I appreciate the "store hardware / software somewhere safe and play via emulation" sentiment, but emulation just doesn't cut it for me. For today's lecture, I'll focus on controllers.
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I much prefer to play on consoles with the pads commercially available for the system. Personally, this is part of the charm and fun of retrogaming. I'm supposed to be leaving the hotel now, but I'm a procrastinator, so I'll share some random thoughts with you.
We've discussed this before, so I'll try not to repeat myself, but here's a "rant lite" on why controllers are important, IMO:
The SMS pads are pretty lame, but they are part of the experience of playing SMS games, IMO. I can't remember if there were third party controllers sold here in the States, but if there were, I never got any of them. Same with the TG-16... I never got the 3rd party controllers (the few that were available) because they looked like crap and probably felt even worse. Correct me if I'm mistaken.
NES, SNES and Genesis had some nice 3rd party stuff.
Anyway, the point is that unless a console had *really* shoddy / awkward controllers (i.e. Atari 5200), I prefer to play with hardware that was available at the time the console was commercially available.
This probably puts me in a category of "hardware fetish", but seriously, I just don't get folks who want to use their PlayStation, Saturn or _____________ (insert your favorite) pads for retro gaming! Sorry!
I know some folks complain about the original NES controllers, but they are friggin' great, as far as I'm concerned. Even though they don't *appear* to be ergonomically designed, they are still comfortable after long sessions. Keep in mind that particularly demanding games (i.e. tough platformers!) will give you a blister on your thumb, regardless of the controller you use (that's what I always say, anyway). Or, with Atari 2600 and other systems that had joysticks, you'll get a sore spot between your thumb and forefinger (is there a medical term for this part of the anatomy? Isn't a "web of skin"? !!!
)
The redesigned NES controller (+ some 3rd party stuff) will satisfy most people, though, so it doesn't matter if you hate the orginal NES controller
BOTTOM LINE: If I were to use emulation, I'd definitely be one of those folks who would modify a relevant controller to match the console I'm playing. But there are many more reaason I prefer consoles over emulation. I'll save that for another day
NOTE: I'm not anti-emulation. It's a nice option, but it's a runner-up.
