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    Best N64 Controller options for RetroPie.

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved General Discussion and Gaming
    n64 controllern64
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    • Solid OneS
      Solid One @mediamogul
      last edited by

      @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.

      mediamogulM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • mediamogulM
        mediamogul Global Moderator @Solid One
        last edited by mediamogul

        @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?

        RetroPie v4.5 • RPi3 Model B • 5.1V 2.5A PSU • 16GB SanDisk microSD • 512GB External Drive

        Solid OneS 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • S
          silentq
          last edited by

          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.

          mediamogulM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • Solid OneS
            Solid One @mediamogul
            last edited by

            @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.

            mediamogulM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • mediamogulM
              mediamogul Global Moderator @Solid One
              last edited by mediamogul

              @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.

              RetroPie v4.5 • RPi3 Model B • 5.1V 2.5A PSU • 16GB SanDisk microSD • 512GB External Drive

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              • mediamogulM
                mediamogul Global Moderator @silentq
                last edited by

                @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.

                RetroPie v4.5 • RPi3 Model B • 5.1V 2.5A PSU • 16GB SanDisk microSD • 512GB External Drive

                S 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • S
                  silentq @mediamogul
                  last edited by

                  @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.

                  mediamogulM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • mediamogulM
                    mediamogul Global Moderator @silentq
                    last edited by

                    @silentq

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

                    RetroPie v4.5 • RPi3 Model B • 5.1V 2.5A PSU • 16GB SanDisk microSD • 512GB External Drive

                    S 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • S
                      silentq @mediamogul
                      last edited by

                      @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?

                      mediamogulM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • mediamogulM
                        mediamogul Global Moderator @silentq
                        last edited by mediamogul

                        @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.

                        RetroPie v4.5 • RPi3 Model B • 5.1V 2.5A PSU • 16GB SanDisk microSD • 512GB External Drive

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                        • edmaul69E
                          edmaul69
                          last edited by

                          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.

                          mediamogulM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • mediamogulM
                            mediamogul Global Moderator @edmaul69
                            last edited by

                            @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.

                            RetroPie v4.5 • RPi3 Model B • 5.1V 2.5A PSU • 16GB SanDisk microSD • 512GB External Drive

                            edmaul69E 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • edmaul69E
                              edmaul69 @mediamogul
                              last edited by

                              @mediamogul oh please tell me more how to use the power glove on the pi. I would love to be able to do that.

                              mediamogulM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • mediamogulM
                                mediamogul Global Moderator @edmaul69
                                last edited by mediamogul

                                @edmaul69

                                You can make use of any NES controller adapter and then plug in the glove's codes as you normally would. Coming from the Wii like you, I use a NES to GameCube adapter that then goes into a GameCube to USB adapter.

                                What's fun is to branch out and use the glove with the other systems. The 'Rad Racer' setting works really well with many other racing games and it's a trip to play the arcade 'Punch-Out!!' using the glove's code for the NES port. Also, there's a code that's fantastic for almost any shooter to where you form your hand like a pretend gun and fire by bringing your thumb down. Character or ship movement is then handled by simply moving your gun/hand around in the air. It's all a lot of fun for brief periods of time, as your arm does get tired.

                                RetroPie v4.5 • RPi3 Model B • 5.1V 2.5A PSU • 16GB SanDisk microSD • 512GB External Drive

                                edmaul69E 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • edmaul69E
                                  edmaul69 @mediamogul
                                  last edited by

                                  @mediamogul sounds awesome. I have a raphnet 4nes4snes adapter. Been wanting to get a power glove just didnt think it was compatible. I understand the arm getting tired. The first wii call of duty games were played with the wiimote as a gun. So when your arms got tired and you put your arms down you would look down. Then when you moved your arms back up you wouldnt be facing the same way.

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                                  • RionR
                                    Rion
                                    last edited by

                                    @silentq Have you seen the new N64 controller by 8bitdo?
                                    Here

                                    FBNeo rom filtering
                                    Mame2003 Arcade Bezels
                                    Fba Arcade Bezels
                                    Fba NeoGeo Bezels

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