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Defender/Stargate
leapinlew:
--- Quote from: LeedsFan on May 12, 2011, 02:06:21 am ---I built my Defender bartop panel using "original" parts. Repro 2-way leaf joystick with Sanwa 24mm buttons. Plays great! But I still suck :-\
I am also in the process of building a second panel with Wico sticks for Robotron and Smash TV. I have still never played either of those games with original Wicos so I am very looking forward to trying those out. :laugh:
I did consider a multi Williams panel to cover all the games at once but I just did not want to compromise with the Defender joystick not being set low down.
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Did you forget the reverse button at first?
Cynicaster:
I played Defender on MAME for the first time a few weeks ago when it was included in a high score tournament over at AtariAge, and I had no idea how to set up the controls because I have never had the pleasure of playing the game on an original cabinet. So, what I did was simply map the buttons on my MAME cabinet to a setup that felt “logical” to me. The 5 buttons was extremely confusing at first but once you feel yourself starting to get the hang of it, it’s actually a rewarding experience.
After reading this thread, I looked up the actual Defender CP layout and, predictably, what I had done was not even close. But, last night I switched the controls to match the correct layout as closely as possible and I think it actually works. I have a 2-player CP with 6 buttons each (arranged in two rows of 3 in an “arc” to account for the fact that your index finger is shorter). So, I was able to use the top row player 2 buttons for smart-bomb, thrust, and fire. For reverse, I used the left-most button in the bottom row on the player 1 side. It’s actually close enough that if I grab the joystick like a gear shifter, I can comfortably hit the button with my thumb. I don’t have a button anywhere near where the hyperspace button should be, so I just used the first button in the second row on the player 2 side. I’m not good enough at the game to make use of hyperspace anyway.
Of course, I had to completely re-learn how to play the game (not that I was any good at it to begin with) but I must say this control layout is very cool and fun to use. Coincidentally, also last night, my sister told me she saw a Defender cabinet in the lobby of a local movie theater so I might just have to make a dedicated trip out there to try my hand at it. :D
scofthe7seas:
When using the original controls as intended, it reminds me of learning to drive for the first time :-\
leapinlew:
--- Quote from: scofthe7seas on May 12, 2011, 11:15:56 am ---When using the original controls as intended, it reminds me of learning to drive for the first time :-\
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Yeah... learning to drive a hazmat 18 wheeler with 18 gears
Paul Olson:
--- Quote from: leapinlew on May 12, 2011, 11:39:02 am ---
--- Quote from: scofthe7seas on May 12, 2011, 11:15:56 am ---When using the original controls as intended, it reminds me of learning to drive for the first time :-\
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Yeah... learning to drive a hazmat 18 wheeler with 18 gears
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I used to do that for a living. That was way easier to learn. :)