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Looking for some advice
minorhero:
--- Quote from: Sedistik on October 17, 2024, 09:50:03 pm ---
For the joystick, it is down to the UltraStik 360 or the ServoStik. I like the idea of the UltraStik, but this is more for MAME and less console (most old console games will end up with controllers via USB ports), so I think the ServoStik might be better. But I did see something about the ServoStik plate working on an UltraStik recently. So now I need to do more research. I like the idea of a toggle switch for the ServoStik (like old NASA rockets), or maybe having the game configure it as it starts.
I am trying to make a list of games, but the Wiki links don't seem to work. Need to find time to research that some more. I won't be loading hundreds or thousands of games into the system. I will load them one at a time, and confirm I have them configured before I add any more.
But, I have been lurking for many months (created my account 2 months ago, but was lurking before that). And I finally have enough money set aside for controlls, so i need to get going on those, before my truck breaks down, or the wife decides the kids get more for the hollidays (I am working a 2nd job just for my damn hobbies, and I have not been buying any of that stuff for a bit).
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Regarding joysticks. When choosing mine I read a lot of reports/reviews about the servo stick. Generally what I found is that its a 'jack of all trades master of none' kind of situation. It will do 8 way or 4 way better then nothing, but a dedicated setup is better then either. For that reason I just went with an 8 way because my focus was not on 4 way games.
Regarding the games themselves. If you have an old computer you are planning on using for this, then my advice is to set it up now. There is no reason not to start the software side of things today. You can download Launchbox for free which is known as "Front End" software. Its going to be your navigational system to get to the games you want. Its extremely popular because its quite good. There is a paid version called "BigBox" made by the same people. Launchbox is for people using a mouse and keyboard to navigate. BigBox is for people who have dedicated arcade machines and will be using them to navigate. I mention this for 2 reasons. 1) Its a good idea to get your software working in advance with as many finalized components as possible as soon as possible so you can see if you need to make hardware changes, and 2) we are coming up on Black Friday. BigBox tends to do a sale around Black Friday and if you want a paid version for your dedicated system (I certainly did) its nice to save some money on it on Black Friday. Plus if you decide your TV as a monitor won't work, well.. there is Black Friday for that as well.
Also, Mame games come down on a torrent all as one BIG chunk. I only have visible on my system a few dozen games, but I 'have' the entire giant pile of games that comes with the mame download. That's why you see so many systems advertising things like 20,000 games, etc.
Sedistik:
Thanks for those direct wiki links, Scott. I will start to browse those.
I am still working on my design, and have not tried to put a 3d plan yet, but here are some pics that have been kind of my basic thought process. I probably will have feet and casters. I like the angled idea, but it depends on how I end up with the attached monitor.
Attached monitor concepts:
This was from a you tube video. I like that the monitor is attached to the base (wall mount would be an issue for me). Don’t like the glossy color (or how cramped the controls look).
Similar to the previous one, but simple wood. I do like the wood idea (but I would go darker).
More complicated, but I like that the monitor is a little further away. I think this might be a counter-weight for that angled control panel. I like the angular look of the control panel myself.
I like the look of the ‘Black Ops’ lighting. I just want to skip the ‘hard way’ for the buttons. This pic is the one I keep referring to for the lighting look I want (but with less stuff). Black Ops added to my reference pics.
I believe the correct working would be 'black button with RGB bezel'
I would prefer that specific button, but i am not going the hard route to make part of the button light up. IF someone makes something like that, I would like to check one out. Ultrimarc does not seem to have that design (without modifications). Is Paradise Arcade reputable? I don’t need top of the line, but I don’t want cheap (good long-lasting is my preference).
I did drop some money to get a bunch of buttons to compare. Should have them in a few days, so I can start testing what layout I like, and what button I like.
I got lucky today, and found the pictures I was looking for. They were from ETSY, being sold by Megacades. Now I just need to find that sweet spot between the Mortal Kombat design here, and those other ones up top.
Modular 4 player Pedestal
Not what I want, but 4 stand-alone pedestal example (in case someone else is looking for something like this)
As for the PC unit itself. That’s what started my descent into this. I got some kind of handheld aftermarket Gameboy like unit. And decided I would rather hook it up to a TV. That led me into wiping out a spare PC, and turning into a retrobat unit. Started to play some NES games, and wanted to play some Road Rash and Killer Instinct, which led me to these forums and the idea of building an arcade system.
