Complete Noob first project, NBA JAM restoration 4 player layout help

[itsfer]

I know this topic has been discussed before, and I've tried to read as much as I can but I'm overwhelmed and was hoping you guys could point me in the right direction

Ok so for my first project I restored this NBA Jam cabinet to turn it into a MAME machine and this is what I have (pictures at the end), I plan on using the J-pac only to connect the original monitor, and the I-pac to wire all the controls. Now, I know I shouldn't have drilled 6 button holes on the far right and far left controls, but then I did, I might put unmapped buttons or whatever (I might do emulators in the future though).

-My question is how should I wire/map this, I know it's been asked a lot but I don't seem to find any consistency in the answers

I was thinking of this for player position so I can use the center controls for two player games

3,1,2,4

Button wiring/mapping would go this way for player 1 and 2 for the Capcom/Neo Geo layout

1234
456

and on player 3 and 4 for constancy

123
4XX

On top 1 button for each player coin and start
and the extra two in between will be esc and tab

-Also I would like to know you opinion about the joystick angle and orientation, I've read angling is bad

So what do you guys think? am I going in the right direction?

Opinions on the cabinet are welcome too!

Thanks in advance


The control panel

The j-pac and i-pac

Different view

Before

After (not finished yet)

[yotsuya]

I wish you lived here in AZ. I'd LOVE an NBA Jam in that condition.

[DeLuSioNal29]

The placement of each player looks good.  Players 1 and 2 directly in front.  Player 3 on the left side and player 4 on the right side.

As for the buttons, I would do this:
1 2 3 7
4 5 6

That will give you an extra input for games or emulators that need it down the line.  It will also be less confusing for players that insist on hitting the top right button when playing games like Street Fighter II.

Now here's the good news:  You can STILL set the top row (Buttons 1 2 3 7) to be A B C D in Neo Geo games.  However, you can automate this so that you won't need to change every Neo Geo game in the list!     Basically you add a section for NeoGeo to a ctrl file and when Neo Geo games load, it will automatically re-assign the buttons to the top row.

Read more on how to do this here:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,73532.msg776937.html#msg776937

Hope this helped!

DeLuSioNaL29

[yotsuya]

Delusional has good info on the buttons.

Whatever you do, don't angle the joysticks. And I know you want to probably customize the heck out of this cab, but that sideart and CP look great. I hope you consider keeping it an NBA Jam cabinet.

[Ginsu Victim]

My layout
456
1237

The seventh is actually mapped as 4, so
456
1234

[itsfer]

The placement of each player looks good.  Players 1 and 2 directly in front.  Player 3 on the left side and player 4 on the right side.

As for the buttons, I would do this:
1 2 3 7
4 5 6

That will give you an extra input for games or emulators that need it down the line.  It will also be less confusing for players that insist on hitting the top right button when playing games like Street Fighter II.

Now here's the good news:  You can STILL set the top row (Buttons 1 2 3 7) to be A B C D in Neo Geo games.  However, you can automate this so that you won't need to change every Neo Geo game in the list!     Basically you add a section for NeoGeo to a ctrl file and when Neo Geo games load, it will automatically re-assign the buttons to the top row.

Read more on how to do this here:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,73532.msg776937.html#msg776937

Hope this helped!

DeLuSioNaL29

Awesome! this is what I was looking for, I'll follow your advice with the wiring first and then I'll dig deeper into the neo geo specific controls

Thank you! Hope I can post the finished product soon!

[itsfer]

Delusional has good info on the buttons.

Whatever you do, don't angle the joysticks. And I know you want to probably customize the heck out of this cab, but that sideart and CP look great. I hope you consider keeping it an NBA Jam cabinet.

Actually quite the opposite! I don't want to customize it I want it to look as close to the original as possible, I got the files for the sideart, stickers and CP of the Internet and got them printed and installed after a bit of wood work on the original cabinet
The CP image file had white dots for the original button layout and I had them photo shopped since they don't match with my layout

I still have the original CP and CPU board and it works! My plan is to some day when I have time (and more space) for a new MAME project,  I'll make this a dedicated NBA Jam!

[yotsuya]

You are my FAVORITE noob.   

[itsfer]

Thanks!!! hahah 

[Malenko]

The CP image file had white dots for the original button layout and I had them photo shopped since they don't match with my layout

care to share the CP art?

[itsfer]

I'm afraid I don't have the photo shopped version, I'll see if I can get the file
I do have the original file if you are interested?

[Malenko]

I'm afraid I don't have the photo shopped version, I'll see if I can get the file
I do have the original file if you are interested?

definitely.

[Generic Eric]

The control panel

Is that Canadian Jam?

I remember in high school people would bring a sega and NBAJam cart into school and play during lunch.  That was the place to be.

[Ginsu Victim]

I remember in high school people would bring a sega and NBAJam cart into school and play during lunch.  That was the place to be.

My senior year (1998), we had a new principal arrive. He was 34 and thought a great way to come in as the cool guy would be....ARCADE GAMES. Several games were brought into the cafeteria, plus a few pool tables and a jukebox.

Ms Pac-man (speed-up) (I always held the high score)
X-Men (six player)
Tiger Road
Rush 'n' Attack

We became friends and I still talk to him to this day.  At age 52, he's still the principal there.