Back from the dead.....

[Aceldamor]

What up peeps? Back after about a 7 year hiatus. Long story that involves family issues --> financial issues --> recovery ---> back in a home.

Back when I was an active member I build a LuSiD (MK2) cab w/ a WG 27" monitor, standard 2P control panel layout with IPAC and Happs controls. Nothing to extravagant, but it was functional and we had many many hours of enjoyment out of it. Well, I had to disassemble the cab, but kept all the parts.

As i've stated already, i'm back in a new place and have a loft that I have dedicated to "gaming", which means it's time for a new cab. I'm having quite the conundrum though, as I don't know if I should stick with the "traditional" style cabs and keep my trusty WG monitor or embrace the new and build using a flat screen and go "outside the box" so to speak on cab design. Back when I was considering a redesign the first time I was going to do a build like the Varsity Club cab, as it was really really epic. I still like it, but there have been so many other cool cabs since.

One thing I do know, is that I would like to expand to 4p this time, as now that I have a kid we will be using at least 3p when I can convince the wife to play some Turtles, Simpsons, X-men, etc. I also know I want to go a bit more flashy this time with some GGG equip to make knowing which controls are used a bit easier this time around. I'm not sure if having dual monitors is as prevelant any more since the LED buttons will provide info on active buttons, though specificity on what the buttons do is pretty cool.

Enough of me ranting, as i'm sure i'll have a project announcement soon, but I did want to get some input on the communities favorite cabs. I've checked out the Mamey's and the HOF threads and those are sweet cabs..but there is something to be said for getting the input of the community.

Looking forward to jumping back into the deep end...

Ace.

[pbj]

Alright, you can now respectfully ask for copies of artwork.

[wp34]

Welcome back!

Alright, you can now respectfully ask for copies of artwork.

 

[harveybirdman]

I love me some pbj and I'm not even ashamed....


Anyhow I think that sized WG is plenty big enough for a 4-player panel, IMHO I wouldn't downgrade to LCD.


LED Butttons ugh... but for what you want them to do, I can see the case for them.

[wp34]

One thing I do know, is that I would like to expand to 4p this time, as now that I have a kid we will be using at least 3p when I can convince the wife to play some Turtles, Simpsons, X-men, etc. I also know I want to go a bit more flashy this time with some GGG equip to make knowing which controls are used a bit easier this time around. I'm not sure if having dual monitors is as prevelant any more since the LED buttons will provide info on active buttons, though specificity on what the buttons do is pretty cool.

You might give Malenko's Open Ice cabinet a look if you are interested in a great 4P example.  He lined the sticks up so you can play Smash TV or Robotron.  Simple yet very functional.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,140777.msg1478570.html#msg1478570

[Aceldamor]

Welcome back!

Alright, you can now respectfully ask for copies of artwork.

 

@ wp34, Thanks!
@pbj , Thanks,,I think?    /dontgetthejoke

[Aceldamor]

LED Butttons ugh... but for what you want them to do, I can see the case for them.

Reason for the Ugh? More of a traditional button guy vs. lighted buttons?

[yotsuya]

LED Butttons ugh... but for what you want them to do, I can see the case for them.

Reason for the Ugh? More of a traditional button guy vs. lighted buttons?

I think for a few of us, less is more. Led buttons, if they serve a purpose, are fine. I have them on my one cabinet, but they light up and show which buttons are functional per game. Otherwise, I wouldn't use them. But I'm more of an original experience guy myself.

[pbj]

I've yet to encounter an LED button that doesn't get warm.  Warm buttons are like warm toilet seats.  We all know they're covered in poop particles but we'd like to pretend they aren't.

[CheffoJeffo]

I've yet to encounter an LED button that doesn't get warm.  Warm buttons are like warm toilet seats.  We all know they're covered in poop particles but we'd like to pretend they aren't.

I had never considered that before. Maybe not so much for the lighted buttons on my MultiWilliams then.

 

[Aceldamor]

I've yet to encounter an LED button that doesn't get warm.  Warm buttons are like warm toilet seats.  We all know they're covered in poop particles but we'd like to pretend they aren't.

Hmmm....that is something to think about. Warm button vs. specifying buttons / game. I'm not sure if I would have an issue with a warm button, but tbh I don't think I've ever encountered one either 

[harveybirdman]

LED Butttons ugh... but for what you want them to do, I can see the case for them.

Reason for the Ugh? More of a traditional button guy vs. lighted buttons?

Not only am I a traditionalist, it's stupid expensive.  My main beef is when guys spend 400 bucks on a bazillion LEDS then ---smurfette--- about custom artwork being too damn expensive.

I will concede that led buttons for the purpose of showing what buttons are active in the current game being emulated is nice functionality.  However  I don't know if I'd ever pay for it in something I was building.

I guess to me it's the equivalent of ground effects on a car, to me it says a lot about the driver.

[opt2not]

My main beef is when guys spend 400 bucks on a bazillion LEDS then ---smurfette--- about custom artwork being too damn expensive.

[yotsuya]

My main beef is when guys spend 400 bucks on a bazillion LEDS then ---smurfette--- about custom artwork being too damn expensive.

Hear hear. Great art goes a lot further towards making a great looking cab.

[eds1275]

That guys hair somehow looks more fake than Max Headroom's

[Aceldamor]

Interesting opinions so far. There seems to be a lot of dislike for lighted buttons, which I find interesting since there are cabs with them in the HoF. Cost aside, and the fact that apparently they are gimmicky, I think it would be nice to be able to show the functional buttons for various games. I'm not trying to NEO Tokyo my cab, just make it easier for others in the house who would play it, like the Mrs. and the little one by being able to visually identify what buttons are active. IDK, perhaps i'll light the outer part of the button like on Flynn's cab. I actually don't mind the look of them. Flynn's , the Alien Cab, the Goonies Cab are just some of the examples of how they added to the aesthetic of the cab imho.

I do agree that  art is what "makes" a cab though. Hopefully once I can manage to settle on a theme, which is also difficult as virtually all of my favorites have been done already I can work with some folks here whom can assist with the art piece.

[harveybirdman]

I actually think I'm in the minority, lots of cabs these days go LED.

There are plenty of people that would champion them.

I was just clarifying my opinion since you asked.  Just to be clear, there isn't  lots of dislike just plenty of opinions, which tends to happen if one asks for them 

If you like the functionality go for it man, I'm sure you'll be happy with the results.

[Aceldamor]

It's all good man. I understand it's all personal preference. The perfect aesthetic is different for everyone. To be fair, if I was going with a 2p 3 or 4 button /player cab i'd probably go traditional buttons as well. Hell, I have a metric ton of them from my first arcade. I respect and appreciate your thoughts and opinions. Not bashing, nor judging. In the end, it's what I like and what I think will be the easiest for my player base to understand. 

Now to try to come up with a theme..... 

Thanks to all who gave their thoughts, and the WB!

-Ace

[AzureKnight]

Welcome Back!

I think my favorite 4 player with LED buttons is Flynn's Arcade http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,135116.0.html

Another great one that uses lights in a very thoughtful way is Blip http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137295.0.html

Good luck with your upcoming build.

[keilmillerjr]

After purchasing my neo geo mvs-2-25, I will never ever consider a machine with ldc screen again. So glad I scrapped my DIY cabinet with lcd build.

You can make a 2player cabinet to save space and have bluetooth controllers for players 3 and 4 if needed. Those Mortal Kombat and Simpsons style 4player cabs are just way too big for most peoples homes.