I had read a bit about lunchbox, but have not tried it out yet. Could do that while I wait for stuff to start coming in. And I could always just pop in a different drive and keep my retrobat build (rather than wipe it out). The arcade would also act as a backup music playing station for MP3 files.
PL1:
--- Quote from: Sedistik on October 18, 2024, 12:56:20 pm ---More complicated, but I like that the monitor is a little further away. I think this might be a counter-weight for that angled control panel. I like the angular look of the control panel myself.
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I agree that you don't want the monitor too close, but if you keep the monitor attached to the pedestal at the distance that this one is, it makes the whole assembly much heavier due to the extra bracing and very difficult/clumsy to move which kind of defeats the purpose of making your setup modular.
Consider making a steady, stable stand for the TV that allows you to rotate it between landscape and portrait.
- Use an anti-trip cable protector to cover the power cord and HDMI cable between the main pedestal and the TV stand.
You may also want an IEC fused power inlet with a lighted switch on the back of your main pedestal.
https://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/Wiring#IEC_Fused_Power_Inlet_with_a_Lighted_Switch
--- Quote from: Sedistik on October 18, 2024, 12:56:20 pm ---I believe the correct working would be 'black button with RGB bezel'
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Different products use different nomenclatures.
Disclaimer: I haven't done extensive research on this topic. There may be other products better suited to your wants/needs.
IL makes great buttons.
Concave - https://paradisearcadeshop.com/products/il-psl-l-concave-button-clear-white-black-plunger
Convex - https://paradisearcadeshop.com/products/il-psl-lcv-convex-button-clear-white-black-plunger
To light them, you can use Paradise Arcade Shop's IL-lumination RGB 5VDC LED.
https://paradisearcadeshop.com/products/il-lumination-rgb-5vdc-led
This video shows how to install the IL-lumination LED.
- Use the white connector to attach it to an LED controller. (P1/P2 pedestal?)
- Use the black connector and this harness as shown in the video for no LED controller. (P3 and P4 pedestals?)
https://paradisearcadeshop.com/products/ez-rgb-harness
--- Quote from: Sedistik on October 18, 2024, 12:56:20 pm ---Is Paradise Arcade reputable?
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Absolutely yes. Bryan and Susan are great. ;D
I've been using their LED buttons, wiring, and other products for over 13 years.
--- Quote from: Sedistik on October 18, 2024, 12:56:20 pm ---I got lucky today, and found the pictures I was looking for. They were from ETSY
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That's what I was picturing for a 3 pedestal setup.
- The P1/P2 pedestal sticks would be great for dual joystick games like Smash TV.
- Trying to use the P3 and P4 pedestal sticks for dual joystick games might be a bit unstable unless you add some weight to the base.
You might want to consider putting P3 and P4 on a single pedestal.
- This approach would allow you to run P3 and P4 off a single encoder and LED controller.
- For games like TMNT, it would also allow you to keep the player position aligned with screen position without having to remap the controls in MAME and maybe the LEDs in LEDBlinky.
Screen position:
P1 P2 P3 P4
Two pedestal setup:
[P1 P2] [P3 P4] (shift the main pedestal left so the center of the screen is between P2 and P3)
Three pedestal setup:
[P3] [P1 P2] [P4] (keeps the main pedestal centered on the screen but changes player order) or
[P1 P2] [P3] [P4] (shift the main pedestal left so the center of the screen is between P2 and P3)
Are you designing these pedestals for standing use only or do you want the option to use stools?
Scott
Sedistik:
A follow up question...
I am kind of leaning towards making the control panel look like a giant old Atari 2600. I was thinking of seeing if someone makes a modern version of the 'reset switch' from the Atari 2600.
They look like a toggle switch, but act like a button - thinking of using something like that in place of 'coin' and 'player' buttons. Sorry, but I am not versed on the technical term for this.
BadMouth:
--- Quote from: Sedistik on October 18, 2024, 12:56:20 pm ---
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Probably already been mentioned, but the joysticks are oriented wrong on all those.
See pic in my signature and almost all original 4 player arcade panels.
It's counterintuitive, but people will naturally move the joystick in the same physical direction they want the character on screen to go.
Everything on old arcade cabinets was to make money. If people had a better experience and dropped more quarters in machines with angled joysticks you can be assured they would have been made that way.
People can adjust to it being angled if they use it regularly, but THEY HAVE TO ADJUST. They don't have to adjust if the joystick is parallel with the screen.
Notice on Gauntlet that "UP" is labeled.