Author Topic: DS Controls Layout?? (Read 13230 times)

WhereMyArm · « **on:** January 30, 2004, 09:15:21 PM »

It's been specualted that the DS might have n64-esque graphics. But in a 3D environment would you really want to be controlling your character using a lame D-Pad?? I think it's necesary that the DS have a control stick, and more than 2 buttons + 2 shoulder buttons. Even if it's not officialy the successor to the GBA, it still needs better controls.

KDR_11k · « **Reply #1 on:** January 30, 2004, 10:03:01 PM »

PCs have done 3d with digital control for ages now, where's the problem?

Hostile Creation · « **Reply #2 on:** January 31, 2004, 06:31:46 AM »

My keyboard has 103 buttons on it, not including special function ones at the top (another

. DS might have what? About 10 buttons max.

But I know what you mean. It could be done without a joystick (though a sort of retractable one would be interesting).

Ocarina Blue · « **Reply #3 on:** January 31, 2004, 05:45:44 PM »

Well, computer games generally use the mouse for the most percise movement. RTS'd and FPS's (the computer's main genres) both use the mouse primarily.

Anolouge movement could be handled through something similiar to a control stick. If there was a circular depression with a raised piece of plastic in the middle of it, then the raised piece could just be moved around the indented area. It would be a cross between a mouse and an anolouge stick, but most importantly; it would be flat.

KDR_11k · « **Reply #4 on:** January 31, 2004, 08:43:06 PM »

Ocarina: Play something like Rayman 2/3 on the PC, it works without a hitch.

vudu · « **Reply #5 on:** February 02, 2004, 09:43:08 AM »

kdr - i assume you use w-a-s-d for movement when you play on your keyboard... (w for forward, a for left, etc)

do you use your thumb to control these keys or do you use your ring, middle and pointer fingers? how about when you play a console game? do you use your fingers or thumbs (not counting shoulder buttons)?

i think it would be awkward to play a 3d game using a d-pad, and i think it would be near impossible to make the ds' (or any console system's) controls easy to play using anything but your thumb for the primary action keys.

KDR_11k · « **Reply #6 on:** February 02, 2004, 09:05:31 PM »

I played Rayman 2 with my gamepad. Since gamepads on the PC have either only digtal controls or that godawful PS layout (i.e. analogs unusable) I had to go with digital anyway. THPS works nice with that pad, too. Heck, I even tried playing Turok and Serious Sam with the pad!

BTW, does ANYBODY know a pad for the PC with a stick as primary control? Those damn d-pads are destroying my thumb!

Ocarina Blue · « **Reply #7 on:** February 03, 2004, 06:57:05 PM »

Well, a gamepad for a PC is fine: PC's are hardly portable, but it would be more of a hassle to lug around for something like the GBA or DS. The variety of pads for the PC is awsome though; they all rip off the SNES controller, which is easier to rip off than something like the 64 or Cube controller.

I'm hardly a PC gamer, but in my experience 3rd person games have had generally awkward controls. I've played Rayman 2 on the 64 (gotta love that game), but things like KotOR and and a few non-commercial games of the genre I've played on the PC have always been a little wierd to control.

KDR_11k · « **Reply #8 on:** February 04, 2004, 03:24:39 AM »

Well, the DS would obviously not need any external gamepads, right?

Draygaia · « **Reply #9 on:** February 06, 2004, 12:46:59 PM »

I don't want it to be too complex on control. Something simple. A cross between a handheld and console.

I just want a flatten joystick, old-style d-pad, GCN top/trigger button feel but only pressed once (no multiple button use), and SNes style buttons with the START and SELECT butons in positions lik ethe X and Y button on the GCN. Also instead of handles like everybody used I would take the GBA backside and push in the middle and push out the outsides. You know like the Mad Catz SNes/Nes classic style control for the PS2.

Majexto · « **Reply #10 on:** February 06, 2004, 01:54:01 PM »

How do you know the DS has a keypad? How do you not know one screen could possibly be used as a touch screen control pad? And the fact how developers are capable of using both is that they can make there own custom button set up for the game to suit it best. Wow thats a good idea. :-D

ib2kool4u912 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 06, 2004, 03:13:07 PM »

How would touch screen controls work when you wouldn't be able to feel the buttons? Wouldnt you have to keep looking down at the screen just to see where the buttons are? Since Nintendo said that both screens could be used as one, doesnt that kind of rule out a touch screen for controls?

to asking alot of questions!

