Replace X-Arcade with 4-player custom CP

[rjpe]

Hi Guys,

I'm still planning my custom control panel, that will replace the tankstick.
Since we are 4 in the family, I'm going with a 4 players layout.

I'm only using the cabinet for mame, ZiNC, Daphne and Visual Pinball, so I only need 6 buttons for P1 and P4, and 4 buttons for P3 and P4.
I need a trackball, a spinner, a dedicated 4-way with 3 buttons and pinball buttons.

After googling a few times, I found the attached layout - maybe the best layout I've ever seen for mame!

I'm changing a few things, like removing the 7th button of P1 and P2 (I'll go with the Capcom 6 button layout), and add coin buttons.

Does anyone has this template, more viewable and with all the dimensions?

Thanks in advance.

[Donkbaca]

Questions:

Do you often have 4 players around to take advantage of a 4 player layout?  I considered a 4 player layout, but after reading posts here, it seems a good percentage of those that have 4p layouts kinda regret it.

Re 7 buttons:  I like the 7 button layout because I am a big NEO GEO fan and like having 7 buttons so that 4 are in a row like the old neo-geo layout.  It is also handy as the "run" button for MK3

[rjpe]

Friends and neighbours come often to play, namely my son's friends. My daughter already wants to join 
Me+Wife+Son+Daughter = 4 players

Regarding the NEOGEO layout, you're right, it is still not closed, I'll decide later if I add that extra button.

Thanks for the feedback

[Donkbaca]

My other concern is having the 4 way and the buttons right on top of the trackball like that, it could get in the way for games where you spin the ball like golden tee an the bowling games.  High probability of stubbing fingers on the controls

[rjpe]

Good point! I'll take that in consideration (more depth).

[Donkbaca]

Maybe move the 4 way over above the P1 controls and the spinner above the P2 controls, then have nothing in front of the trackball?

[rjpe]

Donkbaca,

Thanks for the replies.
I think that it will be better stucked in the middle... the cabinets that used the 4-way usually did (pacman, my first arcade game!).

[rjpe]

Well... I found this in the cp main thread.
It looks very nice, and it solves the trackball obstacles problem! 

Is the flight stick worth it? Are the two buttons on the left the best option for this games?
I remember playing Afterburner on the ZX Spectrum, but that was it...

Other option is having two 4-way... Mario Bros is one I remember that fits this configuration.

What do you think? 2x4-way? 1x4-way + 1 flight stick?

Thanks in advance!