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| Better way to control Mario? |
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Forum Index - Hobbies - Gaming - Better way to control Mario? |
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| Posted on 2009-02-03 02:52:09 PM |
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This month, I began with SNES emulation. I now have one emulator, Snes9x for Unix; one script, ips.pl, to apply patches; and three ROM images:
1. Super Mario World (verified clean by online tools of SMWcentral)
2. Super Mario TKO, demo 1
3. Every Level Iggy!
Nintendo's controllers do not fit into USB ports. Therefore, I must control Mario with my keyboard. My problem is how Mario games feel much more difficult with a keyboard than with a traditional controller. I will explain my difficulty.
Super Mario World, with a real SNES and controller, is an easy game because I have so much practice. I wander the map, replaying courses, accumulating tens of extra lives. When I switched to Snes9x and keyboard, Super Mario World became a challenge, as if I had never before played Mario. I lost many lives by missing simple jumps in Yoshi's Island 3. (I also skipped Yellow Switch Palace, which would have helped.) I eventually defeated Iggy, saved the game, and retained some insight about the difficulty of Super Mario World to a new player.
Then I played Super Mario TKO with a keyboard. I have not played any new Mario stages since I went everywhere in New Super Mario Bros. for Nintendo DS, until I played Super Mario TKO. I reached Game Over during the first stage, Plain Plains. I tried again, passed Plain Plains, and reached Game Over during the second stage, Ivy Groove. My third attempt reached the first save point at Grassy Save Hut. I lost many lives by missing simple jumps in the first monument, Flint Hearth. After many Game Overs, I eventually passed Flint Hearth.
I failed to reach the first save point in Every Level Iggy! I go as far as the third stage, Iggy's Fortress, before I reach Game Over and must restart the entire game. (For now, I try to use save points placed in game by hackers, and try not to cheat using snapshot saves of Snes9x.)
Finally, I grabbed the Nintendo DS and replayed New Super Mario Bros., 1-1 through 1-castle. Enemies hit Mario only about four times. Mario never lost any lives, though I accidentally grabbed the Mini Mushroom in 1-4, because I forgot that it was there.
I now have enough practice at keyboard to return to Plain Plains when Mario needs extra lives in TKO. However, the keyboard tires me faster than a controller would, and I miss using the Control Pad to aim Mario. Should I continue to practice with these controllers, or is there some better way to control Mario?
These are my controls in Snes9x
Keyboard S = X
Keyboard X = Y (run) (I often hold this key down.)
Keyboard D = A (spin jump)
Keyboard C = B (jump)
Space bar = SELECT
Return key = START
Arrow keys = Control Pad (move, duck)
Do other emulators use different controls? Is it better to put space bar as B (jump) and adjacent key as Y (run)? Can I visit a switch palace and press a switch to change the connectors on every Nintendo controller to USB?
Is there a better way to control Mario in the emulator?
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| Posted on 2009-02-03 03:14:20 PM |
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Depending on what emulator you use, you can reduce the framerate to make the game a little slower, which may allow you more time to adjust to it and be able to react to changing situations faster, then work your way back up to 60 FPS. I recommend lowering it to about 50 FPS, which is noticably slower, but will not really ruin the gameplay experience - this is especially useful in harder hacks. Then go up to 55, readjust, and when you think you've got it down, up it to 60 FPS. You should be able to access this in the emulator's video settings.
(I have no idea where it is in SNES9x to define a specific FPS rate since I don't use it though. In SNESGT, it's Options → Settings → Video.)
Also, the use of savestates is recommended if you are still adjusting to a game, need to hold where you are in case you mess up and lose progress (e.g. game over in SMW and get returned to the last level that prompted you to save), or need to return to an earlier spot to do something differently.
Easier platformers with basic controls are recommended, like SMW itself, to expand into the rest of the genre. Many of the hacks are more difficult than SMW, but there are a few brief demos that are about the same difficulty, and since most SMW mods have the same exact physics, it doesn't really matter which of them you play, it will help you excel at the same game and other mods.
As for my controls on SNESGT, I use:
A = Z
B = X
X = C
Y = V
L = S
R = D
START = Enter/Return
SELECT = Space
I'm also right-handed, if that's of any help.
It took me a while to get decent at platformers, and I've been playing SMW hacks for about a year and a half, and I'm roughly as good at them with a keyboard as I was with a real SNES and controller. I didn't try the lower speed method to adjust to it, but it has helped me with hard hacks so I think it's pretty useful for beginners in platformer gameplay with a keyboard. Platformers are generally more difficult on a keyboard than most other genres simply because of the style of gameplay. :/
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| Posted on 2009-02-03 04:50:44 PM |
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Well, my controls seem to fit me very well...
