first full cabinet build

[smorg]

Hey all! I'm starting the adventure of starting a full arcade build (once again). I had attempted this a few years back and built a CP but never finished with the cab itself. So here I go again and hopefully taking it to the finish line.

Here is a picture of the CP I had originally made though I'm planning on redoing it during this build.

[javeryh]

Don't angle the sticks!

[Mike A]

There aren't enough characters crammed onto the CP. It needs more.

[javeryh]

There aren't enough characters crammed onto the CP. It needs more.

Well at least he's redoing it...

[stigzler]

Raise the trackball a little.

[stavros693000]

look foward to seeing you're progress....just a few tips, if your building a 4player C/Panel NEVER angle the 3-4 player joysticks and also players 3-4 only need 3-4 buttons max( i could be wrong) but i cant think of a 4 player arcade game that uses more than 4 buttons, x-men uses 3 buttons, TMNT,Simpsons use only 2 buttons so 3buttons is probably enough. goodluck and keep those pics coming mate. cheers

[Seob]

Artwork looks nice, as artwork. On the control panel it is way to much. The longer i look at it the more buttons i seem to discover, as they are hiding in the artwork. So my tip, use the artwork for the side of the cabinet, and go for a cleaner look on the control panel.

[Phreakwars]

I like the button config, but man, those graphics can cause convulsions if you try taking it all in. 

[smorg]

Its been some time but finally some progress is being made with more to come later this week! Thus far, I have the side panels cut out and roughly the new CP is done. It does require a bit sanding and some filler to cover up the screws and gaps.

Don't angle the sticks!

look foward to seeing you're progress....just a few tips, if your building a 4player C/Panel NEVER angle the 3-4 player joysticks and also players 3-4 only need 3-4 buttons max( i could be wrong) but i cant think of a 4 player arcade game that uses more than 4 buttons, x-men uses 3 buttons, TMNT,Simpsons use only 2 buttons so 3buttons is probably enough. goodluck and keep those pics coming mate. cheers

There were a few comments on the angle of the sticks which I was completely guilty of. After reading much of this "holy war" I do not plan on doing that again with this one. I honestly cannot for the life of me remember why I did that in the first place.......but how else are you to learn if you do not make mistakes? As far as the buttons go I do plan on keeping the 6 button layout for 3rd and 4th player for playing games on other systems like the N64. Not sure how much it will all be used but there is only one way to find out. I guess the one question I do have would be I understand to not angle the sticks, but the buttons still are no? Or is everything aligned horizontally?

I do get that the art work can be loud to say the least but I do like it the way it is and currently I do not plan on changing it. I did finish the new one at least for now if I do not think of any other characters to add to it. Speaking on the side panels though I am on the struggle bus for what to put on them as I really have no clue at this point. Hopefully something comes to mind soon.

Planning on working on this again later this week so there should be another update soon. Looking to start putting in the ledger boards and framing out the actual cabinet itself. If you guys have any tips for putting in ledger boards I would be definitely interested in that!

[PL1]

I guess the one question I do have would be I understand to not angle the sticks, but the buttons still are no? Or is everything aligned horizontally?

It will be more comfortable if you angle the P3/P4 buttons so players have the same distance reach for their stick and buttons and P3/P4 are less likely to turn their bodies and bump into P1/P2 while trying to equalize the reach distance.

Rotate the P3 button layout clockwise so that player naturally stands further to the left and rotate the P4 button layout counter-clockwise so that player naturally stands further to the right.

A cardboard or hardboard mockup with the actual controls will allow you to test the inter-player spacing, P3/P4 button layout angles, and button layout patterns. (see Slagcoin)   

One other possible layout consideration is putting all 4 joysticks in a straight line for 2-player dual joystick games like Smash TV.
- A single player using P1 and P2 sticks would work since they are at the same distance, but the layout in the diagram will cause trouble for 2-player simultaneous gaming because both players' right and left hands will be at different distances.   

TL;DR version:  P3/P4 buttons angled and all 4 sticks un-angled. (Green is good.  Red is bad.)




Scott