Good idea/Bad idea

[gutterstuff]

I have four sets of cheap Ebay buttons that I want to add to a single cabinet so that I can test them (and never be tempted to buy them again). I'm thinking of building a modular bartop that I can take to events and can be used by people of all ages and sizes. I figured that adding two extra stored single player control panels would be cool, and could work if four kids wanted to play the Simpsons or something. You would unhinge the controllers from the bottom, then lock them to the side of the cab when you want to use them. The 3p and 4p side buttons could also double as pinball buttons when the controllers are within the unit.

The downfalls of this are:
1. Why not just pack controllers with it?
2. I could use those control packs for another project like this.
3, It won't work very well.

Thoughts and suggestions? Will it work for little people? Am I being too ambitious?

FYI -- not the final decal. Looking to pay homage to Earthbound (Mother 2) but not sold on a method yet.

[Titchgamer]

Its been done before so totally doable.
But if you think its a bad idea why do it?

[gutterstuff]

This will be my first build with a 4:3 screen (19 inch) as well as my first attempt at a multi-player (more than 2) cab. I guess what I'm looking for is feedback about whether players 3 and 4 would have enough of a CP to play well with, whether the whole thing looks too cramped for even kids to play -- that sort of feedback.

If you think it'll work, I'd love to hear that too. Personally, I want to build it anyway to see what it feels like. I'm just looking for suggestions from more experienced people on the main things to look out for.

[Mike A]

Don't do it.

[yamatetsu]

Bad idea. Look at the viewing angles for players 3 and 4. This setup would work for two kids and two owls.
Also imagine 4 kids yanking that thing around the table...

[Malenko]

build a 2nd cab, and feed audio, video, and controls over to it so players 3 and 4 have their own screen and controls.

[JDFan]

build a 2nd cab, and feed audio, video, and controls over to it so players 3 and 4 have their own screen and controls.

This and incorporate an AB switch so that the second machine can either be played as a separate system or can mirror the game from the first system and all 4 players can play the same game together on the 2 systems. That way you can either play a 4 player game or 2 2 player games at the same time. (Something similar to this Nintendo Dual switch design - http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/02/this_face-to-face_cabinet_from_japan_is_how_local_multiplayer_should_be_played )

[big10p]

As yamatetsu says, the viewing angle for players 3 and 4 isn't good. The screen needs to be further back from the controls, for a 4 player setup.

[Titchgamer]

This will be my first build with a 4:3 screen (19 inch) as well as my first attempt at a multi-player (more than 2) cab. I guess what I'm looking for is feedback about whether players 3 and 4 would have enough of a CP to play well with, whether the whole thing looks too cramped for even kids to play -- that sort of feedback.

If you think it'll work, I'd love to hear that too. Personally, I want to build it anyway to see what it feels like. I'm just looking for suggestions from more experienced people on the main things to look out for.

Fair enough then. Well as the others have already pointed out and to confirm your own thoughts its a bad idea.
Its to small to accommodate 4 people.

As a thought as you want to take this to events etc Why not make a pedestal type cabinet? You could then build a nice wide control panel to accommodate 4 people and hook it up to any display anywhere without breaking your back or taking up an entire van.
Doesn't even need a base, just a Large CP.

[yamatetsu]

If you want something truly portable, this one might give you some inspiration: Maquinita To Go - 4 Player Arcade in a Suitcase

[gutterstuff]

Thanks everyone -- I'm going to pull the 3p and 4p controllers and just keep this thing simple.

I was playing an original MKII cabinet at an event the other night (it was next to a couple other standups as well), and with a bunch of big fat dudes, their beers and their attitudes trying to get in there, even a 2 player cab felt snug.

Don't underestimate the value of elbow room!