Friday, January 10, 2020

Unusual MAME controls


Arcade games had a wide variety of controls. Most of the time, they translate pretty well to a gamepad – by far the most common coin-up configuration involves dual-player 8-way joysticks, each with 1-4 pushbuttons, which any modern gamepad can accommodate with its d-pad and four face buttons, while select/start can serve as coin and start inputs. The gamepad is flexible enough to handle a wide variety of other configurations as well – shoulder buttons are there when you need more than four action buttons, and the dual analog sticks work for twin-stick shooters like Robotron and Smash TV, or you can use the d-pad in conjunction with the face buttons to simulate having a second d-pad, relegating shoulder buttons for actions (if you still need them).

But then there are all those other types of controls. Trackballs. Dials. Paddles. Steering wheels. Those weird fishing rod controllers with a bunch of spinning doo-dads. What do you do about those? Sometimes you can fake them with common input devices, and sometimes you really need specialized hardware. Some time ago, I built an arcade control panel with a Street Fighter-style layout, plus a trackball, spinner, 4-way joystick, and extra buttons mapped to useful keyboard inputs. This covers most of my bases, but not all, and is probably much more than what the vast majority of players have access to.

I wrote this as a guide and partial catalog on MAME’s games with unusual or difficult input schemes, with the assumption that the reader has access to modern gamepads with dual analog sticks and trigger-style shoulder buttons. This is not comprehensive by any means. Most of my data comes from MAME’s own XML output, but this is often incomplete or inaccurate from a user’s standpoint. A very large amount of useful data came from the now defunct “controls.dat” project.
https://web.archive.org/web/20130623202744/https://controls.arcadecontrols.com/controls/controls.php

Additionally, the ongoing Nplayers project categorizes games based on not just the number of players, but also on whether they are simultaneous, alternating, or if it’s more complicated than that.
https://nplayers.arcadebelgium.be/

I’m not interested in the 900+ Gambling/Mahjong/Hanafuda machines in MAME. They’re there, they require specialized controllers or clumsy keyboard-mapping, and I don’t really care about them or expect that many reading Data Driven Gamer would either.

Eight-way joysticks

An eight-way joystick with pushbuttons is by far the most common type of controller configuration in MAME, and are generally not any trouble to map to a gamepad, or keyboard, or whatever. There’s a lot more nuance to these controllers than a casual player might think – for instance, an ideal fight stick will have a square-shaped gate to aid hitting the diagonals, while a more general purpose stick will have a circular one for easier edge-riding. I won’t be getting into this level of detail here.

From a game logic perspective, there’s no difference between this and a four-way joystick. Both involve a stick positioned to hit four directional switches that are wired to four inputs on the PCB. The diagonals are not their own inputs, but rather a function of the game’s programming to recognize when two perpendicular switches are hit at once, which is physically difficult or impossible on a four-way stick.

When arcade controls aren’t available, I prefer using a controller’s d-pad. Analog thumbsticks work too, but are too imprecise for my liking.

As this is such a common input scheme, I won't list the games that use it. It would be too many. Instead, here's a list of games that support three or more simultaneous players with this input scheme:

Title Year Manufacturer Players MAME inputs Notes
2 On 2 Open Ice Challenge 1995 Midway 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Alien vs. Predator 1994 Capcom 3|3P sim 3x-joy8
Armored Warriors 1994 Capcom 3|3P sim 3x-joy8
Asylum (prototype) 1991 Leland Corporation 3|3P sim 3x-joy8
Barricade 1976 Ramtek 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Battle Circuit (Euro 970319) 1997 Capcom 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Battletoads 1994 Rare / Electronic Arts 3|3P sim 3x-joy8
Captain America and The Avengers 1991 Data East Corporation 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Captain Commando 1991 Capcom 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Checkmate 1977 Dave Nutting Associates
/ Midway
4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Crime Fighters (US 4 Players) 1989 Konami 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Dark Adventure 1987 Konami 3|3P sim 3x-joy8
Double Dragon 3 - The Rosetta Stone 1990 East Technology
/ Technos Japan
3|3P sim 3x-joy8
Dungeons & Dragons:
Tower of Doom / Shadow over Mystara
1993-1996 Capcom 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Eliminator (4 Players) 1981 Gremlin 4|4P sim 4x-joy2
G.I. Joe (World, EAB, set 1) 1992 Konami 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Gain Ground 1988 Sega 3|3P sim 3x-joy8
Gauntlet / Gauntlet II 1985-1986 Atari Games 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Gauntlet Dark Legacy 1999 Midway Games 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Gauntlet Legends (version 1.6) 1998 Atari Games 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Golden Axe: The Revenge of Death
Adder
1992 Sega 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Golfing Greats 1991 Konami 4|4P alt 4x-joy8
4x-paddle
Paddles have unknown
purpose
Hard Dunk (World) 1994 Sega 6|6P sim 6x-joy8
Hard Yardage (v1.20) 1993 Strata /
Incredible Technologies
4|4P sim 4x-joy8
High Impact Football 1990 Williams 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Hit the Ice (US) 1990 Taito Corporation
(Williams license)
4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Hook (World) 1992 Irem 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Kick and Run (World) 1986 Taito Corporation 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Knights of the Round 1991 Capcom 3|3P sim 3x-joy8
Knuckle Heads (World) 1992 Namco 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Mercs (World 900302) 1990 Capcom 3|3P sim 3x-joy8
Metamorphic Force (ver EAA) 1993 Konami 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Michael Jackson's Moonwalker 1990 Sega 3|3P sim 3x-joy8
Mystic Warriors (ver EAA) 1993 Konami 4|4P sim 4x-joy8 Configurable for 2 or 4
players
NBA Hangtime /
NBA Maximum Hangtime
1996 Midway 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
NBA Jam / NBA Jam TE 1993-1994 Midway 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
NBA Jam Extreme (ver. 1.04) 1996 Acclaim 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
NFL Blitz '99 1998 Midway Games 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Paddle Mania 1988 SNK 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Pig Out: Dine Like a Swine! 1990 Leland Corporation 3|3P sim 3x-joy8
Pit Fighter (rev 9) 1990 Atari Games 3|3P sim 3x-joy8
Punk Shot (US 4 Players) 1990 Konami 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Puzzle Bobble 1994 Taito Corporation 4|2P sim 4x-joy8
Quartet 1986 Sega 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Rampage (Rev 3, 8/27/86) 1986 Bally Midway 3|3P sim 3x-joy8
Rampage: World Tour (rev 1.3) 1997 Midway 3|3P sim 3x-joy8
Rim Rockin' Basketball (V2.2) 1991 Strata /
Incredible Technologies
4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Run and Gun / Run and Gun 2 1993-1996 Konami 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Saturday Night Slam Masters 1993 Capcom 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Spider-Man: The Videogame 1991 Sega 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Sunset Riders 1991 Konami 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Super High Impact 1991 Midway 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Tecmo Bowl (World, set 1) 1987 Tecmo 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
/ TMNT: Turtles in Time
1989-1991 Konami 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
The King of Dragons 1991 Capcom 3|3P sim 3x-joy8
The Main Event (4 Players ver. Y) 1988 Konami 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
The Real Ghostbusters 1987 Data East USA 3|3P sim 3x-joy8
The Simpsons 1991 Konami 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
The Three Stooges In Brides Is Brides 1984 Mylstar 3|3P sim 3x-joy8
Thunder Zone (World) 1991 Data East Corporation 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Trog (prototype) 1990 Midway 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
U.S. Championship V'ball 1988 Technos Japan 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Vendetta 1991 Konami 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Violent Storm (ver EAC) 1993 Konami 4|3P sim 4x-joy8
Vs. Ice Climber Dual 1984 Nintendo 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Vs. Tennis 1984 Nintendo Co., Ltd. 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey 1996 Atari Games 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa 1992 Konami 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
World Beach Volley (set 1) 1995 Playmark 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
World Soccer Finals (rev 4) 1990 Leland Corporation 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
WWF WrestleFest 1991 Technos Japan 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
Xenophobe 1987 Bally Midway 3|3P sim 3x-joy8
X-Men (4 Players ver UBB) 1992 Konami 4|4P sim 4x-joy8
X-Men (6 Players ver ECB) 1992 Konami 6|6P sim 6x-joy8

Four-way joysticks

As I mentioned above, these are logically identical to an eight-way joystick, but isn’t designed to allow you to hit diagonals, and the games aren’t programmed to recognize them. Pac-Man restricts diagonals with a diamond-shaped gate that can be easily ridden from corner to corner, while Donkey Kong uses a plus-sign shaped gate that makes touching diagonals physically impossible.

These are archaic devices that didn’t see a lot of use after 1984. Unfortunately, there aren’t many great options for emulating them. MAME prevents unintentional diagonal inputs by giving horizontal inputs priority, but this can cause unintentional horizontal inputs instead, especially if you’re using an analog stick.

Mr. Brow at Raising the Brow wrote a guide on how to make MAME smarter about translating analog stick movement to four-way inputs:
https://raisingthevgbrow.blogspot.com/2019/11/joystick-mapping-in-mame.html

Personally, I use a Ms. Pac-Man / Galaga 4-way joystick for these games, and if I didn’t have one, I would prefer a keyboard over any gamepad input.

