Control Panel Buttons

[DirtyDachshunds]

Hey all
While still in the preparation stages of my scratch build.  I am trying to determine all of the buttons I will need.

My cabinet will handle 4 players and will be able to play MAME and most major consoles (NES, SNES, Sega, Dreamcast, Playstation).  My cabinet will also have a 1 trackball and 1 spinner.

Here are the buttons I know I need.  Let me know if I am missing any.

6 game buttons X 4 players = 24 game buttons
1 player button X 4 players = 4 player buttons
1 coin button X 4 players = 4 coin buttons
4 buttons for pinball
1 pause button
1 exit button
2 spinner buttons
3 mouse/trackball buttons
1 load button
1 save button
= 45 buttons in total

Am I missing any?

Cheers 

[Smeghead]

you dont need:

1 coin button X 4 players = 4 coin buttons
1 pause button
1 exit button
1 load button
1 save button

The I-Pac can do that with shift keys/macros e.g hold down p1+p1a = insert coin

[Ginsu Victim]

you dont need:

1 coin button X 4 players = 4 coin buttons
1 pause button
1 exit button
1 load button
1 save button

The I-Pac can do that with shift keys/macros e.g hold down p1+p1a = insert coin

With a four player panel, I don't see why not.

I used shifted functions at first for exit and pause, but quickly gave them their own buttons.

[DirtyDachshunds]

you dont need:

1 coin button X 4 players = 4 coin buttons
1 pause button
1 exit button
1 load button
1 save button

The I-Pac can do that with shift keys/macros e.g hold down p1+p1a = insert coin

Perfect.  So I'll add a shift button and remove the rest of those buttons.  Are these macros already in the I-Pac by default or will I need to configure them myself?

[Smeghead]

Read up on it at ultimarc.com

the player one button acts as the shift button giving second functions to all the others

Like joystick left is joystick left
but Player1 button + joystick left = enter

and yes there are many defaults + its all reprogrammable if you get the one thats re programmable

[DirtyDachshunds]

you dont need:

1 coin button X 4 players = 4 coin buttons
1 pause button
1 exit button
1 load button
1 save button

The I-Pac can do that with shift keys/macros e.g hold down p1+p1a = insert coin

With a four player panel, I don't see why not.

I used shifted functions at first for exit and pause, but quickly gave them their own buttons.

I like the idea of having pause and exit having their own buttons, but I think I will take out the coin, save, and load buttons for a cleaner look on the board.

Are there any other buttons that I may be missing?

[Ginsu Victim]

When guests come over to play your cabinet, it's best that they have their own coin button. You don't want to explain to them how to shift it (what, is player four going to reach across everyone to press player one's start button, hold it, and hit theirs to get a coin while everyone is playing?), and you definitely don't want to make an instruction card because guess what? No one will read it.

As for load / save, you could always hide them under the overhang of the control panel.

[Smeghead]

Or wire up the coin slot, theres a connection for it on the Ipac

[DirtyDachshunds]

When guests come over to play your cabinet, it's best that they have their own coin button. You don't want to explain to them how to shift it (what, is player four going to reach across everyone to press player one's start button, hold it, and hit theirs to get a coin while everyone is playing?), and you definitely don't want to make an instruction card because guess what? No one will read it.

As for load / save, you could always hide them under the overhang of the control panel.

I assumed the player 4 coin macro would be configured so that he has to hold player 4 start button.  And if that isn't the default configuration, shouldn't I be able to configure it to be?
I ask because I would like to install a coin door for each player that will serve as the coin button for authenticity...but, still being in the planning phase I may just use a coin door sticker.

And I do like the idea of having a load and save button hidden.  If I do decide on coin buttons, I'll probably hide those as well.

I was also thinking of taking 3 buttons away from player 3 and player 4...I can't think of any games that utilize them

[Ginsu Victim]

I assumed the player 4 coin macro would be configured so that he has to hold player 4 start button.  

You assign a button as the SHIFT (hold the shifted button, then press another button for the shifted function), which defaults to Player One Start. You can change this to any button you want, but if Player Four start is the shift, then all players would have to reach over to P4 start for any shifted functions.

[DirtyDachshunds]

I assumed the player 4 coin macro would be configured so that he has to hold player 4 start button.  

You assign a button as the SHIFT, which defaults to Player One Start. You can change this to any button you want, but if Player Four start is the shift, then all players would have to reach over to P4 start for any shifted functions.

Yea, that won't work.  I think I'm going to keep the coin buttons under the panel overhang.

Thanks for all of the help.  Cheers bud. 

[Ginsu Victim]

Just as long as you keep the other functions you wish to hide under there far away. Nothing better than being in the middle of a game with four people playing and one wrong button screws it all up (another reason to avoid shifted functions, especially shifted exit!)

