Best N64 Controller options for RetroPie.

silentq · 6 Dec 2016, 17:10

I have been wanting to get into N64 emulation on my Retropie for a little bit but besides all the rom issues I have seen in the past the true biggest barrier is the lack of or my lack of awareness of N64 controller options. I understand I can just map a playstation or xbox controller but the N64 is such a weird beast when it comes to its controller. I find in test theres really no good way to map N64 to controllers. So I am left with the question what are my options with putting existing N64 controllers via some kinda adapter or with USB N64 controllers. I see the 8bitdo version seems to not work at all for most people and has issues with its thumbstick. Are there any other options here?

mediamogul · 6 Dec 2016, 18:20

@silentq

The Raphnet adapter is very reliable, doesn't require a driver for PID force feedback rumble pak use and supports direct controller communication.

silentq · 6 Dec 2016, 18:59

@mediamogul Out of curiosity how does retropie handle the setup for this? Like when you plugged it in does it have a mapping set or do I need to make a config file and the like?

mediamogul · 6 Dec 2016, 19:12

@silentq

You can just map it like any other controller right out of the box and it will work, complete with rumble support. However, if you want to get fancy and have lower input lag and advanced peripheral support like real memory cards, you'll need to download, compile and install the mupen64plus plugin from the Raphnet site.

silentq · 6 Dec 2016, 19:18

@mediamogul Interesting I might pick this up sorry to be a pain but is the input lag bad out of box? Or is this just an additional option?

mediamogul · 6 Dec 2016, 19:22

@silentq said in Best N64 Controller options for RetroPie.:

is the input lag bad out of box?

It's very minimal and you'd likely never notice it. The direct communication plugin just lowers it further and adds peripheral communication.

Solid One · 6 Dec 2016, 19:28

You can try this: https://goo.gl/oFdc7a

An N64 controller already adapted to USB. It's only US$ 8,90, and there's no need for additional adapters.

Someday, I'll buy one and check it out. Hope it has good analog precision.

mediamogul · 6 Dec 2016, 19:43

@Solid-One said in Best N64 Controller options for RetroPie.:

Someday, I'll buy one and check it out.

The main issue with those devices are that they are made to be cheap and disposable. The build quality is generally low, so you might go through quite a few over time. The analog sticks are also generally too sensitive, which makes precise movement such as walking in 'Super Mario 64' and aiming in 'GoldenEye 007' difficult and sometimes even impossible.

Sadly, there is no perfect solution, as even Nintendo's original first party controllers had a design flaw to where the analog stick will eventually wear down. And while the various stick replacement options can last forever, they also can be hit or miss regarding stick sensitivity as well. Personally, I use a first party N64 controller with a replacement stick that I favor and a Raphnet adapter. New options continue to come out every so often, so maybe someday an absolutely perfect solution will appear.

Solid One · 6 Dec 2016, 19:50

@mediamogul I understand. Indeed, original controllers are better.

This weekend, I was playing some N64 games using an original PS2 controller plugged on my RPI through a USB adapter. I was using "lr-glupen" N64 core in RetroArch, which I can easily change button mappings, such as use left analog as C-Buttons and right analog as N64 analog. Tried four FPS games: 007 Goldeneye, Duke Nukem Zero Hour, Forsaken 64 and Perfect Dark. The precision offered by my PS2 original controller was good enough for me to aim.

BTW, there's another option: Why not using original Gamecube controllers? You can buy this adapter here: https://goo.gl/0OADpz

And plug you Gamecube controller on it. If you have good GC controllers, you may get a good precision for games such as Super Mario 64 and 007 Goldeneye.

mediamogul · 6 Dec 2016, 20:03

@Solid-One said in Best N64 Controller options for RetroPie.:

Why not using original Gamecube controllers?

