Should I have a 4 way joystick?

[Hippo]

I am currently designing the layout of my control panel for my upcoming cabinet build. I have dropped a trackball that I was going to use and it leaves me with some space.

I was going to use 2 x t-stik plus joysticks (they are switchable from the top of the panel) and switch over when needed. But now I have the option of 2 8 way joysticks and a 4 way.

What do you think about this? What games are best played with a 4 way joystick? I presume its only the older games and therefore only 1-2 buttons are required.

If you were going to build a cab now what would you go with 2 x 4/8 switchable from the top of the panel or 2 x 8way and 1 4 way?

[ahofle]

Well, personally I would keep the trackball and use a switchable 8/4 way stick if you don't have room for all 3.

[PetitMorte]

having a 4-way in the middle of your panel, with appropriate buttonage will give you a better playing experience than switching one of your 8-ways to a 4-way.  Pretty much because it's in the center, and not off to one side.

Also, some games definitely benefit from a 4-way joystick... Donkey king for example...  with an 8-way, Mario tends to "freeze" when getting off of ladders because you're hitting a diagionals instead of straights.  Pac-man can get confused as well, and don't get me started with q*bert. 

Yes.  go with a dedicated 4-way stick, and put it in the middle of the panel.    Or make a swappable control panel, and swap out the controller configurations for what games you want to play!   

Good Luck!

[markrvp]

Dedicated 4-way.

[Hippo]

I dropped the trackball because of 2 things:

1. The only game that I would use it with is golden tee and theres not enough room in my cab design to get a good spin on it without wacking your fingers on the monitor glass. There isnt enough room to make the cab bigger in the location its going in.

2. Money, this cab has to be built on a budget and not using a trackball or optipac will save me

[markrvp]

I was thinking just that petitmorte, having the 4 way joystick right in the middle. How many buttons should go with the center 4 way? 1 or 2?

At least two - Jump & Shoot/Fire

[PetitMorte]

yes.  4 buttons, two on either side!    This makes for an ambidextrious panel.

     o  o      I      o  o


Like that.   

That is, if you're going to make a swappable dedicated 4-way panel.

If you're making a frankenpanel with 2 8-ways, many buttons, and a 4-way in the middle, just use the buttons for the other joysticks.

[killbill]

Man, I can't believe this topic just came up.

[Ldsfunaz]

2. Money, this cab has to be built on a budget and not using a trackball or optipac will save me

[ahofle]

Now, I'm suffering on where to put it.

[markrvp]

Place the joystick above and left of the trackball.   Look up Knievel's Neon Mame for a great example.

[dhansen]

4-way stick rule!

[killbill]

Thanks for the input guys.

dhanson that is exactly the way I was thinking about it.

Maybe I'll try and move the center stick up so it's further away from the trackball.

Thanks.

[pointdablame]

I like to put the 4way directly to the left of the 2p joystick on a 2p panel. 

- It puts the joystick in the center of the panel (give or take)
- you can use the 2p button bank for 4 way games
- makes the panel look a lot less cluttered IMO
- if there IS a trackball on the panel, there is no problems with the 4way being in the way.

just my .02