I've mentioned before that I've had a series of machines dedicated to arcade games running MAME. The current setup includes a Raspberry Pi 3B+ with:
- Logitech Gamepad F310
- Backup media
- Shared access to my desktop KVM, which in turn connects to my:
- Keyboard
- Trackball
- 27" ASUS monitor
- Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX speakers
Of course, 1980's video games don't deserve either the monitor or the speakers, but the Mac Studio doesn't mind sharing.
What I have not done in the years I've had these machines take the proper time learn about my hardware, MAME, or its games. (Or to use them!) But, finally, I've made progress on that in the past week.
First, I reread the GamePad documentation. I discovered it can do either XInput or DirectInput protocols, and I had in it the wrong mode (which disabled a button required to exit games!). I also didn't know the GamePad can swap the function of the left four-button D-Pad and the left analog joystick. (Many games play better with a joystick.)
Hardware problems do exist which don't have an easy fix, like using a Gamepad that has generic A-B-X-Y buttons for games written for specific controls. That means sometimes you "Cross the Streams". For instance, under MAME firing in BattleZone also turns the tank slightly before it fires! (Try aiming while anticipating that!) (BattleZone fixed by twiddling the game specific controls.)
Alas, I've also rediscovered a problem I knew in the 1980's and let fade from memory: I positively stink at video games, especially the ones that rely on twitch reflexes.
In other words: PBKAC
*sigh*
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