Do you prefer a CP that fits between the sides of the cab, or one that's wider?

[eds1275]

Picture #1

Picture #2


The reason I ask is mainly for my own selfish purposes. I am done planning my machine with the control panel put between the sides of the cab - which would make it 28 3/4" across. I would hate to extend it further, but it seems a tad bit cramped with two joysticks [7 button layout] and a trackball [3", but maybe I'll go with a 2 1/4]. Is this too narrow to include the trackball?

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

My build is not yet complete, but my CP includes two 7 button layouts and a 3" trackball squeezed into 24.5":


In testing two people were a little tight side by side, but it worked. I've whacked the trackball a good bit and it didn't feel too cramped.

[BadMouth]

I prefer CPs that overhang slightly, maybe 1 or 2 inches on each side.
(like old Mortal Kombat cabs)

That doesn't really look like either of the pics above, so I didn't vote.

[BadMouth]

The reason I ask is mainly for my own selfish purposes. I am done planning my machine with the control panel put between the sides of the cab - which would make it 28 3/4" across. I would hate to extend it further, but it seems a tad bit cramped with two joysticks [7 button layout] and a trackball [3", but maybe I'll go with a 2 1/4]. Is this too narrow to include the trackball?

That's the same width as the x arcade tankstick (w/trackball) and it's fine with 2 players.
I would keep the sides of the cabinet open around the control panel though so it doesn't feel enclosed.

[severdhed]

i think it really depends on the cabinet and how many controls you are trying to fit in there.  i find that the 24" panel is a little too tight for two adults.  on my 2 player cabinet, i made my panel 30" wide and it was pretty comfortable for two adults.  (2 sticks, 6 buttons each and a trackball in the middle).  i have since redone that cabinet and set it up for classics with only a 4way, trackball and 3buttons, but i kept the panel at 30" so i didn't have to build a new box. 

so, i say, 24" is plenty wide enough for a single player at a time, however it is too tight for two adults (unless you are both really skinny...which is not the case for me)

my 4 player panel is 45" wide, which is kinda pushing it for comfort.

[Marsupial]

is it really useful to have 7 buttons?

[eds1275]

7 buttons is a must for me, I am a huge mortal kombat and street fighter fan. Having a "run" buttons in the bottom left corner also makes it useful for neo geo games, and it leaves the 6 other buttons street fighter ready. I love it. And of course golden tee is a favourite of mine! Especially golden tee and beer! So the trackball. My fiance is suggesting I put a spinner in front - I haven't seen it done but there has been plenty of discussion about it, doesn't seem like it would be a bad idea at all.

I did not know that about the x-arcade tankstick width. That makes me feel a little better about it.

[EVEGames]

My control panel is only 24" wide and I have a 2-player 6-button layout and a 3" trackball.  You may be elbow-to-elbow at times, but it's not uncomfortable.

-EVEGames

[mrtuesday42]

i use the arcade size and i really enjoy it. been playing 2 player schmups no problem. im a tall guy and my friend is a big guy and we havent had any issues with crampage. i dont have a trackball tho. i have a neo geo style button layout with 6. the main thing is space around the arcade so you can offset yourself from the cp. just me .02 cents tho.

[Marsupial]

the 7th is overrated.

[BadMouth]

the 7th is overrated.

Crazy talk! 
As stated, gotta have it for MK.
Now the 8th...I can do without the 8th button.

[eds1275]

Both MK and all [or almost all] Neo Geo games are more than enough reason, especially since I only have space for like 1 or 2 cabs.

[UberCade]

the 7th is overrated.

Not for everybody. It's a must for anybody who like me and the folks above like Mortal Kombat 3 and Neo Geo and prefer to have the buttons in the original layout. It's only one extra button and doesn't really take up a lot of CP real estate.

Anyway having an overhanging control panel isn't even a question if you're building a 4-player CP. Mine overhangs by about a foot on each side but it doesn't bother me at all. I tried to make it look as aesthetically pleasing as possible while still being comfortable and functional at the same time. It's really all about personal opinion.

[DaveMMR]

My control panel is only 24" wide and I have a 2-player 6-button layout and a 3" trackball.  You may be elbow-to-elbow at times, but it's not uncomfortable.

-EVEGames

+1

I have a 25" x 10" panel, 2 sticks with 6-buttons each, a trackball and spinner and never had any problem with being cramped, even with two people (I think the original SFII panel was slightly smaller).   The only thing is that it doesn't play Golden Tee too well, but that game was never a priority for me. 

And I'm glad because I've always preferred panels that don't extend beyond the sides.  Just more aesthetically pleasing for me.   That said, I don't mind slight overhang on the newer cabs and have found the width on classic 4-player machines (e.g. Simpsons, NBA Jam, TMNT, etc.) to be acceptable. 

What I find ugly (sorry if I offend anyone here) is when the design over-compensates for space and extra wide panels are used for two-player setups on standard 25-27" monitor cabs. 

[jimmy2x2x]

Personally I wasn't a huge fan of overhanging panels, but had to do so with my conversion.

The original panel was only 21" wide, no way to fit everything I wanted.

So I increased the panel to 29" wide, this gives a 3" overhang either side, very comfortable for all controls and I can play a decent game of golden tee and marble madness on it, overall I'm happy I went this direction.

[Gorotsuki]

Personally, having the control panel fitted between the sides of the cabinet
just looks and feels more authentic.

[Malenko]

I like my MKII, KI, and KI2 cabs, except when I have to move the 400 lbs mofos.

Also, the 7th button is great for the reasons above AND for standard JAMMA games like NBA Jam the ABC of the NeoGeo row are perfect for that (just hafta remap in MAME)