Number of buttons for a Bartop?

[Knievel]

Hey guys,
Doing my first bartop cabinet, as a gift for someone. Was wondering how many buttons is the norm?
I've always used 6 on my CP's but I won't have that kind of room.

Thinking 2 per player but 3 or 4 could be possible if that opens up a bunch more games.

Thanks for the input.

[DaveMMR]

If you can fit two buttons, you can fit four buttons (2x2, arranged in diamond - see WeeCade.)  That seems to be a good number to cover a large variety of games.

That being said, I have seen 6 button/2 player panels on bartops, but they are typically wider than usual (and have larger monitors - i.e at least 19").

[BobA]

On a bartop with an 18 inch CP the max for buttons is 4 for a 2 player panel.   Any more is just too tight.  That being said you can always make your CP wider for more buttons if needed.  Here is a pic of a 2 player CP with 4 buttons per player.  Panel width is 18 inches.

[Knievel]

Ok thanks guys.

Been working on the art here and I think my button decision may also be based on how much artwork they will be covering up. The smallest would be a joy and 2 buttons in line or possibly 3 or 4 buttons staggered like I normally do it.

Is their a list anywhere of # of buttons needed per game?
I never play fighters so I am having trouble thinking of games that would need 4 buttons, can't think of many that need 3 either.

[DaveMMR]

Yeah, I miss MAWS - I think there are other references for this info though.  But non-fighters off the top of my head that use four buttons would be Dungeon & Dragons and Narc.  I know games like Shinobi use three. There's tons more of both examples.  Basically, three or four buttons would have you covered if you don't care for fighters.

And for those interested, an example of a 6-button/2-player bartop (the panel is 20" wide though); http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=117391.0

[leapinlew]

Whats the screen orientation and joystick? Is it a 4 way, 8 way, or 4/8 way?

• My classics is 4 way joystick, 1 button and vertical screen. If I added 1 more joystick, I could play a few more games (like Astro Blaster and Satans Hollow).
• My 8 way uses a horizontal screen and 6 buttons. You could always go for this, and do the joypad for player 2.
• My spinner cabinet uses a vertical monitor and 2 buttons.

Classics cabinet


8 way
(can barely be called a bartop)


Spinner


So, whats your audience? Fighters, TMNT/Simspons, Classics?

[BadMouth]

I never play fighters so I am having trouble thinking of games that would need 4 buttons, can't think of many that need 3 either.

If you're sticking with classic 4-way joystick games, I remember looking it up on MAWS and there are only a couple 4-way games that used three buttons.
(and you have the option only having two buttons and mapping the third button input to them both being pressed simultaneously)

It would be nice to have all the Neo Geo games (can't think of any non-fighters that used more than three buttons).
Most of the popular sports games and beat 'em ups used 3 buttons.
4 buttons would get you the Neo Geo fighters and Tekken, but then you might have MK and SF withdrawal.

Personally, I'd do 3 in a curve.

I'd consider them too small for my taste, but 24mm buttons are also an option.

[Nephasth]

Personally, I'd do 3 in a curve.

This would be my preference for a bartop as well.

[Green Giant]

Stop asking for advice, you are Knievel.

I expect something revolutionary and amazing.  Will be waiting in the project announcement forum.

[Knievel]

lol. Doing this one on the cheap I'm afraid, won't be anything revolutionary. 

Great feedback as always here.
Appreciate that link Dave. Lew you've got some great bartops there, nice work.

I am using 2 8-way joys and a horizontal screen in this.
Hoping the 8-ways will be playable with Pac-man and alike, time will tell.

I'm thinking 3 buttons in a pyramid shape at this point.
Trying to keep the width down so the artwork in the center won't be covered up too much.

I'm going to try the various button options in some scrap wood I have here. See what works.

In other news I discovered the joys of Superlite MDF today!
What a difference in weight, mess, workability. Makes me want to rebuild everything I've ever made to this point.

[Green Giant]

lol. Doing this one on the cheap I'm afraid, won't be anything revolutionary. 

Great feedback as always here.
Appreciate that link Dave. Lew you've got some great bartops there, nice work.

