Do I need a trackball?

[tommy152]

Getting back into MAME after about 5 years and planning out my 4 player CP.  Everyone seems to have a trackball on their CP...do I really need one if I just plan on playing fighting games and beat em ups?  Just wondering if people include one for games or for navigation of the front end.  Trying to keep the CP small as possible, but if adding a track ball doesn't add any space, I might as well include one for the hell of it.

[edekoning]

The genres you listed do not require a trackball, so unless you must be able to play <insert random game>, than no a trackball is not required. Feel free to add one for the hell of it though  , just realize that they are fairly expensive.

[BadMouth]

Depends on how important the trackball games are to you.
When I had an xarcade tankstick with a trackball, the only trackball games I ever played were world class bowling and the irritating maze.
I didn't bother putting one on the new cab (not that there was room for it anyway).

I also made a homemade spinner and never used it for anything but driving games, so haven't bothered with one since.

[quad04]

This is a question I had as well, I have a quasicon, (working again thank goodness) and wish I had the track ball for golf games and missle command.
Not even sure I could add one if I wanted to.

[behrmr]

Depends on how important the trackball games are to you.
When I had an xarcade tankstick with a trackball, the only trackball games I ever played were world class bowling and the irritating maze.
I didn't bother putting one on the new cab (not that there was room for it anyway).

I also made a homemade spinner and never used it for anything but driving games, so haven't bothered with one since.

I couldn't agree more.  Trackballs take up a lot of real estate on a control panel too since you need the extra clearance below.

[Malenko]

You dont need one, but don't let that stop you from listening to good advice here on BYOAC.

[Xiaou2]

There are some good trackball games worthy of play...  however, if there isnt sufficient room for a good hard and fast spin... then it basically reduces the thing to a mere game selector.. IMO.

 If given the choice,  Id pop a spinner and a trigger stick on a CP over a Trackball.   These games tend to me more fun and challenging.
Plus, you can use the spinner for driving games.

 If you go with the trackball... you should have a minimum 1ft diameter of space free for rolling.   Most designs have joysticks too close... and as a result, hands can bash into them.

[DeLuSioNal29]

If you plan on putting and PC games on there, I'd put the trackball in.  For example, Zuma, Hamsterball, Bejeweled, Plants vs Zombies, Peggle, etc.  Basically, any Pop Cap Games are a good start.

D

[DarthMarino]

If you like the Golden Tee games, I think it's more than worth it.  If not, that's a much harder sell.

[ark_ader]

Get a trackball.  If you have room for one comfortably. 

[megamoze]

I play Centipede quite a bit, so trackball was worth it for me.  Just depends on what games you play.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Dawgz Rule]

Trackball is definitely worth it. 

[Zeosstud]

I am on the "it depends on what games you play" bandwagon but with a disclaimer. I think it also depends on you cabinet.  I completely redid my control panel to add a trackball when Golden Tee Fore! got emulated, did like 3 different layouts.. No matter what I did, drunk people crushed their fingers or exited the game accidentally or any number of other silly things that happen when we are over served.. So, I built a pedestal and moved Golden Tee and other trackball games to it.. I think having a trackball is totally worth it and I certainly hope you enjoy yours..

[what2be]

Do you need a trackball? I dunno, that's like saying do you need a woman? You don't NEED a woman, but your hand might thank you if you have one.

I setup a old HanoHo cab for a friend and he was a golden tee nut so had to have a trackball. Heres what I ended up doing for him and it works fine.

[harveybirdman]

Heres what I ended up doing for him and it works fine.