Best controls for Donkey Kong?

[pcfreak324]

I'm interested in your prefered controls for Donkey Kong.

I found an older thread at twingalaxies where the Mag-Stik Plus was recommended because of its short throw. Some websites claim that this stick is not precise enough in its stock configuration. They recommend to swap out the microswitches and the gate of the stick.

I only play the game on my PC with Mame or the inaccurate NES port on my nes. These are the controls tested in the order of preference (from best to worst):

1. mechanical Cherry G80 keyboard (MX-Blue switches) with Mame's default keyboard configuration
2. 8bitdo Sanwa stick (buttons used for directions, similar to a hitbox)
3. NES dogbone or original controller
4. Zippyy stick (4 way)
5. 8bitdo FC30 Sanwa Edition (8 way)

I need controls where I can quickly (short throw) and precisely hit the directions when I'm under pressure, especially in the barrel and the spring stage where I have to move and climb up very fast. It seems to be easiest with the keyboard. I imagine that controllers with a split dpad (like the Playstation one) might be a good choice, too.

What are your experiences?

[Barra]

I've mostly learned the game on MAME with a standard keyboard. Transitioning to a cab with a stick doesn't take too long.

I've found keyboard to be much easier when concerned with the finer movements, but mileage will vary as it really depends on what you're used to. I've always argued that keyboard gives an advantage but it doesn't hold much merit when you consider the top 3 all-time scores were done with a stick

[danman123456]

Keyboard 100% does give an advantage. We all know this. Just because two guys grinded forever with a joystick doesnt mean the keyboard is superior. For a simply 4 way game it absolutely is. Especially if it reads both inputs at once. (You get 8 way without 8 way dig it).

Anyway yeah...

[Barra]

Keyboard 100% does give an advantage. We all know this. Just because two guys grinded forever with a joystick doesnt mean the keyboard is superior. For a simply 4 way game it absolutely is. Especially if it reads both inputs at once. (You get 8 way without 8 way dig it).

Anyway yeah...

You can't use 8-way movements with a keyboard as the game is restricted to 4-way in MAME.

There are certain instances you can hold both buttons at once and one fires until you let go. For example climbing up/down ladders on the rivets a lot of the time I'll hold left/right and down at the same time, release the direction and you'll activate the ladder. Definitely more efficient than moving a joystick around.

But true 8-way movements like steering and ascending a ladder won't work. Unless thats not what you were referring to

[mrvaya]

I too think that keyboard steering is somewhat “easier”. BUT the effective “multiple-buttons-at-once”-mashing Barra is referring to can also be a pain in the a.. IMO. You can accidentally push more buttons at once and get unintended behaviour at those very crucial “hit-or-miss”-moments, which would never happen with a true 4-way stick. So.... now I actually prefer the stick. 

[Flobeamer1922]

For all of my Donkey Kong INPs that I've recorded so far, I played the game with a Unicomp Model M keyboard. Its buckling spring switches actually feel very nice for it from my experience. With the keys' tactile bump and click noise, you're always absolutely certain when you've pressed a direction or when you've pressed jump.

[dnickolas]

For all of my Donkey Kong INPs that I've recorded so far, I played the game with a Unicomp Model M keyboard. Its buckling spring switches actually feel very nice for it from my experience. With the keys' tactile bump and click noise, you're always absolutely certain when you've pressed a direction or when you've pressed jump.

I use Realforce 87u keyboards. They’re solid.

[danman123456]

Keyboard 100% does give an advantage. We all know this. Just because two guys grinded forever with a joystick doesnt mean the keyboard is superior. For a simply 4 way game it absolutely is. Especially if it reads both inputs at once. (You get 8 way without 8 way dig it).

Anyway yeah...

You can't use 8-way movements with a keyboard as the game is restricted to 4-way in MAME.

There are certain instances you can hold both buttons at once and one fires until you let go. For example climbing up/down ladders on the rivets a lot of the time I'll hold left/right and down at the same time, release the direction and you'll activate the ladder. Definitely more efficient than moving a joystick around.

But true 8-way movements like steering and ascending a ladder won't work. Unless thats not what you were referring to

 I thought that didnt change until way later versions of mame? Like 1.06 still works that way? Could be im thinking of just inputs in general and you are right it wont go "diag"

[Barra]

Keyboard 100% does give an advantage. We all know this. Just because two guys grinded forever with a joystick doesnt mean the keyboard is superior. For a simply 4 way game it absolutely is. Especially if it reads both inputs at once. (You get 8 way without 8 way dig it).

Anyway yeah...

You can't use 8-way movements with a keyboard as the game is restricted to 4-way in MAME.

There are certain instances you can hold both buttons at once and one fires until you let go. For example climbing up/down ladders on the rivets a lot of the time I'll hold left/right and down at the same time, release the direction and you'll activate the ladder. Definitely more efficient than moving a joystick around.

But true 8-way movements like steering and ascending a ladder won't work. Unless thats not what you were referring to

 I thought that didnt change until way later versions of mame? Like 1.06 still works that way? Could be im thinking of just inputs in general and you are right it wont go "diag"

I avoid 106 like the plague if possible so you may well be correct

[xelnia]

DK has been 4-way restricted in MAME since version 0.37b14 aka 0.50 (April 2001).

[hooch66]

I like the arcade machine controls the best, of course.

When I do play on MAME, however, I've been using my PS4 controller, which seems to me adequate to the feel of the arcade.

I've played on the keyboard, but don't like that experience nearly as much.

[mrvaya]

If you dont have access to an original cabinet and want a great 4-way joystick (that can switch to 8-way) for mame etc. I’ll recommend the Sanwa J-stick any time. I have installed two of those in my x-arcade tankstick instead of those poor ones that comes preinstalled.