Most important controls for 2 player CP

[dmsuchy]

Kinda of looking for your opinions on what would be most important to include on a 2 player panel. Let's say the panel will be 26'' long by about 12'' wide give or take a couple of inches. Any thoughts?

[Tilzs]

Joystick and start button gets my vote as most important.

[alphasqorner]

I think these are the main controls needed overall:

-2 8-way Joysticks
-12 buttons, at least (6 per player)
-2 start buttons
-2 coin buttons
-trackball

My setup is ~38'' x 12'' (about a foot less than yours) and houses all this AND a spinner, a 4 -way joystick and is prepped to add 2 ikari style (ls30) joysticks.  
Check it out at www.alphasqorner.net -> alphasqontroller

I did use a 3'' Betson trackball so that did take up a lot of space.  If you decide to use a smaller trackball, you'll need a lot less space than mine.  
In any case, those elements I listed are probably the main components in a 2 player CP most people use.  

[NoOne=NBA=]

My first question would be "what are you looking to play on it"?

If you don't play fighter games, four buttons per stick covers about everything else.
If you want to play 2-P Smash TV, some of the "tank" type games, etc..., you'll actually need 2 sticks per player (1 with a top fire button).

[dmsuchy]

Yeah, I kinda figured that, what I'm asking is what you guys have included on your 2 panel layouts. Sorry I should of been clearer, I'm lookoing for examples. I looked at the example pages but wanted some live feed back, maybe something you would of done diffrent.

[NoOne=NBA=]

maybe something you would of done diffrent.

That's what I'm in the middle of now.

I ORIGINALLY started building one big control panel (36x16 approx.) as a standalone that I would add to my cabinet once I got it going; but it didn't fit with my vision of a more classic design for my cabinet.

That led me to opt for a smaller (26X10 approx.) swappable control panel system.
At the current time, I've got a 2-P stick panel, a Space Duel panel, and a Tron style panel.
(Sorry about the various stages of completeness on the pics, I haven't gotten them all posted yet).

I was getting ready to work on a Trackball panel, and began to realize that to get all the panels I really want, I was going to have to buy "extras" of alot of expensive stuff (spinners, trackballs, etc...), and then need somewhere to store all the FULL panels when I wasn't using them.
This led me to begin designing a modular CP that will fit into the same area as my current panels, but allow me to "reuse" controls like the spinners to make "new" control panels.
It won't swap as quickly, or as easily as my existing panels, but will be much more versatile once it is done.

My biggest complaint about my current setup is that I have to stand off-center to the cabinet to play almost everything.
I have heard this complaint, and the "uncomfortable" and "other controls are in my way" complaints from alot of the people who built large single panel controls as well.

I currently have 20 panels on my "wish" list.
My current list of controls I will need to make this happen is as follows:
(2) 2 Button Modules
(2) 4 Button Modules
(2) Trackball Modules
(2) Spinner Modules (1-Discs of Tron/1-Model 3 from Oscar)
(2) Trigger Stick Modules (only gets me 1-P Vindicators, but I don't want to buy/build 4 Trigger Sticks)
(2) Top Fire Joystick Modules (Happs Tulip-shaped)
(2) T-Stik 8/4 Way Modules
(1) 4 Button Diamond Pattern Module (For Vanguard)
(1) Defender Stick w/Reverse Button Module

I could add a few others here (like REAL Joust sticks); but don't think they are really necessary for my controls to feel right.
I would also add a couple 6 or 7 button modules, but I don't play fighting games, so those aren't necessary for me either.

The controls listed above should provide for maximum versatility though.
There are some games that have fairly unique controls that are not suited well for building a dedicated control panel for (Wacko, for example uses a trackball/trigger stick combo).
With this type of system, I can swap out modules fairly rapidly, and create custom panels that would otherwise not be worth the trouble of building.

I would suggest that you get a design layed out, and then post it here, before doing any real work on it.
The people here are more than happy to point out the good points/bad points of your design, and may have some real insight (experience from already making that mistake themselves) for you regarding it.

The biggest advice I would give is to build your panel for YOU, not based on someone else's preferences.
YOU are the one that has to play it.

[dmsuchy]

WOW, thanks your cabinet looks awesome and you have some great ideas. I Just ordered some switchable sticks from Unimarc, but can't help and feel that I'll want a center stick for pacman, Galaga, Donkey Kong ect.. Maybe I'll cancel and get 2 Happs 8 way and a $ way for the center. I just turned 33 today and I am used to just playing the older games and won't require as many buttons for the fighting games, but Marvel Vs Capcom does look AWESOME!

[Brad Lee]

disregard above the black line, those arent on the CP

fighters dont get too much play on the cab, mostly classics. the 2 sticks are pretty close to evenly spaced, so it works good for robotron et al.

I know what ya mean about having to stand off center for 1P games.. When its bugging me, I play using the left stick and the 2 P2 buttons(X&C), or the right stick and the 4 red buttons

[Stingray]

The panel I'm working on will have two 8 ways with four buttons each and a center four way in addition to the start and admin buttons at the top. I think this will cover about 80% or more of the games I want to play on this cab. I do intend to make a second panel later with a trackball & spinner, but that's still in the planning stages.

-S

[chrisindfw]

Here is my control panel. My panel is 28.5 x 15 (some of the 15" is overhang)

I have two 8 ways, a 4 way, and a trackball. So far I havnt had any problems with anything. The 4 way doesnt get in the way of the trackball or anything.

http://tallchris.com/CP.jpg

(my apologies for the size)

[dmsuchy]

That looks perfect! I might have to steal that, but I already did order the switchable sticks from Ultimarc. Thanks everyone for the ideas, it's just what I needed to get started, I'll let you know how the sticks perform when I get them.