Keyboard or Joystick playing Mame DK

[John73]

Just wondering for those who play the Mame version, is it noticeably easier playing using a joystick?   Perhaps Dean could answer this best as he is best known for his Mame play of DK.

I've played hundreds of games of DK, but using keyboard only.   Would it be advisable to fix my cab and play on that, i.e. should I expect my score to increase?

The reason why I ask is that  my game of choice is Bump 'n Jump - it took me a long long time to beat the then Arcade record playing using a keyboard.  About 6 months ago I got a dedicated arcade Bump 'n Jump cabinet.  The arcade record since I first started playing the Mame version had since been beaten and I was worried about the switch from keyboard to a real machine, but within about 10 serious games playing on a real cabinet I beat the new WR - the game just seemed easier, not sure if it was having a proper arcade screen (loads larger than a laptop screen) or whether it was because easier using a joystick over the keyboard.   

Using the arrow keys on the keyboard you've got at most three fingers on the arrows - left, right and up normally, to use the down key you are moving your finger off the up key and down to the down key, so I'm guessing the reaction time/movement time is slightly slower than it would be if you are using a joystick.

[stella_blue]

First, a disclaimer:  I played a lot of DK on an arcade machine back in the early 1980's, but only once in the past 25 years.

You've correctly pointed out one advantage the joystick has over the keyboard.  One device to control movement in all 4 directions is more straightforward than using 4 individual keys.  When I play on MAME, I typically use only 2 fingers to move around.  My base position is index finger on the left arrow key, and middle finger on the right.  I shift one of those fingers to up/down as needed.

In my opinion, the keyboard offers far more pinpoint control than the joystick, particularly when executing a series of jumps that require precise timing.  I believe the keyboard's advantage (sharper control) more than compensates for its deficiency (multiple keys).

[Fast Eddie]

thats interesting stella i thought everyone uses middle finger for up/down and the finger either side for left/right, your method seems odd to me i cant imagine playing like that...

the consensus seems to be that keyboard is easier, but im not convinced it is, i beat my long standing mame pb within a couple months of getting my cab and all my mates who have had a shot found the joystick more responsive and intuitive, but they are noobs...

i think the keyboard advantages only come into play at the extreme edge of dk gameplay and they translate to some extra points but not actually easier gameplay, i think you will have more execution errors with a keyboard...

 

[Fast Eddie]

i was talking mame vs arcade, before i got my cab i made a hacked dk panel for mame and i really didnt like it at all, i think you need a mame cab or a good ergonomic setup with a bolted down control panel to effectively play dk mame with a joystick...

[stella_blue]

thats interesting stella i thought everyone uses middle finger for up/down and the finger either side for left/right, your method seems odd to me i cant imagine playing like that...

You may be on to something.  Perhaps this helps explain why I'm still waiting for my first kill screen.   

[Fast Eddie]

id definately give it a try m8, id be amazed if any of the other good dk mame players use your method...

 

[Xermon54]

Overall, playing on keyboard is quicker, and can be more precise.

However, everybody that does a very good high score on MAME can reproduce the same high score on arcade. But for my own experience, it is still a little bit easier to play with a keyboard than with a joystick (probably because I started playing on MAME at first).

I personally use 3 fingers to move (up/down with my middle finger, and left/right with two others). I personally move Jumpman with:"SDFE" and jump with "J", since it allows me to put my fingers as if I was writing on the keyboard (and for me, it's more ergonomical/comfortable that way).

[stella_blue]

I personally use 3 fingers to move (up/down with my middle finger, and left/right with two others). I personally move Jumpman with:"SDFE" and jump with "J", since it allows me to put my fingers as if I was writing on the keyboard (and for me, it's more ergonomical/comfortable that way).

Hey Vincent, that reminds me of a question I've been planning to ask.  I wonder how many MAME players map their keys so that moving is done with the left hand, and jumping with the right (similar to the arcade configuration, instead of the exact opposite).

[Xermon54]

Hey Vincent, that reminds me of a question I've been planning to ask.  I wonder how many MAME players map their keys so that moving is done with the left hand, and jumping with the right (similar to the arcade configuration, instead of the exact opposite).

For the first 2/3 years when I started playing Donkey Kong, I used to move Jumpman with my right hand (with the arrows), and jump with "CTRL". I know that Jeff Willms is also moving with his right hand.

I changed it to start moving with my left hand, because... I don't know, probably because I started moving with my left hand while playing on arcade. But on MAME, moving with the left hand or right hand isn't that much of a difference to be honest. I can pretty much be as good with both hands.

But I think Dean is also moving with his right hand. Ross, I think his left hand (I don't know exactly, I'm just guessing). But I don't think it's that much of a difference between moving with left and right.

[mikegmi2]

I don't always play DK on MAME, but when I do, I move with "AWSD" and jump with right CTRL.

Stay thirsty my friends.

[Fast Eddie]

i often play mame and arcade on the same day but i still prefer to swap hands and use the arrows, i like how they are a bit apart from the other keys and are lined up properly rather than offset like the letters...

 

[Monstabonza]

I'm no where up to your guys lvl but I find personally higher scores with the arcade controls. I probably play 5-10 more games a week on keyboard but am consistantly  higher with arcade controls.
I think this has to do with the fact I know the arcade is not as precise so I don't take as many risks in general. So this equates to higher scores.
At some stage I'd like to get a good arcade control for the pc and maby put keyboard buttons on the cab. Could be interesting

[Simpsons99]

X-Arcade when using DK Mame.  I would think it is easyer with a Joystick then a keyboard.

I think thats alot of Allens problems ....

[stella_blue]

I probably play 5-10 more games a week on keyboard but am consistantly higher with arcade controls.  I think this has to do with the fact I know the arcade is not as precise so I don't take as many risks in general. So this equates to higher scores.

You may be right.  That's an excellent point.

[John73]

Thanks for all the replies.  Really short on time atm, so chances of getting my Mame cabinet working by the Wildcard challenge is not good, but I'd really like to give DK a decent shot on a proper cabinet.