So, are 8 way joysticks acceptable for high scores or not?

[Realzach2001]

It seems the rules are unclear on this. I feel that its only fair as i see no discernable difference.

[DaLar]

https://donkeykongforum.net/index.php?topic=365.0

8.   4-way controls must be used on both the Arcade cabinet and through MAME. The "dkong" ROM for MAME is already set up to limit inputs to 4-way controls, whether played with a joystick or a keyboard. Any attempt to modify the "dkong" ROM for this or any other purpose will be rejected. Arcade players are to use 4-way controls only, requiring the 4-way restrictor plate. 8-way controls will be rejected.

[timhett]

It may be in that thread, maybe another... but Hank did an experiment and decided that it does give a slight advantage.

[Scoundrl]

https://donkeykongforum.net/index.php?topic=365.0

8.   4-way controls must be used on both the Arcade cabinet and through MAME. The "dkong" ROM for MAME is already set up to limit inputs to 4-way controls, whether played with a joystick or a keyboard. Any attempt to modify the "dkong" ROM for this or any other purpose will be rejected. Arcade players are to use 4-way controls only, requiring the 4-way restrictor plate. 8-way controls will be rejected.

This does not address his specific situation since he is using a 60-1 and as such would be classified as MULTI (not arcade or mame) on the HSL. Gonna need some Jry in here. 

[f_symbols]

"...Gonna need some Jry in here. 

wow go sir 

[xelnia]

It seems the rules are unclear on this. I feel that its only fair as i see no discernable difference.

It must be played with 4-way restriction. This means that:

1) On arcade, you must use/show the 4-way restrictor.
2) On recent versions of MAME, 4-way restriction is built in to MAME, so it doesn't actually matter what kind of stick you use.
3) On X-in-1, it's unclear what versions of MAME they bootlegged, so you must use/show the 4-way restrictor.

The proper 4-way restriction was fixed in MAME in version 0.37b14. That obviously predates WolfMAME, but is also the general timeframe when a lot of the X-in-1 boards were made. For example, it's believed that the 39-in-1 boards are based off some 0.37 version, but the 39-in-1 has 8-way enabled, which means it predates 0.37b14 and thus it's possible that ALL X-in-1 boards have the same issue.

Multiple people (at least Hank Chien and Jon Mckinnell from my memory) have shown that there can be an advantage with an 8-way, so any control scheme or rom/MAME revision that allows 8-way control is forbidden.

[ChrisP]

I'm gonna take this opportunity to say "sorry" to Zerst again. Years ago, he pointed out that it was indeed possible to "climb-steer". You only couldn't do so in MAME because the MAME drivers are hardcoded for 4-way, but there is nothing in the game code itself to forbid two simultaneous directional inputs, and the game will indeed recognize up-right as an up *AND* a right, which allows the player to steer barrels without losing climbing momentum. I personally wouldn't be caught dead playing with an 8-way, I've tried it before and did nothing but accidentally die, but I guess it's possible to get really good at it. I didn't believe Zerst at the time, but then I did the research and came to understand the situation.

I'll also take this opportunity to point out that the last two sigs in a row contain ChrisP quotes.

[Scoundrl]

I'll also take this opportunity to point out that the last two sigs in a row contain ChrisP quotes.

Great quotes sir.

[NightRider]

There's an old thread at TG where sdkess confirmed the joystick behavior:

http://www.twingalaxies.com/showthread.php/117579-King-Of-Kong!?p=625158&viewfull=1#post625158

Basically, he activated a diagonal with the 4-way plate installed by reaching under the CP. He was able to duplicate the "fast climbing" ladder transitions that were seen in Wiebe's gameplay.

Edit: Found this too. More info on 8-way and some of Wiebe's submissions that set off the 8-way debate.

http://www.classicarcadegaming.com/forums/index.php/topic,715.msg11277.html#msg11277