2 nes controllers different brands cannot simultaneously work 100%

Magnanimo

Pi Model or other hardware: pi 3
Power Supply used: CanaKit 2.5A USB Power Supply
RetroPie Version Used: 4.2
Built From: downloaded 4.2 from retropie.org/uk then placed on formated sd.
USB Devices connected:
Controller used: retrolink nes controller. and no name nes controller from http://www.raspipc.es/public/home/index.php?ver=tienda&accion=verArticulo&idProducto=1311

The issue i am having is the retrolink controller and the raspipc nes controller are viewed as gamepad 1 and gamepad 2. the problem is that 'b' on the retrolink is button 2 and 'b' on the raspipc is button 0.

Not a issue because i can configure each controller individually....and so i do. and both work while in the menu of retropi. BUT, when i launch a game and try to use both controllers only the 'b' button from the last configured controller will work. so i cant use these two for two player games. bummer.

if i unplug the one that is working i have to reconfigure the non working controller before i can use it in game.

How can i set a .cfg for each of these controllers and not have one override the other?

edmaul69

@Magnanimo the problem is that they both use the generic name "gamepad" and their button numbering is different.

Magnanimo

there must be a way i can hardcode user 2 to act different than user 1.

may be a stupid question but can i rename one of the controllers to not be a generic controller? when i get snes controllers or sega controllers are they going to have issues working with other types of controllers as well? so like snes player 1 and genesis player 2...

edmaul69

@Magnanimo there is. @meleu could tell you the best way to do it.

Magnanimo

@edmaul69 that would be great or even if there is a tutorial somewhere i can follow that would be great. ive looked but cant find anything. i have seen meleu mention changing the controller.cfg and i know where mine is and how to edit it, but i dont know how to indicate user 1 from user 2 in the cfg file. and im not sure how the pi is going to remember which one is 1 and which is 2. not to mention the addition of controllers in the future and if they receive the same generic name.

i would rather just setup each controller with its own name and have that remembered

mediamogul

@Magnanimo

If all else fails, you can also rename the controllers with xboxdrv.

https://github.com/RetroPie/RetroPie-Setup/wiki/Universal-Controller-Calibration-&-Mapping-Using-xboxdrv#2c-personalizing-your-controllers-id-name

meleu

@Magnanimo your problem is similar to what other user reported. His problem is with directionals, but I think you can use my post on his topic to solve your issue. But keep in mind that the method I explain there is not a good solution for those who changes joysticks frequently.

Magnanimo

@mediamogul YES thank you. i believe this is exactly what i want to do

Magnanimo

@meleu thanks that is going to be extremely useful! i think between the two of you i should be able to come up with a solution now. thanks!!