Here's a list of some games that use 4-way joysticks:

Title Year Manufacturer Players MAME inputs Notes
005 1981 Sega 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Ali Baba and 40 Thieves 1982 Sega 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Alpha Fighter / Head On 19?? Data East Corporation 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Amidar 1982 Konami 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Anteater 1982 Tago Electronics 1|2P alt joy4
Arm Wrestling 1985 Nintendo 1|1P joy3 (half4) Left-up-right joystick
Armored Car (set 1) 1981 Stern Electronics 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Assault (Rev B) 1988 Namco 2|1P 2x-doublejoy
[4-4]
Bagman / Super Bagman 1982-1984 Valadon Automation 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Blasto 1978 Gremlin 2|2P sim 2x-joy4
Bomber Man World /
New Dyna Blaster - Global Quest
1992 Irem 4|4P sim 4x-joy4
Boulder Dash /
Boulder Dash Part 2
1990 Data East Corporation
(licensed from First Star)
2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Burger Time (Data East set 1) 1982 Data East Corporation 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Buster Bros. / Super Pang 1989-1990 Mitchell 2|2P sim 2x-joy4
Chinese Hero 1984 Taiyo 2|2P sim 2x-joy4
Commando (Sega) 1983 Sega 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Crash 1979 Exidy 1|2P alt joy4
Crazy Kong 1981 Kyoei / Falcon 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Crazy Kong Part II (set 1) 1981 Falcon 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Crush Roller (set 1) 1981 Alpha Denshi Co. /
Kural Samno Electric, Ltd.
2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Dig Dug / Dig Dug II 1982-1985 Namco 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Digger 1980 Sega 1|2P alt joy4
Dodgem 1979 Zaccaria 1|2P alt joy4
Domino Man 1982 Bally Midway 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Dominos 1977 Atari 2|2P sim 2x-joy4
Donkey Kong / Donkey Kong Junior
/ Donkey Kong 3
1981-1983 Nintendo of America 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Dynablaster / Bomber Man 1991 Irem
(licensed from Hudson Soft)
4|4P sim 4x-joy4
Eyes (US set 1) 1982 Techstar (Rock-Ola license) 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Fire Trap (US, rev A) 1986 Woodplace Inc.
(Data East USA license)
2|2P alt 2x-doublejoy
[4-4]
Frogger 1981 Konami 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Frogs 1978 Gremlin 1|1P joy3 (half4) Left-up-right joystick
Gals Panic (Unprotected) 1990 Kaneko 2|2P sim 2x-joy4
Ghostmuncher Galaxian 1981 bootleg 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Ghouls'n Ghosts (World) 1988 Capcom 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Guzzler 1983 Tehkan 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Hard Hat 1982 Exidy 1|2P alt joy4
Haunted Castle (version M) 1988 Konami 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Head On (2 players) 1979 Gremlin 1|2P alt joy4
Hustle 1977 Gremlin 2|2P sim 2x-joy4
Invinco / Head On 2 1979 Sega 1|2P alt joy4
Iron Horse (version H) 1986 Konami 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Journey 1983 Bally Midway 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Joyful Road (Japan) 1983 SNK 2|2P alt 2x-doublejoy
[4-2]
Jr. Pac-Man (11/9/83) 1983 Bally Midway 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Jungler 1981 Konami 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Karate Champ (US) 1984 Data East USA 2|2P alt 2x-doublejoy
[4-4]
Karate Champ (US VS) 1984 Data East USA 2|2P sim 2x-doublejoy
[4-4]
Kicker 1985 Konami 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Klax (version 6) 1989 Atari Games 2|2P sim 2x-joy4
Lady Bug 1981 Universal 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Lasso 1982 SNK 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Levers 1983 Rock-Ola 2|2P sim 2x-joy4
Lock'n'Chase 1981 Data East Corporation 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Loco-Motion 1982 Konami (Centuri license) 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Lupin III (set 1) 1980 Taito 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Mikie 1984 Konami 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Minesweeper 1977 Amutech 2|2P sim 2x-joy4
Monster Bash 1982 Sega 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Mouse Trap (version 5) 1981 Exidy 1|2P alt joy4
Mr. Do! / Mr. Do's Castle /
Mr. Do's Wild Ride / Do! Run Run
1982-1984 Universal 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Mr. Driller (US, DRI3/VER.A2) 1999 Namco 2|1P 2x-joy4
Ms. Pac-Man 1981 Midway /
General Computer Corporation
2|2P alt 2x-joy4
NATO Defense 1982 Pacific Novelty 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Naughty Boy 1982 Jaleco 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Nibbler (rev 9, set 1) 1982 Rock-Ola 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Oli-Boo-Chu 1981 Irem / GDI 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Pac-Man / Pac-Man Plus
/ Super Pac-Man
/ Pac-Man & Chomp Chomp
1980-1983 Namco 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Pengo (set 1 rev c) 1982 Sega 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Pepper II (version 8) 1982 Exidy 1|2P alt joy4
Ponpoko 1982 Sigma Enterprises Inc. 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Popeye (revision D) 1982 Nintendo 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Pulsar 1981 Sega 1|2P alt joy4
Punch-Out!! / Super Punch-Out!! 1984 Nintendo 1|1P joy4
Pushman (Korea, set 1) 1990 Comad 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Qix (Rev 2) 1981 Taito America Corporation 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Rally X (32k Ver.?) 1980 Namco 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Roc'n Rope 1983 Konami 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Rolling Thunder (rev 3) 1986 Namco 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Route 16 (set 3, bootleg?) 1981 Tehkan /
Sun Electronics (Centuri license)
2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Samurai 1980 Sega 1|2P alt joy4
Side Trak 1979 Exidy 1|2P alt joy4
Solar Fox (upright) 1981 Bally Midway 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Space Attack / Head On 1979 Sega 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Space Panic (version E) 1980 Universal 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Spectar (revision 3) 1980 Exidy 1|2P alt joy4
Super Qix (World/Japan, V1.2) 1987 Kaneko / Taito 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Tank Battalion 1980 Namco 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Tapper (Budweiser, 1/27/84) 1983 Bally Midway 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Targ 1980 Exidy 1|2P alt joy4
Tetris (set 1) 1988 Atari Games 2|2P sim 2x-joy3
(half4)
Left-down-right joysticks
Tetris The Grand Master 1998 Arika / Capcom 4|2P sim 4x-joy4
The Adventures of Robby Roto! 1981 Dave Nutting Associates
/ Bally Midway
2|2P alt 2x-joy4
The Electric Yo-Yo (set 1) 1982 Taito America Corporation 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Thief 1981 Pacific Novelty 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Timber 1984 Bally Midway 2|2P sim 2x-doublejoy
[4-2]
Tomahawk 777 (rev 5) 1980 Data East 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Toypop 1986 Namco 2|2P sim 2x-joy4
Tranquillizer Gun 1980 Sega 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Triple Punch (set 1) 1982 K.K. International 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Trog (rev LA5 03/29/91) 1990 Midway 4|4P sim 4x-joy4
Turtles 1981 Konami
(Stern Electronics license)
2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Tutankham 1982 Konami 2|2P alt 2x-doublejoy
[4-2]
Warp & Warp 1981 Namco 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Zero Zone 1993 Comad 2|2P sim 2x-joy4
Zoo Keeper (set 1) 1982 Taito America Corporation 2|2P alt 2x-joy4

Two-way joysticks

A joystick that moves left and right only, or less frequently, up and down only. MAME can be inconsistent about using this; for instance, Phoenix uses pushbuttons for moving left and right, but MAME lists this as a two-way joystick. Other games with a similar input scheme are listed as “buttons_only.” Electronically there’s no difference, and physically the only difference is that a true 2-way joystick can’t hit left and right simultaneously. I’m not really sure if MAME does anything to prevent this.

There are a lot of suitable options for emulating a two-way joystick. I prefer using shoulder buttons on a gamepad, depending on the game, for quicker response than real arcade controls would provide.

 Some games with two-way joysticks:

