Any Suggestions

[BoomTrigga]

I'm looking for any suggestions on what to include in my arcade controls.  I plan on making a 4 player board, but I'm not sure if I should include a spinner, a trackball and I'm unsure of what type of joystick (4way, 8way etc.) I should use.  I noticed on Happs Contorls they have a 49 way...would that be necessary?  If anyone could provide me with some type of insight (like things that worked for them) I would greatly appreciate it.  Thanks!

[eightbit]

Start with the newbie guide then browse the examples section of this site. Then come back and ask specific questions.

Oh, yeah and welcome to the site and a very addictive hobby.

[rampy]

I'm looking for any suggestions on what to include in my arcade controls.  I plan on making a 4 player board, but I'm not sure if I should include a spinner, a trackball and I'm unsure of what type of joystick (4way, 8way etc.) I should use.  I noticed on Happs Contorls they have a 49 way...would that be necessary?  If anyone could provide me with some type of insight (like things that worked for them) I would greatly appreciate it.  Thanks!

First suggestion: don't build a 4 player cabinet unless you really have a fixation (and 3 friends) on the handful of games that support it

Besides 8bits comments (which are valid -> browse examples -> bookmark favorites->read faq->absorb info like sponge) I'd suggest replying with what your goals are (you do have a goal in mind dont you?)  What do you envision playing on there? What games are "must have and must play just like the arcade"...  are you building a cabinet or a desktop controller? do you have a budget?   Do you have tools, and do you know how to use them?  Do you prefer a control panel that has everything on it (button/joystick factory exploded look), swappable panels, single panel but can't play special control games well, or psycho rotating control panel (i.e. xioau, 1up, and tazman)?

All of those are personal preferences/conditions and you'll need to examine those and put some time into planning or you may not be happy with your finished project (and just need to make another one =P )

FYI the happs 49way are a specialty control.  They are expensive and not interfaced often with a PC (not that they can't - but it's not like you can get a 49-pac or 49-wiz - you'd build the circuit yourself)  It was used in games like (or replaces) Sinistar, NFL Blitz, and uh...  uh... (someone help me out here)...

Most people tend to use some sort of analog PC stick hack for those (and other) games if i'm not mistaken... (unless your xiaou he chops up bicycle tires and recreates a sinistar stick from near scratch =P )

*shrug* Welcome aboard...  watch that first step.. .it;s a doosey.

Rampy

[Kane]

FYI the happs 49way are a specialty control.[snip]  It was used in games like (or replaces) Sinistar, NFL Blitz, and uh...  uh... (someone help me out here)...


Rampy

Gauntlet

[rampy]

FYI the happs 49way are a specialty control.[snip]  It was used in games like (or replaces) Sinistar, NFL Blitz, and uh...  uh... (someone help me out here)...


Rampy

Gauntlet

you mean Gauntlet was a 4player game, right? Cuz I don't think any game in the gauntlet series used 49 way joysticks...  I could be wrong, but I doubt it.

*shrug*

rampy

[Kane]

Right from Happs website-

For Williams Blitz, Blitz 99 and Gauntlet games

[rampy]

Right from Happs website-

For Williams Blitz, Blitz 99 and Gauntlet games

I stand corrected (and confused),

 thanks!

Rampy

[Kane]

lol, no problem

[Dav]

Right from Happs website-

For Williams Blitz, Blitz 99 and Gauntlet games

I stand corrected (and confused),

 thanks!

Rampy

The new gauntlet games will work with 49way or 8way depending on how you set them up.

[SirPoonga]

first off, 49way is practically impossible to interface with a pc without some custom hardware.

Second, in mame sinistar, arch rivals, and pigskin are the only games that use 49way sticks.  Right now sinistar in mame has a hack to use an analog joystick.  urebelscum and I worked on a hack to get an analog stick to work with pigskin and archrivals.

[CitznFish]

Couldn't you use an optical joystick instead of a 49 way for Gauntlet?

I too am torn between a 4 player and 2 player CP. I want to be able to play any game i want and I know rarely will i actually have 4 players to play Gauntlet, Simpsons, etc.  Check out Supercade from the examples  for a nice 4 player 2-tiered layout.

Maybe a better question is how often people with 4 player set-ups actually play with 4 players? maybe a dual joystick 2 player set-up would be better and you could map the joysticks for 4 player games, but you would lose some buttons and it might feel awkward to play.

I'm just a n00b too so hopefully this makes sense, or not.

[SirPoonga]

Couldn't you use an optical joystick instead of a 49 way for Gauntlet?

optical joystick???
hehe, 49way is optical I believe.

Check out Supercade from the examples  for a nice 4 player 2-tiered layout.

Actually, I find that a very bad layout.  to reach for that second tier and to play bowling and golf games on the tball are not practical.

[CitznFish]

hehe, 49way is optical I believe.

Oh. I didn't know that. I guess it would require quite a few microswitches for an analog 49-way.   I need to use my head more.

Actually, I find that a very bad layout.  to reach for that second tier and to play bowling and golf games on the tball are not practical.

I wondered about the reach. he gives no dimensions on his website.

So is there an 'ultimate' layout for 4-player CP? Some sort of consensus that allows all games to be played except driving games and Star Wars?

[u_rebelscum]

first off, 49way is practically impossible to interface with a pc without some custom hardware.

Easier to just use an analog joystick.  If mame "supports" 49way games, it's through analog joystick anyway.

Second, in mame sinistar, arch rivals, and pigskin are the only games that use 49way sticks.  Right now sinistar in mame has a hack to use an analog joystick.  urebelscum and I worked on a hack to get an analog stick to work with pigskin and archrivals.

And is missing from Analog+, dang gone it!  Thanks for reminding me about it.  (delaying next release by a couple hours).