First Build and Clueless!

[Hartzy]

Hi Everyone! I am building my first cabinet and am getting ready for controls but are clueless when it comes to this. I want the cabinet to play everything from classic Pacman arcade games through current Mortal Kombat. So my question is what buttons and sticks are best for this. I was thinking Ipac2, Happ Comp buttons, and a mag stik plus, because it is switchable from the top. Is this a good buy, does this sound like it will do what I want it to do? I will run this all into a PC. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

[Howard_Casto]

Ok let's get your expectations in the right place before people start giving you specific device.  Pac-man is a low res game on a vertical 4:3 crt using a game-specific low-profile, leaf switch, 4-way, ball-top joystick.  The only buttons on it are leaf switch start buttons.  Mortal Kombat 11 is a uhd game on a horizontal 16:9 lcd and if you want the "official" arcade layout for it you'll use a game-specific "X" shaped button placement.  The joystick is a happ 8-way microswitch bat-top and the buttons are also microswitch. 

The point is, yes you can play both games on the same cabinet but one  game(probably pac-man due to Mortal Kombat's need of a lcd, more buttons, ect.) is going to be a decidedly inauthentic experience.  You need to start thinking about which games you really want to play, and which ones you just think it'd be nice to have on there. 

[PL1]

The 11-step design process in the FAQ is your friend.

http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/FAQ#What_type_of_build_meets_my_needs.3F


Scott

[NuclearWarren]

Hartz

I had Magsticks in my cabinet and didnt really care for them. I didnt like the throw, or the micro switches. A dedicated 4 way leaf feels and plays much better. I prefer ungated WICO 8 way leaf switch sticks.

Yes what Howard said. What you'll eventually want to do is make two cabinets, one for vertical and one for horizontal. Vertical one can have a dedicated 4 way in the middle, and two eight ways on either side. The horiztonal can have two eight ways and the MK button layout. There arent that many horizontal games that need a dedicated 4-way, so you'd just need the two 8 ways. Get a Raspberry Pi for the vertical, and use your PC for the horizontal one.

Nuke

[MartyKong]

Going back on this one but you may want to search "Kneivels control panel." It was a pretty good all in one design. Check it out to see if it suits your needs. Of course, can't go wrong with separate vertical/horizontal - best of both worlds

[Drnick]

I started with Bartop and Zippys, went through Magsticks, installed a Leafstick pro and am now in the process of building a full sized unit with servostiks

Magsticks,  good for 8 way play, not so hot on 4 way even after switching,  long throw on sticks, Bit sloppy.
Leafstick pro excellent for old school 4 way games, not so great for newer fighting games.
Ultimarc Servostiks  good for 8 way, good for 4 way, auto switching feature,  but a short stick when installed on wood panel and a small bat top makes my hands look like ham hocks

I am afraid that there is no one size fits all solution,  as Howard said you need to decide what games are more important to you and build the machine around that.   I would though second having a dedicated vertical setup with all leaf joystick/buttons.

[Howard_Casto]

Yup... I've got a horizontal with a modern lcd and a fighter layout and a vertical with a couple of buttons for pac-man, 1942, contra, ect... I've also got a racing cab but I don't recommend that one unless there is something wrong with you. If you've got the space and money it really can't be beat to have a handful of cabs, one for each of your favorite genres.  Then you'll get the bug and start picking up real cabs even though you don't have the room.  It's a slippery slope.  Turn back now!  Save your wallet!

[keilmillerjr]

I didn't like the feel of magstiks, and they are not customizable. I went with jlf's in fixed 8-way. I would be willing to try a ServoStik or UltraStik. I created an AttractMode plugin to automatically switch them. Just waiting for a pull request on umtool before releasing.

[Hartzy]

Wow thanks for all of the replys! I think id want to play a little of both. I'm not too concerned with the authentic feel of pac-man or any other old games (DK, Gauntlet, etc.), as much as the ability to play them without control issues. This cabinet would definitely be more in line with Horizontal fighting games and such. Sound like what I will do is go with a setup for 8 way horizontal to start, and then maybe build a raspberry pi setup for vertical. maybe a zit down/flight one later? lol

[vertexguy]

If you wanna go the multiple specialized cab route, you're set.  If you wanna play all the classics in one, dont forget a spinner, a trackball, an analog flightstick and light guns.  Check my build link as an example or look at other Franken panel 4 player cabs.  The control panel pic thread is great for quick examples too.  Then you can really play all the classics.