Title Year Manufacturer Players MAME inputs Notes
4 En Raya (set 1) 1990 IDSA 2|2P sim 2x-joy2
Ace 1976 Allied Leisure 2|2P sim 2x-joy2
Alpine Ski (set 1) 1982 Taito Corporation 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Balloon Bomber 1980 Taito 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Bank Panic 1984 Sanritsu / Sega 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Black Hole 1981 TDS & MINTS 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Bubble Bobble 1986 Taito Corporation 2|2P sim 2x-joy2
Cheeky Mouse 1980 Universal 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Circus Charlie 1984 Konami 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Cosmic Guerilla /
Cosmic Alien
1979 Universal 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Defend the Terra Attack on
the Red UFO
1981 Artic 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Defender / Stargate 1980-1981 Williams 1|2P alt joyvertical2
Devil Zone 1980 Universal 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Driving Force 1984 Shinkai Inc.
(Magic Electronics Inc. license)
1|1P joy2
Enigma II 1981 Game Plan
(Zilec Electronics license)
2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Freeze 1984 Cinematronics 1|2P alt joy2
Galaxian / Galaga 1979-1981 Namco 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Galaxy Wars 1979 Universal 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Guided Missile 1977 Midway 2|2P sim 2x-joy2
Gyruss 1983 Konami 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Hunchback (set 1) 1983 Century Electronics 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Invader's Revenge 1980? Zenitone-Microsec Ltd. 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
IPM Invader 1979 IPM 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Joust /
Joust 2 - Survival of the
Fittest
1982-1986 Williams 2|2P sim 2x-joy2
Kaos 1981 Game Plan 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
King & Balloon (US) 1980 Namco 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Looping 1982 Video Games GmbH 2|2P alt 2x-joyvertical2
Lunar Rescue 1979 Taito 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
M-4 1977 Midway 2|2P sim 2x-joyvertical2
Magical Spot 1980 Universal 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Mappy (US) 1983 Namco 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Mario Bros. 1983 Nintendo of America 2|2P sim 2x-joy2
Megatack (set 1) 1980 Game Plan (Centuri license) 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Moon Alien Part 2 1980 Namco / Nichibutsu 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Moon Patrol 1982 Irem 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
New York! New York! 1980 Sigma Enterprises Inc. 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Pooyan 1982 Konami 2|2P alt 2x-joyvertical2
Radar Scope 1980 Nintendo 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Return of the Invaders 1985 Taito Corporation 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Rolling Crash
/ Moon Base
1979 Nichibutsu 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Rotary Fighter 1979 Kasco 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Satan of Saturn 1981 SNK 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Satan's Hollow 1981 Bally Midway 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Sky Diver 1978 Atari 2|2P sim 2x-joy2 Pullable parachute ripcord as
a joystick
Space Attack 1979 Sega 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Space Fever /
Space Fever High Splitter
1979 Nintendo 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Space Invaders 1978 Taito / Midway 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Space Invaders II (Midway) 1980 Midway 2|2P sim 2x-joy2
Space Launcher 1979 Nintendo 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Space Stranger 1978 Yachiyo Electronics, Ltd. 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Speak & Rescue 1980 Sun Electronics 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Speed Coin (prototype) 1984 Stern Electronics 1|2P alt joy2
Spiders (set 1) 1981 Sigma Enterprises Inc. 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
The FairyLand Story 1985 Taito 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Traverse USA /
Zippy Race
1983 Irem 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
UniWar S 1980 Irem 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Wonder Boy 1986 Escape (Sega license) 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Yosaku To Donbei (set 1) 1979 Wing 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Zzyzzyxx (set 1) 1982 Cinematronics /
Advanced Microcomputer Systems
2|2P alt 2x-joyvertical2


These games use buttons for directionality, but MAME treats them as if they used joysticks. Most are two-way, a few are four-way:

Title Year Manufacturer Players MAME inputs
Arlington Horse Racing (v1.40-D) 1991 Strata / Incredible Technologies 1|1P joyvertical2
Armor Attack 1980 Cinematronics 2|2P sim 2x-joy2
Astro Blaster (version 3) 1981 Sega 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Astro Fighter (set 1) 1979 Data East 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Astro Invader 1980 Leijac Corporation (Stern Electronics license) 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Astro Wars 1980 Zaccaria / Zelco 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Attack Force 1979? Electronic Games Systems 1|1P joy2
Barrier 1979 Cinematronics (Vectorbeam license) 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
Blockade 1976 Gremlin 2|2P sim 2x-joy4
Carnival (upright, AY8912 music) 1980 Sega 1|2P alt joy2
Challenger 1981 Game Plan (Centuri license) 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
CoMOTION 1976 Gremlin 4|4P sim 4x-joy4
Cosmos 1981 Century Electronics 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Depthcharge 1977 Gremlin 1|1P joy2
Eliminator (2 Players, set 1) 1981 Gremlin 2|2P sim 2x-joy2
Gravitar (version 3) 1982 Atari 1|2P alt joy2
Intruder 1980 Taito (Game Plan license) 2|2P sim 2x-joy2
Invinco / Deep Scan 1979 Sega 1|2P alt joy2
Meadows Lanes 1977 Meadows Games, Inc. 1|2P alt joy2
Moon Cresta (Nichibutsu) 1980 Nichibutsu 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Phoenix (Amstar, set 1) 1980 Amstar 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Pleiads (Tehkan) 1981 Tehkan 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Quasar (set 1) 1980 Zaccaria / Zelco 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Red Alert 1981 Irem (GDI license) 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Rip Off 1980 Cinematronics 2|2P sim 2x-joy2
Robot Bowl 1977 Exidy 1|2P alt joy2
Solar Quest (rev 10 8 81) 1981 Cinematronics 1|2P alt joy2
Space Duel (version 2) 1980 Atari 2|2P sim 2x-joy2
Space Firebird (rev. 04-u) 1980 Nintendo 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Space Fury (revision C) 1981 Sega 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Space Intruder 1980 Shoei 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Space Invaders Part II (Taito) 1979 Taito 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
Star Castle (version 3) 1980 Cinematronics 1|2P alt joy2
The End 1980 Konami 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
The Invaders 1979? Zaccaria / Zelco 1|2P alt joy2
War of the Worlds 1981 Cinematronics 1|2P alt joy2


Double joysticks

Two joysticks meant to be gripped in each hand. I play these with my arcade stick using the second player’s stick in my right hand, but if this isn’t an option (or if I want to play a two-player game like Smash TV) I would play these with a gamepad, using the d-pad for one stick and the face buttons for another stick.

Usually these are 8-way, but another configuration is vertical 2-way, which is most often seen with tank-style games, with each joystick controlling a tread direction. These are also not really a problem to map to a gamepad.

Some games with double joysticks in the 8-way and 2-way configuration are:

Title Year Manufacturer Players MAME inputs Notes
Angel Kids (Japan) 1988 Sega / Nasco? 2|2P alt 2x-doublejoy[8-8]
Battle Zone (rev 2) 1980 Atari 1|1P doublejoy[vertical2-vertical2]
Black Widow 1982 Atari 1|2P alt doublejoy[8-8]
Captain Flag (Japan) 1993 Jaleco 1|1P doublejoy[vertical2-vertical2]
Cloak & Dagger (rev 5) 1983 Atari 1|2P alt doublejoy[8-8]
Crazy Climber /
Crazy Climber 2
1980 Nichibutsu 2|2P alt 2x-doublejoy[8-8]
Front Line 1982 Taito Corporation 2|2P alt 2x-doublejoy[8-8] Right "joystick" is a push-dial with 8
positions
Inferno (Williams) 1984 Williams 2|2P sim 2x-doublejoy[8-8]
Krull 1983 Gottlieb 1|2P alt doublejoy[8-8]
Lost Tomb (easy) 1982 Stern Electronics 1|2P alt doublejoy[8-8]
Mars 1981 Artic 2|2P alt 2x-doublejoy[8-8]
Minefield 1983 Stern Electronics 1|2P alt doublejoy[8-8]
Rescue 1982 Stern Electronics 1|2P alt doublejoy[8-8]
Rescue Raider 1987 Bally Midway 1|2P alt doublejoy[8-8]
Robotron: 2084 1982 Williams / Vid Kidz 1|2P alt doublejoy[8-8]
Sarge 1985 Bally Midway 2|2P sim 2x-doublejoy
[vertical2-vertical2]
Screw Loose (prototype) 1983 Mylstar 1|2P alt doublejoy[8-8]
Sheriff 1979 Nintendo 2|2P alt 2x-doublejoy[8-8] Joystick for movement.
8-position trigger dial for
aiming/shooting
Smash T.V. (rev 8.00) 1990 Williams 2|2P sim 2x-doublejoy[8-8]
Space Dungeon 1981 Taito America
Corporation
2|2P alt 2x-doublejoy[8-8]
Splat! 1982 Williams 2|2P sim 2x-doublejoy[8-8]
Star Guards 1987 Bally Midway 3|3P sim 3x-doublejoy[8-8]
Tank 8 (set 1) 1976 Atari (Kee Games) 8|8P sim 8x-doublejoy
[vertical2-vertical2]
Tank Battle (prototype) 1992 Microprose Games
Inc.
2|2P sim 2x-doublejoy
[vertical2-vertical2]
The Tin Star (set 1) 1983 Taito Corporation 2|2P alt 2x-doublejoy[8-8] Right "joystick" is a push-dial with
8 positions
Title Fight (World) 1992 Sega 2|2P sim 2x-doublejoy[8-8] 8-way sticks "twist" instead of moving
left-right
Total Carnage 1992 Midway 2|2P sim 2x-doublejoy[8-8]
Ultra Tank 1978 Atari (Kee Games) 2|2P sim 2x-doublejoy
[vertical2-vertical2]
Vindicators /
Vindicators Part II
1988 Atari Games 2|2P sim 2x-doublejoy
[vertical2-vertical2]
Wild Western (set 1) 1982 Taito Corporation 2|2P alt 2x-doublejoy[8-8] Right stick is 8-position dial


Buttons only

MAME is really inconsistent about this designation. Most of the time, it means exactly what it says – that the game only uses pushbuttons for input (though as noted above, sometimes MAME uses Joy2 for pushbutton-only games). Other times, it’s used when a game supports alternating players who each get a dedicated set of pushbuttons but must share another control (such as a trackball). Then there are games with unusual pushbutton configurations that are detatched somehow from the joystick or other controls and serve a specialized purpose, such as camera control buttons in racing games. And then there are games where I have no clue why MAME is even using this at all.

This is usually not a challenge to emulate, but it’s good to know when a game lacks directional input.

