computer savvy

[Sam]

OK, so you've got FCE Ultra and the RBI ROM. What now?

Genuine NES gamepads, that's what.

Some company called Black Chopper is building USB adapters for the NES controller.

Wish I had known that, maybe I would have waited. But I really love the combination of the Hori Digital Controller and the Skillz Cube Connection USB. It feels pretty darned close to the original. I got them at Lik-Sang.

[RedRamage]

Double click the FCE Ultra icon to open the program.  A small window should show up on your screen.  The first thing you should do it click on the 'Config' menu and then select input.  In the new window you should see three "sub windows" Port 1, Port 2, and Famicom Expansion Port.  Click on the "Configure" button in the Port 1 area.  Yet another new window would pop up.  Click 'Configure Keyboard' or 'Configure Joysticks' depending on what you intend to use.  Haven't used joysticks myself, so I can only explain how to use the Keyobard.  Click the button will bring up yet one more window.  Here you see all your buttons... up, down, left, right, start, select, A, and B.  By each 'button' is a box with numbers in them.  Basically ignore the number, you don't need to know what they are.  Choose which keys you will want to use for each button, then click on the box with the numbers in it--now press the keyboard key you want to use for that function.  For example, if you want to to use the letter W for your A-button, click the box above the 'A' then press W on your keyboard.  You'll notice that sometimes the numbers change, sometimes they don't.  If the numbers did change than you've successfully programed the new key.  If they didn't then either you didn't click in the right place OR that button is already programmed to that key.  Try it one more time to make sure you click in the right place and if the number doesn't change again then you'll likely all set.  After you've programmed your keys, then click CLOSE--that window disappears.  Click Close again.  And then click Close again.

Okay, controller programing is done, now let's open the rom and start playing!  First, you need to know in what directory you have your rom stored.   Likely you put it in the same directory as the FCE Ultra, but if not, figure out where it is.  Now, go to the 'File' menu and click 'Open'.  I'm sure you've seen a screen like this before... you just need to navigate to the proper directory to find you rom.  Double click it and it will automatically load.  You should be good to go!  Just remember what keys you programmed to what button and play away!

[BeefMaster]

That's a good explanation, RedRamage, but I think Sam was asking that question rhetorically, to set up his mention of the authentic controllers.

To add to the explanation, in case anyone does need it, it would also behoove the user to know that you switch between full-screen and window mode using F4.  The first time I used FCEUltra I set it to automatically go full-screen when loading a ROM, and I had to alt-tab and kill the program manually to quit, because I couldn't figure out how to get the menu back.

[RedRamage]

Well dang it!  If you're going to ask a rhetorical question ya gotta let me know!!  

Thanks for the info on the F4 button...  that's helpful.  Is there a way that you know of, BeefMaster, to make the window larger?  I've got my resolution on my screen pretty high and really want o run FCE Ultra in a window at times, but my window is SO SMALL it's kind of a pain.

[doveRBI]

Controller to usb..... I use an original PS controller as to get the true d pad.  Those Hori ones look great... may have to invest.

[fknmclane]

Beefmaster:  Okay, I got MAME downloaded and "operational."  Problem is, I can't get RBI to show up under available.  I found it in their list of games but when I double click it tells me that files are missing, rbi-prg and rbi-cha.  I have the RBI file in the ROMs folder like you said but it isn't working.  I'm sure it's some simple that needs to be fixed.  Again, I'm an idiot.  Little more help if you can.

[BeefMaster]

Under Config->Video..., there's a setting in the "Window" area called "Size multiplier".  It does just what it says - multiplies the size of the window.  Unfortunately, from the little bit of fiddling I just did, it appears to be an integer value, so you won't be able to be very precise.  Hopefully 2 or 3x will be sufficient for you.  There's also the Custom Video Settings box in that option window, but I didn't play with that.  That might be helpful as well.

[BeefMaster]

fknmclane - If you downloaded the file from Gantry's site, you're going to have to rename it.  MAME has the names of the files it looks for hard-coded, so the filename can't be changed.  I don't think Gantry realized this when he changed it to a more descriptive name on his download page (I believe it's RBI-Arcade.zip).  rbibb.zip is the correct filename.

When you do get it working, by the way, the number 5 puts coins in the machine, and 1 is the start button for player one.  6 and 2 are the equivalents for player 2, although putting all your coins in the first slot is fine for RBI.

[fknmclane]

Beef, so do I not unzip the original file and just change the name?  That's all there is to it?

[fknmclane]

Beef, changed the name.  Didn't work.  I'm sorry.

[RedRamage]

Just out of curiousity, why are you using MAME vs. a different emulator?  Sounds like MAME might be a bit antiquated.

[fknmclane]

The dee-nee gods spoke and I listened.  Something about it being better for arcade games.  I dunno.

[RedRamage]

Ah... forgot you're trying to play the Arcade RBI Baseball game...

[BeefMaster]

Here's my copy of the ROM.  I just played an inning with it, so I know it works.

[fknmclane]

I just don't get it.  I downloaded Beef's zip file and it kinda worked.  When I click Available on MAME rbi arcade baseball shows up.  But when I try and play it MAME tells me I can't because it's missing rbi-prg and rbi-cha.  Which makes no sense because they're both in the rom folder.  I'm about to kill myself.  Thanks for all the help everyone.  I do appreciate it.

[fknmclane]

Cancel all that shit I just said.  I finally got it working.  I'm so excited.  I can't contain myself.

I think what was happening is that I had about 5 different roms all in the same folder and the computer was freakin' out.

I definitely have to get a joystick for this bitch.  The keyboard is a little tricky.  Also, the game kinda hesitates every once in a while.  Is that normal?  How can I make the speed normal.  Thanks again everyone.