4player CP questions -- robotron/smash tv --- track ball

[tagbone]

Hi all, first off I want to say that everything I've read has already helped narrow down my plans. I still have a few questions that hopefully someone could shed some light.

Is it ideal to set up two joysticks for p1 and p2 for smash tv or is using p3 and p4 okay? My favorite game is robotron so I'm leaning towards setting up two joysticks for p1 and p2.

If I set up two joysticks for p1 and p2 should I make them rotary to increase game playability?

I've been reading a lot of people say a dedicated 4way joystick is a must, would that need an extra interface if I fill up the iPac4 or can you set up 2 joysticks to the same inputs on an ipac4?

Also I'm trying to find a bit more recent debate on Win 7 or win Xp. I have a 64bit i5 /w 4 gb ram that I'll be using but all the debates I have found are over a year old.

Thanks in advance for all the feedback and constructive criticism.

[Malenko]

Depending on the layout, player 3 and 4 sticks are totally usable.  Here is how I did my CP to allow 2 player Smash TV on a 4 player control panel:


http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,140777.0.html

Rotary? Are any of these games on your MUST PLAY list?
Ikari Warriors,Time Soldiers, Ikari III - The Rescue  ,DownTown, Bermuda Triangle, Guerrilla War ,Gondomania, Victory Road  ,Midnight Resistance, Heavy Barrel (US), SAR - Search And Rescue, Xybots
Caliber 50, Exterminator,TouchDown Fever, T.N.K. III

No? Then you don't need rotaries.

Dedicated 4 way? Your call. I am able to play 4way games on my 8way pretty well, but I dont play 4way games enough to justify a dedicated stick. You can always build a second control panel or cab. You don't need any extra interfaces, you can wire the 4 way and the 8 way to the same inputs on the IPAC , but both sticks are "live" if you do that.

OS selection......... I'd be inclined to advise you to go Win7.

[lamprey]

If you are going to do dual sticks for those games (like Robotron), I don't see why you should hesitate to make one of them a rotary if you want to play those games. If you have the space and think you want a dedicated 4-way. I'd say go for it. And yes, you can wire two sticks to the same input if you are out of space on your controller.

[dubstylee]

I would definitely recommend a 64-bit version of Windows 7.  This will allow you to upgrade the RAM in the future if you want.  If you don't use a 64-bit operating system, you will be limited to a little less than 4 gigs of RAM usable.

[Cynicaster]

Dedicated 4 way? Your call. I am able to play 4way games on my 8way pretty well, but I dont play 4way games enough to justify a dedicated stick.

I'd say the dedicated 4-way only makes sense if you enjoy a lot of the early/mid 80's era games (maze games, simple platformers like DK, Frogger, etc.)  If you only want to fire up those games once in blue moon, just fight through it with the 8-way stick. 

On the other hand, if those are the types of games you like, and ESPECIALLY if you have any plans whatsoever to really dig into any of those games for high scores, you'll drive yourself crazy trying to use an 8-way joystick. 

[tagbone]

I would definitely recommend a 64-bit version of Windows 7.  This will allow you to upgrade the RAM in the future if you want.  If you don't use a 64-bit operating system, you will be limited to a little less than 4 gigs of RAM usable.

Is there a specific service pack I should limit it too?

I'm pretty sure I saw a post on what to rip out of xp but I don't remember seeing one regarding win7?