Some button-only games are:

Title Year Manufacturer Players MAME inputs Notes
'88 Games 1988 Konami 4|4P alt
/ 2P sim
4x-only_buttons
Adventure Quiz 2 -
Hatena? no Daibouken
1990 Capcom 2|2P sim 2x-only_buttons
Asteroids / Asteroids Deluxe 1979-1980 Atari 1|2P alt only_buttons
Bakuretsu Quiz Ma-Q Dai
Bouken
1992 Namco 4|2P sim 4x-only_buttons
Canyon Bomber 1977 Atari 2|2P sim 2x-only_buttons
Chicken Shift 1984 Bally/Sente 1|2P alt only_buttons
Curve Ball 1984 Mylstar 2|2P sim 2x-only_buttons
FAX 1983 Exidy 2|2P sim 2x-only_buttons
Gold Medalist 1988 SNK 4|4P sim 4x-only_buttons
Hit Me (set 1) 1976 Ramtek 4|4P alt 4x-only_buttons Stand/Hit/Ante buttons
Name That Tune (Bally, set 1) 1986 Bally/Sente 2|2P sim 2x-only_buttons
Neck-n-Neck (v1.2) 1992 Bundra Games/
Incredible
Technologies
1|6P sim only_buttons
Pac-Land (World) 1984 Namco 2|2P alt 2x-only_buttons
Pinball Action (set 1) 1985 Tehkan 2|2P alt 2x-only_buttons
Power Drive 1986 Bally Midway 3|3P sim 3x-only_buttons
Professor Pac-Man 1983 Dave Nutting Associates
/ Bally Midway
2|2P sim 2x-only_buttons
Quiz & Dragons: Capcom
Quiz Game
1992 Capcom 2|2P sim 2x-only_buttons
Quiz Nanairo Dreams: Nijiirochou
no Kiseki
1996 Capcom 2|2P sim 2x-only_buttons
Runaway (prototype) 1982 Atari 1|2P alt only_buttons
Space Zap 1980 Midway 2|2P alt 2x-only_buttons
Super Pinball Action (US) 1991 Tecmo 1|1P only_buttons
Time Scanner 1987 Sega 2|2P alt 2x-joy5 (half8) Pinball video game.
Joystick has unknown purpose.
Toobin' (rev 3) 1988 Atari Games 2|2P sim 2x-only_buttons
Track & Field / Hyper Sports 1983-1984 Konami 4|4P alt
/ 2P sim
4x-only_buttons
Triv Two 1984 Status Games 1|2P alt only_buttons
Trivia (Questions Series 15) 1986 Greyhound Electronics 1|4P alt only_buttons
Trivia (Questions Series 8) 1984 Greyhound Electronics 1|2P alt only_buttons
Trivia (UK Version 5.07) 1986 Grayhound Electronics 1|1P only_buttons
Trivia Genius 1985 bootleg 2|4P alt 2x-only_buttons
Video Pinball 1979 Atari 1|4P alt only_buttons
Yes/No Sinri Tokimeki Chart 1992 Taito Corporation 2|2P sim 2x-only_buttons
Yuuyu no Quiz de GO!GO! 1990 Taito Corporation 2|2P sim 2x-only_buttons


Trackballs

I’ve got one, but also find that a laptop’s trackpad tends to do a decent job of simulating the feel of one, though it can also trigger backspin if your sensitivity is too high. A mouse can work even better in some games, to the point where it feels like cheating.

Some trackball games are:

Title Year Manufacturer Players MAME inputs Notes
American Horseshoes (US) 1990 Taito America Corporation 1|4P alt trackball
AmeriDarts (set 1) 1989 Ameri 2|4P alt 2x-trackball
Arcade Classics (prototype) 1992 Atari Games 2|2P sim 2x-trackball
Atari Football (4 players)
/ Atari Soccer
1979-1980 Atari 4|4P sim 4x-trackball
Atari Football (revision 2)
/ Atari Baseball
/ Basketball
1978-1979 Atari 2|2P sim 2x-trackball
Ataxx (rev 5) 1990 Leland Corporation 2|2P alt 2x-trackball
Beezer (set 1) 1982 Tong Electronic 1|2P alt trackball
Big Event Golf (US) 1986 Taito America Corporation 2|2P alt 2x-trackball
Birdie King / Birdie King 2
/ Birdie King 3
1982-1984 Taito Corporation 2|2P alt 2x-trackball
Bowling Alley 1978 Midway 1|4P alt trackball
Cabal 1988 TAD Corporation
(Fabtek license)
2|2P sim 2x-trackball
Capcom Bowling (set 1) 1988 Incredible Technologies
/ Capcom
2|4P alt only_buttons
trackball
Centipede / Millipede 1980-1982 Atari 1|1P joy8
trackball
Optional joystick support
Cool Pool 1992 Catalina 2|2P alt only_buttons
trackball
Crystal Castles (version 4) 1983 Atari 2|2P alt 2x-trackball
Cube Quest (01/04/84) 1983 Simutrek 1|1P trackball
Dunk Shot 1986 Sega 4|4P sim 4x-trackball
Eagle Shot Golf (US) 1994 Sammy 2|4P alt 2x-joy8
trackball
Joysticks have unknown purpose.
Extra Bases 1980 Dave Nutting Associates
/ Midway
2|2P sim 2x-trackball
Galaxy Games StarPak 3 1998 Creative Electronics
& Software / Atari
2|2P sim 2x-trackball
Golden Tee Golf II 1992 Strata /
Incredible Technologies
2|4P alt 2x-trackball
Golden Tee series 1995-2000 Incredible Technologies 2|4P alt 2x-trackball
Gridiron Fight 1985 Tehkan 2|2P sim 2x-trackball
Gridlee 1983 Videa 2|2P alt 2x-trackball
Kick (upright) 1981 Midway 1|2P alt dial Trackball with horizontal-only spin
Krazy Bowl 1994 American Sammy 2|4P alt 2x-joy8
2x-trackball
Joysticks have unknown purpose.
Laser Base (set 1) 1981 Hoei (Amstar license) 2|2P alt only_buttons
trackball
Liberator (set 1) 1982 Atari 2|2P alt only_buttons
trackball
Marble Madness (set 1) 1984 Atari Games 2|2P sim 2x-trackball
Mini Golf (11/25/85) 1985 Bally/Sente 1|4P alt trackball
Missile Command (rev 3) 1980 Atari 2|2P alt 2x-trackball
Pound for Pound (World) 1990 Irem 2|2P sim 2x-trackball
Quantum (rev 2) 1982 General Computer Corporation
(Atari license)
1|2P alt trackball
Rampart (Trackball) 1990 Atari Games 3|3P sim 3x-trackball
Reactor 1982 Gottlieb 1|2P alt trackball
SDI - Strategic Defense
Initiative
1987 Sega 2|2P sim 2x-joy8
2x-trackball
SegaSonic The Hedgehog 1992 Sega 3|3P sim 3x-trackball
Shoot the Bull 1985 Bally Midway 1|4P alt trackball
Shuffleboard 1978 Midway 1|2P alt trackball
Shuffleshot (v1.40) 1997 Strata /
Incredible Technologies
2|4P alt 2x-trackball
Shuuz (version 8.0) 1990 Atari Games 1|4P alt trackball
Simpsons Bowling 2000 Konami 4|4P alt 4x-joy8
trackball
Joysticks have unknown purpose.
Slither (set 1) 1982 Century II 2|2P alt 2x-trackball
Snacks'n Jaxson 1984 Bally/Sente 1|2P alt trackball
Snake Pit 1984 Bally/Sente 1|2P alt joy8
trackball
Spiker 1986 Bally/Sente 2|2P sim 2x-trackball
Strata Bowling (V3) 1990 Strata /
Incredible Technologies
2|4P alt 2x-trackball
Strike Bowling 1982 Taito Corporation 2|2P alt only_buttons
trackball
Tehkan World Cup (set 1) 1985 Tehkan 2|2P sim 2x-joy8
2x-trackball
The Irritating Maze /
Ultra Denryu Iraira Bou
1997 SNK / Saurus 2|1P only_buttons
trackball
Tri-Sports 1989 Bally Midway 1|4P alt trackball
U.S. Classic 1989 Seta 2|2P alt 2x-trackball
Virtua Bowling 1996 IGS 2|4P alt 2x-joy8
trackball
Joysticks have unknown purpose.
Virtual Pool 1998 Incredible Technologies 1|2P alt lightgun
trackball
Light gun is unused.
Wacko 1982 Bally Midway 2|2P alt 2x-joy4
2x-trackball
Second trackball used in cocktail
mode
World Class Bowling /
World Class Bowling Deluxe
1995-1999 Incredible Technologies 2|4P alt 2x-trackball
X the Ball 1991 Rare 1|1P trackball



Analog stick

An analog stick, with one or two axes. These can take many different physical forms, some of them suitable for mapping to an analog thumbstick, some of them not so suitable. The only thing they have in common is the existence of a center point, and a way of measuring how far you have moved the control from the center point, and in which directions.

Some of the forms that are usually well-suited to gamepad thumbsticks are:
  • Flight stick. Self-explanatory.
  • Flight yoke. Works a lot like a flight stick, but has a different feel.
  • Analog stick. Looks like an 8-way, but operates like a flight stick.
  • 49-way stick. Not really an analog stick, but could be seen as a predecessor to them. These joysticks are sensitive to 3 levels of pressure in each of the four directions, giving 49 discrete positions that they could be in. Thumbsticks play well with these controllers.
  • Positional joystick. A self-centering lever with a number of discrete positions rather than true analog measurement.

