Can't get controller working in Reicast

joelkolb

I figured it out and the solution seems kind of nutty and definitely, IMHO, indicates there is a bug in reicast-joyconfig. To solve the problem you must have a controller with an analog stick.

tl;dr: You must use a controller with an analog stick to run "+Start Reicast" to navigate the Reicast menu and go to Settings/Controls and then remap your buttons on the controller without an analog stick. reicast-joyconfig incorrectly maps exit and start to clicking on the analog sticks. This will cause you to get stuck once you launch a game using a controller without an analog stick. Remapping your buttons in this interface will fix this and get your analog-stick-less controller working in Reicast.

The long, detailed explanation:
So the controller that I was using (RetroFlag Wired Controller) has no analog sticks since it is a SNES style controller. This all started with a build I'm making for a friend who only has this controller and I was setting him up with a few Dreamcast games that run well in RetroPie and also don't require analog input (e.g. Capcom vs. SNK, Marvel vs. Capcom, Power Stone, etc.). The problem comes into play because reicast-joyconfig and Emulation station's configure input option both map the exit and start buttons incorrectly. I said earlier I think the bug is in reicast-joyconfig because Emulation Station will map those buttons exactly the same as reicast-joyconfig in the controller config files they both generate so Emulation Station seems to just be following suit with reicast-joyconfig. Actually, I don't know this for sure but rather than mapping es_input.cfg to a Reicast controller config on it's own, it could be possible that after setting up a cconroller in Emulation Station, it could actually run reicast-joyconfig in the cackground, feeding it parameters for the button/stick mappings based on what was just saved in es_input.cfg. This to me would even more strongly indicate that there is a bug in reicast-joyconfig.

Sorry for the tangent, back to the solution. So the controller I had been using has no analog sticks. On a hunch I set up another controller that does have analog sticks (8BitDo SN30 Pro). After launching a Dreamcast game with this controller and fumbling with the controller for a bit I discovered that the exit and start buttons were incorrectly mapped to clicking down on the left and right analog sticks. Since my RetroFlag Wired Controller has no analog sticks it effectively was mapped with no select or exit buttons. So when a game launches and gets to the title screen or a screen where it prompts you to set up a save slot and you are required to press start to proceed you will be stuck and you can't start the game or exit Reicast back to Emulation Station.

When I run +Start Reicast I found that even though it is navigated with the D-pad, I could only navigate it using the D-pad on my controller that also has an analog stick. I think this is due to some further weirdness with how the analog stick and D-pad are mapped by reicast-joyconfig. More on that later.

Once in the Reicast menu, when I go to Settings there is a Controls sub-menu with a Physical Devices section at the bottom with both of my controllers listed and the option to map the buttons and sticks on those controllers. When I went to re-map my 8BitDo controller I found that all the button numbers that were assigned in this interface were totally different from what they were previously listed as (and I assume it got those previous values from the config file generated by reicast-joyconfig). But the most significant of those incorrect mappings were the exit and start buttons. Both before and after remapping, the controller still worked and all the controls worked as expected except for the exit and select buttons.

So, I then remapped my RetroFlag controller. I experienced the same situation were the the values for all the buttons were different when mapping here. Also odd was that I could not remap the D-pad here. It simply did not recognize any input from it. However, after saving those new values and loading games my RetroFlag controller worked perfectly, now that start and exit were no longer mapped to non-existent analog sticks.

Also interesting is that performing these remaps in Reicast created the following files.
evdev_Pro Controller.cfg
evdev_RetroFlag Wired Controller.cfg

The previous files:
controller_ProController.cfg
controller_RetroFlagWiredController.cfg
are no longer used and can be deleted.

Unfortunately, all this means that if you want to use Reicast with a controller that does not have an analog stick, you must first use a controller that does have an analog stick to get the other controller properly configured in Reicast. Fortunately, this is an option for me but may not be an option for others. And either way it seems like a bit of an unnecessary hassle.

Anyway, I hope this helps someone.

mitu

@joelkolb said in Can't get controller working in Reicast:

I figured it out and the solution seems kind of nutty and definitely, IMHO, indicates there is a bug in reicast-joyconfig. To solve the problem you must have a controller with an analog stick.
...

Emulationstation does run a script to generate a controller config once you've set up a controller, so you don't have to set it up again by starting +Start Reicast.sh. If there is a bug somewhere, then can you please attach the es_input.cfg and the - faulty - generated evdev_RetroFlag Wired Controller.cfg ?

Efriim

@joelkolb
I didn't know there was an option in the reicast menu to change from analog. I didn't know there was a reicast menu, other than the DC bios.

