pac man style cabs

[dogg0]

hi all,

i'm about to begin construction on a pac-man style cab. I'm setting up with a verticle monitor. im trying to figure out a good control panel setup right now. there will be 1 four way joystick, then im not sure what buttons i will need. Pac man just had 1p and 2p. but i am planning on playing a few other games as well. galaga, galaxian, etc... anyone have any input on the amount of buttons that should suffice?

dogg

[Shape D.]

If youre talking about older games 2
if you want to be able to play a lot of different games 4
If you want to play fighters 6 or 7

[RayB]

2 buttons will PROBABLY be enough. That way you can play shooters that have a "shoot" and "bomb". BUT note that using a 4-way might make shooters a bit difficult to play properly (1942 for example needs an 8-way).

[Shape D.]

BUT note that using a 4-way might make shooters a bit difficult to play properly (1942 for example needs an 8-way).

The beauty of the t-stick.

[dogg0]

i think 4 way is right for me, really want to keep this one simple. also, trying to go somewhat inexpensive. I have anough buttons lying around, but anyone know a good deal on a 4 way ball top? and i'll probably use an ipacve.

what do u think of these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=13718&item=6147004556&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=13718&item=6147022338&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

the first one seems like a good deal, i could make 2 cabs out of it.....

dogg

[Thenasty]

but you said you wanted a 4-way. The first one is a 8-way joystick which still can be used but really stinks in 4-way games.

You could hack a 360 8-way and put a leaft style switch on the bottom of it to act as 4-way.

here is a link to make one. I made one for Q-bert/Congo Bongo (Diagonal Joystick Setup)

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,25385.0.html


If you gonna go with the secodn one, I rather go with T-plus or the Omni stick at least this joys can be switch on top of your cp without going underneath to change it.

[RayB]

I own two of those joysticks you listed in the 2nd link. That's the same guy I bought it from too...

They are nice little sticks for the price, but at the same time, have their flaws. For one thing, the opening at the top is square. This makes 8-way use feel awkward cuz you can't move the stick in a proper "circle" (instead you really feel the corners of the diagonals).

They ARE modifiable between 8, 4 and 2 way, but it's done with that yellow plastic restrictor on the bottom. The restrictor is a little flexible, and as a result, you CAN force diagonals when in 4-way mode. I imagine this restrictor probably gets damaged easily.

Even though I said I HAVE 2 of those, they are sitting in the box un-used. They are very "clicky". If you've ever played on a japanese cab, that's the kind of joystick this is. ("Sanwa" knock-off I think).

~Ray B.

[RecycledPast]

To make it very simple use 1 4way stick with 1 button (one each side of the joystick to handle left and right handers)
A happs 4way is like $15 +S/H
http://www.happcontrols.com/joysticks/super_joy.htm

That will allow you to play, Galaga, pacman, ms pacman, dig dug, frogger , donkey kong, space invaders, zaxxon, journey....
If you use a 4/8way switchable and use 2 buttons
T-Stick Plus $24 + S/H ( I have this)
http://www.ultimarc.com/JShopServer/section.php?xSec=2
or the Omni Stick $35 + S/H
http://www.groovygamegear.com/page12.html

You can also play all the vertical shooters, 1942, 1943, Tiger-heli, etc...
My suggestion is 1 4way stick , 1 button on each side of the joystick, Player 1 start, Player 2 start, a coin button , and an exit button.

If other people are going to use the machine, I found the above combination works best, dumb down the CP as much as possible.