Some of the games that use these forms include:

Title Year Manufacturer Players MAME inputs Notes
Air Rescue (US) 1992 Sega 2|2P sim 2x-stick Flight sticks.
Arch Rivals (rev 4.0 6/29/89) 1989 Bally Midway 2|2P sim 2x-stick 49-way joysticks.
Blaster 1983 Williams / Vid Kidz 1|2P alt stick 49-way joystick
Cops'n Robbers 1976 Atari 4|4P sim 4x-positional Vertical positional joystick for
aiming.
Cyber Commando 1994 Namco 2|1P 2x-stick Flight sticks
D-Day 1982 Olympia 1|2P alt paddle Horizontal analog stick
Enduro Racer 1986 Sega 1|1P pedal stick Steering handlebars and
throttle.
Escape from the Planet of the
Robot Monsters
1989 Atari Games 2|2P sim 2x-stick Analog joysticks.
Fire Fox (set 1) 1984 Atari 1|1P stick Flight yoke
Food Fight (rev 3) 1982 General Computer
Corporation (Atari license)
2|2P alt 2x-stick Analog joysticks.
G-LOC Air Battle (World) 1990 Sega 1|1P stick Flight stick
Gun Fight / Boot Hill 1975-1977 Dave Nutting Associates
/ Midway
2|2P sim 2x-joy8
2x-positional
Positional joystick aims gun
Hydra 1990 Atari Games 1|1P pedal stick Steering yoke.
Pedal has unknown purpose.
I, Robot 1983 Atari 1|2P alt stick Analog joystick.
Lock-On (rev. E) 1986 Tatsumi 1|1P stick Flight yoke
Mazer Blazer (set 1) 1983 Stern Electronics 1|2P alt stick Flight yoke
Moto Frenzy 1992 Atari Games 1|1P pedal stick Steering handlebars and
throttle.
Night Striker (World) 1989 Taito Corporation Japan 1|1P joy8 stick Flight stick.
8-way stick has unknown purpose.
Pigskin 621AD 1990 Midway 2|2P sim 2x-stick joy8 49-way joysticks.
8-way stick has unknown purpose.
Rail Chase 2 (Revision A) 1994 Sega 2|2P sim 2x-stick Flight stick
Red Baron 1980 Atari 1|1P joy4 stick Flight stick.
4-way stick has unknown purpose.
Road Riot 4WD 1991 Atari Games 1|1P pedal stick Steering yoke.
Pedal has unknown purpose.
Road Runner (rev 2) 1985 Atari Games 1|2P alt stick Analog joystick.
Sinistar (revision 3) 1982 Williams 1|2P alt stick 49-way joystick
Sky Raider 1978 Atari 1|1P stick Flight yoke
Space Harrier 1985 Sega 1|1P stick Flight stick
Space Lords (rev C) 1992 Atari Games 2|2P sim 2x-stick Flight sticks
Star Wars
/ Return of the Jedi
1983-1984 Atari 1|1P stick Flight yoke
Starblade (ST1, Japan) 1991 Namco 1|1P stick Flight yoke
Steel Talons (rev 2) 1991 Atari Games 2|1P 2x-stick Flight stick
Surf Planet (Version 4.1) 1997 Gaelco (Atari license) 1|1P paddle Horizontal analog stick
Tailgunner 1979 Cinematronics 1|1P stick Analog joystick.
The Empire Strikes Back 1985 Atari Games 1|1P stick Flight yoke
T-MEK 1994 Atari Games 2|1P 2x-joy8
2x-stick
Two flight sticks.
8-way stick has unknown purpose.
Tunnel Hunt 1979 Atari 1|1P stick Flight stick
Turbo Sub 1985 Entertainment Sciences 3|1P only_buttons
stick
Steering yoke
Two Tigers (dedicated) 1984 Bally Midway 2|2P sim 2x-stick Flight sticks


Not every analog stick type input plays well with gamepads, though, and MAME doesn't make sorting them out easy, as they all just get categorized as "stick."

Non-centering analog levers, for instance, don't really work with any common control type. The most common example is aircraft-style throttle levers, which are adjusted by hand to a desired engine speed, and stick in place until adjusted again (as opposed to motorcycle throttles, which return to zero when let go). You can wing it with any kind of directional input, but unless the game has an on-screen indicator of the engine speed or equivalent, you're going to be flying a bit blind.

USB flight sticks often have build-in throttle levers, and high-end HOTAS gear have separate throttle grips, but the latter is definitely enthusiast gear, and even workhorse flight sticks don't have the same prevalance in gaming PC setups as they once did as gamepads have mostly filled that niche.

Some games that use lever controls are:

Title Year Manufacturer Players MAME inputs Notes
After Burner II 1987 Sega 1|1P stick Flight stick and throttle lever.
Air Combat 22 1995 Namco 1|1P stick Flight stick and throttle lever.
Bradley Trainer 1980 Atari 1|1P stick Steering yoke with throttle lever
Crowns Golf 1984 Nasco Japan 2|2P alt 2x-joy2
2x-stick
Lever control for swing angle
Densha de GO! /
Densha de GO! 2
1996-1998 Taito 1|1P paddle
positional
Unique engine controller
F-15 Strike Eagle 1991 Microprose
Games Inc.
1|1P stick Flight stick and throttle lever.
Galaxy Force 2 1988 Sega 1|1P stick Flight stick and throttle lever.
G-LOC Air Battle (US) 1990 Sega 1|1P stick Flight stick and throttle lever.
Landing Gear 1995 Taito 1|1P stick Flight stick and throttle lever.
Major League 1985 Sega 2|2P sim 2x-stick
2x-trackball
Unique bat controller
Spy Hunter II (rev 2) 1987 Bally Midway 2|2P sim 2x-paddle
2x-pedal
Steering wheel and throttle lever.
Star Fire (set 1) 1979 Exidy 1|1P stick Flight yoke and lever
Star Wars Arcade (US) 1993 Sega 2|2P sim 2x-stick
pedal
Two flight sticks and throttle lever
Strike Fighter (Japan) 1991 Sega 1|1P stick Flight stick and throttle lever.
Super Chase - Criminal
Termination
1992 Taito America
Corporation
1|1P paddle
pedal
Steering wheel and throttle lever.
Super Masters Golf 1989 Sega 1|2P alt pedal Unique swing controller.
Thrill Drive (JAE) 1998 Konami 1|1P joy8 paddle
pedal stick
Steering wheel, pedals, shifter stick, and hand brake.
Thunder Blade 1987 Sega 1|1P stick Flight stick and throttle lever.
Wing War (US) 1994 Sega 1|1P pedal stick Flight stick and throttle lever.

Another type of "stick" controller is a mounted gun. These look like lightguns, but can't be removed from their mounts, which are in fact analog joysticks calibrated to create the illusion of aiming the gun at the screen. They aren't very suitable for thumbsticks, or actual light guns for that matter.

Some of these gun games are:

Title Year Manufacturer Players
Alien3: The Gun (World) 1993 Sega 2|2P sim
Blue Shark 1978 Midway 1|1P
Jurassic Park (World, Rev A) 1993 Sega 2|2P sim
M-79 Ambush 1977 Ramtek 2|2P sim
Operation Thunderbolt (World, rev 1) 1988 Taito Corporation Japan 2|2P sim
Revolution X (rev 1.0 6/16/94) 1994 Midway 3|3P sim
Space Gun (World) 1990 Taito Corporation Japan 2|2P sim
Terminator 2 - Judgment Day (rev LA4 08/03/92) 1991 Midway 2|2P sim
Triple Hunt 1977 Atari 1|1P
Turkey Shoot (prototype) 1984 Williams 1|2P alt

With the exception of Jurassic Park and Turkey Shoot, MAME provides a convenience hack for all of these games; you may control the gun position with an on-screen reticle, which is easily aimed with the mouse, and can be turned off via OSD settings if you don't want it. Jurassic Park and Turkey Shoot have their own ingame reticles, but in the case of Jurassic Park I found mouse control to be a bit wonky.

One last type of analog stick is the kicker controller, which was first used by Atari, but mostly used by Cinematronics, later known as Leland Corporation. It is a stiff analog joystick with a heavy spring, and is operated by pulling it toward you, tilting it left or right to aim, and then releasing to throw, pitch, or kick. I don't know of any good way to emulate these.

These are all of the games that I am aware use kicker controllers:

Title Year Manufacturer Players MAME inputs
All American Football (rev D, 2 Players) 1989 Leland Corporation 2|2P sim 2x-joy8 2x-stick
Alley Master 1986 Cinematronics 1|2P alt stick
Flyball (rev 1) 1976 Atari 2|2P sim 2x-stick
John Elway's Team Quarterback /
All American Football (Rev E)
1988-1989 Leland Corporation 4|4P sim 2x-stick 4x-joy8
Quarterback (rev 5) 1987 Leland Corporation 2|2P sim 2x-joy8 stick
Strike Zone Baseball 1988 Leland Corporation 2|2P alt 2x-stick
Super Baseball Double Play Home Run Derby 1987 Leland Corporation / Tradewest 2|2P sim 2x-stick
World Series: The Season / Baseball: The Season II 1985-1987 Cinematronics 2|2P sim 2x-stick

Steering wheel

These are usually driving games, and the control type is listed as "paddle" in MAME's XML output. They are essentially just large paddles - they turn lock-to-lock and work by measuring the absolute distance turned from the center point - but driving games probably won't handle well on a Pong-sized knob that can't be gripped with two hands. Motorcycle racing games are more likely to use tilting handlebar controllers, but they operate in the same fashion.

USB steering wheels are certainly the best option for playing these games, though analog thumbsticks might work well enough depending on the game.

These are not to be confused with "dial" steering wheels, which were more common in driving games from 1987 and earlier, and work in a completely different manner that is more or less incompatible with USB steering wheels.

These games often also use analog foot-operated pedals (or hand-operated in the case of motorcycles), and theoretically the analog triggers on a modern gamepad should be good for these, but I’ve found results to be mixed, working well for some games and terribly for others, although tweaking the sensitivity settings can help. Of course, it’s only worth attempting this if you can also manage to get steering to work well with the thumbstick, which is no guarantee.