There are input settings in the \config\dreamcast\emu.cfg that can point to any mapper file but I've never had to change them, they are somewhat automatic.

Though that was confusing. Even if you edited out the analog sticks, it still needed something to point to the mapper file. We could have investigated the emu.cfg maybe reicast just needed a proper shutdown to set the configuration automatically.

The default mapper I always get for my DS3 is what would work if I were using the playstation3 sixad driver. The mapped numbers are key events in the 300+ range unlike the button definition in the es_input. I don't know where it gets this file from, or the difference between key events and js events.

joelkolb

@Efriim The ability to go into the Reicast menu seems to have been added with a more recent build. Previously +Start Reicast would just take you to the Dreamcast BIOS. Now it takes you to the Reicast menu where there is the option to boot to the BIOS and many other configuration options.

The mapped numbers for both my 8BitDo and RetroFlag controllers were also in the +300 range and far different from what's in es_input.cfg which are single and double digit numbers. However, when remapping my RetroFlag controller in the Reicast menu the numbers changed to the 200+ range.

@mitu Sure thing, I will upload the files soon. It might take a few hours though. It's very late where I am and this issue has been keeping me up but now that I've got it licked I really need some sleep. But I definitely want to help figure out if there's a bug in whatever way I can.

Efriim

@joelkolb
That is really cool, I had to update to check it out. I saw it earlier in another post but I thought it was Attract Mode front end or something.

joelkolb

@mitu OK, decided to stay up a little longer to get this done. I am getting a message from the forum when I try to attach the files saying that I don't have enough privileges so I'm embedding their contents below. I hope that's OK.

es_input.cfg

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<inputList>
  <inputAction type="onfinish">
    <command>/opt/retropie/supplementary/emulationstation/scripts/inputconfiguration.sh</command>
  </inputAction>
  <inputConfig type="joystick" deviceName="RetroFlag Wired Controller" deviceGUID="03000000830500006020000010010000">
    <input name="pageup" type="button" id="4" value="1"/>
    <input name="start" type="button" id="7" value="1"/>
    <input name="down" type="axis" id="1" value="1"/>
    <input name="pagedown" type="button" id="5" value="1"/>
    <input name="right" type="axis" id="0" value="1"/>
    <input name="select" type="button" id="6" value="1"/>
    <input name="left" type="axis" id="0" value="-1"/>
    <input name="up" type="axis" id="1" value="-1"/>
    <input name="a" type="button" id="0" value="1"/>
    <input name="b" type="button" id="1" value="1"/>
    <input name="x" type="button" id="2" value="1"/>
    <input name="y" type="button" id="3" value="1"/>
  </inputConfig>
  <inputConfig type="joystick" deviceName="Pro Controller" deviceGUID="050000007e0500000920000001000000">
    <input name="rightanalogdown" type="axis" id="3" value="1"/>
    <input name="rightanalogleft" type="axis" id="2" value="-1"/>
    <input name="pageup" type="button" id="4" value="1"/>
    <input name="start" type="button" id="9" value="1"/>
    <input name="rightanalogup" type="axis" id="3" value="-1"/>
    <input name="down" type="hat" id="0" value="4"/>
    <input name="leftanalogright" type="axis" id="0" value="1"/>
    <input name="pagedown" type="button" id="5" value="1"/>
    <input name="right" type="hat" id="0" value="2"/>
    <input name="select" type="button" id="8" value="1"/>
    <input name="left" type="hat" id="0" value="8"/>
    <input name="leftanalogup" type="axis" id="1" value="-1"/>
    <input name="up" type="hat" id="0" value="1"/>
    <input name="a" type="button" id="1" value="1"/>
    <input name="b" type="button" id="0" value="1"/>
    <input name="leftanalogdown" type="axis" id="1" value="1"/>
    <input name="x" type="button" id="3" value="1"/>
    <input name="leftanalogleft" type="axis" id="0" value="-1"/>
    <input name="y" type="button" id="2" value="1"/>
    <input name="rightanalogright" type="axis" id="2" value="1"/>
  </inputConfig>
</inputList>

Below are the faulty files generated by Emulation Station that did not work properly.
controller_ProController.cfg

[emulator]
mapping_name = Pro Controller
btn_escape = 296

[dreamcast]
btn_a = 288
btn_b = 289
btn_c =
btn_d =
btn_x = 290
btn_y = 291
btn_z =
btn_start = 297
btn_dpad1_left =
btn_dpad1_right =
btn_dpad1_up =
btn_dpad1_down =
btn_dpad2_left =
btn_dpad2_right =
btn_dpad2_up =
btn_dpad2_down =
axis_x = 0
axis_y = 1
axis_trigger_left =
axis_trigger_right =

