New to arcade building, control question

[tposey]

I am looking to replicate Maximus's Barrels of Kong.
I am new to arcade building and im looking for any information on controls. I am experienced in soldering etc.. but id like to know if there are any good plug and play options. Ive seen X-arcade's plug and play models but i really want my own layout of buttons. What is the best setup or kit for buttons and encoder? Also is this all i will need? Just wanting 1 player on each side of the table. I would like to have a few more buttons than Maximus had. Thanks in advance.

[yotsuya]

Neph, this one is for you.

My advice - if you want more than three buttons per player per side, ditch the barrel idea.

[Nephasth]

Ditch the barrel idea.

60n1s are junk. Also a bit of a red flag when you say you're experienced in soldering, but looking for a plug n play option...

[yotsuya]

Definitely not metal.

To expound on it further, the reason why the barrel "works" for some is that it's a symbol of the classics, which at most used a joy and up to 3 buttons (mostly one, though) as well as a vertical setup. You probably want to play fighting games and stuff if you want more buttons, which means a horizontal orientation for the monitor. If you're doing cocktail mode on a 19" vertical for your horizontal games, your images are going to be pretty small. You'd be better off building a larger cocktail with a bigger screen if that's your goal. If you're just wanting to play DK, Pac-Man, and Galaga, the barrel is fine. But for newer games, it's not your best bet.

My $0.02. 

[Generic Eric]

Maybe its just a matter of not knowing where to purchase parts.

You can always try ebay.  Or

therealbobroberts.com
groovygamegear.com
ultimarc.com
paradisearcadeshop.com
arcadeemulator.net
kadevice.com

Nevermind the barrel until you've made a fight stick or a desktop controller.  I know that is a bit of a non-answer, but there is a lot to know, so check out the project forums and the wiki.  Try some different layouts on scrap wood before you jump into such a project. Enjoy the games.

[AzureKnight]

Planning is key, but before planning you need to know what you want.  So what games were you looking to play on this thing?

[tposey]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I've modded xbox's and stuff in the past and loaded emulators on them etc... Im just not familiar with controls at all. I have already purchased the barrel, so throwing that idea out the window really isnt an option.  Im mostly interested in NES,SNES and Sega.  Anything beyond that, i really have no interest.  I have considered cutting the barrel in half and turning it up on its side which would allow for a much larger screen. Basically what i need is a control panel on either side with 4 buttons and a joystiq.
Are you guys aware of a simple kit that is reliable?
Again thanks alot for the info, i know newbie talk sucks, but its appreciated.

[yotsuya]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I've modded xbox's and stuff in the past and loaded emulators on them etc... Im just not familiar with controls at all. I have already purchased the barrel, so throwing that idea out the window really isnt an option.  Im mostly interested in NES,SNES and Sega.  Anything beyond that, i really have no interest.  I have considered cutting the barrel in half and turning it up on its side which would allow for a much larger screen. Basically what i need is a control panel on either side with 4 buttons and a joystiq.
Are you guys aware of a simple kit that is reliable?
Again thanks alot for the info, i know newbie talk sucks, but its appreciated.

Cut the barrel in half, put cushions on it, and use it for stools once you build your brand new cocktail! 

I mean, if you're just interested in consoles, I'm not even sure how a barrel fits thematically. 

[tposey]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I've modded xbox's and stuff in the past and loaded emulators on them etc... Im just not familiar with controls at all. I have already purchased the barrel, so throwing that idea out the window really isnt an option.  Im mostly interested in NES,SNES and Sega.  Anything beyond that, i really have no interest.  I have considered cutting the barrel in half and turning it up on its side which would allow for a much larger screen. Basically what i need is a control panel on either side with 4 buttons and a joystiq.
Are you guys aware of a simple kit that is reliable?
Again thanks alot for the info, i know newbie talk sucks, but its appreciated.