SNES Controller A (Spin Jump) - Keyboard D
SNES Controller B (Regular Jump - Keyboard S
SNES Controller Y (Run) - Keyboard A
SNES Controller X (Switch Direction Flight) - Keyboard W
SNES Controller Left - Keyboard Z
SNES Controller Right - Keyboard C
SNES Controller START - Keyboard Numlock 0
SNES Controller SELECT - Keyboard Numlock 1
Slowdown - Keyboard Q
Fast Forward - Keyboard E
*I STRONGLY RECOMMEND USING SAVESTATES WHEN FIRST ADJUSTING TO AN EMULATOR.
If you decide to change your mind on savestates...
Savestate 0 - Keyboard Left Ctrl (Control)
Load State 0 - Keyboard Left Alt
Savestate 1 - 9 - UNSELECTED
I STRONGLY suggest ZSNES, as you can rewind when you die. You can also use different saveslots.
You can google any tutorials and I think there are some on SMWCentral.net...
Rewind - Keyboard Backspace
Select Saveslot 0 - 1 (!)
Select Saveslot 1 - 2 (@)
Select Saveslot 2 - 3 (#)
Select Saveslot 3 - 4 ($)
Select Saveslot 4 - 5 (%)
Select Saveslot 5 - 6 (^)
Select Saveslot 6 - 7 (&)
Select Saveslot 7 - 8 (*)
Select Saveslot 8 - 9 (()
Select Saveslot 9 - 0 ())
Select Saveslot + - - (_)
Select Saveslot - - = (+)
As soon as you select a slot, you press the savestate button to save in that slot.
Don't worry. You will soon get used to your settings and be able to play like you are playing on the real SNES. (To me, that's harder even without savestate)
I hope this helps.
=D
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| Last edited on 2009-02-03 04:58:26 PM by PangaeaPanga. |
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| Posted on 2009-02-04 12:59:07 AM |
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Howabout a standard USB gamepad for your computer for the emulator? I have one for my computer and have it assigned on emulators. I find it much better and easier to use than a keyboard. It is also more comfortable too.
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| Posted on 2009-02-04 09:12:32 PM |
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Originally posted by KyoseronI recommend lowering it to about 50 FPS, which is noticably slower, but will not really ruin the gameplay experience - this is especially useful in harder hacks. Then go up to 55, readjust, and when you think you've got it down, up it to 60 FPS.
Thank you for this suggestion. I found the equivalent setting in Snes9x in readme_unix.txt document. Snes9x measures frame time in milliseconds; I must hold SHIFT and press -/_ or =/+ to subtract or add 1ms. This math should convert your frames per second from SNESGT to frame time for Snes9x:
1000 / 50 fps = 20 ms
1000 / 55 fps = 18 ms
1000 / 60 fps = 16 ms
The emulator seems to start at 16 ms. (It starts at 16.7 ms, but the control messages only show integers.) So when I follow the recommendation from Kyoseron, then I would start at 20 ms, then 18 ms, then return to 16 ms.
I would only use a slow frame rate in (clean) Super Mario World too practice. I would always play hacks at the default 16 ms to avoid cheating (unless I start some very hard hack).
Originally posted by KyoseronAs for my controls on SNESGT, I use:
A = Z
B = X
X = C
Y = V
L = S
R = D
To try these controls, I had to again read the documentation of Snes9x. To remap buttons, I need to write a config file. I put the following lines in zxcv.conf
Code[Unix/X11 Controls]
K00:Z = Joypad1 A
K00:X = Joypad1 B
K00:C = Joypad1 X
K00:V = Joypad1 Y
K00:S = Joypad1 L
K00:D = Joypad1 R
(The first line "[Unix/X11 Controls]" must be present, or else Snes9x would ignore the other lines.) Then I start the emulator from command line as snes9x -conf zxcv.conf smw-clean.smc
The nice feature of these controls is that I can put four fingers on ZXCV and reach all four buttons ABXY; but it was so strange that B is not next to Y.
Originally posted by PangaWell, my controls seem to fit me very well...
SNES Controller A (Spin Jump) - Keyboard D
SNES Controller B (Regular Jump - Keyboard S
SNES Controller Y (Run) - Keyboard A
SNES Controller X (Switch Direction Flight) - Keyboard W
SNES Controller Left - Keyboard Z
SNES Controller Right - Keyboard C
I put these controls in asd.conf as
Code[Unix/X11 Controls]
K00:D = Joypad1 A
K00:S = Joypad1 B
K00:A = Joypad1 Y
K00:W = Joypad1 X
K00:Z = Joypad1 L
K00:C = Joypad1 R
I put three fingers on ASD to reach YBA. These controls feel nice; B is next to Y, and my finger can hold the Y button more easily with these controls than with default controls of Snes9x.
For now, I will stay with the default controls of Snes9x, where SDXC is XAYB, because I have the most practice with these controls. Also, a real SNES or DS has XAYB in a square shape, and SDXC has a square shape, so I guess that SDXC feels more like a real controller than ZXCV or ASD.
