Adding controllers to front of cab- holders, like on a kiosk?

[Well Fed Games]

OK, so I am considering a project involving Pac Man Vs., the somewhat forgotten multiplayer Gamecube/GBA game (at least they re-released it on one of the DS Namco collections).

I was wanting to get some thoughts on how you would attach controllers to the front of a cab- obviously the closer I could get to the kiosks (like in GameKing's sweet collection: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,121742.msg1291643.html#msg1291643), the better. If nothing else, just hooks to put the controllers/GBA on while not being used, would be cool. The game involves the players trading controllers a lot, so that is where the challenge comes in. These would be standard original GC controllers and an original GBA. Anybody have thoughts or experience from a similar project?

[Nephasth]

Flexible PVC pipe?



Or flexible exhaust tubing?

[Well Fed Games]

I definitely like the idea of covering the cables, those pics look better than the tubing I was imagining. I wonder if it would be sturdy enough to let them hang, and if it would need to be connected to the controller body somehow...

[Nephasth]

I definitely like the idea of covering the cables, those pics look better than the tubing I was imagining. I wonder if it would be sturdy enough to let them hang, and if it would need to be connected to the controller body somehow...

You'd definitely want to connect the controller body somehow. I know the exhaust flex pipe is plenty sturdy to let a controller hang off the end of it.

[RandyT]

OK, so I am considering a project involving Pac Man Vs., the somewhat forgotten multiplayer Gamecube/GBA game (at least they re-released it on one of the DS Namco collections).

I was wanting to get some thoughts on how you would attach controllers to the front of a cab- obviously the closer I could get to the kiosks (like in GameKing's sweet collection: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,121742.msg1291643.html#msg1291643), the better. If nothing else, just hooks to put the controllers/GBA on while not being used, would be cool. The game involves the players trading controllers a lot, so that is where the challenge comes in. These would be standard original GC controllers and an original GBA. Anybody have thoughts or experience from a similar project?

I've never been a fan of the fixed controller jutting out from the commercial kiosks.  I understand the necessity for them in that environment, but unless they were adjustable in height, I couldn't imagine playing games on them for very long.

Perhaps you could make a small platform for each, cut to fit the inside contour of the controller, and extending from the cabinet on a short piece of tubular steel, or in any configuration you think looks good.  Make the top of the platform from sheet metal and glue a couple of small but powerful magnets to the back of the "plus" and analog sections of the controller.  You could also inset mating magnets into the platform so the control rights itself neatly when placed onto it.  Cable management would be the next thing to consider.  If you have space inside the front of the cabinet, you could put a small, grommeted hole (not rubber) in the cabinet, directly behind where the platform is positioned.  You could then use a closed pulley (to keep the wire from jumping off) and a small weight attached to the cable.  You would want just enough weight to reliably pull in the excess cable, but not make the player feel like the controller is being pulled from their hands.

If you were to attach the platform to the underside of the tube steel, and get a plastic plug cap for the end, it could be partially slotted and the cord can be pulled through that.

See the diagram for a rough idea.

RandyT

[Well Fed Games]

Hmm. thanks Randy. Yeah, this is something I would want to play with my nieces and nephew (of varying heights), so I would want to make sure they weren't too rigid... I guess something that looks cool but isn't trying to pretend to be anything but a gamecube and TV stuck in a cab. I like the cord retraction idea, as I have a 3-year old and GC cables aren't break-away like some of the modern ones.

[RandyT]

Yeah, this is something I would want to play with my nieces and nephew (of varying heights), so I would want to make sure they weren't too rigid... I guess something that looks cool but isn't trying to pretend to be anything but a gamecube and TV stuck in a cab. I like the cord retraction idea, as I have a 3-year old and GC cables aren't break-away like some of the modern ones.

In that case, probably no need to go overboard.  A lined, short-walled (~2"), narrow "box" for each controller, with 3 sides and the fourth being the front of the stand, with a hole for the cord retraction gizmo, should look decent and and be functional.  Basically a thin shelf with a short retaining surround.   Should be easy to take out for use, and stand them back up in when done, and if the wire hole is in the right spot, the light tension will help hold them in place.

You might also want to take a look at the wire wall racks in the housewares department at your local home/department/dollar store.  They may not be as aesthetically pleasing (you might be able to paint them to match the color scheme), but cheap and easy if you can find a size that works.