Not sure if I understand what you are suggesting.. But when analog control is introduced, it will have somewhat flexible configuration. It would certainly be possible to add a configuration setting to map DPAD to be PS1 circle/square/etc buttons, leaving A/B/X/Y to control the right analog stick (with 8 total directions of movement). But will that give the necessary accuracy to play the game? Some forum posts I found via Google search seem to suggest that is not the case.
I've never played the game myself, but looking at videos and reading FAQ, it seems right stick is used to swing your gadgets in a direction. Maybe it would be possible to come up with g-sensor algorithm to allow this eventually? Like, a quick flick of GCW in a specific direction to swing your in-game gadget? What do you think?
Wow, that's great that you are open to potentially writing an algorithm to test it as a beta-release one day. That's actually fantastic news. I mean, I'm not a programmer in the least but its these kinds of things I think about that now the GCW ZERO will be back on the market soon, etc.
I actually just read earlier this morning that multiple games utitlize the right analog in certain ways besides APE ESCAPE... i've read that Gran Turismo 2 uses it, Megaman Legends 2, etc... so, I mean, it would definitely be worthwhile to consider adding/writing an algorithm one day to test how GCW ZERO owners respond to it.
Personally, I remember beating APE ESCAPE in its entirety when I was younger. I recall the game utilizing BOTH analogs simultaneously to perform actions in the blink of an eye, etc... heat of the moment thing when attempting to capture the apes in the levels. As a previous user of the GCW ZERO, I for one would be thrilled for customers to be able to SOMEHOW use the right analog through the clockwise/counter-clockwise motion of the ABXY buttons as a setting with the emu of PCSX4ALL, etc.
I would only, as a gamer & supporter of the community, be thrilled if you could look into it one day. I can almost be certain, as a gamer, that constantly, in circular motion on & around the ABXY buttons... that input for eight directions could be made. Even though its not a circular nub as the left one is on the ZERO, I'm sure that this backup solution COULD, in theory, work.
Maybe just beta-release an opk version of the emu with that in settings, see how users respond... that's my 2 cents.