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Controller Mapping for Flash Games!

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@PsychoGoldfish just rolled out an exciting new feature for Flash fanatics:


Controller Mapping!


Traditional Flash games never had gamepad support but now that games are running via Ruffle, we are able to interface with them directly using our own controller mapping.


We store mapping data for each game individually so there’s a long road ahead, however you can try these games with a gamepad to demo the feature:



Supporters have the ability to set up their own controller mapping on a per-game basis, in cases where we haven’t set a default or you want to change from the default. We made this a Supporter feature because it’s a niche feature and NG needs more Supporters, however if you have accessibility needs that require this feature, please message me about it.


If a Flash game already has controller mapping, you will see a note in the info box under the tags, with a link to view the existing mapping (or create your own if you’re a Supporter).


Flash devs can add mapping to their existing games, which would be a huge help! You’ll find the mapping option on your Project Details page, under your SWF file in the same area as the Ruffle Emulation toggle. If you want to really get wild, you could also make your title screens and menus controller friendly, since a lot of those will still depend on a mouse. If you do update your game with mapping, share a link in this thread!


iu_1397338_1.png


To kick things off, anyone can help right in this thread! Reply with a link to a Flash game you like that doesn’t have controller mapping and include a list of how you would map the controls. We’ll use an Xbox controller as the template for button names.


iu_1397183_1.png


For example, here’s how I would explain the Alien Hominid mapping:


Left Stick - Arrow Keys - Move

D-Pad - Arrow Keys - Move

X Button - A Key - Shoot

A Button - S Key - Jump


We’ll start mapping games based on your replies and once we create a new moderator type, we’ll invite some of you to come aboard as mapping mods! In the meantime, staff and existing Portal Mods have access to add mapping.


Note: If a game doesn’t have a “Ruffle” loader at the start, it is likely an HTML5 game and this feature does not apply.


If your favorite Flash game isn’t currently running via Ruffle, you can help test and report on it in the Ruffle Testing / Flash Preservation Crew.


Future splash: We're not done adding new ways to play Flash games!


Working on Nightmare Cops!

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That's new. Dunno if I'll try this, can't find the cable to my controller.


- CS

- she/her (and they maybe)🏳️‍⚧️

- My voice sucks, twice as much as usual

BBS Signature

ooooh shit time to bust out the deck


edit: we NEED doom



new forum signature

Response to Controller Mapping for Flash Games! 2025-05-12 12:11:42


This is awesome! Honestly the effort yall have gone through to not only preserve but enhance flash history is incredible!


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Response to Controller Mapping for Flash Games! 2025-05-12 12:22:06


At 5/12/25 12:08 PM, Kolumbo wrote:ooooh shit time to bust out the deck

edit: we NEED doom

https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/470460


Unfortunately we can't map the analog stick to the mouse, not sure if that could happen in the future but it presents some challenges.


Working on Nightmare Cops!

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Response to Controller Mapping for Flash Games! 2025-05-12 12:29:00


At 5/12/25 12:22 PM, TomFulp wrote:
At 5/12/25 12:08 PM, Kolumbo wrote:ooooh shit time to bust out the deck

edit: we NEED doom

https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/470460

Unfortunately we can't map the analog stick to the mouse, not sure if that could happen in the future but it presents some challenges.


I believe you guys can do it! You always find a way!


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Response to Controller Mapping for Flash Games! 2025-05-12 12:31:09


At 5/12/25 12:22 PM, TomFulp wrote:
At 5/12/25 12:08 PM, Kolumbo wrote:ooooh shit time to bust out the deck

edit: we NEED doom

https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/470460

Unfortunately we can't map the analog stick to the mouse, not sure if that could happen in the future but it presents some challenges.


it's playable with just the keyboard (turn with arrow keys and shoot with control), since it is doom after all - but i've realized after posting that there are issues playing it in ruffle, so that's a different beast to tackle i guess. my bad!


new forum signature

Response to Controller Mapping for Flash Games! 2025-05-12 12:35:21


Finally. We got it. Now we can play those games with controller.


Just a simple signature text, this signature not contains animated picture. I don't have a money to buy NG Supporter.

