Which is better, 2-player or 4-player CPs?

[bitey]

I'm debating whether or not to spend the extra time and money to put in the extra two controls, but I don't really see it getting that much use. What do you think?

[Apollo]

It's pretty easy to decide. There are not a lot of 4 player games out there. Think Gauntlet, Bomberman for the old school and some sports and fighting games for the modern era. Think how many times you are going to get 4 people who want to play at the same time and go from there.

[Sylentwulf]

Depends if you think you'll have four people playing four player games or not, simple as that.

[DaveMMR]

I was going for a 4-player set-up (I actually had the control partially built until I stopped and reevaluated my plans) but then decided that maybe it was a bit overkill for me.  I asked myself these questions:

+ Do I have at least 2 more friends who are into classic video games and will play on a regular basis?

+ Are any of my all time-favorites one of the many four-player simo games out there (i.e. Simpsons, TMNT, Gauntlet)?

+ Does my cab design have the CP wider than the body (i.e. Lucid's design)?

+ Would it kill me if I broke authenticity for the occasional four-player game if the other two people used hooked up control pads?

If you answered 'yes' to all 4 questions then a 4-player cp is a good idea.  Otherwise I'd say stick with the regular 2-player.

[vputz]

Would it kill me if I broke authenticity for the occasional four-player game if the other two people used hooked up control pads?

This was the route I took.  I knew that I wanted to play the occasional 3/4-player (gauntlet, Golden Axe, and a few beat-em-ups like Shadows over Mystara) but also knew that the number of times I would actually GET 3-4 players would be minimal.

So: 2-player CP and a couple of eBay'd Logitech Wingman Cordless gamepads later, and I have what I need.  Since the gamepads are cordless, the USB dongles stay plugged in continuously and the gamepads stay out of sight when necessary.

Additionally, having the analog sticks on the gamepads makes gameplay on some games convenient if inaccurate so I don't have to actually make custom controls given that I don't play them much.  The twin analog sticks are great for tank games like Battlezone, Assault, and Vindicators (the "shoulder buttons" on the gamepad make vindicators at least playable if confusing!).  The analog sticks can also be used in shooters, although the accuracy is ludicrously bad--at least they are playable if a little frustrating (particularly if you somewhat pride yourself on accuracy in shooters).

-->VPutz

[TalkingOctopus]

I think if you have to ask this question, going 2 player would be a better choice.  The already suggested 2 player control panel and cordless gamepads fits your bill perfectly.

[Xiaou2]

 I used to think - 4 player setup so that 2 sticks could be used for robotron and smash tv.  However... after playing robotron on a friends mame cab - i found it complete crap with happ competitions.   Robotron really needs wico 8 way leaf joysticks to enjoy and play properly.

 However... you could pop rotary sticks in the 2nd and 4th player spots so that one could play the rotary games... as well as 4 player games.

 That or use the space for other controls like spinners and such.

[crashwg]

3-player all the way.  Super Off Road baby!  Awe yea...

[Gildersneeze]

I'm debating whether or not to spend the extra time and money to put in the extra two controls, but I don't really see it getting that much use. What do you think?

I think Comedy "xxx" Option is a tired, old, worn-out joke.  

[Witchboard]

Why is a 3 player control panel comedy?  Anyone hear of Alien vs. Predator?  It was a Capcom game that was 3 player.

[Maumauproductions]

If you can afford it and build it, 4-Player all the way. Although I was thinking 3 formyself (honestly) because I have some friends that are really into Secret of Mana (a 3 player Action-Adventure for the SNES whichd be emulated in my cab). 2-Player is definetly easiest though.

[crashwg]

Does anyone else find the way these #s came out quite odd???  Yes, it does add up (to 99[close enough]) but it realy seems weird to me...

[u_rebelscum]

I'll go three player before I'll go four, partialy because I don't have three arcade-o-holic friends able to come over at the same time to play with.  

I'd use ctrlr ini files so one player games (pacman etc) use the center stick, two player games use the outside sticks, and 3 & up player games use all sticks in normal order.

Not that there are many 3 player games, and many of the best 3 player games used analog inputs: trackballs, guns, or 360 degree wheels.  (see partial list below)  Still, three players in four player games could be played with a 3 player CP (and which three can be set with ctrlr ini files).