[compat]
btn_trigger_left = 292
btn_trigger_right = 293
axis_dpad1_x = 2
axis_dpad1_y = 3
axis_dpad2_x =
axis_dpad2_y =
axis_x_inverted = no
axis_y_inverted = no
axis_trigger_left_inverted =
axis_trigger_right_inverted =
axis_dpad1_y_inverted = no
axis_dpad1_x_inverted = no

controller_RetroFlagWiredController.cfg

[emulator]
mapping_name = RetroFlag Wired Controller
btn_escape = 294

[dreamcast]
btn_a = 289
btn_b = 288
btn_c =
btn_d =
btn_x = 291
btn_y = 290
btn_z =
btn_start = 295
btn_dpad1_left =
btn_dpad1_right =
btn_dpad1_up =
btn_dpad1_down =
btn_dpad2_left =
btn_dpad2_right =
btn_dpad2_up =
btn_dpad2_down =
axis_x = 0
axis_y = 1
axis_trigger_left =
axis_trigger_right =

[compat]
btn_trigger_left = 292
btn_trigger_right = 293
axis_dpad1_x =
axis_dpad1_y =
axis_dpad2_x =
axis_dpad2_y =
axis_x_inverted = no
axis_y_inverted = no
axis_trigger_left_inverted =
axis_trigger_right_inverted =

Below are the good files generated in Reicast that did work properly
evdev_Pro Controller.cfg

[compat]
axis_dpad1_x = 16
axis_dpad1_x_inverted = no
axis_dpad1_y = 17
axis_dpad1_y_inverted = no
axis_dpad2_x = 18
axis_dpad2_x_inverted = no
axis_trigger_left_inverted = no
axis_trigger_right_inverted = no
axis_x_inverted = no
axis_y_inverted = no
btn_trigger_left = 308
btn_trigger_right = 309

[dreamcast]
axis_trigger_left = 2
axis_trigger_right = 5
axis_x = 0
axis_y = 1
btn_a = 305
btn_b = 304
btn_d = 317
btn_dpad1_down = 547
btn_dpad1_left = 544
btn_dpad1_right = 545
btn_dpad1_up = 546
btn_start = 313
btn_x = 307
btn_y = 306

[emulator]
btn_escape = 312
mapping_name = Pro Controller mapping

evdev_RetroFlag Wired Controller.cfg

[compat]
axis_dpad1_x = 16
axis_dpad1_x_inverted = no
axis_dpad1_y = 17
axis_dpad1_y_inverted = no
axis_dpad2_x = 18
axis_dpad2_x_inverted = no
axis_trigger_left_inverted = no
axis_trigger_right_inverted = no
axis_x_inverted = no
axis_y_inverted = no
btn_trigger_left = 292
btn_trigger_right = 293

[dreamcast]
axis_trigger_left = 2
axis_trigger_right = 5
axis_x = 0
axis_y = 1
btn_a = 288
btn_b = 289
btn_c = 306
btn_d = 317
btn_dpad1_down = 547
btn_dpad1_left = 544
btn_dpad1_right = 545
btn_dpad1_up = 546
btn_start = 295
btn_x = 290
btn_y = 291
btn_z = 309

[emulator]
btn_escape = 294
mapping_name = RetroFlag Wired Controller mapping

I hope that is helpful.

Efriim

@joelkolb The ones that don't work are really similar to mine that don't work, with only the x and y or a and b being swapped. I tried the gui, it is really good, and the new mapping works alright.

joelkolb

@mitu I never heard back from you. Is what I posted good? Is there anything more I should add?

mitu

@joelkolb Sorry, got sidetracked with other things, but I've saved the info you posted. I'll take a stab at trying to reproduce the issue.
One more thing more to ask - when you did the configuration, was your RetroPie version the latest ? I know there was a fix for the Reicast configuration generator some time ago - definitely after the 4.4 image was cast, an year ago.

joelkolb

@mitu Yes, definitely the latest. Just before producing those files I clean flashed a new micro SD card with the 4.4 image and then did a full update to make sure my results were clean. So, it was definitely the absolute latest it could be at the time.

mitu

@joelkolb I've looked over the scripts involved and can't figure out what's wrong. I have a similar - SNES style - controller and looked to be working fine with the mapping generated by the input scripts, but I don't use Reicast that often and it's mostly for testing.

funkotron77

I’m having the same problem and I tried using an Xbox controller with an analog stick and getting same thing. Only button that works on wired 360 controller is select which shuts the emulator down. Want to get reicast working because lr-flycast performance isn’t as good. Just updated retropie to 4.5

Efriim

@funkotron77
configure the controller using Retropie Setup, found in configuration > reicast (keyboard required).

