QEMU USB Gamepad Demo with Grand Prix 4 (2002)
7The circle has been completed -- Game controllers support is coming to QEMU, in a platform agnostic implementation that works across Linux, Windows and macOS, without ever requiring root privilege. While QEMU on Linux can always do host USB device pass-through with libusb, it does require a one-time modification, with privilege escalation, to udev rules for enabling user-mode access to specific or class of USB devices. Windows & macOS have never been so fortunate that libusb/UsbDk solutions are unreliable outside of Linux.
QEMU USB Gamepad let SDL2 backend deal with the host joysticks/game controllers and the implementation takes care of USB HID-compliant Gamepad device model on the guest side, taking advantages of QEMU existing USB HID framework that supports USB keyboard, mouse and tablet devices. The result is the event-driven, near real-time input latency USB Gamepad that works on any Guest OSes that support USB HID device class. That includes legacy Windows 95C/98/98SE/ME/2K/XP and all modern Windows & Linux VMs. Such implementation is far superior to any existing poll-based PC game port emulation in DOSBox/PCem/86Box, especially on modern OSes other than DOS. While "the other camp" has always been struggling at running demanding post-2000 games, the poll-based PC game port would further strain the usefulness of such emulation for playing games. Grand Prix 4 is a good example, even QEMU WHPX on Ryzen 5 2500U would struggle to barely hit 25 FPS, but QEMU USB Gamepad remained responsive to steering, accelerating & braking maneuvers.
QEMU featuring qemu-3dfx delivers the best retro gaming VMs based on legacy Win98/XP with CPU virtualization, GPU acceleration and now the Gamepad emulation that really FUN to use for Windows Games. VMware/VirtualBox would never have Game controller support as gaming has never been a focus there. VMware can probably do host USB device pass-through. The only VM solution that somewhat support gaming is Parallel Desktop and, YES, Parallel Desktop has Game controller support for Windows VMs. For those don't mind with $99/year subscription to play Windows games with 32GB/8TB M1 Max MacBook Pro, they could always have the same retro gaming funs on Windows 11 ARM64...🤣...🤣 As for "the other camp", none of them have yet to offer any meaningful USB support. The QEMU advantages simply outshine the "Old 90's PC" mindset.
The new QEMU USB Gamepad addition is so good that it is believed that all who supported & donated to qemu-3dfx, past & present, on any platforms of choice, should have it. It would be a **FREE UPGRADE** offer upon request. It is a token of appreciation for all that supported & donated to qemu-3dfx and Game Preservation!!