woo woo!). Both feel as though they just used the PSX controller as a mold and changed the color slightly, and both are USB so they work great with the PC and any emulators you wish to use. While not 100% authentic, I still managed to kick some Tony Hawk ass with the Gravis one, and $1.99 is cheaper than any adapter.

I don't mind playing NES, SNES, Genesis, or even Atari games with the PSX style controller.

[Ze_ro]

I used to have a Gravis Gamepad Pro... it was essentially a PSX clone, with a thumb-stick you could screw into the D-pad... but the controller really sucked in my opinion. The diagonals on it were awful, so you'd end up hitting up while you were holding left or right (I really don't understand why, but I've noticed this problem with a LOT of PC gamepads, but NEVER with console gamepads). I'm very glad I replaced it. It's worth spending the money to get a decent gamepad in my opinion, since otherwise I just give up on using it and go back to the keyboard.

I guess for $2 though, you can't really go wrong.

--Zero

[DeanoCalver]

PSX (including the NegCon, I don't know what that is)
--Zero

A PS1 NegCon controller was released with Ridge Racer in Japan. It twists in the middle and has a force feedback dial.

http://www.vidgames.com/ps/hardware/negcon.html has a picture but I disagree on its assessment. Its horrible to use IMHO.

[ste]

For any Linux people out there, Linux actually has built-in support for multi-system joysticks... You have to build a cable to connect them to your parallel port, but Linux provides it's own drivers to have them act just like any other joystick. I can't seem to find information on the cable itself, but the kernel documentation claims it supports all DB9 style joysticks (Atari 2600, C-64, Amiga, Master System, Genesis, etc), Saturn, NES (including the FourScore), SNES (Including the Multitap), PSX (including the NegCon, I don't know what that is), N64, and Jaguar pads. I have to say,I'm surprised that it supports multitaps! That's pretty cool!

--Zero
I'm a linux person!
I have 2 SNES joysticks hacked up and made a 2 player arcade controller (http://ste.homelinux.com/) out of them for playing with emulators.

It also works on Windows under Direct pad pro (http://www.arcadecontrols.com/Mirrors/www.ziplabel.com/dpadpro/)...

I've also made the hacks for the Sega and Atari 2600 sticks. (but you can really only have one controller)

The docs are included in Linux and you can view them online (http://www.charmed.com/txt/joystick-parport.txt)