Many also often have gear shifter sticks which MAME may implement in a sundry of ways, depending on the game.

Some of these games include:

Title Year Manufacturer Players MAME inputs Notes
1000 Miglia: Great 1000 Miles Rally /
Mille Miglia 2: Great 1000 Miles Rally
1995 Kaneko 2|2P alt 2x-joy8 dial
paddle
Config for free or fixed wheel.
280-ZZZAP 1976 Dave Nutting
Associates
/ Midway
1|1P paddle pedal Steering wheel and pedals.
Ace Driver: Racing Evolution
/ Ace Driver: Victory Lap
1994 Namco 2|1P joy8 joyvertical2
paddle pedal
Wheel, pedals, shift stick.
Joy8 has unknown purpose.
Big Run (11th Rallye version) 1989 Jaleco 1|1P paddle pedal 270 wheel and pedals
California Speed 1998 Atari Games 1|1P paddle pedal Steering wheel and pedals.
Chase H.Q. (World) 1988 Taito Corporation
Japan
1|1P dial paddle
pedal
Config for free or fixed wheel.
Cisco Heat 1990 Jaleco 1|1P paddle 270 steering wheel
Continental Circus (World) 1987 Taito Corporation
Japan
1|1P dial paddle
pedal
Config for free or fixed wheel.
Cool Riders 1995 Sega 2|2P sim 2x-paddle
2x-pedal
Handlebars and throttle.
Cruis'n USA / Cruis'n World 1994-1996 Midway 1|1P paddle pedal Steering wheel and pedals.
Cyber Cycles 1995 Namco 1|1P paddle pedal Handlebars and throttle.
Dirt Fox (Japan) 1989 Namco 1|1P paddle pedal Steering wheel and pedals.
Double Axle (US) 1991 Taito America
Corporation
1|1P paddle Steering wheel
Driver's Edge (v1.6) 1994 Strata / Incredible
Technologies
1|1P paddle pedal Steering wheel and pedals.
F1 Exhaust Note (World, Rev A) 1991 Sega 2|1P 2x-paddle
2x-pedal
Steering wheel and pedals.
Final Lap / Final Lap 2 / Final Lap 3
/ Final Lap R
1987-1995 Namco 1|1P paddle pedal Steering wheel and pedals.
Four Trax (World) 1989 Namco 1|1P paddle pedal Handlebars and throttle.
GP Rider 1990 Sega 1|1P paddle pedal Handlebars and throttle.
Grand Prix Star (ver 4.0) 1992 Jaleco 1|1P paddle pedal 270 wheel, 2 pedals
GTI Club (ver AAA) 1996 Konami 1|1P joyvertical2
paddle pedal
Wheel, pedals, shift stick.
Hang-On / Hang-On Jr.
/ Super Hang-On
1985-1987 Sega 1|1P paddle pedal Handlebars and throttle.
Hard Drivin' / Race Drivin' (compact) 1990 Atari Games 1|1P paddle pedal Steering wheel and pedals.
Konami GT 1985 Konami 1|1P paddle Steering wheel
Laguna Racer 1977 Midway 1|1P paddle pedal 270 wheel and pedals
Max RPM (ver 2) 1986 Bally Midway 2|2P sim 2x-joyvertical2
2x-paddle
2x-pedal
Wheel, pedal, shift stick
Midnight Run: Road Fighter 2 1995 Konami 1|1P joyvertical2
paddle
pedal
Wheel, pedals, shift stick.
Motor Raid - Twin 1997 Sega 1|1P paddle pedal Handlebars and throttle.
Off Road Challenge (v1.63) 1997 Midway 1|1P paddle pedal Steering wheel and pedals.
Out Run / Turbo Out Run 1986-1989 Sega 1|1P paddle pedal 270 steering wheel, pedals
OutRunners (World) 1992 Sega 2|1P 2x-paddle
2x-pedal
Steering wheel and pedals.
Pocket Racer 1996 Namco 1|1P paddle pedal Steering wheel and pedals.
Power Drift (World, Rev A) 1988 Sega 1|1P paddle pedal 270 steering wheel, pedals
Racing Hero 1989 Sega 1|1P paddle pedal Handlebars and throttle.
Rad Mobile (World) 1990 Sega 1|1P paddle pedal Steering wheel and pedals.
Rad Rally (World) 1991 Sega 1|1P paddle pedal Steering wheel and pedals.
Radikal Bikers (Version 2.02) 1998 Gaelco 1|1P joy1 paddle Handlebars, shift toggle-stick.
Ridge Racer / Ridge Racer 2
/ Rave Racer
1993-1995 Namco 1|1P joy8 paddle
pedal
Wheel, pedals, shift stick.
Road Burners (ver 1.04) 1999 Atari Games 4|1P 4x-joy8 paddle
pedal stick
Handlebars and throttle.
Joy8 and stick have
unknown purpose.
San Francisco Rush /
San Francisco Rush: The Rock
1996-1997 Atari Games 1|1P paddle pedal Steering wheel and pedals.
San Francisco Rush 2049 1999 Atari Games 4|1P 2x-joy8 keypad
only_buttons
paddle pedal
Wheel, pedals, shift stick,
keypad, camera buttons.
Side by Side /
Side by Side 2
1996 Taito 1|1P joyvertical2
paddle pedal
Wheel, pedals, shift stick.
Slip Stream 1995 Capcom 1|1P paddle pedal Steering wheel and pedals.
Space Encounters 1980 Midway 1|1P positional Positional steering handles.
Special Criminal Investigation 1989 Taito Corporation
Japan
1|1P paddle Steering wheel
Speed Racer 1995 Namco 1|1P paddle pedal 270 steering wheel and pedals
Speed Up (Version 1.20) 1996 Gaelco 2|1P only_buttons
paddle pedal
Wheel, pedals,
camera buttons.
Spy Hunter 1983 Bally Midway 1|1P paddle pedal Handlebars and throttle.
Super Monaco GP 1989 Sega 1|1P paddle pedal 270 wheel and pedals
Super Speed Race 1979 Midway 1|1P positional Positional steering wheel and pedal
Suzuka 8 Hours /
Suzuka 8 Hours 2
1992-1993 Namco 1|1P paddle pedal Handlebars and throttle.
Techno Drive 1998 Namco 1|1P paddle pedal Steering wheel and pedals.
Tokyo Wars 1996 Namco 1|1P paddle pedal Steering wheel and pedals.
Top Speed (World) 1987 Taito Corporation
Japan
1|1P dial paddle
pedal
Config for free or fixed wheel.
Virtua Racing 1992 Sega 1|1P paddle pedal Steering wheel and pedals.
WEC Le Mans 24 (v2.01) 1986 Konami 1|1P paddle pedal 270 wheel, 2 pedals
Winning Run '91 1991 Namco 1|1P joyvertical2
paddle pedal
Wheel, pedals, shift stick.
World Rally 2: Twin Racing 1995 Gaelco 2|2P sim 2x-joy8 paddle Wheel and shift stick.

360 (aka dial) steering wheel

The other kind of steering wheel. These are (usually) free-spinning devices with steering wheel grips. Some have physical stops to limit their range of rotation, but even when they do, they work very differently from regular steering wheels. Regular steering wheels measure the wheel's distance turned from the center, but this kind works by measuring the direction and speed of rotation, and has no way of knowing what the "center" point is.

Although not realistic, this kind of wheel is pretty common for racing games from 1987 and earlier. USB steering wheels do not work well with these games, as they do not rotate freely. Ultimarc sells a miniature steering wheel attachment for their SpinTrak controller, which isn’t a cheap setup, but probably your best bet if you’re serious enough about playing these games to buy a specialized controller.

Personally, I play these games with my SlikStik Tornado spinner, which isn't ideal as it's a low-friction device and can't be gripped with two hands, giving you only your wrist's range of motion which is certain to be less precise than one involving the length of your arms. Some games will work fine with a thumbstick or even a keyboard; it really depends on how demanding the game is for turning precision. A lot of these games work surprisingly well with a mouse.

Some games with these wheels are:

