Joysticks, Control Buttons, and Running Hardware (Raspberry Pi/Computer)

[Hacksaw44]

Hey Guys new to the group here. I got motivated on a build as I have had back surgery recently and was laid up in the bed watching Youtube videos. I always wanted to build one as I knew they were being done just did not research where to look. Glad to find this group. Anyway I am wanting order my buttons and such and have a few questions. How many buttons do I need and what colors? Do you guys use all the same colors or change it up. I am assuming two joysticks also. I would like to have the best color possible and will go with a 27" monitor I am thinking but need to know on computer to use. Is a Raspberry Pi good or a computer ? Is one better than the other ? I would probably just be playing the older games I guess . Any help would be great

[Titchgamer]

There is no such thing as a set build.

The amount of buttons, sticks, colours etc is entirely up to you!

*most* builds go with 2 sticks and 6 buttons per player plus start, credit, admin etc buttons.

6 buttons covers you for the vast majority of games from pong to street fighter.

But people sometimes go with 7 or 8 depending on their needs.

If you want a 4 player cab you never really need more than 4 buttons for players 3&4.

The best thing to do is have a think what you want to do and look through the builds on this fine forum for inspiration!

[Hacksaw44]

Ok, Yeah just looking for a answer to start with. Only going to be a two person cabinet. I need to look for a diagram that shows like a down view with descriptions of all the buttons.

[paigeoliver]

The raspberry pi is absolutely the worst thing available that anyone is actually using.

Probably the most common build is a standard 6 button streetfighter 2 layout with a trackball in the middle.

There is no reason to have more than 6 buttons, arcade games didn't use them and consoles that used that many buttons have analog controls that don't translate well to arcade panels.

Nothing can play everything and the more you try the worse it ends up being.

[smass]

If you are building a full size cabinet, and have some computer knowledge and access to an inexpensive (read: almost free) computer then I would go the computer route vs Pi.  Pi is great for smaller builds or gadget freaks, but if you can get a core 2 duo running at 3.0ghz or higher for really cheap, that is the best bang for the buck.  You can usually find them for almost free on CL. 

[Hacksaw44]

Ok Cool that is what I was going to ask. I will get the cabinet done first and go from there. I have seen Amazon has a few package deals for the controls. Buttons and joysticks. Allot to choose from though.

[n3wt0n]

Nothing can play everything and the more you try the worse it ends up being.

Lots of good advice here but this is the best tidbit.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[clok]

Built a couple (most here have built more), one thing  i would mention. the 6 button thing is pretty much correct, but if you like the OLD Neo-geo stuff, you may want a 4th button. Also the layout, I have built mine i the traditional Street Fighter layout, and wish I had went more the curved (again Neo-Geo) style, 4 buttons on top and 3 below. SO what I'm saying is much what everybody else says, no specific way, but think long and hard on your layout, once its done, its done.

[Hacksaw44]

Are most of you guys running a full size computer ( old one ) or something else.

[yotsuya]

Are most of you guys running a full size computer ( old one ) or something else.

Full size for me. I'm going to be starting a new build for a friend, and I want plenty of horses behind it.

[gomeq]

Prototype your control panel layout and test it. I tested mine by just printing some layouts from http://slagcoin.com/joystick/layout.html and put them on a piece of cardboard.

[langlem]

I have built 3-4 MAME cabs and also 3-4 Multicades.  You really need to ask yourself what games you (and your family/guests) will actually be playing.  In my situation I have found that 95% of the time it is the early 80's vertical classics. (Pacman, DK, Galaga and the like) In that case, I really belive a Jamma card put into a previously gutted cab with a 19 or 20 inch 4:3 (actually 5:4) is the quickest and most cost effective way to go.  Cabs and monitors can be found on Craigslist all the time.  And there are many other places to look

Is the emulation as good as MAME, not even close. Can you change the gamelist and frontend look...not really... But to get up and running with the classics...its pretty slick.

That being said, I have 6 cabs in my house.  One with a 60-1 / 412-1 with a jamma switcher, one an ArcadeSD, 2 dedicated and two MAME cabs. By FAR the ArcadeSD cab gets the most play.

I completely enjoyed building the cabs and learning MAME, Hyperspin, Mala, etc... Very glad I did.  I also had fun with the woodwork, painting, artwork, etc...

OK...so kind of went off tangent there, sorry...  Button colors...whatever you like.  Layout depends on games you want.  Best advice already given is dont try to jam too much on the cp....just gets to cramped and busy.

Full computer....admittedly dont know much about the Pi...but some stuff is pretty cool. RaspberryJamma looks pretty neat.

Good luck!

[ivwshane]

You will definitely get a better emulation experience with a computer however, nothing beats the ease of setup (including the front end) as a raspberry pi (specially running recalbox). You can pretty much have a full blown arcade for a fraction of the cost as using a computer.

I say this as someone who has built two PC based arcade machines and someone who is building a bartop using a raspberry pi.

If you want quick and easy go with the pi. If you want to build something and have it last then go with a PC.

[ark_ader]

Drop the Raspi, and buy a cheap Original Xbox, soft mod it, and put CoinOPS on it.  Buy a second hand 2 player Xarcade, a cheap adapter and transfer it to your cab.  You will have enough buttons to do whatever game you want to play and it will not break the bank.  You can just leave the whole shebang in your cab for several years to come and still not be able to play every game CoinOPS supports.

I bought a Pi3 to do exactly as you in my cab.  Thought about it long and hard, and decided that the Xbox was the most economical, cab friendly and cheapest option.

Just use your Pi as a media server with Kodi and call it a day.