Atari800 emulator....<alternatives?>

JordiMayor

Hi everybody... I've a simple question.

I'm trying to use the atari800 emulator for my old atari-8 bit games (HyperBlast, BruceLee, DonkeyKong....). Yes, I know. It is an old system, but I would like to run with it. Question is that this emulator is using keyboard for any functions like start a game, reset emulator, exit...

I would like to use my gamepad to assign that keystrokes like this ones:

Start Game: F4
Up: up or numpad 8
Down: down or numpad 2
Right: right or numpad 6
Left: left or numpad 4
Fire: RCTRL
Exit Emulator: F9

Anybody has tried to load a keymap tool at the Atari800 script and de-attach it when returning to the emulationstation?

Thanks in advace !!!

pjs

@JordiMayor I was just able to figure this out today thanks to some helpful threads from the recent past.

I found there were two methods to doing this:

https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/2861/guide-advanced-controller-mappings
This first method I tried involved installing and configuring xboxdrv then finding the button/axis mapping for my gamepad and then making the necessary command for the emulator launcher which enabled xboxdrv with the assigned key mappings, then disabled it upon exiting the emulator. I have to admit, I had trouble with this one and only managed to get some controls to register. The problem with this method, for me, was that the command is very long and it gets a bit confusing to edit with all the button names like rt, lt, rx, zx, etc. and sometimes the button names are counter-intuitive like a y-axis being called x-axis, a thumb button being called start or select, etc. It varies from controller to controller.
https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/847/atari-5200-new-version-of-atari800-beta-two-triggers-moon-patrol-hat-start-and-exit-buttons/8
This second method was how I managed to get a perfect, console-like experience playing Atari 5200 with a wireless PS4 controller, no keyboard necessary. This wonderful port of the atari800 emulator by jfroco is simple but is exactly what is needed to make it playable as a console experience. Follow the steps in the repository, https://github.com/jfroco/atari800-rpi but, basically you install his port version of atari800, add the new commands he created to the atari800 config (not sure if it's necessary when using the python script) then install the python script and add the python script to launch in the atari800's emulator.cfg. The python script automatically fetches your Emulation Station controller mappings and matches it to the emulator's keys such that the controls are identical to RetroArch game menus.

With the atari800 port + python script method, my controls were automatically mapped as following:

Start Game: F4 = START
Up: up or numpad 8 = D-Pad Up or Stick Up
Down: down or numpad 2 = D-Pad Down or Stick Down
Right: right or numpad 6 = D-Pad Right or Stick Right
Left: left or numpad 4 = D-Pad Left or Stick Left
Fire: RCTRL = B or A (2 different triggers)
Exit Emulator: F9 = START+SELECT

tmo1138

@pjs

Do you have to use xboxdrv? And doesn't that mean you have to use an xbox controller to use xboxdrv? I'm using a PS3 Dualshock 3 and only trigger one is working.. I asked about that on this thread.

https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/6965/atari-5200-jfroco-version-help-with-second-trigger-never-works-on-controller

mediamogul

@tmo1138 said in Atari800 emulator....<alternatives?>:

Do you have to use xboxdrv?

You do not. xboxdrv just offers a versatile method of key/mouse-mapping your controller to allow better control over the interface and games. For example, it allows mapping mouse movement to a controller's analog stick so that analog paddle, joystick, trackball and mouse games can be made playable. Among these many titles, the basic 5200 pack-in title, 'Super Breakout' cannot be played without an analog control option.

doesn't that mean you have to use an xbox controller to use xboxdrv?

You can use almost any controller with xboxdrv when following the steps detailed here. It can be complicated to learn, but highly worth it in my opinion, as many games can simply not be made to play without a similar external solution. Two alternatives to xboxdrv are Joymap and Linux Joystick Mapper.

tmo1138

@mediamogul Thank you. I'm just wondering if using xboxdrv and taking this approach might fix the struggles I'm having getting jfroco's atari800 changes that support the 5200 controller to work.

I'll go read up and investigate it further and share what I find. Thanks again!