First foray into control building. Tempest for my wife.

[wv1]

Howdy all!
My wife and I are children of the 70's and 80's. She's been trying to get me to find a Tempest cabinet for her. Not gonna happen soon.  However, I think I can build her a set of spinner controls to connect to the laptop so she can play Tempest (and other spinner games) on MAME in our living room. I figure it's a good first project. Then once she gets the fever I can build that dream MsPacman cocktail cabinet.
So - I need for this project a spinner. The Ultimark Spintrak looks perfect but their are not currently available. Any other options that will interface with a Mini-Pac?
Second - buttons - 6? Looks like a lot of people use 6 buttons. 
Joystick - for a console box that will ostensibly sit across a lap I'm thinking a servo stick over a J-Stik ball top. But I've never laid eyes on any of this stuff ever, so any advice appreciated.

And for wiring - I see Ultimarc sells wire bundles etc. Is there a bulk source of wire and connectors so I can just make my own? I'm reasonably handy with such things and willing to try.

Anyway, trying to lean a new skill and starting small. Have probably 10 older computers and monitors from 2006 forward that we have left from when we closed out medical practice, so when it comes time to build "our" cocktail I have plenty of starting materials.

Thanks for any help. I'll try not
To be a nuisance!
Dr.Phil


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[leapinlew]

I built a Tempest bartop (in my signature).

I used the groovygamegear spinner and was very happy with it. An original tempest knob will fit on the spinner. You don't need 6 buttons for sure, you could use 3 buttons for most spinner games. There aren't many spinner games if you exclude driving games.

[wv1]

Thanks for the heads up! Looks like they have damn near everything I need. Now to find some 3/4" MDF to make a fake Tempest control panel.


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[yotsuya]

I used the same GGG spinner in my Tempest cabinet until I was able to get a real spinner. It works very well.

[Mr. Peabody]

If my wife wanted a Tempest, I'd get her one. Only benefits all around. You could build one together, too.....

[wv1]

What is the limitations of a 4 way vs 8 way joystick? Does it effect diagonal movement? I know this is a basic Q but don't want to screw up ordering.

[DarthMarino]

What is the limitations of a 4 way vs 8 way joystick? Does it effect diagonal movement? I know this is a basic Q but don't want to screw up ordering.

On a 4-way you CAN'T hit the diagonals.  It has a restrictor plate that prevents this from happening. Some games like Pac-Man or Donkey Kong work better with this set up. 

Here is a list of games that work better with a 4-way:
http://www.armchairarcade.com/neo/node/486

[leapinlew]

What is the limitations of a 4 way vs 8 way joystick? Does it effect diagonal movement? I know this is a basic Q but don't want to screw up ordering.

You are headed down a rabbit hole!

Q-bert might be the worst example of a game with controls you want to add. You can sort of get it to work with an 8 way, definitely won't get it working well with a 4 way, but works best with a 4 way mounted at 45 degrees.

[RandyT]

Thanks for the heads up! Looks like they have damn near everything I need.

If you are looking for a knob which is just like the original Tempest style, we have a limited stock of these as well.  Email me for details, if you are interested.

[wv1]

Just placed my order!


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[jdbailey1206]

"For my wife...."    Its cool bro.  You can admit its for you.  We dont judge....

[paigeoliver]

Even less if you exclude Arkanoid type games that use a ridiculously sensitive geared spinner.

I built a Tempest bartop (in my signature).

I used the groovygamegear spinner and was very happy with it. An original tempest knob will fit on the spinner. You don't need 6 buttons for sure, you could use 3 buttons for most spinner games. There aren't many spinner games if you exclude driving games.

[wv1]

"For my wife...."    Its cool bro.  You can admit its for you.  We dont judge....

Oh hell of course I'd build one for myself, but it will be a full size Robotron 2084. Sure I could have bought several of them with the quarters I spent.


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