I had the same problem but decided to patch the source to fix it. I am attaching the patch but since it is in multiverse I wouldn't expect it to get applied soon. I will however also attach the deb I created.
** Attachment added: "snes9express patch for input and joydev changes" http://librarian.launchpad.net/6469598/snes9express_js.patch -- feisty joystick problem https://launchpad.net/bugs/84767 -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs
