I posted this in my project thread but thought I'd get more responses here. I am curious to hear what everyone thinks is the best out of the 4 options below (or if there is something even better I'm not thinking of). This is a small bartop and the buttons are 24mm (Seimitsu) with the ability to label them. The main CP will just have the joystick and a 6-button SF layout. I want simplicity over all else so no hotkeys or shifting button functions to get rid of a few.
Thanks!!
#1This puts all 5 admin buttons in one spot above the CP and below the monitor leaving the front of the CP blank. EXIT is isolated, but I worry that there is too much going on here.
#2This layout would align EXIT and PAUSE and align P2 and COIN (each set 1/2" in from edge on the admin panel and front of the CP). This layout is nice in that you aren't really going to be accidentally pressing any buttons but I'm not sure what to think about a solitary button in 3 out of the 4 "corners". It's not bad though.
#3This layout has COIN and PAUSE on the front of the CP - I could space these any way I want (a button width apart?) but they would be generally centered. I kind of like this one too and it's not like it matters if you hit COIN while reaching to PAUSE while playing (although it may be a slightly bigger deal the other way around).
#4This layout has COIN and PAUSE lined up to the right with P1 START and P2 START. This is the most uniform layout (I think) and still isolates EXIT nicely. The same issue with #3 is present here (pressing COIN or PAUSE when you mean to hit the other). This one is pleasing to the eye as well.
I'm leaning towards #3 or #4... I think. Thoughts?