[Trap]

I really think it's a good idea to have individual buttons for credits, quit and pause.  Anything that a guest will likely never use can be either shifted or have hidden buttons.

[DirtyDachshunds]

Just as long as you keep the other functions you wish to hide under there far away. Nothing better than being in the middle of a game with four people playing and one wrong button screws it all up (another reason to avoid shifted functions, especially shifted exit!)

I don't think I'll need any shifted operations now.  I just hope the Ipac4 can hold all these inputs.  Although I think I am getting 2 Ultrasticks which have inputs on their boards as well.

Actually, let me see what you think about the rest of my control setup
P1 and P2 get ultrastick 360s
P3 and P4 get either happ competition or sanwa sticks (haven't decided)
buttons will probably be standard microswitch (although maybe micro-leaf if they are really worth the upgrade...ive never used them)
3" happ trackball
spintrack spinner

[Ginsu Victim]

Sanwa JLW's will match your 360s perfectly (same stick!)
Microswitches will be fine (and will keep the cost down)

With two U360s, you might be able to use an Ipac-2 instead of a 4.

[DirtyDachshunds]

I really think it's a good idea to have individual buttons for credits, quit and pause.  Anything that a guest will likely never use can be either shifted or have hidden buttons.

That might be button overload for my taste.  I would like for the panel to be as uncluttered as possible.  I think I will have individual credits, but only 1 pause and exit button, most likely in the upper middle of the board

[Ginsu Victim]

Advice on exit button:
Different color than other buttons (and clearly labeled!), out of the way, and stretch the spring so it's harder to press accidentally.

[kronic24601]

I just made the Play and Pause button the same.

So in my front end (Hyperspin) Play enters the game ... then in game play pauses or unpauses the game.

[Trap]

[/quote]

That might be button overload for my taste.  I would like for the panel to be as uncluttered as possible.  I think I will have individual credits, but only 1 pause and exit button, most likely in the upper middle of the board
[/quote]

Yeah, that's what a meant, not that each player should have a exit and pause button but that they should be in the open.

[DirtyDachshunds]

Advice on exit button:
Different color than other buttons (and clearly labeled!), out of the way, and stretch the spring so it's harder to press accidentally.

That's a good idea.

I was looking at your Marquee store, and I like a lot of your options.  Do you have/sell side and control board art that go with some of the marquees?  I'm still undecided on my art direction.

[Ginsu Victim]

I just made the Play and Pause button the same.

Mine is just player 1 button 1 or player 1 start. Either works. Pause is next to start and doubles as select in console emus.

[Ginsu Victim]

I was looking at your Marquee store, and I like a lot of your options.  Do you have/sell side and control board art that go with some of the marquees?  I'm still undecided on my art direction.

It's not my store, just an affiliate ad, but I can tell you that Emdkay does not print large enough to do a 4-player panel. Check out http://www.gameongrafix.com where you can get everything printed.

[DirtyDachshunds]

I was looking at your Marquee store, and I like a lot of your options.  Do you have/sell side and control board art that go with some of the marquees?  I'm still undecided on my art direction.

It's not my store, just an affiliate ad, but I can tell you that Emdkay does not print large enough to do a 4-player panel. Check out http://www.gameongrafix.com where you can get everything printed.

They have some good stuff on there as well.  I also might try to hone my photoshop skills to see if I can make something completely my own.

[Ginsu Victim]

Any questions we didn't answer?

[DirtyDachshunds]

No I think you got them all.  I just wanted to make sure I have enough inputs for all the MAME games and emulators

Oh, I was thinking about taking 3 inputs away from Players 3 and 4 because I can't think of any games when they will need all 6 buttons.  Can you think of any games where players 3 and 4 use more than 3 buttons?

[Ginsu Victim]

4-buttons
Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom
Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow Over Mystara

I don't know if you saw my edit earlier about getting away with using an Ipac2 instead of Ipac4, since you have two U360s.

[CheffoJeffo]

When guests come over to play your cabinet, it's best that they have their own coin button. You don't want to explain to them how to shift it (what, is player four going to reach across everyone to press player one's start button, hold it, and hit theirs to get a coin while everyone is playing?), and you definitely don't want to make an instruction card because guess what? No one will read it.

A HUGE +1 to this -- having four people trying to Shift to coinup while game play is going on will result in mayhem.

[DirtyDachshunds]

Yea I think the Ipac2 will work, but I was still thinking about getting the Ipac4 just for the extra inputs if I ever want to add anything in the future.

