Controller Paks Configuration
One of the coolest features on the original N64 was the addition of modules
that plugged into a port on the bottom of each controller. NRage DirectInput
natively supports Memory Paks, the Rumble Pak, and the Transfer Pak; it also
should support any pak through a real N64 controller hooked up to your computer
through an Adaptoid. You can select the type of controller pak you want the
emulator to see as plugged in to your controller.
There is one setting common to all controller paks, and
that is the "RawMode "
checkbox. If this is checked, it means that the NRage plugin will handle all
controller pak data. If it is not checked, it means that your N64 emulator is
responsible for handling all controller pak data. Most people will want to leave
this checked. It is also probably a very bad idea to toggle this while a game is
running, so if you do want to change it, use a save state, stop emulation, and
then change it.
If "RawMode" is unchecked, you won't be able to set anything here besides the
pak type. If it's checked, you'll see some options for the pak type you've
selected (if you've selected one).
None means that no pak will be plugged in. The N64 will see that there
is no peripheral connected to the controller.
Mem Pak lets you choose a
memory pak directory, choose a mempak (by clicking on it in the list), create
new mempaks in the selected directory, and delete mempaks. If you select a
mempak in the box on the left, the box on the right will show what savegames are
present on that pak, as well as how many blocks each one uses (out of a maximum
123 blocks) and the region of the game that saved it. In the example above, I've
selected a mempak with Japanese savegames; as you can see, the names still show
up properly. Format MemPak
will completely erase the mempak, so be careful. The other three buttons
allow you to export and import "notes" in a64 format, and also delete them. A
"note" is like a game save file on a mempak; each mempak can have at most 16
notes. Be aware that a few games have certain expectations about their savegames
being stored in a certain order or in a set. Messing around with individual
notes shouldn't cause problems in most cases, but has the potential to crash
games and at worst delete your savegames; to be safe, make a backup of your
mempak file before you try to modify it.
Rumble Pak lets you set
options for force feedback, if you have a device that supports it. The drop-down
list will show any detected force feedback devices compatible with DirectInput.
As you can see from the picture, if you haven't selected a compatible device
then only Visual Rumble can be toggled. After selecting a
device, the relevant options will become available. Constant
Force uses one fixed value for the rumble strength, while Ramp
Force starts with a fixed value and quickly drops off. "Constant Force"
is closer to the original N64 controller, but some people like the feel of "Ramp
Force" better. Direct Rumble will only be enabled if you have
an Adaptoid plugged in, and sends rumble commands directly to the Adaptoid
driver; if you're using a real N64 controller, you should use this or set the
pak type to Adaptoid. The "Visual Rumble" tickbox flashes the
LEDs on your keyboard if possible when a rumble command is sent by the N64.
Rumble Strength sets the relative strength of the controller
rumble, and Test Rumble
tries to send a
rumble command to
make sure your
controller is set up
properly.
DirectInput force
feedback can be a
bit quirky, so if
you have trouble
please see the
separate
troubleshooting
section
Transfer Pak lets you choose Gameboy files for transfer pak emulation.
The transfer pak is used to allow you to load character data or enable special
features in certain N64 games. Select matching ROM (Gameboy cart) and RAM
(savedata) files. For some games, like Perfect Dark, you only need the ROM, but
for games that read character data you will need both, because the N64 game
reads from the ROM header to figure out what game pak you have plugged in. You
will need to use a separate Gameboy emulator to play the Gameboy games (and they
should create the RAM files when they first run.) Transfer pak emulation works
quite well, but as with memory pak files you should always keep backups, just in
case.
Adaptoid Pak will only appear if you have an Adaptoid plugged in when
the configuration screen is opened. It lets you use your real N64 controller
with real native paks. Why wouldn't you just use the Adaptoid plugin built into
your emulator? Well, because with NRage you can use an Adaptoid on controller 1,
a PC gamepad on controller 2, and a keyboard and mouse on controller 3.
