Forums

I'm debating porting an open world exploration platformer (sometimes called a M*troidvania) to SMS. It was originally designed for another platform with buttons lets call them A, B, C, and Start. It binds C to jump, B to fire the current weapon, A to a dodge roll, and Start to open a menu for viewing the map and inventory. Gestures including a direction include Up Up to reload, direction+B to aim (like in Contra Hard Corps), Down+B to fire forward while crouching, Down Down to lock into crouch for aiming without moving, and C+Up to grab a ledge.

As a convenience, I would provide this same layout to users of a Mega Drive/Genesis controller. That leaves how to map everything to the original 2-button controller. Some of them look straightforward: attack on button 1, jump on button 2, and menu on the Pause button on the console. That leaves the roll. Suggestions have included forward+2+1, down then forward+2 (like a hadouken motion), double-tap forward, or even pressing button 2 on the second controller with your toe. Which of these sounds least impractical? What do other SMS games do?

I’d vote for double-forward.

Another alternative if autofire is possible is to do similar to what Power Strike II did and allow the player to choose what button 1 does and have autofire on. Then button 1 could be pause, dodge roll, or something else.

I also vote for double forward

Double-tap forward for the win. It’s the most intuitive of the options and fits nicely with the other double-tap moves.

I'd love to see a game to use two SMS pads in a creative way - tied together so that second player pad is below the first one facing down?

Hm, double tapping a direction sounds good.

However, if platforming is more frequent than shooting, may I suggest "diagonal down left + jump" to roll left and "diagonal down right + jump" to roll right ? This would be to avoid potentially dodge-rolling into a pit while just trying to adjust distance by tapping a direction repeatedly.

I am curious to know if that's a move that has to be used often or not, and if the direction of the roll is locked in while rolling.

I am aware that my suggestion could potentially be annoying if you can fire diagonally while jumping.
When shooting from the ground and then jumping, there's a chance you would shoot diagonal down and jump (which would cause the player to roll) instead of jump and shoot diagonal diagonal down (which would cause the player to first jump and then shoot diagonally).
But then you could make it so that you have to stop firing to be able to dodge roll but I am unsure how well that would be received...

sverx wrote

I'd love to see a game to use two SMS pads in a creative way - tied together so that second player pad is below the first one facing down?

That could be the basis for a Robotron / Smash TV clone.

haroldoop wrote

sverx wrote

I'd love to see a game to use two SMS pads in a creative way - tied together so that second player pad is below the first one facing down?

That could be the basis for a Robotron / Smash TV clone.

Like the Nes version that used two pads at the same time

I was originally on the double-tap train, especially since you said you already have a double-tap down to go prone, but after playing some King of Fighters I might consider how good 1+2 plus stick direction can feel. In the late 90s KoF titles, hitting A+B does the dodge roll and it feels great. It may mean some input buffering, however.

Author	Message
PinoBatch Joined: 05 Dec 2019 Posts: 59 Location: USA	Choosing a dodge roll gesture Posted: Wed May 22, 2024 12:54 am
PinoBatch Joined: 05 Dec 2019 Posts: 59 Location: USA	I'm debating porting an open world exploration platformer (sometimes called a M*troidvania) to SMS. It was originally designed for another platform with buttons lets call them A, B, C, and Start. It binds C to jump, B to fire the current weapon, A to a dodge roll, and Start to open a menu for viewing the map and inventory. Gestures including a direction include Up Up to reload, direction+B to aim (like in Contra Hard Corps), Down+B to fire forward while crouching, Down Down to lock into crouch for aiming without moving, and C+Up to grab a ledge. As a convenience, I would provide this same layout to users of a Mega Drive/Genesis controller. That leaves how to map everything to the original 2-button controller. Some of them look straightforward: attack on button 1, jump on button 2, and menu on the Pause button on the console. That leaves the roll. Suggestions have included forward+2+1, down then forward+2 (like a hadouken motion), double-tap forward, or even pressing button 2 on the second controller with your toe. Which of these sounds least impractical? What do other SMS games do?

Maxim Site Admin Joined: 19 Oct 1999 Posts: 14769 Location: London	Posted: Wed May 22, 2024 5:03 am
	I’d vote for double-forward.

badcomputer Joined: 19 Oct 2023 Posts: 163	Posted: Wed May 22, 2024 7:29 am
badcomputer Joined: 19 Oct 2023 Posts: 163	Another alternative if autofire is possible is to do similar to what Power Strike II did and allow the player to choose what button 1 does and have autofire on. Then button 1 could be pause, dodge roll, or something else.

kusfo Joined: 29 Mar 2012 Posts: 891 Location: Spain	Posted: Wed May 22, 2024 8:11 am
kusfo Joined: 29 Mar 2012 Posts: 891 Location: Spain	I also vote for double forward

Kagesan Joined: 01 Feb 2014 Posts: 888	Posted: Wed May 22, 2024 1:08 pm
Kagesan Joined: 01 Feb 2014 Posts: 888	Double-tap forward for the win. It’s the most intuitive of the options and fits nicely with the other double-tap moves.

sverx Joined: 05 Sep 2013 Posts: 3869 Location: Stockholm, Sweden	Posted: Wed May 22, 2024 3:31 pm
	I'd love to see a game to use two SMS pads in a creative way - tied together so that second player pad is below the first one facing down?

armixer24 Joined: 12 Aug 2021 Posts: 75	Posted: Wed May 22, 2024 4:24 pm
armixer24 Joined: 12 Aug 2021 Posts: 75	Hm, double tapping a direction sounds good. However, if platforming is more frequent than shooting, may I suggest "diagonal down left + jump" to roll left and "diagonal down right + jump" to roll right ? This would be to avoid potentially dodge-rolling into a pit while just trying to adjust distance by tapping a direction repeatedly. I am curious to know if that's a move that has to be used often or not, and if the direction of the roll is locked in while rolling. I am aware that my suggestion could potentially be annoying if you can fire diagonally while jumping. When shooting from the ground and then jumping, there's a chance you would shoot diagonal down and jump (which would cause the player to roll) instead of jump and shoot diagonal diagonal down (which would cause the player to first jump and then shoot diagonally). But then you could make it so that you have to stop firing to be able to dodge roll but I am unsure how well that would be received...

haroldoop Joined: 25 Feb 2006 Posts: 877 Location: Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil	Posted: Wed May 22, 2024 4:37 pm
	sverx wrote I'd love to see a game to use two SMS pads in a creative way - tied together so that second player pad is below the first one facing down? That could be the basis for a Robotron / Smash TV clone.

kusfo Joined: 29 Mar 2012 Posts: 891 Location: Spain	Posted: Thu May 23, 2024 6:11 am
kusfo Joined: 29 Mar 2012 Posts: 891 Location: Spain	haroldoop wrote sverx wrote I'd love to see a game to use two SMS pads in a creative way - tied together so that second player pad is below the first one facing down? That could be the basis for a Robotron / Smash TV clone. Like the Nes version that used two pads at the same time

SavagePencil Joined: 23 Aug 2009 Posts: 214 Location: Seattle, WA	Posted: Thu May 23, 2024 3:54 pm
	I was originally on the double-tap train, especially since you said you already have a double-tap down to go prone, but after playing some King of Fighters I might consider how good 1+2 plus stick direction can feel. In the late 90s KoF titles, hitting A+B does the dodge roll and it feels great. It may mean some input buffering, however.

Forums

View topic - Choosing a dodge roll gesture