You may have to monkey around with the configs. SSH or Samba and programmer's notepad are most apt.

samba:\\ipaddress\configs\dreamcast\mappings\

I'm still uncertain about the namespace for these controller configs, I also recall there was an alternate(or altogether separate) folder where it loads these configurations from.
(Which might be located in the root filesystem at:
/home/$USER/.config/reicast/)

There should be one for the XBOX controller, and the input numbers (544, 543, 312, etc.) need to match what was displayed when configuring the reicast-input.

Using SSH the reicast-input can be called directly. (excuse if this isn't correctly recalled from memory, use ls "directory" if the file is called something else)
/opt/retropie/emulators/reicast/bin/reicast-input

I think you could also use
evtest /dev/input/event# (the controller event # will be 0-6 depending on whatever it was assigned)
or
jstest /dev/input/js#

sudo apt install evtest if evtest isn't installed.

Using one of the test apps you will be able to read the events from the controller and discern the number that needs to be applied to the controller_~xbox.cfg using pn(programmers notepad).

If simply editing the cfg and saving doesn't work, then the file may have to be renamed to evdev_~xbox.cfg or it may need to be copied to that alternative directory mentioned before, I'm fairly uncertain about this but at least it is thorough monkey business.

If there was an easier way, it would be automatic configuration. And it is possible that all that needed to be done is to once again initialize "Configure Input" from the EmulationStation startmenu after reicast was installed for it to work.

Could also try running the reicast-input with root.
sudo /opt/retropie/emulators/reicast/bin/reicast-input
or
sudo /opt/retropie/emulators/reicast/bin/reicast-config I don't remember.

funkotron77

@Efriim thanks for the detailed reply pal. I tried the evtest thing and what is being output seems to match the .cfg file for the joysticks I’m trying to use. I’m going to try resetting the input config from ES and see if that works.

Efriim

@funkotron77
I have a feeling it is this alternate directory I mentioned.
You should be able to find it by:
sudo find /home/pi -name evdev_*
find /home/pi -name reicast
sudo find /opt/ -name evdev_*
sudo find /etc/ -name evdev_*
sudo find / -name evdev_*
in that order, it is most likely in /home/, but i'm not an expert with using find.

If you find this directory, there should be mappings somewhere and by my postulation you should find an evdev_xbox.cfg with the correct mapping for exit and none others.

manjo

@joelkolb Maaaaaaaaaan, you saved my 2 weeks of trying trying, searching.... i have this controller issue since i bought a lenovo m93p thinkcentre for my ne arcade cabinet. The PS4 Controller works without mapping, but i couldn't map my arcade controllers with USB encoder. Anyway thank you so much for your post. I'm so happy after all this houers to fix that problem. Thx a lot...

drewjbx

@manjo said in Can't get controller working in Reicast:

@joelkolb Maaaaaaaaaan, you saved my 2 weeks of trying trying, searching.... i have this controller issue since i bought a lenovo m93p thinkcentre for my ne arcade cabinet. The PS4 Controller works without mapping, but i couldn't map my arcade controllers with USB encoder. Anyway thank you so much for your post. I'm so happy after all this houers to fix that problem. Thx a lot...

hey can you go over the steps you did to make this work, I too am trying to configure arcade controls via usb encoder.

Plex7

@joelkolb

Thanks for the long explanation, but you forgot to mention how you remapped your working controller. Through emulation station or the script with reicast or ```
sudo /opt/retropie/emulators/reicast/bin/reicast-joyconfig

joelkolb

@Plex7 I most certainly did mention how I remapped my working controller. It would have been a pretty pointless explaination otherwise.

tl;dr: You must use a controller with an analog stick to run "+Start Reicast" to navigate the Reicast menu and go to Settings/Controls and then remap your buttons on the controller without an analog stick. reicast-joyconfig incorrectly maps exit and start to clicking on the analog sticks. This will cause you to get stuck once you launch a game using a controller without an analog stick. Remapping your buttons in this interface will fix this and get your analog-stick-less controller working in Reicast.

Plex7

@joelkolb Sorry you're correct. I am unable to get to settings though using a logitech F710 and a F310. You used a Pro controller? So far this one and an xbox controller works....