Also, for my display, I got a 27" CRT TV that has component and S-video inputs.  I didn't know if there was an advantage of using one over the other.  I still have to get an adapter since my video card (GeForce 8800 GT) outputs are DVI.

[Ginsu Victim]

Also, for my display, I got a 27" CRT TV that has component and S-video inputs.  I didn't know if there was an advantage of using one over the other.  I still have to get an adapter since my video card (GeForce 8800 GT) outputs are DVI.

Component (you DO mean component, right, and not composite?) is WAY better than S-video.

[DirtyDachshunds]

Also, for my display, I got a 27" CRT TV that has component and S-video inputs.  I didn't know if there was an advantage of using one over the other.  I still have to get an adapter since my video card (GeForce 8800 GT) outputs are DVI.

Component (you DO mean component, right, and not composite?) is WAY better than S-video.

Yea it has component...as well as composite

Thanks, you've been a big help...construction should start in a few short weeks!

[Marsupial]

When guests come over to play your cabinet, it's best that they have their own coin button. You don't want to explain to them how to shift it (what, is player four going to reach across everyone to press player one's start button, hold it, and hit theirs to get a coin while everyone is playing?), and you definitely don't want to make an instruction card because guess what? No one will read it.

As for load / save, you could always hide them under the overhang of the control panel.

I assumed the player 4 coin macro would be configured so that he has to hold player 4 start button.  And if that isn't the default configuration, shouldn't I be able to configure it to be?
I ask because I would like to install a coin door for each player that will serve as the coin button for authenticity...but, still being in the planning phase I may just use a coin door sticker.

And I do like the idea of having a load and save button hidden.  If I do decide on coin buttons, I'll probably hide those as well.

I was also thinking of taking 3 buttons away from player 3 and player 4...I can't think of any games that utilize them

I too am new to cab-building, so had those questions very recently...

when planning a 4-player cab (I reduced to 2 after I got my actual donner cab) I was thinking of 4-buttons for p3 and p4. you can look at MAWS for that kind of details, but 4-player is already rare, with 6-buttons is even rarer.

http://maws.mameworld.info/maws/



As for coin door, I think you should. Those are fun.
I acquired a coin door (if you go 4-player, you might want 2 coin doors, as the one 4-player coin door is pricey) and altered the coin acceptors to accept anything bigger then a quarter.

I also bought 500+ japanese coins on ebay.

I believe part of the arcade experience is to reach down your pocket for those extra coins and put them in when ready to play or add lives. (just sayin')

[Ginsu Victim]

He can probably get away with three buttons each on those players if he really wants to, but I don't see the harm in four each, since he'll have plenty of inputs.

[DirtyDachshunds]

He can probably get away with three buttons each on those players if he really wants to, but I don't see the harm in four each, since he'll have plenty of inputs.

Yea, I want to be able to fully play as many games as I can, so I'll use at least 4 buttons for P3 and P4.  I am wondering if there are playstation or dreamcast games that use 6 buttons for P3 and P4

[Ginsu Victim]

None that I can think of, other than wrestling games, but those aren't very playable on an arcade cab.

[Marsupial]

there's more chance on the PS and dreamcast then in arcades games.

Look on maws, there's like 1 game with 4 simultaneous players 6 buttons, and 1 or 2 with 4-players-simultaneous, 5 buttons.

there's quite a few 4-p-s-4-b however...

Of course, the same argument could be made with two spinners or whatnot. Its always a question of choices...

[DirtyDachshunds]

there's more chance on the PS and dreamcast then in arcades games.

Look on maws, there's like 1 game with 4 simultaneous players 6 buttons, and 1 or 2 with 4-players-simultaneous, 5 buttons.

there's quite a few 4-p-s-4-b however...

Of course, the same argument could be made with two spinners or whatnot. Its always a question of choices...

Wow, great site.  This will help me weed out the crap dumps as well.

And the noob in me wants to knows what 4-p-s-4-b is

[Ginsu Victim]

And the noob in me wants to knows what 4-p-s-4-b is

From looking at his post, it looks like "4 player simultaneous 4 button"

[DeLuSioNal29]

I like the idea of having pause and exit having their own buttons

Are there any other buttons that I may be missing?

I have a quad panel, and I have 2 pause buttons (both wired to the letter P) on either side of the panel.  That way any player can easily access it.  They won't have to reach over.

D

[Marsupial]

And the noob in me wants to knows what 4-p-s-4-b is

From looking at his post, it looks like "4 player simultaneous 4 button"

What he said.

I figured it was pointless to repeat the same word sequence over and over again.

my bad.

[DirtyDachshunds]

Is there an easy/convenient way to combine the 2 spinner buttons with the 3 trackball buttons/mouse buttons?

is there really a need to separate these buttons?