Multiple machines, what types?

[Slippyblade]

I think eventually I intend to have a few different emulation machines in my cave.  That way I can tailor each machine to the type of gameplay.  Assuming a setup like that, what would the hive mind recommend?  I'm thinking of the following...

Fighter Cab:
--- 2 x 8 way sticks
--- 6 buttons per player, micro-switch
--- horizontal screen

Shmup Cab:
--- 2 x 8 way sticks
--- 3 buttons per player, leaf
--- vertical screen

Retro Cab:
--- 1 x 4 way stick
--- 2 buttons
--- vert screen (not sure here)

Ideas?  Suggestions?

[Generic Eric]

Shump

4way for pacman, donkey kong games

Driving

Fighter

Year of Star Wars cockpit/ space sim pit

Cocktail cabinet for dual purpose use as an end table.

OTOH

I like the look of neo geo 4 slot system.  Especially, the modern adaptation with the now playing slot.
I like the look of the Taito cabinet.
I like the look of the midway cabinet.


So, 9 plus my lowboy.  That won't cost an arm and a leg to have running all at once.

[Le Chuck]

The one cab I've had that I absolutely miss is a dedicated shooter.  Point Blank 2 might be one of the best games ever.  Just me tho, I love shooters.  I'll make another one at some point, just have to find a gun solution I can fall in love with.  ACT Labs are great but it's still not as good as the dedicated guns imo. 

[mgb]

A dedicated 4 way cab with a vertical monitor would be so perfect.

[severdhed]

i'd want a dedicated gun cabinet and a racer

[Slippyblade]

Wow, I feel like an idiot now.  How could I forget about a gun cab?

[yotsuya]

For general MAMEing, you just need two -

1 horizontal monitor with 2 8 ways sticks/6 button SF layout

and

1 vertical monitor with 1 4-way joystick and a minimum of two buttons.

I had this setup at one time. I replaced the standup vertical 4-way I had with a vertical 4-way cocktail, so it's still the same concept.

To get my fill of those specialty games, I went out and bought the games. 

[TKW4rr10r]

I think you are going about it the right way, going for unique controls per cab. Keep them as unique between cabs as possible. Otherwise you'll feel like wasting time/space on a build that you can easily play those games on elsewhere. It's all about personal taste. One or two dedicated for your favs are never a bad thing, though. Especially if they have their own unique controls like a Q-bert, Tapper, or Tron.

If I could make one suggestion, go for cabs reminiscent of the controls styles / type of games to be played on them. This will make it much more fitting for the cabs and feel of play, IMO.

I'd say ideally you'll want:
An old midway cab for the 4-way / classic
A Dynamo cab for the fighter
Any space themed cab for the shmup
Star Wars cab for the Yoke control games.

Cabs that are really more of personal taste on build would be:
- Driver (stand or sit down)
- Shooter
- NeoGeo
- 4 player cab if you have friends 
- Trackball games like golf/bowling
Or try to add a spinner or trackball to one of the other builds if it fits the theme.

I'm going for one monster cab for most of my Mame / console emulation / steam games. Will probably add the guns to that cab, as well. This frees up slots in my future arcade space for more unique controlled cabs or just rare / personal favorites / custom creations.

[thatpurplestuff]

I really only want two... the first being a 2 player horizontal mirror cab with digital marquee and the second being a cocktail cab.  Besides the wood I've actually got all of the hardware to build both, it's just a matter of finding time after I finish Skeeball.

I'm sure after I build them I'll want more, but that's my current wishlist.