Must-Haves For Cocktails?

[DillonFoulds]

I don't know how many people here have cocktails, but I've been searching for a list of must-have games in a cocktail machine.

My Control Panels are going to be 2 players, each with an 8-way joystick, 4(?) buttons each, and a start button.

Additionally, Player 1 may or may not end up with a spinner. I'm undecided as of yet, pending any worthwhile games.


Here's the list of games I've got so far (rom names, only, sorry!)

1941.zip
1942.zip
1943.zip
88games.zip
bombjack.zip
btoads.zip
bublbobl.zip
centiped.zip
congo.zip
crush.zip
digdug.zip
dkong.zip
dkong3.zip
dkongjr.zip
frogger.zip
galaga.zip
galaxian.zip
gaunt2.zip
gaunt22p.zip
gauntlet.zip
gauntlet2p.zip
gunsmoke.zip
gyruss.zip
hyperspt.zip
hyprolym.zip
joust.zip
jrpacman.zip
jumping.zip
ladybug.zip
mappy.zip
milliped.zip
mrdo.zip
mrdrillr.zip
mrdrilr2.zip
mslug.zip
mslug2.zip
mslug3.zip
mslug4.zip
mslug5.zip
mslugx.zip
mspacman.zip
mspacpls.zip
pacman.zip
pacmania.zip
pacplus.zip
pengo.zip
phoenix.zip
pleiads.zip
pooyan.zip
puckman.zip
simpsons.zip
tankbatt.zip
timeplt.zip
tmnt.zip
tmnt2.zip
trackfld.zip
xevious.zip

See anything I'm missing? I took a few liberties on a couple games, just because they're games I know I've had fun with in the past. I am trying to stick with vertical/cocktail orientations, but there are a few extras in there (Simpsons, TMNT, etc.) that I've yet to play on a vertical screen. I'm doubting they'll make the final cut, but who knows? They're not classics by any stretch of the imagination!

Edit: I should note, I'm really going for say... the top 100 must haves, rather than having all 8000+ roms to dig through.

[wweumina]

Metal Slug games on a vertical screen?

If you want to play tmnt, metal slug etc you may want a 3rd side to your machine.

Also, most of those games would benefit from a 4 way stick. PAC-Man and Donkey Kong are no fun in 8-way.

If you stick with 8-ways, WindJammers is fun with the controls rotated.

[Ginsu Victim]

there are a few extras in there (Simpsons, TMNT, etc.)
They're not classics by any stretch of the imagination!

They're not? Sure, they're not class of '81 or anything, but they're classics alright.

[zafdor]

Amazing maze - Ancient, but fun with 2 people simultaneous.  Remember to tweak the joystick controls for player 2.

There is a version of Space invaders where 2 people play at once on a cocktail, I forget the ROM name.

Comment about the 8 way joystick.  I have an 8 way and set the default MAME controls to null the 4 corners, for games that use the 8 way, change the game specific settings to use them.

[SlayerAlex]

ihow u gunna play games like 1941 or metal slug on a coctail? 2 players on the same side i assume? othewise 1 player plays upsidedown?

[Sjaak]

ihow u gunna play games like 1941 or metal slug on a coctail? 2 players on the same side i assume? othewise 1 player plays upsidedown?

Using the cocktail mode in Mame. This will show the game both up side down and right side up. I'll try and find a screenshot

[DillonFoulds]

If you want to play tmnt, metal slug etc you may want a 3rd side to your machine.

Nope, No third sides! I may leave the games in and if people really wanna play them, they can. I simply made a list of vertical/cocktail games that get the most play on my upright, and added a few that were horizontal that still got tons of play.

Also, most of those games would benefit from a 4 way stick. PAC-Man and Donkey Kong are no fun in 8-way.

I'm still debating sticking with 8-ways, or just going for a 4-way dedicated joystick. I've heard of software solutions, with varying degrees of success. I'll likely end up ordering some Sanwas for this cocktail in the end, but these 8-ways will get me going for now.

If you stick with 8-ways, WindJammers is fun with the controls rotated.

I'll add that one into my set, thanks!

They're not? Sure, they're not class of '81 or anything, but they're classics alright.

Yup, like i said, these are just vertical games that get a decent amount of play on my upright, with a few horizontals thrown in.

Amazing maze - Ancient, but fun with 2 people simultaneous.  Remember to tweak the joystick controls for player 2.

Added as well, thanks!

There is a version of Space invaders where 2 people play at once on a cocktail, I forget the ROM name.

I'll dig around for this one, let me know if you find it first!

Comment about the 8 way joystick.  I have an 8 way and set the default MAME controls to null the 4 corners, for games that use the 8 way, change the game specific settings to use them.

Yeah, like I said, i've seen a few software fixes floating around, I'll have to experiment, but this way sounds too easy to work right

How, sir, are you expecting to play games like 1941 or metal slug on a cocktail? 2 players on the same side I assume? Otherwise 1 player plays upside-down?

For 1941, one will be upside down. For 1942, it rotates between players, IIRC.

Using the cocktail mode in Mame. This will show the game both up side down and right side up. I'll try and find a screenshot

There's also a funky tetris version for cocktails that does this. I should see if I can track that game down as well...

[Ginsu Victim]

They're not? Sure, they're not class of '81 or anything, but they're classics alright.

Yup, like i said, these are just vertical games that get a decent amount of play on my upright, with a few horizontals thrown in.

I thought you were saying that TMNT and The Simpsons weren't classics, and I was saying they were.

[javeryh]

Lady Killer - it's awesome but it's not for kids.  I really wish someone would release a clean version of this game - the gameplay is GREAT.

[Ginsu Victim]

Lady Killer - it's awesome but it's not for kids.  I really wish someone would release a clean version of this game - the gameplay is GREAT.

Agreed. I'd love to be able to play it without my wife giving me funny looks.

[VespaGuy]

There are several horizontal games that play very well vertically in a cocktail cabinet.  In other words, don't rotate the game or put it in cocktail mode, just leave it in it's regular orientation and it'll play full screen head-to-head.  Two examples would be Hat Trick and Demolition Derby.

[Sjaak]

ihow u gunna play games like 1941 or metal slug on a coctail? 2 players on the same side i assume? othewise 1 player plays upsidedown?

Using the cocktail mode in Mame. This will show the game both up side down and right side up. I'll try and find a screenshot

Picture of a horizontal game playing in Mame cocktail mode.

[NOP]

There are several horizontal games that play very well vertically in a cocktail cabinet.  In other words, don't rotate the game or put it in cocktail mode, just leave it in it's regular orientation and it'll play full screen head-to-head.  Two examples would be Hat Trick and Demolition Derby.

Wizard of wor and even guantlet!  While not perfect for P2 who has a hard time inserting credits for extra life, after adjusting the controls to be rotated properly, gauntlet is totally playable.

For what it's worth, 4 buttons per player for vertical games is pretty useless.  there are very few if any 4 button verts that are also cocktail.  3 is nice since you can then put tutankamen on it.

[DillonFoulds]

Yup, NOP. Notice I've got gauntlet in that set already? I went with the 2p options, as I'm leaving the side off.

[mytymaus007]

i would just build a 3rd side so you can have a trackball, Spinner, 8 way sticks and centered 4 way stick on the vertical sides. Ever play pacman when the stick is off the left not fun at all. With a horizontal 3rd side it will make having a Cocktail table worth it. other wise it sounds very unperfect and sloppy.

[spauldingd]

Rally X?  I don't know if I've ever seen a cocktail version or not, but I think it would work well.

Dave in Des Moines