4 player control panel - to angle or not to angle?

[Dazz]

I'm re-building my control panel, on my previous control panel I had 4 players and the control panel was flat.  On my re-build I am doing several things differently, but keeping it 4 player since my kids LOVE playing 4 player games with their other friends.  I know that a lot of control panels have an angle to them to make it more comfortable. 

Do 4 player cabinets normally have an angle or are they normally flat?  I'd think that if it were angled then players 3 & 4 wouldn't feel too comfortable. 

[Malenko]

I like the way NBA Jam does it, but I'd line the sticks up a little better so games like Smash TV could be played.  Even if you do angle the edges, dont angle the sticks!

[mwong168]

I'd think that if it were angled then players 3 & 4 wouldn't feel too comfortable.

I will admit on my showcase podium, players #1 and #4 are a bit awkward when playing MK.



But hopefully once I build the other half and put some distance between the podium and screen it will be better.  I sort of had no choice but to put the two outer players at that angle because of the shape of the top but if I were to re-do my control panel I would probably make the angle less and the two outter players more straight like players #2 and #3.  With regards to the angle it does help the wrists a little bit over longer period so I would say make a small angle.  You will notice that most original arcade panels are angled as well.

[Dizzle]

You’re talking about the slope of the panel, right?  My four player panel lays flat.  I was thinking a slope would be awkward for players 3 and 4 too.  It also sits slightly higher then a normal panel so I think that helps a little.

Regarding angling the sticks, I can’t figure out what the big debate is about for the life of me.  It’s just never been an issue for me or anyone else who’s played on the 4 player panel, but I guess some people have a hard time with it.

[Malenko]

maybe I misread the question, do you putting the controls on a slope; or do you mean putting players 1 and 4 at an angled compared to players 2 and 3

[Dazz]

I'm talking about the actual slope of the control panel.  Not the angle of the joysticks.  My kids gave me the input the angle of the joysticks.

[Malenko]

oh, yeah, a slope is more comfy and helps with fatigue. I think my KI2 panel might be sloped a little too much or Im just too tall for it.

[Dazz]

oh, yeah, a slope is more comfy and helps with fatigue. I think my KI2 panel might be sloped a little too much or Im just too tall for it.

But, what about for players 3 & 4?  It seems that it wouldn't be too comfortable for them.  My kids play more 4 player games than anything on my cab, so I really do need to accommodate all 4 players nicely.

Regarding the comment about using the other joys for dual joystick games... One of the reasons for my control panel re-build was to remove my pinball controls since those are going into my pincab build that I'm working on.  Also, I'm adding dual joys for player 1 & 2 using U360's as primary and mechanical rotary joysticks as secondary.  I've missed out on playing some Ikari Warriors for too long and decided it was time to do something about it.

[arzoo]

My 4-player cp has a slight slope and nobody has ever complained when using P3 and P4. It might be more of an issue if the P3 and P4 sticks did not have "Up" pointing toward the screen, but even then I don't think the slope would be a problem.

[Arcades R Fun]

My vote is for a slight angle. Our panels slope downward about 3/4" for the 4 player bases.
Jack