Playing old games in new ways (control interface wise) via emulator options

[AnnA Ayms]

It just occurred to me that since one can map pretty much any kind of input/hid peripheral to MAME a whole lot of (fun?) new control options are opened up outside of how these originally played that are more than just a stop gap (as in beyond a keyboard when no joystick is available). For example Qix but with Etch-A-Sketch controls (dual dials/spinners) as opposed to the intended joystick (in this case one button is mapped to be constantly pressed on during a regular spin and since these dials can be pushed down a depressed spin is used for the second button, but another option that came to mind would be using foot pedals for the buttons). It conceptually as a control scheme seems more appropriate this way to me too verses using a joystick although the muscle memory isn't there for me (not enough Etch-A-Sketching skillz). I should try to see if a Wacom tablet would work in Qix next?

 

More of a because one can than necessarily a game play improvement but any other remixed control interfaces that come to mind that seem fun? Tetris with a set of dials kind of makes sense too. One for side to side movement and one for spin plus a depress dial to drop or a separate button or pedal? A trackball for a platformer or at least the original 'Mario Bros.' maybe?

 

 

Edited March 20, 2021 by AnnA Ayms
Grammar error: I didn't pluralize game/s in the title.