Some games that had at least one 3 player version (more found at maws search)
Alien Storm
Alien vs. Predator
Armored Warriors
Battle Toads
Beast Busters
Cadillacs and Dinosaurs
The Combatribes
Crypt Killer*
Danny Sullivan's Indy Heat*
Double Dragon 3 - The Rosetta Stone
Guardians of the Hood
Hot Rod*
Ironman Stewart's Super Off-Road*
Judge Dredd
The King of Dragons
Knights of the Round
Michael Jackson's Moonwalker
Pit Fighter
Rampage
Rampage: World Tour
Rampart*
The Real Ghostbusters
Revolution X*
Segasonic the Hedgehog*
Super Sprint*
The Three Stooges In Brides Is Brides
Xenophobe

*these used analog inputs


That said, I've already done a few two player CPs.  Next is probably a three player, three 360 degree wheel CP.  To paraphrase another post: "Super Sprint & Offroad baby! Awe yea..."

[Gildersneeze]

Why is a 3 player control panel comedy?  Anyone hear of Alien vs. Predator?  It was a Capcom game that was 3 player.

Evidently, my friend, you don't have stairs in your house.

[Blakey]

Evidently, my friend, you don't have stairs in your house.

I guess he's not protected.

FWIW. I have a two player cocktail with 2 1P panels and 1 2P panel. But I also have two usb ports so two more players can join in.

[Witchboard]

Why is a 3 player control panel comedy?  Anyone hear of Alien vs. Predator?  It was a Capcom game that was 3 player.

Evidently, my friend, you don't have stairs in your house.

What do stairs have to do with it?  If you're going to make a CP larger than your cabinet, wouldn't you make it removable for transport?

[Gildersneeze]

Why is a 3 player control panel comedy?  Anyone hear of Alien vs. Predator?  It was a Capcom game that was 3 player.

Evidently, my friend, you don't have stairs in your house.

What do stairs have to do with it?  If you're going to make a CP larger than your cabinet, wouldn't you make it removable for transport?

Poor Witchboard.  You will never survive.  Space has a terrible secret, you know.

PAK CHOOIE UNF.  YOU MUST BE PROTECTED.  PLEASE GO STAND BY THE STAIRS.  YOU MUST BE PROTECTED FROM THE TERRIBLE SECRET OF SPACE.

[Witchboard]

Uh... Okay.  

[Gildersneeze]

Uh... Okay.  

GRANDMA IS PROTECTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STAIRS.  PAK CHOOIE UNF.  GRANDMA IS PROTECTED FROM THE TERRIBLE SECRET OF SPACE.  PLEASE GO STAND BY THE STAIRS.  HUMANS MUST BE PROTECTED.  HUMANS MUST GO DOWN THE STAIRS.

[DaveMMR]

Good to know your caps-lock key is working fine.  But it's probably better if we stop turning decent threads into tirades of gibberish.  Thanks.

[Knoxximus]

Yeah, I gotz a 2-player cp on the 'ol Showcase there....I think 2-players is better because you still have enough room for the trackball, spinner and all the fixins!

For 3 or 4 player action, it gets no better than an X-Box mod with 4 controllers on the 'ol couch-a-rooney for a round of "TMNT" or "Ninja Baseball Batman" on the 'ol big screen.  THAT'S what the X-Box mod was REALLY made for.....

[spystyle]

It's great to have options.

Even if you only use it once in a while having a 4 player setup is a nice option. At gatherings it'll be a hit.

Not to mention that player 3 & 4 don't need many buttons (3 for most games, 4 for all)

And the control panel dosen't have to extend far out, it could wrap around like the Gauntlet control panel.

Dig it ?
Craig

[Gildersneeze]

Good to know your caps-lock key is working fine.  But it's probably better if we stop turning decent threads into tirades of gibberish.  Thanks.

Good to know you take this internet thing a little too seriously.

The original poster, Blakey, and I were having a bit of fun at the expense of someone who doesn't know what "Comedy xxxxxxxx Option" is or where it comes from.  I doubt it's going to bring this entire forum crashing down around our heads.  Relax.

Oh, and four player all the way, fellow goon.  Two player's great, but some of my favorite games are Gauntlet, TMNT, The Simpsons, etc.  Gots ta be havin' my 4p Frankenpanel.

[Darkstalker]

" Why is a 3 player control panel comedy?  Anyone hear of Alien vs. Predator?"

Wasn't Xenophobe a 3 player game as well?  Horrid, horrid controls, but actually pretty fun once you got used to it.

[Minwah]

I prefer 2-player panels as a rule...but probably only because the majority of games were 2 player ones.

That said, I bet you can't beat playing 4-player Gauntet at home...probably not quite enough to make me build one tho.

[Doc-]

I like the classic narrow lines of the 2 player - in part because I grew up in the golden age.  Space is also a consideration for many of us.

Gamepads are a reasonable compromise if you occasionally want to add a 3rd and 4th player.  I've had great luck with the Saitek P880 joysticks running JoyToKey.  They are USB, have a nice digital emulation switch.  They also make a great on-the-road option if you pack them with your laptop.  I have some pictures of them at the bottom of my "panels" page from the main link below.