trackball in lieu of a spinner

[toasty]

I've seen folks do this before.  How does it work?  Is there a way to disable the X or Y axis of the trackball on a per game basis?  Or would it even matter?

My hope is to have both, but I'm not sure if I can do that without having a comically large control panel as compared to the rest of the cab and the screen (21").  Trying to avoid the Frankenpanel problem, thought this might be an option if it didn't completely suck.  The only spinner games I can think of that I would really play with any regularity would be (shockingly  ) Tempest and Arkanoid.

Any input appreciated.

[ahofle]

If I understand you want to use the trackball on single axis/spinner games right?  I don't think you would have to disable anything, since the 2nd axis isn't recognized by the game anyway.

[TOK]

It works pretty well. If you're not a hardcore Tempest or Camel Try fan, you'll probably be very happy with the trackball. You don't need to disable the extra axis, they do nothing in game.
Only thing you might want to adjust is the analong sensitivity to get the speed where you want it.

[toasty]

OK, thanks: follow-up question.  Will a trackball render driving games that require analog controls playable without a steering wheel?

[Kremmit]

It'll render 360 degree driving games (Ivan Stewart's Off Road, Championship Sprint) playable, but it won't much for you on the 270 degree games (Out Run, Spy Hunter).

I'd reccomend GroovyGameGear's trackball booster kit with any trackball, but especially if you want it to do double duty as a spinner.  The extra resolution will really help on games that need fine control, like Tempest.

[MameMaster!]

don't do it! 

There are a zillion spinner choices that take up little space on a CP......you'll want one as soon as you start playing spinner games on your trackball! 

 

[ppilot]

A trackball works pretty well for Arkanoid, but sucks big time for tempest.

Why?  Because if you're at the top of the screen, which way to you move the ball to make your ship go left?  Left?  When you're at the bottom of the screen, which way do you move the trackball to make your ship go left?  Can't be left again.

What I'm saying is, 'left/right' doesn't translate well into 'clockwise/counterclockwise'.

[TOK]

A trackball works pretty well for Arkanoid, but sucks big time for tempest.

Why?  Because if you're at the top of the screen, which way to you move the ball to make your ship go left?  Left?  When you're at the bottom of the screen, which way do you move the trackball to make your ship go left?  Can't be left again.

What I'm saying is, 'left/right' doesn't translate well into 'clockwise/counterclockwise'.

Its funny that you mention this, because I while suppose its a valid point, I never even thought about it playing Tempest with a trackball and never had a problem.
Perhaps you're overthinking it.