Cut the barrel in half, put cushions on it, and use it for stools once you build your brand new cocktail! 

I mean, if you're just interested in consoles, I'm not even sure how a barrel fits thematically. 

Ha, well that's certainly looking on the bright side. Its for a pub and i just really like the classic look for the pub. The one Maximus did really impressed me. I plan on doing a few things differently on the build, just needing that advice on the controls.
Thanks again

[yotsuya]

Well, if you're hell-bent...

I'd get an 2 player I-Pac from Ultimarc, and whatever buttons and sticks that you need from whatever vendors that you like. 

[tposey]

Well, if you're hell-bent...

I'd get an 2 player I-Pac from Ultimarc, and whatever buttons and sticks that you need from whatever vendors that you like. 

Thanks, i appreciate it.
Again, I havent done anything like this in quite a while. I modded an original xbox and dreamcast over 10 years ago and havent thought about this stuff since. I now have a 4 year old and hes interested in playing games, so i started getting back interested. I plan on using Maximus Arcade to run to the games, any better suggestions?

[yotsuya]

Well, if you're hell-bent...

I'd get an 2 player I-Pac from Ultimarc, and whatever buttons and sticks that you need from whatever vendors that you like. 

Thanks, i appreciate it.
Again, I havent done anything like this in quite a while. I modded an original xbox and dreamcast over 10 years ago and havent thought about this stuff since. I now have a 4 year old and hes interested in playing games, so i started getting back interested. I plan on using Maximus Arcade to run to the games, any better suggestions?

I like Hyperspin for high-powered machines, AtomicFE for low-powered ones.

[tposey]

Well, if you're hell-bent...

I'd get an 2 player I-Pac from Ultimarc, and whatever buttons and sticks that you need from whatever vendors that you like. 

Thanks, i appreciate it.
Again, I havent done anything like this in quite a while. I modded an original xbox and dreamcast over 10 years ago and havent thought about this stuff since. I now have a 4 year old and hes interested in playing games, so i started getting back interested. I plan on using Maximus Arcade to run to the games, any better suggestions?

I like Hyperspin for high-powered machines, AtomicFE for low-powered ones.

Thank you

[yotsuya]

Do you have a computer yet? Check out the Arrow Direct thread for links to deals. HS runs fine on a Core2Duo, I run Atomic on anything less.

[Nephasth]

 

[tposey]

Do you have a computer yet? Check out the Arrow Direct thread for links to deals. HS runs fine on a Core2Duo, I run Atomic on anything less.

i do, i have a spare i5 processor thats not being used. Plan on just using it.

[yotsuya]

Do you have a computer yet? Check out the Arrow Direct thread for links to deals. HS runs fine on a Core2Duo, I run Atomic on anything less.

i do, i have a spare i5 processor thats not being used. Plan on just using it.

Sounds good. You can use that for Hyperspin.

I don't have any experience with Maximus because when I first started, it was pretty sketchy how people were paying for keys and not receiving them, so I didn't even bother with it.

[keilmillerjr]

There are a few new front ends that are awesome. Check out AttractMode and retrofe.

[tposey]

Thanks Guys

[HanoiBoi]

Where'd you buy the barrel?  Any pics?

[tposey]

I purchased the barrel from level3 container group in kentucky. Very nice barrel and shipping was very fast. received barrel in 3 days.

[Brian74]

Well if you have the barrel you could go with something like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/MULTICADE-Donkey-Kong-Cocktail-Arcade-Complete-Control-Panel-NEW-/111277354216?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19e8a5ace8 or like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cocktail-Arcade-game-cabinet-replacement-controll-panel-kit-pre-drilled-complete-/231020741146?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35c9e8c21a Hyperspin takes sometime to get your head around just a fyi. Like yotsuya said, I think you would be happier in the end if you went a different way with your build. May I suggest this http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,119533.msg1267233.html#msg1267233 Either way, google and youtube are your friends! Plan Plan Plan!