Help on some finer points building a cocktail cabinet

[Shinobis Shinpads]

Hey guys!

I am having a cocktail cabinet built that can go into our lounge, to replace our rather boring glass table. To be honest it will be more of a coffee table rather than a cocktail table as the height will be reduced somewhat so that it's suitable.

I'm having it built for me, thanks to a chronic lack of skill and understanding, but in my recent research I've stumbled on a few questions I would really appreciate some help with. Initially it was going to be a standard cocktail table with a jamma 60 configuration, so keeping the classics for family and guests to enjoy. Also aesthetically, a symmetrical table pleases my wife more than any other design choice we make here (it has to be white, and relatively simple also). However I'm also thinking that in making a fairly significant table I'd also like some more options, I grew up in an arcade of fighters and scrolling beat em ups, and I worry that it would be a big missed opportunity to not have the options of this set up or both. So the options we currently have are standard cocktail set up, 2 payer horizontal set up (with cocktail frame) or three way set up with something like the horizontal and vertical game board.

I guess my questions are for people that have experience withe these set ups, and namely what does it feel like to play horizontal games on a cocktail board? Would it be better to keep the traditional set up for vertical games only? I'm just concerned that I shoehorn a horizontal set up in there and then when I start to play it doesn't quite feel right. There's nothing to say when we get a bit more space I can't get an upright cabinet done, it's just now we've started the project I feel like I want everything in one! Any advice or help would be really appreciated.

[Mike A]

I don't see 2 adults huddled next to each other playing a fighter on a cocktail cab. Stick to the traditional layout.

[DeLuSioNal29]

Hi and welcome to the forums!   

You have a couple of options here:
- 2 sided cocktail (4 way joysticks and buttons on either side) using a 60 in 1 vertical PCB (short for printed circuit board).
- 3 sided cocktail with the additional control panel on the front for horizontal games.  In this case, you would need a PC or Raspberry Pi as the "guts" since a 60 in 1 would not support the additional games or horizontal play.  The screen will flip accordingly depending on what game you select.

Instead of re-inventing the wheel, take a look at other cocktail styles and ask your guy to build something similar (but lower to the ground as you need it for your setup).
Here are some examples:
https://www.mameroom.com/webstore.asp?categoryID=43

Hope this helps!

DeL

[Shinobis Shinpads]

Thank you for the welcome!

Definitely looking at the three sided cocktail cabinet, it just depends on the playing experience of the horizontal games. Because it's not a natual setting, does anyone have any experience of playing horizontal screens on a cocktail cabinet?

[DeLuSioNal29]

I have a horizontal cocktail cabinet, where there is 1 joystick and button set on 1 side and another joystick and buttons set on the opposite side.  Works similarly to a vertical cocktail setup where the screen flips.  Games are comfortable to play, but I can't imagine being next to someone on the same side playing next to each other.  There just isn't much room.

DeL

[Shinobis Shinpads]

Hey Del,

Thanks for getting back to me. The dimensions I'm looking at are slightly wider that a full size old style standing cabinet, so hoping that won't be an issue!