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MSX Without Keyboard?

Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2021 11:13 pm
by HappehLemons
I'm new to MSX, and am quickly noticing that it seems like a lot of games require a keyboard to play (Metal Gear for example).

Is this typical of the system? Should most games be played with a keyboard in MSX vs a controller?

I didn't know if there was a easy solution here to playing MSX games completely with a controller, or if that is a process that isn't well supported.

Thanks!

Re: MSX Without Keyboard?

Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2021 11:36 pm
by Topbravo
Yes, keyboard is mostly required.

Re: MSX Without Keyboard?

Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2021 12:38 am
by HappehLemons
Topbravo wrote: Fri Oct 29, 2021 11:36 pm Yes, keyboard is mostly required.
I'm sure this is subjective, but do most people play MSX with just a keyboard, or a controller and a keyboard? Not sure how much other games utilize if it's working going in with more of a keyboard expectation as explore the catalog.

Re: MSX Without Keyboard?

Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2021 6:15 pm
by FPGA64
MSX was a home computer with a keyboard. So not using a keyboard would be a very strange use of a MSX

Re: MSX Without Keyboard?

Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2021 6:38 pm
by akeley
FPGA64 wrote: Sat Oct 30, 2021 6:15 pm MSX was a home computer with a keyboard. So not using a keyboard would be a very strange use of a MSX
Not really. On machines like C64 or Atari, most games didn't have a keyboard-control option at all. On MSX, I play a lot of early games atm, and most have the joystick option, some are keyboard only, some utilise both. I suppose later games would mostly offer controller option as well, unless some complex ones need more keys.

It's possible to remap them in MiSTer anyway, if you feel like it.

Re: MSX Without Keyboard?

Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2021 8:49 pm
by FPGA64
akeley wrote: Sat Oct 30, 2021 6:38 pm
FPGA64 wrote: Sat Oct 30, 2021 6:15 pm MSX was a home computer with a keyboard. So not using a keyboard would be a very strange use of a MSX
Not really. On machines like C64 or Atari, most games didn't have a keyboard-control option at all. On MSX, I play a lot of early games atm, and most have the joystick option, some are keyboard only, some utilise both. I suppose later games would mostly offer controller option as well, unless some complex ones need more keys.

It's possible to remap them in MiSTer anyway, if you feel like it.
What I meant is that the MSX had a keyboard and so its not surprising Games use the keyboard where the controller doesnt have enough buttons.

Re: MSX Without Keyboard?

Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2021 11:10 pm
by HappehLemons
akeley wrote: Sat Oct 30, 2021 6:38 pm
FPGA64 wrote: Sat Oct 30, 2021 6:15 pm MSX was a home computer with a keyboard. So not using a keyboard would be a very strange use of a MSX
Not really. On machines like C64 or Atari, most games didn't have a keyboard-control option at all. On MSX, I play a lot of early games atm, and most have the joystick option, some are keyboard only, some utilise both. I suppose later games would mostly offer controller option as well, unless some complex ones need more keys.

It's possible to remap them in MiSTer anyway, if you feel like it.
I'm a little confused on this process. When I try to remap buttons to my joypad, it only get Up, Down, Left, Right, Button 1 & Button 2. How do I map the other relevant keys?
FPGA64 wrote: Sat Oct 30, 2021 6:15 pm MSX was a home computer with a keyboard. So not using a keyboard would be a very strange use of a MSX
I guess my question was more along the lines of, due to the heavy use of the keyboard in MSX games, are they typically played with JUST a keyboard? Or do you normally use a combo of the keyboard and joypad.

Re: MSX Without Keyboard?

Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2021 11:31 am
by akeley
HappehLemons wrote: Sat Oct 30, 2021 11:10 pm I'm a little confused on this process. When I try to remap buttons to my joypad, it only get Up, Down, Left, Right, Button 1 & Button 2. How do I map the other relevant keys?
Use the "Button/Key remap for game" option.