Title Year Manufacturer Players MAME inputs Notes
American Speedway 1987 Enerdyne Technologies
Inc.
2|2P sim 2x-dial 360 steering wheels
APB - All Points Bulletin 1987 Atari Games 1|1P dial pedal 360 steering wheel and pedal.
Bad Lands 1989 Atari Games 2|2P sim 2x-dial 360 steering wheels
Buggy Boy Junior 1986 Tatsumi 1|1P dial pedal 360 steering wheel and pedals
Buggy Challenge 1984 Taito Corporation 1|1P dial pedal 360 steering wheel and pedal.
Championship Sprint 1986 Atari Games 2|2P sim 2x-dial 2x-pedal 360 steering wheels and pedals
Danny Sullivan's Indy Heat 1991 Leland Corporation 3|3P sim 3x-dial 3x-pedal 360 steering wheels and pedals
Demolition Derby 1984 Bally Midway 4|4P sim 4x-dial 360 wheel and pedal
Double Cheese 1993 HAR 1|1P dial 360 steering wheel
Drag Race 1977 Atari (Kee Games) 2|2P sim 2x-dial 360 steering wheels
Fire Truck / Smokey Joe 1978 Atari 2|1P 2x-dial 360 steering wheels
Grand Champion (set 1) 1981 Taito 1|1P dial joy1 pedal 360 wheel, pedal, shift stick
Hot Rod 1988 Sega 4|3P sim 4x-dial 4x-pedal 360 steering wheels and pedals
Ironman Ivan Stewart's
Super Off-Road / Track-Pak
1989 Leland Corporation 3|3P sim 3x-dial 3x-pedal 360 steering wheels and pedals
Monte Carlo 1979 Atari 1|1P dial 360 steering wheel
Night Driver 1976 Atari 1|1P dial 360 steering wheel
Pole Position /
Pole Position II
1982-1983 Namco 1|1P dial pedal 360 steering wheel and pedals.
Redline Racer 1987 Cinematronics
(Tradewest license)
2|2P sim 2x-dial 2x-pedal 360 wheel and pedal
Speed Freak 1979 Vectorbeam 2|1P dial joy8 360 wheel, shift stick
Sprint 1 1978 Atari (Kee Games) 1|1P dial 360 steering wheel
Sprint 2 (set 1) 1976 Atari (Kee Games) 2|2P sim 2x-dial 360 steering wheels
Sprint 4 (set 1) 1977 Atari 4|4P sim 4x-dial 360 steering wheels
Sprint 8 1977 Atari 8|8P sim 8x-dial 360 steering wheels
Stocker (3/19/85) 1984 Bally/Sente 1|1P dial 360 steering wheel
Street Heat 1985 Epos Corporation 2|2P alt 2x-dial 2x-joy2 360 steering wheel.
Joysticks have unknown purpose.
Subs 1977 Atari 2|2P sim 2x-dial 360 steering wheels
Super Bug 1977 Atari (Kee Games) 1|1P dial 360 steering wheel
Super Speed Race Junior 1985 Taito Corporation 1|1P dial pedal 360 steering wheel and pedals
Super Sprint (rev 4) 1986 Atari Games 3|3P sim 3x-dial 3x-pedal 360 steering wheels and pedals
Top Secret 1986 Exidy 1|1P dial 360 steering wheel
Turbo 1981 Sega 1|1P dial 360 steering wheel
TX-1 1983 Tatsumi 1|1P dial pedal 360 steering wheel and pedals
World Rally 1993 Gaelco 2|2P alt 2x-joy8 dial 360 wheel, shift stick.


Light guns

Toy guns that use optical sensors to detect what part of the screen you are aiming at. MAME lets you play with a point and click interface, but what’s the fun in that? Light guns that work on modern screens have proved to be a challenge, but the Sinden Lightgun project looks promising.

Arcade games with light guns include:

Title Year Manufacturer Players MAME inputs Notes
Area 51 / Maximum Force 1996 Atari Games 2|2P sim 2x-lightgun
Area 51 / Maximum Force Duo 1998 Atari Games 2|2P sim 2x-lightgun
Bang! 1998 Gaelco 2|2P sim 2x-lightgun
Beast Busters (World) 1989 SNK 3|3P sim 3x-lightgun
CarnEvil (v1.0.3) 1998 Midway Games 2|2P sim 2x-lightgun
Carnival King (v1.00.11) 2002 Incredible Technologies 1|2P alt lightgun trackball Trackball is unused.
Cheyenne (version 1.0) 1984 Exidy 1|1P lightgun
Chiller (version 3.0) 1986 Exidy 1|1P lightgun
Combat (version 3.0) 1985 Exidy 1|1P lightgun
Crackshot (version 2.0) 1985 Exidy 1|2P alt lightgun
Crossbow (version 2.0) 1983 Exidy 1|1P lightgun
Crypt Killer (GQ420 UAA) 1995 Konami 3|3P sim 3x-lightgun
Deer Hunting USA V4.3 2000 Sammy USA Corporation 1|1P lightgun
Desert Gun 1977 Dave Nutting Associates
/ Midway
1|1P lightgun
Dragon Gun (US) 1993 Data East Corporation 2|2P sim 2x-lightgun
Duck Hunt / Hogan's Alley /
Wild Gunman (PlayChoice-10)
1984 Nintendo 2|1P 2x-joy8 lightgun Joysticks are unused.
Egg Venture (Release 10) 1997 The Game Room 2|2P sim 2x-lightgun
Golly! Ghost! 1990 Namco 2|2P sim 2x-lightgun
Great Guns 1983 Stern Electronics 2|2P sim 2x-lightgun
Gunbuster (World) 1992 Taito Corporation Japan 2|2P sim 2x-joy8 2x-lightgun
Invasion - The Abductors 1999 Midway 2|2P sim 2x-lightgun
Judge Dredd 1996 Acclaim 2|2P sim 2x-lightgun
Laser Ghost 1990 Sega 3|3P sim 3x-lightgun
Lethal Enforcers /
Lethal Enforcers II: Gun Fighters
1992-1994 Konami 2|2P sim 2x-lightgun
Lethal Justice (Version 2.3) 1996 The Game Room 2|2P sim 2x-lightgun
Line of Fire / Bakudan Yarou 1989 Sega 2|2P sim 2x-lightgun
Lord of Gun (USA) 1994 IGS 2|2P sim 2x-lightgun
Mechanized Attack (World) 1989 SNK 2|2P sim 2x-lightgun
One Shot One Kill 1996 Promat 2|2P sim 2x-lightgun
Operation Wolf (World, set 1) 1987 Taito Corporation Japan 1|1P lightgun
Operation Wolf 3 (World) 1994 Taito Corporation Japan 2|2P sim 2x-lightgun
Point Blank / Point Blank 2 1994-1999 Namco 2|2P sim 2x-lightgun
Police Trainer (Rev 1.3) 1996 P&P Marketing 2|2P sim 2x-lightgun
Rail Chase (World) 1991 Sega 2|2P sim 2x-lightgun
Rapid Fire v1.1 (Build 239) 1998 Hanaho Games 2|2P sim 2x-lightgun
Sharpshooter (Rev 1.9) 1998 P&P Marketing 2|2P sim 2x-lightgun
Steel Gunner / Steel Gunner 2 1990-1991 Namco 2|2P sim 2x-lightgun
Tickee Tickats 1994 Raster Elite 2|2P sim 2x-lightgun
Time Crisis 1995 Namco 1|1P lightgun
Total Vice (ver EBA) 1997 Konami 3|2P sim 2x-only_buttons lightgun
Turkey Hunting USA V1.00 2001 Sammy USA Corporation 1|2P alt lightgun
Under Fire (World) 1993 Taito Corporation Japan 2|2P sim 2x-lightgun
Vs. Duck Hunt / Vs. Hogan's Alley 1985 Nintendo 1|2P alt lightgun
Vs. Freedom Force 1988 Sunsoft 1|2P alt lightgun
Vs. Gumshoe (set GM5) 1986 Nintendo 1|1P lightgun
Who Dunit (version 9.0) 1988 Exidy 1|2P alt lightgun
Zero Point / Zero Point 2 1998-1999 Unico 2|2P sim 2x-lightgun
Zombie Raid (9/28/95, US) 1995 American Sammy 2|2P sim 2x-lightgun


Dials

The counterpart to dial wheels, these are rotating devices with a notched wheel mounted on the shaft, and infra-red optics that measure the speed and direction of the wheel's rotation.

I use a SlikStik Tornado spinner for most of these games. They’re defunct now, but multiple arcade control manufacturers sell computer-compatible spinner devices, which are read by the computer as a mouse. Barring that, a mouse is probably the next-best thing for these games, and sometimes thumbsticks work well enough, but it really depends on the game.

Some games with dials include:

Title Year Manufacturer Players MAME inputs Notes
Arkanoid /
Arkanoid - Revenge of DOH
1986-1987 Taito Corporation
Japan
2|2P alt 2x-dial
Blasteroids (rev 4) 1987 Atari Games 2|2P sim 2x-dial
Boxing Bugs 1981 Cinematronics 2|2P alt dial only_buttons
Cameltry (US, YM2610) 1989 Taito America
Corporation
2|2P alt 2x-dial
Cosmic Chasm (set 1) 1983 Cinematronics / GCE 1|2P alt dial
Crater Raider 1984 Bally Midway 1|2P alt dial joyvertical2
Dark Planet 1982 Stern Electronics 1|2P alt dial
Discs of Tron (Upright) 1983 Bally Midway 1|2P alt dial joy8 trackball Push/pull spinner.
Trackball appears to be unused.
Embargo 1977 Cinematronics 4|4P sim 4x-dial
Forgotten Worlds 1988 Capcom 2|2P sim 2x-dial 2x-joy8 Pushable spinner
Free Kick 1987 Nihon System
(Merit license)
2|2P alt 2x-dial 2x-joy8
Goindol (World) 1987 SunA 2|2P alt 2x-joy8 dial Joy8's have unknown purpose.
Mad Planets 1983 Gottlieb 1|2P alt dial joy8
Major Havoc (rev 3) 1983 Atari 2|2P alt dial only_buttons Roller controller
Moonwar 1981 Stern Electronics 2|2P alt 2x-dial Roller controller
Off the Wall 1991 Atari Games 3|3P sim 3x-dial 3x-joy8 Config for dials or joysticks
Omega Race (set 1) 1981 Midway 2|2P alt 2x-dial
Star Trek 1982 Sega 1|2P alt dial
Tac/Scan 1982 Sega 1|2P alt dial
Teeter Torture (prototype) 1982 Exidy 1|2P alt dial Roller controller
Tempest 1980 Atari 2|2P alt 2x-dial
Tron (8/9) 1982 Bally Midway 2|2P alt 2x-dial 2x-joy8
Two Tigers (Tron conversion) 1984 Bally Midway 2|2P sim 2x-dial
Victory 1982 Exidy 1|2P alt dial
Vs. Hot Smash 1987 Kaneko / Taito 2|2P sim 2x-dial
Wheel Of Fortune (set 1) 1989 GameTek 3|3P alt 2x-dial only_buttons Second dial used in cocktail mode
Wolf Pack (prototype) 1978 Atari 1|1P dial
Zwackery 1984 Bally Midway 1|1P dial joy8 Push/pull spinner.


