@Sabaro my problem.... I set the cable wrong
1 2 3 4. 4321.

EmulationStation has the X button mapped for choosing a random system or game. If you're in the system list, X will position you to a random system, if you're in a game list (inside a system), it will position you to a random game - you just have to press A to start the game.
Modifying the existing behavior - to start the game automatically - means you're going to have to program it into EmulationStation - something that's non-trivial for someone that's not familiar with programming or EmulationStation's source.

@bswin821 In addition to @mitu's suggestion, you could test your button numbers with jstest like it is described in the Docs.

@retroboii Good luck! I’m glad you sorted it out in the end.

@joeyperoni I use the GPIO method to control my build. Uses the Adafruit utility to mimic keyboard strokes, works well though did take a bit of setting up. Price is right of course. This is what i used as a guide. https://learn.adafruit.com/retro-gaming-with-raspberry-pi/overview
Im system is 2 player (6 buttons each), 2 start buttons, 2 coin buttons and an exit button.