tl;dr - what basic software and hardware would I need to practice with savestates?

Hi all-

I'm new to the site and just discovering the Speedrun community. I had a lot of fun for a few months back in 2008 speedrunning through Super Mario Bros. on the Wii Virtual Console.

My interest is renewed, and I want to practice from some savestates that I've been reading about.

My question: what's a basic setup for practice? My guess is PC, fceux emulator, an SMB rom (that I saw a sticky thread for), and an nes controller that would go into the PC.

Is that accurate? Are there other items?

Also, any recommendations on an NES controller for the PC?

Thanks in advance.

Yeah, emulator is the easiest and cheapest way to use savestates. But if you don't want to use emu, then buy an expensive everdrive or powerpak. And get put a rom onto the cart.

Thanks, emu was my thinking on how to get started too.

Anyone have a rec on an NES controller to use with an emulator?

A USB controller. You can find them on Amazon or Ebay.

Actually A better recommendation Is to buy an Original Nes Controller And Buy A USB adapter with it

Alot of usb nes controllers like the dogbone style one i have are really bad and made cheaply especially with the d pads

And there's me, playing with a xbox 360 controller LUL

I would recommend an 8bitdo classic style controller, I have an sn30

You can also use a keyboard like me and Tecate do, I would say a controller is a preference thing that can make it feel a little more like the real thing.