Rotary joystick

A standard 8-way joystick that also rotates like a dial. MAME treats these as separate joy8 and dial / positional inputs. I play these with one hand on an 8-way joystick and one on my spinner, but this setup makes pushing buttons a bit awkward. There's probably no great way to play these without having a rotary joystick of your own.

Some games with rotary joysticks are:

Title Year Manufacturer Players MAME inputs Notes
Bermuda Triangle (World?) 1987 SNK 2|2P sim 2x-joy8 2x-positional
Caliber 50 (Ver. 1.01) 1989 Athena / Seta 2|2P sim 2x-dial 2x-joy8
DownTown / Mokugeki (set 1) 1989 Seta 2|2P sim 2x-joy8 2x-positional
Exterminator 1989 Gottlieb /
Premier Technology
2|2P sim 2x-dial 2x-joy8
Guerrilla War (US) 1987 SNK 2|2P sim 2x-joy8 2x-positional
Heavy Barrel (World) 1987 Data East Corporation 2|2P sim 2x-joy8 2x-positional
Ikari Warriors / Victory Road
/ Ikari III - The Rescue
1986-1989 SNK 2|2P sim 2x-joy8 2x-positional
Midnight Resistance 1989 Data East Corporation 2|2P sim 2x-joy8 2x-positional
SAR - Search And Rescue 1989 SNK 2|2P sim 2x-joy8 2x-positional
T.N.K III (US) 1985 SNK 2|2P alt 2x-joy8 2x-positional Mechanical dial, pushable
like an 8-way joystick
Time Soldiers (US Rev 3) 1987 Alpha Denshi Co.
(SNK/Romstar license)
2|2P sim 2x-joy8 2x-positional
Top Gunner 1986 bootleg 2|2P sim 2x-joy8 2x-positional
TouchDown Fever (US) 1987 SNK 4|4P sim 4x-dial 4x-joy8


Paddles

Like a dial, except completely different. Paddles always have a limit to their range of rotation, and use a potentiometer to measure the knob’s distance turned. These are among the oldest game controllers, predating arcade joysticks, and were first used in Pong.

I found that thumbsticks and keyboards made poor paddle substitutes, and my spinner was only so-so. In addition, many paddle games are for two players, and I've only got one spinner. I picked up an Atari VCS paddle controller set, and a 2600-dapter to make it work on USB. My computer thinks it’s a joystick, but when calibrated works pretty well for paddle games. If you got this route, make sure that MAME's dead-zone is set to zero; the notion of a dead zone only makes sense when dealing with self-centering joysticks, and will cause a paddle to behave incorrectly when close to its center point.

Electronically, there’s no real difference between paddles and steering wheels (of the lock-to-lock type).

Some paddle games include:

Title Year Manufacturer Players MAME inputs Notes
Avalanche 1978 Atari 1|2P alt paddle
Beam Invader 1979 Teknon Kogyo 2|2P alt 2x-paddle
Breakout [TTL] 1976 Atari 2|2P alt 2x-paddle
Circus / Acrobat TV 1977 Exidy / Taito 1|2P alt paddle
Clowns (rev. 2) 1978 Midway 2|2P alt 2x-paddle
Destroyer (version O2) 1977 Atari 1|1P paddle
Dog Patch 1977 Midway 2|2P sim 2x-positional Mechanical dial
Field Goal (set 1) 1979 Taito 2|2P alt 2x-paddle
Gee Bee / Bomb Bee 1978-1979 Namco 2|2P alt 2x-paddle
Gypsy Juggler 1978 Meadows Games, Inc. 1|4P alt stick Looks more like a paddle to me
Peek-a-Boo! 1993 Jaleco 2|2P alt 2x-paddle
Pong (Rev E) external [TTL] 1972 Atari 2|2P sim 2x-paddle
Pong Doubles [TTL] 1973 Atari 4|4P sim 4x-paddle
Straight Flush 1979 Taito 1|2P alt paddle
Super Breakout (rev 04) 1978 Atari 1|2P alt paddle
Tournament Table (set 1) 1978 Atari 4|2P alt 4x-paddle
Warlords 1980 Atari 4|4P sim 4x-paddle


Lastly, there are a number of games in MAME with unusual control schemes that defy previous categorization, either because of a unique device, or an unusual combination of devices used together. With some creativity, perseverance and perhaps lots of diligent tweaking, you might be able to configure a good scheme for any given game, but these games best illustrate the fact that there's no one-size-fits-all solution to MAME.


Title Year Manufacturer Players MAME inputs Notes
720 Degrees (rev 4) 1986 Atari Games 1|2P alt dial stick Joystick-gripped dial.
Stick is unused in MAME, but is used by real
hardware for auto-calibration.
Alpine Racer /
Alpine Racer 2
1994-1996 Namco 2|1P 2x-stick joy2 Ski controller
Arm Champs II (ver 2.7) 1992 Jaleco 1|1P dial Unique arm wrestling controller
Aztarac 1983 Centuri 1|2P alt dial stick Flight stick and dial
Battle Shark (World) 1989 Taito Corporation
Japan
1|1P stick Periscope controller
Beatmania series 1997-2002 Konami 2|2P sim 2x-dial Turntables
Dance Dance Revolution
2nd Mix
1999 Konami 2|2P sim 2x-joy16 Dance pads
Danger Zone 1986 Cinematronics 1|2P alt trackball Real hardware is played by tilting the monitor!
MAME maps this to a trackball as an
approximation.
Fisherman's Bait - A Bass
Challenge
1998 Konami 2|1P 2x-joy8
mouse
Fishing rod controller
Golgo 13 1999 Eighting / Raizing
/ Namco
1|1P joyvertical2
lightgun
Scoped rifle controller
Hammer 2000 Andamiro 1|1P lightgun Light pen-like hammer controller.
Hard Drivin' / Race Drivin'
(cockpit)
1988-1990 Atari Games 1|1P paddle
pedal stick
Wheel, pedals, analog shift stick
Hard Drivin's Airborne
(prototype)
1993 Atari Games 1|1P paddle
pedal stick
Wheel, pedals, analog elevator
Heavyweight Champ 1987 Sega 1|1P paddle pedal Unique grip controller
Kozmik Kroozr 1982 Bally Midway 1|2P alt dial stick Flight stick and dial
Lucky & Wild 1992 Namco 2|2P sim 2x-lightgun
paddle pedal
Steering wheel, pedals, light guns.
Lunar Lander (rev 2) 1979 Atari 1|1P pedal Thruster controller.
Mole Attack 1982 Yachiyo
Electronics, Ltd.
2|2P alt only_buttons Button array
Night Stocker 1986 Bally/Sente 2|1P dial lightgun 360 steering wheel and light gun.
Orbit 1978 Atari 2|2P sim 2x-joy2 Button array
Paperboy (rev 3) 1984 Atari Games 1|2P alt stick Handlebar controller with non-centering
forward/backward movement for speed
Pop'n Music 3 1999 Konami 1|1P only_buttons Music controller
Prop Cycle 1996 Namco 1|1P stick Bike controller with pedals
Road Blasters 1987 Atari Games 1|1P dial pedal Optical self-centering steering yoke, pedals
S.T.U.N. Runner 1989 Atari Games 1|1P stick Handlerbars with analog vertical aiming grips
Sea Wolf 1976 Dave Nutting
Associates
/ Midway
1|1P positional Periscope controller
Sea Wolf II 1978 Dave Nutting
Associates
/ Midway
2|2P sim 2x-positional Periscope controller
Slick Shot (V2.2) 1990 Grand Products /
Incredible
Technologies
1|4P alt trackball Unique pool cue controller
Space Wars 1977 Cinematronics 2|2P sim 2x-joy2 Buttons and keypad
Street Fighter (prototype) 1987 Capcom 2|2P sim 2x-joy8
2x-pedal
Pressure sensitive buttons control strength
of punches and kicks
Sundance 1979 Cinematronics 2|2P sim 2x-
only_buttons
Button array
Super Draw Poker 1983 Valadon
Automation
(Stern
Electronics
license)
2|1P only_buttons Poker controller
Super Strike Bowling 1990 Strata /
Incredible
Technologies
1|4P alt trackball Unique pool cue controller
Up Scope 1986 Grand Products 1|1P joyvertical2
paddle
Unique periscope controller.
Vapor TRX 1998 Atari Games 1|1P stick Handlebars with analog vertical aiming grips
Viper (rev 3) 1988 Leland
Corporation
1|2P alt trackball Real hardware is played by tilting the monitor!
MAME maps this to a trackball as an
approximation.
War: The Final Assault 1999 Atari Games 4|1P 3x-joy8
only_buttons
stick
Analog stick for aiming, pushbuttons for moving.
8-way joysticks have unknown purpose.

3 comments:

  1. This will be a great resource, thanks for writing it up. Been struggling with Pole Position sans a steering wheel, so maybe I’ll just suck it up and invest in a spinner.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Absolutely legendary compilation and resource. May God bless you always. Thanks so much!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. What an interesting article. Now I know why my home arcade machine joysticks and steering wheels don’t always respond as I’d expect them to.

    ReplyDelete