Hacking Sparky Konga - An open-source DK Bongos Library

[Supersparkplug]

Hi there.

Not sure if this is the right section due to there not being a Gamecube Hacking section, but this seems like the closest thing and I guess the mods can feel free to move the topic. Sorry if there's a problem with that.

Ever since mid-December 2012, I've been developing a project I call Sparky Konga to provide an open-source method to hacking the famed DK Bongo Controllers from Donkey Konga. Surprisingly enough, there doesn't seem to be ANY public open source libraries available online for the bongos (The closest thing I got was a dead website), so I'm making one. Currently, it's almost done. It will feature resource files in Pure Data (PD), Processing, OSCulator, and Unity3D for anyone to edit, use, and expand upon however they like. I have a video showing my progress as of 2 weeks ago. As of now I've improved the Unity version by adding small flashes of light originating within the cubes for each particle burst, alternate rock drum kit sounds triggered on and off by the Start button, and an experimental function that makes the Bongos slightly less likely to hear itself, which I'll be improving upon before release.



Let me know what you think. Sparky Konga V1 is tentatively slated to be released in May or June.

 

[Chary]

Hey, this is pretty cool. Good luck with your project.

 

[duffmmann]

Could this eventually be used to make Donkey Kong Barrel Blast playable with the DK bongos like it was originally meant to be? I know its a wii game, but wii games can use GC controllers, so I don't see why this wouldn't be possible in theory.

 

[Supersparkplug]

Could this eventually be used to make Donkey Kong Barrel Blast playable with the DK bongos like it was originally meant to be? I know its a wii game, but wii games can use GC controllers, so I don't see why this wouldn't be possible in theory.

I guess it's possible. I don't really know anything about that, nor have I ever played Barrel Blast since I heard the lack of intended Bongo Controllers made it terrible. Still, anybody's welcome to try, which is kind of the point. I WANT people to use Sparky Konga after I release it so it can be in the hands of all the hackers and modders who want to do such things. If somebody wants to make their own project or add Bongo functionality to DK Barrel Blast, then freaking go for it. I'd LOVE to see people create projects with the bongos!

 

[duffmmann]

I guess it's possible. I don't really know anything about that, nor have I ever played Barrel Blast since I heard the lack of intended Bongo Controllers made it terrible. Still, anybody's welcome to try, which is kind of the point. I WANT people to use Sparky Konga after I release it. If somebody wants to make their own project or add Bongo functionality to DK Barrel Blast, then freaking go for it. I'd LOVE to see people create projects with the bongos!

It seems like it should be the first thing anyone tries with what you're doing here (aside from a proof of concept or whatever). I'd do it myself, but I know nothing about programming. Anyway, you're right the game kinda sucks, however if you play it, you can see the promise that was always there should they have used the controls it was intended for. I assume they didn't use the bongo controllers because they didn't sell a ton of them. I, however, have two pairs of them, so I'd love to see the feature added to the game. And I know ocarina codes have before been used to give wii games different (unintended) controls/controllers.