Originally posted by MarioHaxorHow about a standard USB gamepad for your computer for the emulator? I have one for my computer and have it assigned on emulators. I find it much better and easier to use than a keyboard. It is also more comfortable too.
If I would have a USB gamepad, then I would use it instead of learning the keyboard. However, I have not any USB gamepad, and I fear that a USB gamepad might not have the same Control Pad and buttons as a SNES or DS.
Originally posted by PangaDon't worry. You will soon get used to your settings and be able to play like you are playing on the real SNES.
That is good to read; I was worrying that Mario would be unplayable with keyboard.
My keyboard skills already improved faster than I hoped. I finished the third stage of Every Level Iggy! with seven lives, then I never saw another Game Over. I completed the hack and reached the credits! I also managed to clear Bullet Time, the optional difficult stage of Mario TKO, after very many deaths.
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| Posted on 2009-02-05 09:55:05 PM |
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In my opinion, I thought these were the best keys to use.
Ctrl - Spin Jump
Alt...? or the Windows symbol - Jump
Z - X
X - Y
C - L
V - R
Enter - Pause
Shift - Select
Arrow Key Up - Up
Arrow Key Down - Down
Arrow Key Left - Left
Arrow Key Right - Right
So basically...
Pinky/Ring on Ctrl
Index on Alt
Middle on Z
Right hand on Arrow Keys
That's how I played... before I found two controllers!
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| Posted on 2009-02-07 07:07:24 AM |
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I don't use the keyboard, I use a controller I bought online. They fit into USB ports, and they cost about $20. I like it better than the keyboard, but it's a matter of personal preference.
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| Posted on 2009-02-07 07:58:29 AM |
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I agree with Toffee, buy a controller. I bought a SNES Controller + USB Adapter, works perfectly. You can't go wrong if you own the original controller.
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| Posted on 2009-02-07 02:08:29 PM |
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Originally posted by MasterPenguinI bought a SNES Controller + USB Adapter, works perfectly.
My internet searches found Amazon pages for the RetroPort and SmartJoy adapters, which (I guess) adapt SNES controllers into standard USB HID controllers. I have not ordered an adapter yet but I might buy one, if it works as well as you say.
Meanwhile, I changed emulators. The old X11 port of Snes9x 1.51 (which was my emulator) was difficult to configure. The emulator did not have a menu bar or a preferences dialog, and I had to make "[Unix/X11 Controls]" files. Now I have the newer GTK/X11 port of Snes9x. This one has a menu bar and a preferences dialog, so I can set controls the easy way: "Click an entry and then press the desired keys or joystick button"
It should now be easy to set up a USB controller, if I get one.
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| Posted on 2009-02-07 02:23:28 PM |
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I've got one that looks identical to the RetroPort (I can't say for sure, as there is no logo on it.) And yes, it works identical as it does on the SNES.
If you do get it, it is as easy as setting up a USB. Plug it in, and you can directly set it up, right away. (After it installs drivers, only takes a few seconds.)
Watch out for cheap controllers through, if you don't have one already.
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| Posted on 2009-02-07 03:42:40 PM |
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I have my controls set to the ones below.
| Keyboard | Controller | | Z | B | | X | A | | A | Y | | S | X | | D | L | | C | R | | Enter | Start | | Right Shift | Select | | Q | Y Turbo | | W | X Turbo | | Left Alt | B Turbo | | Numpad + | Save current savestate slot | | Numpad Enter | Load current slot | | \ | Rewind |
I suggest you try those, since everything up to the turbos is default for most emulators.
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| Posted on 2009-03-01 08:03:50 AM |
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Try beating the original SMW and you'll be used to the controls then try to beat easier romhacks and keep going on harder levels.
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| Posted on 2009-03-01 09:14:02 AM |
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My controls:
W A S D is the control pad.
I J K L are the buttons.
E and U are L and R.
F and H are START and SELECT.
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| Posted on 2009-03-01 11:27:51 AM |
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I too found it difficult to adjust, so I bought Smartjoy. It feels so much more natural, and I made L savestate, and R load a savestate.
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| Last edited on 2009-03-01 11:28:04 AM by Ultimaximus. |
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| Posted on 2009-03-14 12:20:31 AM |
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I use one of those. Works splendidly for emulating SNES games.
The brand is Nostromo.
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| Last edited on 2009-03-14 12:20:50 AM by Dylan Yoshi. |
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| Posted on 2009-03-14 08:37:38 AM |
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I use an xbox 360 controler with an adapter. if you use a controler with analog sticks, dont set the sticks for movement, unless you have too. the analog doesn't work verry well with the emulators.
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| Posted on 2009-03-15 09:15:21 AM |
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EVERYBODY! Use a link like this: [ url]smwcentral.net[ /url] except minus the spaces!
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| Posted on 2009-03-15 10:12:10 AM |
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This is a month old thread. I'm sure the original question was answered to the creator's satisfaction. This is turning into postcount++, with everybody simply stating what their controls are.
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