PLJerry - Animator/Artist/Voice Actor/TF2 Veteran

Main Voice of Serj in NuMates Series.

Response to Controller Mapping for Flash Games! 2025-05-12 12:35:26


Whoooaa, I can only imagine how long it took to try and code something like this o.o That is really cool :D Cannot wait to see what creators on here come up with once they get their heads around it.

I love the innovation on here ^-^ Always striving forward for more!


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Response to Controller Mapping for Flash Games! 2025-05-12 12:55:11


Does this mean it could be possible to get touch controls on mobile, say if you held your phone normally and it had a virtual gamepad below it?


Amazing update!!

From memory of playing it and from lookin’ at the description - Goin’ Up would have a pretty simple keybind:


Arrow keys could be Left Stick and the D-pad, Spacebar could be A, Restarting, or the R key could be Right trigger, and Pause (P) could be Menu button!


(GIF by @MKMaffo)

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At 5/12/25 12:55 PM, Dungeonation wrote:Does this mean it could be possible to get touch controls on mobile, say if you held your phone normally and it had a virtual gamepad below it?


😉


From memory of playing it and from lookin’ at the description - Goin’ Up would have a pretty simple keybind:
https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/571844

Arrow keys could be Left Stick and the D-pad, Spacebar could be A, Restarting, or the R key could be Right trigger, and Pause (P) could be Menu button!


It's mapped now, give it a try!


Working on Nightmare Cops!

BBS Signature

This is awesome. I’ve just been fiddling around with adding controller support to my current game project and I’ll probably include it in other games going forward. So feels like perfect timing really if the site is making such a big push like this to add controller support to old games.


Having controller support become a standard here would feel like entering a new era

Response to Controller Mapping for Flash Games! 2025-05-12 13:27:38


if kof wing had ruffle support and gamepad support id smile : D https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/458272


Response to Controller Mapping for Flash Games! 2025-05-12 13:32:14


FINALLY!!!

Response to Controller Mapping for Flash Games! 2025-05-12 13:36:53


Fun Home from Flash Forward this year had a controller control scheme in mind I think! If there’s controller support already I apologize, I can’t check yet lol


WASD would be left stick or D-Pad

Down arrow would be A, Right arrow would be B, Up arrow would be Y, and Left arrow would be X!

Not sure what the retro toggle (P key) would be


(GIF by @MKMaffo)

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Response to Controller Mapping for Flash Games! 2025-05-12 13:44:09


At 5/12/25 01:27 PM, Figburn wrote:if kof wing had ruffle support and gamepad support id smile : D https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/458272


It's now running with Ruffle and I mapped player one for now, however the mapping could use some feedback. Can you try it now and let me know what you would change about the mapping?


Working on Nightmare Cops!

BBS Signature

Has this feature being tested with DirectInput gamepads like the Dualsense, Switch Pro, and Stadia controllers? I know Xbox and similar gamepads are supposed to be the gold standard for PC gaming, but Xinput doesn't support certain feature likes touchpad and motion controls. I think the latter would be really handy for games that use pointer controls like first person shooters and point-and-click adventures.


I'm also curious to know if this feature will work on the mobile version of this site. I've seen dedicated controllers like the Razer Kishi and Backbone One meant for portable gaming along with phone mounts to be used with more standard gamepads.

Response to Controller Mapping for Flash Games! 2025-05-12 13:46:18


At 5/12/25 11:57 AM, TomFulp wrote:@PsychoGoldfish just rolled out an exciting new feature for Flash fanatics:

Controller Mapping!

oh, hell yeah!


"A reward is it's own reward." - Killgar

Response to Controller Mapping for Flash Games! 2025-05-12 13:59:05


At 5/12/25 01:44 PM, TomFulp wrote:
At 5/12/25 01:27 PM, Figburn wrote:if kof wing had ruffle support and gamepad support id smile : D https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/458272

It's now running with Ruffle and I mapped player one for now, however the mapping could use some feedback. Can you try it now and let me know what you would change about the mapping?


THANK YOU this has been my go-to little fighting game to play here for a while loll


i think a closer mapping to official KOF on gamepad would be

A: Weak Kick ( I key)

B: Heavy Kick ( K key

X: Weak Punch ( U key )

Y: Heavy Punch ( J key )

R Bumper: Special 1 ( O key )

R Trigger: Special 2 ( L key )

also, if its possible to double map, having D pad also control the character as well as the stick would be cool!

