Button Configuration Question

[DirtyDachshunds]

I finally got my I-Pac and have started configuring my buttons etc. and I ran across a question.

I was planning on configuring my buttons as such:

456
OOO
OOO
123

but I've found most people do the opposite

123
OOO
OOO
456

Why is this?  It seems inconvenient for games that only use one or two buttons since you would have to reach over the bottom buttons to do this, unless they configure things differently in mame.

[EVEGames]

You're absolutely right, DirtyD.  In the 'standard' button layout, with button 1, 2 and 3 on the top row, you are constantly reaching over button 4, 5 and 6 in most games.  I think it's just a natural tendancy to arrange things in that way, the same way we read print (in Western countries) - left to right, top to bottom.  Furthermore, as we can all recall from the days when we used to play MAME on our computer keyboards, the layout was exactly as you are describing it - button 1, 2 and 3 on the bottom row (Ctrl, Alt and Space), and 4, 5 and 6 above.

So go for it man, set it up the way it makes sense to you.  I can't even say that you are causing yourself much extra work with the need to re-map game imputs, because if I recall, the default MAME button mappings for most 5- and 6- button games don't line up with the 'standard' 6-button layout anyway.

-EVEGames

[DirtyDachshunds]

Thanks for the help.

I think I'll stay with the configuration noted above.

[BadMouth]

It's a matter of personal preference.  I prefer 1 in the top left corner. 
In my mind, it's where the first button should be.
My guests instinctively go for that button as well.
(they usually press it to try to select a game too, even though it's not mapped for that)
The top left is where I start reading   

[severdhed]

+1

[DirtyDachshunds]

It's a matter of personal preference.  I prefer 1 in the top left corner. 
In my mind, it's where the first button should be.
My guests instinctively go for that button as well.
(they usually press it to try to select a game too, even though it's not mapped for that)
The top left is where I start reading   

Makes sense.  I instinctively would go for the lower left as button 1.  Maybe I get it from playing console games where the more commonly used buttons are the lowest (aside from triggers).  ie A for a xbox controller or X for playstation

[BadMouth]

Makes sense.  I instinctively would go for the lower left as button 1.  Maybe I get it from playing console games where the more commonly used buttons are the lowest (aside from triggers).  ie A for a xbox controller or X for playstation

Most of my gaming was done before controllers had two rows of buttons  
That may be it!

[DaveMMR]

Try it both ways and go with what feels better.   It's really easy enough to swap wires or reconfigure the settings.

I started out with 1 2 3 on the bottom during testing but both my girlfriend and I felt it was awkward and uncomfortable.   Top-left felt infinitely better.

[severdhed]

having 1,2 and 3 on the top row is also good if you have a panel that isn't very deep. since it gives you more room to rest your hand on the panel.  for instance, my first panel was only 12" deep.  my joystick and top row of buttons were 6 inches back from the front edge, which put the bottom row at 4.5 inches. if i were to use the bottom row as the primary buttons, my palm would hang over the edge of the panel, which is not very comfortable....but by using the top row, i had plenty of room for my hand to rest on the panel.  plus it just seems natural to start at the top left.

[DillonFoulds]

I'm from the "new school" of thought...

i set up...
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8

but on SNES, or NES games i play
x y l r
b a s s (select start)

So the primary buttons for mame are the top row and for console it's the bottom...

Been considering switching primary to bottom, but i'm still undecided...