MiSTer FPGA Forum

Mister is absolutely amazing but I know some of us need to at least have a little bit of feeling like we are playing on the original systems. I am curious how many of you try to at least use joysticks that FEEL like those original cores.

Below are my recommendations for some of the cores I play.

Atari VCS Classic Joystick
Atari 2600 / Atari 7800 / Commodore 64 / Odyssey 2 / Atari 800

If you don't own one of these, do yourself a favor. The VCS Classic Joystick is one of my all-time favorites. Even though I love the original Atari joysticks and do have a 2600-daptor to use those, this thing feels amazing to use. It does have a spinner which I could never get working with cores, but I did get the spinner working using a Stella emulator in Windows for those games so thats fine. As a bonus, if you have ever loved Odyssey 2, this FEELS the most like that joystick regarding movement and play.

8Bitdo NEOGEO Wireless Controller
NEO GEO / Arcade Cores / Amiga / Atari ST

The 8Bitdo NEOGEO Wireless Controller is just pure quality and has a very good response time wireless (one of the best, and better than some wired controllers!) The clicky joystick movements are perfect and just fit with obviously the NEO GEO core and feel perfect for arcade games. I opted to use this with Arcade cores, the Amiga, and Atari ST as the graphics for the time fit with NEO GEO in a way.

Xbox Series S/X Controller
Intellivision / Colecovision / Atari 5200

Still amazing to use for anything, the Series X/S controller shines with cores that use lots of buttons, and with some creativity here viewtopic.php?p=90866#p90866, you can improve that by having pictures on a second monitor for seamless Intellivison play!

iBuffalo Classic USB Gamepad
Nintendo / Famicon / Sega Master System / Super Nintendo

Often mentioned as the bast classic controller ever, the iBuffalo is still dominant in this category for the sweet spot in this timeline. It boasts some of the best flat-out BEST response times of any controller ever made.

Sega Genisus USB Gamepad
Sega Genesis

Often mentioned as To get your Sega Genesis fix, I recommend this gamepad. Oddly enough it is actually made by Sega themselves and works flawlessly. It can be bought on Amazon.

Hope some of this helps, comments appreciated!

Gamepad for the Amiga? Heresy!

If you can find them, the ArcadeR joysticks have models with 4-8 buttons, and are available in USB versions — which is the best compromise of keeping the classic handheld Amiga joystick while still being able to make use of CD32 4-button controls schemes as well as some additional buttons for start/select/coin etc in other cores.

As a bonus, they fit standard Sanwa/Seimitsu arcade joystick parts, so you can adjust them too be 4-way, 8-way or any other configuration, and replace the fire buttons, which I highly recommend.

limi wrote: ↑Fri Oct 18, 2024 3:49 pm

Gamepad for the Amiga? Heresy!

If you can find them, the RetroR joysticks have models with 4-8 buttons, and are available in USB versions — which is the best compromise of keeping the classic handheld Amiga joystick while still being able to make use of CD32 4-button controls schemes as well as some additional buttons for start/select/coin etc in other cores.

As a bonus, they fit standard Sanwa/Seimitsu arcade joystick parts, so you can adjust them too be 4-way, 8-way or any other configuration, and replace the fire buttons, which I highly recommend.

2-600x498.png

IS this one I could get? Id love this for arcade cores

https://www.speedlink.com/en/COMPETITIO ... 50212-BKRD

Those are decent when it comes to ergonomics, I don’t have any data on whether they are low-latency on the USB side.

It is a bit different in that you can’t easily replace the stick/gate/buttons like you can with the ArcadeR, though.

I was looking for a controller for the atari 5200 core, I read a post that you can combine 2 different input devices (mini keyboard + controller), but I didn´t test it, hope it works for the coleco/5200/intellivision.

darkwombat wrote: ↑Fri Oct 18, 2024 3:59 pm

IS this one I could get? Id love this for arcade cores

https://www.speedlink.com/en/COMPETITIO ... 50212-BKRD

Avoid that one. I own both and the ArcadeR joystick beats it in every way.

The speedlink is way too stiff, both on the stick and buttons. You'll get a handache very quickly. (this line sounds funny out of context )

These are the controllers I use and recommend for the best and most authentic experience after trying a bunch of alternatives:

For Sega cores, the Retro-Bit officially licensed Sega Saturn / Mega Drive / Genesis pad is my go-to. I also have the 8Bitdo M30, which is great, but the Retro-Bit feels more like the original ’90s ones.

For SNES, I use the official SNES Switch Online controller. It works for NES too, but I don’t really play NES.