Draygaia · « **Reply #12 on:** February 07, 2004, 09:08:17 AM »

I don't know. Thats why I'm guessing. It could have a portable mouse and keyboard with two screens that stand like flatback-flatscreen monitors.

Ocarina Blue · « **Reply #13 on:** February 07, 2004, 07:49:37 PM »

Ah, I see what you're saying now. I thought you meant something completly differrent, sorry.

Draygaia · « **Reply #14 on:** February 12, 2004, 09:54:59 AM »

Maybe it does have touchscreen monitors. There could be a game where you are in a room. The two screens could be looking at the same room but in different time eras, dimensions, etc

Ex: Screen A: a character searching for a garden seed in the basement. Screen B: You are in the past putting the garden see in the place you put your finger on before your character searches that same area. You are helping each other in past and future.

KDR_11k · « **Reply #15 on:** February 13, 2004, 05:10:48 AM »

As said on Slashdot, that'd be messy with using your fingers and you cannot reliably game with a pen in one hand.

Draygaia · « **Reply #16 on:** February 13, 2004, 12:52:17 PM »

I want something like this.

http://www.madcatz.com/MadCatz/product_details.jsp?product_id=8202

Only I would make the thumb buttons SNES style, D-Pad to be Nintendo style, have both joysticks switch positions with thumb buttons and d-pad, START and SELECT to be on far right top (like GCN X and Y). If Nintendo wants extra top buttons I want them to be used by middle fingers.

You know the Z-Button on the GCN IMO would be awesome if it was also a scroll like a mouse button. That would probably be the best idea for switching of any type of item. And two of them! They can be positioned by the L&R button next to the cord, over, or underneath.

KDR_11k · « **Reply #17 on:** February 13, 2004, 08:55:03 PM »

I'd like to see the A button become a clickable coolie hat. That way you can keep your fingers close to the directional controls and the buttons at the same time.

ThePerm · « **Reply #18 on:** February 28, 2004, 12:43:10 PM »

FF cc uses the d-pad....quite frankly its suprising how jopystick like it feels

ib2kool4u912 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 29, 2004, 03:09:35 PM »

KDR: What do you mean "a clickable coolie hat"?

KDR_11k · « **Reply #20 on:** February 29, 2004, 08:26:17 PM »

A coolie hat is a little digital stick about the same size as a button, usually found on PC joysticks. Clickable means you can press it like a button in center position.

nemo_83 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 03, 2004, 06:23:30 AM »

If it does turn out to be the next GB then I have a feeling it may be two touch screens that display custom button configurations for each game as programed by the developers.

KDR_11k · « **Reply #22 on:** March 04, 2004, 02:54:02 AM »

Many people said this already:
1. Touchscreens are too inaccurate and support only one clicked position. Pressing a+b? Forget it.
2. You'd leave fingerprints on the screen unless you use a stick/pen of some sort, but that isn't good for playing.

Ghost_of_a_Flea · « **Reply #23 on:** March 04, 2004, 11:28:05 AM »

There's also the possibility of pressure sensitive D-pads (just a thought). Instead of using the typical "+" layout you could use a "o" and make it analog. If they're looking for analog controls (which I don't know that they are, it's all speculation) I think this would be the most viable option as it conserves space.

Ian Sane · « **Reply #24 on:** March 04, 2004, 11:50:32 AM »

Where do people get this touch screen stuff from? Nintendo has NEVER suggested anything even remotely similar to this idea and what they have told us clashes with a possible touch screen design. If touch screen was used Nintendo would probably have told us.

Touch screen controls for the DS is nothing but a "wouldn't it be cool if" idea created by a few people and it has always been inconsistant with anything Nintendo has told us. It's as realistic of an idea as the stupid VR stuff people bring up.

Imagine the DS controls will be quite generic. The Dual-Screen is the innovation here, not the controls. Expect a face button layout similar to the either the SNES or Cube controllers and L+R buttons. Start and select buttons will be wherever they fit and as usual won't be designed for action related functions.

The control pad is the only variable but I imagine to save space there will be only one control pad. It may be analog or digital but whatever it is I expect it to be one or the other. An analog stick like the Cube just wouldn't be practical so it will either be some sort of flat analog stick or a d-pad.

Of course a d-pad will be all we'll need if the DS is 2D. How do we know the system will be 3D?

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Author Topic: DS Controls Layout?? (Read 13230 times)