What do you guys like for arcade controls?

[Alexinedh]

You can probably see a lot of my posts around here, but here's a summary.

I'm making a MAME using an XBOX and CoinOps 5. This isn't a question per say, more of a poll.

I have to make my own control panel since the centipede control panel is only a track ball and 1 button. I've seen some designs out there such as http://www.vesperworks.com/mame/pictures/IMG_2389.html (a dynamo panel fitting the width of the centipede cabinet). This is the final product: http://www.vesperworks.com/mame/pictures/IMG_3037.html

I was planning on copying this exactly, but since this is my first MAME I want some opinions. I don't feel like I'd like to play any games involving a track ball. I've never been a fan of Asteroids or Centipede, but I feel like if I intentionally avoid including the track ball I could regret it later.

I plan to use a bat stick since it feels more natural to me. I planned on 6 buttons for each player, thinking that was enough to handle everything I'd want to play including N64 games (is this true also?) I drew up a sketch on some extra particle board I have and pressed my fingers against the board pretending the buttons were there. Having the buttons all along the same horizontal axis seemed a little unnatural. Is this because I wasn't really pushing buttons, or should I offset buttons both horizontally and diagonally to contour to my finger lengths a little better? Also, anyone have any idea what the 7th button (black, photo 2) is? I THINK it's just for selecting a menu or something, but want verification.

Thanks guys!

[PL1]

To find a layout that suits you, visit Slagcoin.

Print a layout that looks promising, tape it to a cardboard box, cut out the button holes, and drop in your buttons.

The question of "Which joystick is best?" has been the subject of many contentious threads that boil down to, "Depends on what you're playing."

Fighters, SHMUPs, 4-way classics (PacMan, DK), etc. have different degrees of playability with different sticks/restrictors.

7th button is often used to make a 4-button neo-geo layout along the bottom row.  It's also used as a run button in one of the MK games IIRC.


Scott

[WindDrake]

I like the layout help that Slagcoin provides, but man the guy fanboys on Sanwa/Seimitsu hard.