New Cocktail Cabinet - Need HElp

[theDVUSone]

Hi All,
I'm just getting started with this whole world of arcade fun and need some advice. I've tried to search through the millions of topics here, found some great ideas and some awesome builds. However, I need a couple words of wisdom from you masters.
1) I'm building a cocktail cabinet and would like 2 sets of 2 player controls so I can play vertical and horizontal games. How do I set up the controllers? I'm looking at the i-pac ultimate (overkill?) as I would like to have RGB joysticks and buttons. Do I need 2 of those controller boards or is there a switch that I use to change between the 2 sets, or is there another solution? How does it determine which set is being used?

2) In regards to the RGB joystick and buttons, what brand/site should I be purchasing from? I live in Canada and haven't found a good Canadian site yet. Should I go with a kit or order each piece individually?

All help is appreciated.

[eds1275]

Just wire the 2 sets of controllers together, and then use whichever one you feel like. I generally order my stuff from ultimarc (I'm also canadian, vancouver island BC!) but I have also ordered from Playdium. Their shipping is slow and their prices aren't the best but sometimes you just gotta bite the bullet.

http://www.theplaydiumstore.com/

[vwalbridge]

1) I'm building a cocktail cabinet and would like 2 sets of 2 player controls so I can play vertical and horizontal games.

I'm confused by this. Can you explain this a little more? Like you want to have swap-able control panels?

[eds1275]

He wants controls on each end so he gets the long end of the screen for vertical games and the wide end for horizontal

[vwalbridge]

He wants controls on each end so he gets the long end of the screen for vertical games and the wide end for horizontal

Oh, I see. So something like this?


Then, yes something from Ulimarc will work. Maybe even a MINIPAC. They ship VERY quickly. You can just wire both P1 and P2 controls together just like eds1275 said.

[aldub516]

quickly isnt the word for ultimarcs shipping... Its like they go out side of their warehouse, and just rocket propel your package to your door...

[CanadianRyGuy]

I can't say I've ordered from Playdium either, but if you're in the GTA they're located right on the 401 and they're easy to get to (pass them every day to and from work)
They also have other stuff that Ultimarc would not have I believe.

[theDVUSone]

Just wire the 2 sets of controllers together, and then use whichever one you feel like. I generally order my stuff from ultimarc (I'm also canadian, vancouver island BC!) but I have also ordered from Playdium. Their shipping is slow and their prices aren't the best but sometimes you just gotta bite the bullet.

http://www.theplaydiumstore.com/

Great!. Thanks. So just wire them together into a kind of y wire? two controllers with the wiring connecting into one wire to the board? What happens if someone bumps a controller that isn't in use? Does it affect the person that is using the "matching" controller?

[theDVUSone]

This is exactly what i want!
http://blog.codinghorror.com/content/images/uploads/2005/01/6a0120a85dcdae970b0128776fbce2970c-pi.jpg

He wants controls on each end so he gets the long end of the screen for vertical games and the wide end for horizontal

Oh, I see. So something like this?


Then, yes something from Ulimarc will work. Maybe even a MINIPAC. They ship VERY quickly. You can just wire both P1 and P2 controls together just like eds1275 said.

[theDVUSone]

Also...If I get an 8 way joystick, can games like pac-man that require a 4 way joystick still work? Is an 8 way joystick that is good for Street Fighter still OK for pac-man is what i'm asking...

[Slippyblade]

Also...If I get an 8 way joystick, can games like pac-man that require a 4 way joystick still work? Is an 8 way joystick that is good for Street Fighter still OK for pac-man is what i'm asking...

You can make do, with a little practice an 8 way will work for 4 way games.  The problem crops up if you accidently hit a diagonal.  Those ROMS just don't know what to do with the input, so sometimes you just freeze, sometimes you get random input.  With care, you can play with the 8-way, but it is not optimal.

[vwalbridge]

Also...If I get an 8 way joystick, can games like pac-man that require a 4 way joystick still work? Is an 8 way joystick that is good for Street Fighter still OK for pac-man is what i'm asking...

You should have a look at the Ultrastik 360: https://www.ultimarc.com/ultrastik_info.html

This joystick is not for everyone but it does have user-definable mappings. In other words, the joystick moves in all directions but only operates in 4 or 8 way. Depending on the game you are playing.

It is also a silent joystick with no micro-switches. This can be a good or bad thing depending on your preference.

It's a bit pricey compared to others but that's because it can also double as your input controller eliminating the need for an iPac or minipac. (This may not work if you have a lot of admin buttons though) 

You can get restrictor plates for it too if you desire.