For NEC cores, the 8Bitdo PCE Core Pad is what I use. It also works for NES and Master System, but again, I’m not really into 8-bit games.

For NEOGEO cores, the 8Bitdo NEOGEO pad is perfect. Honestly, there’s nothing else like it unless you go with an arcade stick.

For PS1 (not pictured) , the official DualShock 2 is the best option, or the 8Bitdo Pro 2. I had the Pro 2, but I didn’t like the stiff D-pad and the rear button placement. If those don't bother you, it works for SNES and NES too.

For N64, the official N64 Switch Online controller is easily the best. I’ve also used the Retro-Bit Legacy 64 Wireless, which is a solid alternative, but nothing beats the original form factor and quality of Nintendo’s official one.

For Arcade cores, I use a Hori Real Arcade Pro (USB wired). I had the 8Bitdo arcade stick, but it didn’t have a palm rest, and the Hori just feels like a much better quality stick overall.

MrDo wrote: ↑Fri Oct 18, 2024 5:48 pm

darkwombat wrote: ↑Fri Oct 18, 2024 3:59 pm

IS this one I could get? Id love this for arcade cores

https://www.speedlink.com/en/COMPETITIO ... 50212-BKRD

Avoid that one. I own both and the ArcadeR joystick beats it in every way.

The speedlink is way too stiff, both on the stick and buttons. You'll get a handache very quickly. (this line sounds funny out of context )

I can second that, the ArcadeR is very good and can be customized in various ways if needed (but works out of the box just fine). I also found the Speedlink Competition Pro to stiff for my liking, it was always like a brand new CP back in the days but other then the original CP it does not became more comfortable over time. The spring they use was much to strong to be comfortable while the original CP did (they just weaker springs in some and rubber parts that became more flexible over time in others).
Additionally if you look for a Speedlink CP be sure to get the second edition (the ones with the included games) as the first edition had a horrible lag.

gamepad for amiga/atari st. no way.. joystick all the way.. comp pro 5000, zipstick, topstar and a couple of atari joysticks are in my collection..

MrDo wrote: ↑Fri Oct 18, 2024 5:48 pm

darkwombat wrote: ↑Fri Oct 18, 2024 3:59 pm

IS this one I could get? Id love this for arcade cores

https://www.speedlink.com/en/COMPETITIO ... 50212-BKRD

Avoid that one. I own both and the ArcadeR joystick beats it in every way.

The speedlink is way too stiff, both on the stick and buttons. You'll get a handache very quickly. (this line sounds funny out of context )

I can attest to this, that speedlink's still collecting dust to this day for that very reason

Anyway, is it this controller? I can't find anything close to an USB-version outside of an adapter that costs even more than the controller itself.

For the Retrobit Genesis/Saturn-controllers, some forewarning: the earlier models have a pretty brittle rocker inside the D-Pad that will break upon extensive use. You can get a more sturdier version from later models for free if you contact Retrobit's support via email.

EDIT: viewtopic.php?t=2945

I think this thread might have something on making the spinner work on the Arcade cores that ask for it @darkwombat

Still using this I bought over 20 years ago

Daddu3 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 19, 2024 8:08 am

Anyway, is it this controller? I can't find anything close to an USB-version outside of an adapter that costs even more than the controller itself.

Yes, sadly they were never great at logistics, and maybe they aren’t really shipping new joysticks anymore. I had to wait 4-6 weeks to receive mine when I ordered directly from them (not via e.g. ultimatemister.com, I’m sure they ship faster).

The DE9 version (not DB9 ) is OK, but of course does not give you all the extra buttons.

bazza_12 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 19, 2024 7:53 am

gamepad for amiga/atari st. no way.. joystick all the way.. comp pro 5000, zipstick, topstar and a couple of atari joysticks are in my collection..

Zipstick, too right mate!

Aspie wrote: ↑Sat Oct 19, 2024 4:45 pm

Still using this I bought over 20 years ago

Love this!

...if it aint broke...

What a great investment!

Missus wrote: ↑Sat Oct 19, 2024 10:43 pm

Aspie wrote: ↑Sat Oct 19, 2024 4:45 pm

Still using this I bought over 20 years ago

Love this!

...if it aint broke...

What a great investment!

I looks to be fully serviceable

Daddu3 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 19, 2024 8:08 am

Anyway, is it this controller? I can't find anything close to an USB-version outside of an adapter that costs even more than the controller itself.