I started off using a GameCube controller in RetroPie, and while I eventually got it fully operational, it was extremely difficult to set up. It requires that you map only half the input from the analog shoulder buttons, as well as calibrate the analog stick dead zones to prevent unwanted control movement. To my knowledge, the prior can only be done with xboxdrv, which adds an extra layer of complexity to any setup. Also, introducing an xboxdrv config means that the controller will then appear at the js1 slot, which in turn means that emulators like Daphne will not find it unless more scripting is introduced or the controller is mapped to keyboard keys.

Edit: It's never easy, is it?

silentq · 6 Dec 2016, 20:09

Somebody that has gone through the process really needs to put together some kind of comprehensive guide. I think sadly the biggest barrier to even caring about N64 emulation is the controls. Its such a mess it deserves its own guide lol. Not to mention the best combination of plugins per game and what not. It almost makes you wish N64 emulation was started from scratch again so it could work like most emulators lol.

Solid One · 6 Dec 2016, 20:13

@mediamogul Remember: On RetroArch, you can save settings both per-core and per-game basis.

This way, you can configure all button mapping and analog deadzone parameters, and everytime you open "lr-glupen", everything will be automatically configured.

In other words, if you use RetroArch, it's not so difficult to set up. I'd think it's difficult if I need to configure everything from scratch everytime I open RetroArch, but since it can easily save and remember all your settings, it's a work done only once.

mediamogul · 6 Dec 2016, 20:46

@Solid-One

I always recommend using RetroArch whenever possible. However, RetroArch doesn't actually set dead zones or configure half axis zones for the shoulder buttons, which is needed to get a GameCube controller up and running fully. Of course, you could also convert the analog shoulder buttons to digital, but this also requires xboxdrv unless you're willing to physically mod the controller like competitive 'Smash' players do. Also, even though lr-glupen is a big step in the right direction for N64 emulation through RetroArch, it doesn't currently perform as well as mupen64plus on the Pi for most games.

mediamogul · 6 Dec 2016, 20:50

@silentq said in Best N64 Controller options for RetroPie.:

It almost makes you wish N64 emulation was started from scratch again

This is actually happening with a few projects. Most are concerning themselves with near perfect accuracy, which means they will likely require more horsepower than the Pi is currently capable of.

silentq · 6 Dec 2016, 21:00

@mediamogul Accuracy is not the need if you ask me its being about to have a solution that just boots up the vast majority of the roms without having mix and match plugins and what not. That is the real issue with N64 emulation in my opinion.

mediamogul · 6 Dec 2016, 21:03

@silentq

I completely agree. However, life's hilairious catch-22 is that accuracy of emulation is what's required to accomplish that goal.

silentq · 6 Dec 2016, 22:18

@mediamogul Not to be off topic but If one were to say start from scratch setting up emulation for the N64 what emulator would you recommend for the majority of roms?

mediamogul · 6 Dec 2016, 23:30

@silentq

Currently, the two best options for RetroPie are lr-glupen and native mupen64plus with the GLideN64 plugin. Both are similar in that they each make use of the mupen64plus/GLideN64 paradigm. However, lr-glupen is not as optimized for the Pi as the native mupen64plus is, so you'll notice a slow down more often when using it. Something else to consider is that even when choosing the native mupen64plus, some games simply run better with the RICE plugin.

edmaul69 · 7 Dec 2016, 07:03

A recommendation i have for the controller is the retrolink usb n64 controller. You can swap out all the hardware and case with a real one. Personally i have a raphnet n64 to wii classic controller adapter with a wii classic controller cable on it. Then i have a raphnet wii classic controller to usb cable. Reason being is originally i played all my emulation on the wii until i found out about the pi and emulation on it. But raphnets stuff works great. I have several of his boards ive used.

mediamogul · 7 Dec 2016, 07:09

@edmaul69 said in Best N64 Controller options for RetroPie.:

Personally i have a raphnet n64 to wii classic controller adapter with a wii classic controller cable on it. Then i have a raphnet wii classic controller to usb cable.

Heh, we come from a similar background. I have a practically identical configuration when using my Power Glove with the Pi.