If you're using a RetroArch based emulator core (e.g. FBneo doesn't have an input menu similar to MAME), then you may be able to do that using the 'Mapped Port' option in the core input, see https://github.com/libretro/RetroArch/pull/12534.
I haven't used it, so I don't know if it's possible to save a game input remap after setting up this options (so it will configuration will be automatically applied when the game starts).

Thank you. Will look into that.

Hi @mitu ,

I'm returning to advise you of my good fortune and to help any others who may have been in the same situation as me.

I had been using my Xarcade tank stick controller in "Mode 1" with the Xarcade2Jstick driver which meant that Retropie was recognising it as a keyboard (iPac-type encoder).

I have now switched the controller to "Mode 4" and omitted the driver which means that Retropie recognises the controller as two separate XBox 360 controllers.

I can now configure each side of the controller with identical mappings and any game/platform I wish to use the right side instead of the left side of the controller, I simply change the Port 1 binds for in Retroarch.

When I do this, Hotkey+Start (even on the righthand side) performs correctly and exits the game.

Thank you once again for your help mitu.

So I managed to solve this, but I'm not entirely sure how. I fixed the under-voltage issue with a better power supply. Entered a game and had the same issue. Remapped after exit, then decided to see if it would do it again with other emulators, and like magic, I could never get the issue to reproduce even after a reboot. So.... I have no idea. My guess is it was related to the undervoltage and the board wasn't getting enough power causing a small memory dump when exiting the emulator.

Is this because the Xarcade2jstick emulates as an Xbox controller or am I missing something because this wired USB controller is effectively controller 3?

No and yes - the new controller is most likely assigned the P3 slot and it won't work as a P1 or P2.

I am sure I am missing something simple, but I would love to know since I want to add a second wired controller to have games play head to head using gmaepads, not the tankstick.
And moving forward, I want to add another pair of USB Nintendo like controllers for the simple games..

Since your Tankstick is always connected, it might always be assigned the P1/P2 slots, so any new controller(s) will appear as P3(P4, etc.). You can re-order the controllers with something like https://github.com/meleu/RetroPie-joystick-selection or with the Configuration Editor.

@markwkidd Word received 😀. Great work as always 😎

@guruchoc I installed Xarcade2Jstick via the retropie menu, that seemed to do the trick, I can play Bubble Bobble to my hearts content, thanks for the help.

G

@mgrabow Thank you for sharing your solution.

@caver01 yes i do see that the emulator choice is a huge factor, but there are a few games I can only get to work in mame2016 for example and that one throws the keyboard tab on the controller. very frustrating. i cant seem to change that in retroarch.

@mgrabow said in Tankstick Trackball Not Working in advmame:

verbose mode appears no where the link several people have refered be to.

The option is in the Runcommand menu, but the screenshot/example of that menu is likely old and does not show that choice as an example. However, if you use Runcommand, L "Launch with verbose logging" is an option.

@mgrabow It's a compressed .img file.

I posted a help article that explains how to edit a config file to force Ir-mame2003 MAME games that use trackball or dial control to use the mouse (in this case, Arcade-X Trackball) that may help:

https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/15819/setup-retroarch-to-redirect-mame-games-that-use-dial-and-trackball-to-arcade-x-tankstick-trackball

Also, I would avoid using a USB hub. I used a third party case that used a USB hub and trackball on the X-Arcade would not work. When I plugged the mouse into its own USB port on the Raspberry Pi, the Arcade-X trackball started to work. I still had to edit the config file to get other games to work that used a dial controller (Tempest, Kickman, etc.), but pluggin the Arcade-X Trackball USB cable into a USB hub and not directly into a USB port on the Raspberry Pi caused issued.

@nsantalu Good read. Thanks for posting all of the steps and links, as it helps others see first hand exactly what you are building.

The evolution you describe seems to be common among DIY arcade builders over the past decade or so (pre-raspberry pi). While plenty of users buy the X-Arcade solutions and stop there, it can be a gateway to other considerations leading to more controls, more customization, and generally, a much deeper understanding of the hardware and software. I too am curious about your answer to @chigundo's question: knowing what you do now, if you were going to do it over again, would you follow the same path or go completely scratch built?

The one fly in the ointment of an X-Arcade story is the image which they provide for download as the suggested start. By downloading their image and continuing your build from there, customers are in an unsupportable situation--we have no idea what configuration changes X-Arcade may have made to the image they are providing. Moreover, they are in violation of several license agreements which is a legal problem. Finally, the recommendation against full updates is sure to eventually cause support issues. This is unfortunate because it is not difficult to start with the official RetroPie image and install the relevant drivers after that.

The silver lining is that, if necessary, X-Arcade owners can switch to an official RetroPie image at any time and they have a decent bundle of arcade controls that are likely going to last a long time.

I am anxious to find out what you think of the TurboTwist 2 spinner. I have two of them in my cabinet.

Exit problem fixed here: https://support.xgaming.com/support/solutions/articles/5000554993