You can order one from Retroradionics, but it has a pre-order time of 60 days

https://retroradionics.com/ArcadeR-USB- ... p307829369

I ordered multiple times from Retroradionics. They ship not fast, but apart from that everything worked for me.

limi wrote: ↑Fri Oct 18, 2024 3:49 pm

If you can find them, the RetroR joysticks have models with 4-8 buttons, and are available in USB versions —

I'm not finding 'RetroR' joysticks, but figuring there can't be too many companies making Competition Pro style joysticks now (and even less so with an uppercase 'R' in the name), so maybe you meant this:

'ArcadeR' joysticks? I see them over at Ultimate Mister...
https://ultimatemister.com/product/arca ... ucent-red/

Apologies if I am incorrect but IS that it?

Yes, I wrote RetroR instead of ArcadeR in the initial post, but not the subsequent ones. Brain-fart since the company is called RetroRadionics. Fixed now. I didn’t link to them since their 60 day lead time is not something I could recommend, and I know there are resellers that have them in stock. But looks like the USB models are not that common at those resellers.

Anyway, great sticks, you just need the patience of a kid in 1988 wishing for an Amiga for Christmas if you order one

Chris23235 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 20, 2024 7:53 am

Daddu3 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 19, 2024 8:08 am

Anyway, is it this controller? I can't find anything close to an USB-version outside of an adapter that costs even more than the controller itself.

You can order one from Retroradionics, but it has a pre-order time of 60 days

https://retroradionics.com/ArcadeR-USB- ... p307829369

I ordered multiple times from Retroradionics. They ship not fast, but apart from that everything worked for me.

2 months...woah then...

It'll be 50€ on top of that for me with shipping included, kind of a hard sell... I hope to find it ready to go somewhere else hopefully~

Daddu3 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 25, 2024 5:22 am

Chris23235 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 20, 2024 7:53 am

Daddu3 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 19, 2024 8:08 am

Anyway, is it this controller? I can't find anything close to an USB-version outside of an adapter that costs even more than the controller itself.

You can order one from Retroradionics, but it has a pre-order time of 60 days

https://retroradionics.com/ArcadeR-USB- ... p307829369

I ordered multiple times from Retroradionics. They ship not fast, but apart from that everything worked for me.

2 months...woah then...

It'll be 50€ on top of that for me with shipping included, kind of a hard sell... I hope to find it ready to go somewhere else hopefully~

As far as I know they are only available through RetroRadionics and not sold by resellers. At least that was the case when I looked them up 2 years ago. An alternative would be DB9 ArcadeR with an USB encoder. You still have 2 buttons which is sufficient for all 8 and 16 Bit computer cores.

Chris23235 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 25, 2024 7:50 am

Daddu3 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 25, 2024 5:22 am

Chris23235 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 20, 2024 7:53 am

You can order one from Retroradionics, but it has a pre-order time of 60 days

https://retroradionics.com/ArcadeR-USB- ... p307829369

I ordered multiple times from Retroradionics. They ship not fast, but apart from that everything worked for me.

2 months...woah then...

It'll be 50€ on top of that for me with shipping included, kind of a hard sell... I hope to find it ready to go somewhere else hopefully~

An alternative would be DB9 ArcadeR with an USB encoder. You still have 2 buttons which is sufficient for all 8 and 16 Bit computer cores.

And that one goes for around 80€ as I had checked... hmmm.

I'll try to see when I have the buffer time to wait for this pad, hopefully they reduce the waiting time in the future.

Daddu3 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 25, 2024 11:32 am

Chris23235 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 25, 2024 7:50 am

Daddu3 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 25, 2024 5:22 am

2 months...woah then...

It'll be 50€ on top of that for me with shipping included, kind of a hard sell... I hope to find it ready to go somewhere else hopefully~

An alternative would be DB9 ArcadeR with an USB encoder. You still have 2 buttons which is sufficient for all 8 and 16 Bit computer cores.

And that one goes for around 80€ as I had checked... hmmm.

I'll try to see when I have the buffer time to wait for this pad, hopefully they reduce the waiting time in the future.

If you are in the EU it is more like 40€ for the ArcadeR

https://amigastore.eu/919-arcader-joystick.html
https://www.sintech-shop.de/arcader-9-p ... tc/a-10559

If you're feeling handy there's a PCB design for a USB encoder replacement board that you can install in a DB9 ArcadeR. This will connect directly via USB at low latency and allow you to map the top two buttons to whatever in Mister instead of being autofire toggles. I happened to buy one in the U.S. from the ArcadeR facebook group although the guy said he was selling his last one at the time.

https://github.com/mbarszcz-pcb/arcader-usb