Response to Controller Mapping for Flash Games! 2025-05-12 14:04:26


At 5/12/25 01:46 PM, deathink wrote:
At 5/12/25 11:57 AM, TomFulp wrote:@PsychoGoldfish just rolled out an exciting new feature for Flash fanatics:

Controller Mapping!
oh, hell yeah!


Punch Out Tom Fulp on controller? 👀


(GIF by @MKMaffo)

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Response to Controller Mapping for Flash Games! 2025-05-12 14:13:38


Tom.....


You

Are

FUCKING GENIES!!!

Response to Controller Mapping for Flash Games! 2025-05-12 14:17:31


Congratulations Tom! Thank you for the flash update.


Join the Tankmen Tribute Collab

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Oh my GOODNESS I was literally just thinking about this the other day! Did you guys read my mind or something? Hella dope, gonna try to give this a shot soon! I wonder if I could use my Switch controller or if there needs to be an exclusive controller for it to work properly? Either way, still super cool!


Since you're open to adding controller mapping in games, here's one I think might need the proper care it deserves.



Everything is only for a day, both that which remembers and that which is remembered.

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Response to Controller Mapping for Flash Games! 2025-05-12 14:42:43


OMG! Gameplay layers, new follow thingie with star next to someone who followed me. THIS UPDATE IS SICK!


Sad that it's Supporter only.


Where else am I? Sheezy.ArtGeometry Dash


AKA fe3l1ngsk1lled, Skilled, SkilledFeller, SkilledFanBoy... :3

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Response to Controller Mapping for Flash Games! 2025-05-12 14:42:48


At 5/12/25 02:28 PM, Porter wrote:Oh my GOODNESS I was literally just thinking about this the other day! Did you guys read my mind or something? Hella dope, gonna try to give this a shot soon! I wonder if I could use my Switch controller or if there needs to be an exclusive controller for it to work properly? Either way, still super cool!

Since you're open to adding controller mapping in games, here's one I think might need the proper care it deserves.

https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/631395


It's mapped, give it a try!


Working on Nightmare Cops!

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Response to Controller Mapping for Flash Games! 2025-05-12 14:44:14


Wait, does PlayStation 5 DualSense controller also support these games?


Where else am I? Sheezy.ArtGeometry Dash


AKA fe3l1ngsk1lled, Skilled, SkilledFeller, SkilledFanBoy... :3

BBS Signature

Response to Controller Mapping for Flash Games! 2025-05-12 14:46:27


At 5/12/25 11:57 AM, TomFulp wrote:
Supporters have the ability to set up their own controller mapping on a per-game basis, in cases where we haven’t set a default or you want to change from the default. We made this a Supporter feature because it’s a niche feature and NG needs more Supporters, however if you have accessibility needs that require this feature, please message me about it.


In my opinion i feel like this implementation, even if niche, feels wrong to lock it to supporters, maybe instead of that make it so supporters can have multiple controller mapping per game, while normal users can only rebind it once.

alternatively make it so they can only keep one custom bind to all flash games for non supporters, can still use it.


i know some flash game can have rebindable controls if flash bash is by any indication (and also using XInput can be used) but not everyone will know that.


just my 2 cents.

Response to Controller Mapping for Flash Games! 2025-05-12 14:46:34


here's one:



iu_1397242_8307814.webp


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Response to Controller Mapping for Flash Games! 2025-05-12 14:47:25


At 5/12/25 02:04 PM, Dungeonation wrote:
At 5/12/25 01:46 PM, deathink wrote:
At 5/12/25 11:57 AM, TomFulp wrote:@PsychoGoldfish just rolled out an exciting new feature for Flash fanatics:

Controller Mapping!
oh, hell yeah!

Punch Out Tom Fulp on controller? 👀


Not sure if this is the ideal mapping, let me know your thoughts:


iu_1397243_1.png



Working on Nightmare Cops!

BBS Signature

Response to Controller Mapping for Flash Games! 2025-05-12 14:48:53


This is worth celebrating!