I am using 2 8-way joys and a horizontal screen in this.
Hoping the 8-ways will be playable with Pac-man and alike, time will tell.

I'm thinking 3 buttons in a pyramid shape at this point.

I think you need at least 4 buttons.  The neo-geo options are too good to pass up.

As for the joys, you could go for a mechanical switching stick.  There is a bartop someone is building that uses an actuator, I think, to mechanically switch the joys between 8-way and 4-way.  One of these guys knows which one I am talking about.

[leapinlew]

Hoping the 8-ways will be playable with Pac-man and alike, time will tell.

Prepare to be unhappy. Maybe you can look into the mapable 8 ways like the 360 from Ultimarc. Try out a switch based 8 way with Ms Pac and Donkey Kong - it's frustrating.

[Unstupid]

I think you need at least 4 buttons.  The neo-geo options are too good to pass up.

What the Giant said......  BTW this CP is 16" wide:

[Le Chuck]

lol. Doing this one on the cheap I'm afraid, won't be anything revolutionary.  
---
Hoping the 8-ways will be playable with Pac-man and alike, time will tell.

They aren't.  Well, they are but it's lack-luster.  I'm not a 360 convert yet so I recommend Magstick+s or do a servo auto switch hook-up on a good bottom switching joy.  Added cost for the servo and controller is in the $40 neighborhood for everything and one servo can control both joys.   Magstiks are something I've never tried but they are physically restricted so +1 for that camp.  Servos just make ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- ballin tho.

+87 to the fourth button.  Way to handy and no loss of real-estate.  

That said, I'm a total Knievel fanboy and will gawk and swoon over what ever you build like a ---smurfette---.  Because I always do.

[Le Chuck]

There is a bartop someone is building that uses an actuator, I think, to mechanically switch the joys between 8-way and 4-way.  One of these guys knows which one I am talking about.

cough cough AHEM!

[CheffoJeffo]

Blast from the past!

Nice to you you back!

 

[leapinlew]

Blast from the past!

Nice to you you back!

 

That was nice of of to say Cheffo.

[Knievel]

Thanks Jeff I pop in now and then. Really have to limit my screen time these days.

I will have to explore the joystick choices. Like I said I am on the cheap with this one.
I cut out 4 sets of sides yesterday so I will be making more than 1 eventually. The rest will likely be no expense spared.

Unstupid and LeChuck those are beautiful cabinets you've got there. The artwork is what makes these little guys shine.
I should have done one of these long long ago.

[alfonzotan]

Hey guys,
Doing my first bartop cabinet, as a gift for someone. Was wondering how many buttons is the norm?
I've always used 6 on my CP's but I won't have that kind of room.

Thinking 2 per player but 3 or 4 could be possible if that opens up a bunch more games.

Thanks for the input.

I'd put two on the right, two on the left, and a joystick in the middle.  That would give you most one- or two-button games, plus the "hands spread" format for Asteroids-style controls.

But I don't really do fighter games, so if that's a priority, disregard...

[ark_ader]

I'd put two on the right, two on the left, and a joystick in the middle.  That would give you most one- or two-button games, plus the "hands spread" format for Asteroids-style controls.

But I don't really do fighter games, so if that's a priority, disregard...

Awesome idea.  Never thought of that and I do like the odd asteroid game. 

Thanks 

Just curious if  one was to use a PSX 1/2 for a mini cab build would you use the same bartop format or have 4 diamond buttons like the joypad?

Thanks

[alfonzotan]

I'd put two on the right, two on the left, and a joystick in the middle.  That would give you most one- or two-button games, plus the "hands spread" format for Asteroids-style controls.

But I don't really do fighter games, so if that's a priority, disregard...

Awesome idea.  Never thought of that and I do like the odd asteroid game. 

Thanks 

Just curious if  one was to use a PSX 1/2 for a mini cab build would you use the same bartop format or have 4 diamond buttons like the joypad?

Thanks

Can't really help you there.  Big "hellifino" as far as reproducing PS controls... my last console was a ColecoVision.