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Not having a trackball, big mistake?
releasedtruth:
I was never much for centipede, crystal castles, missile command....
My CP is hinged so swappable panels may be an option, but unlikely since it'll be printed and lexan'd. If I have some happ 4/8 way supers I should be set, but I'm gonna take the swap idea to heart. Maybe make the alternate panel a flat black formica for the odd cases when I need it.
ahofle:
I can't imagine not having a trackball on my control panel. There are just way too many GREAT arcade games that use a trackball. Using it as a mouse in windows is just icing on the cake. I think your layout looks good, so I'm not sure what the issue you have with it is.
ArtMAME:
Yes...I love those old trackball games!!!
:notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: Atari always made the best trackball games.
I tried to put a trackball on my Robotron/Defender/combo panel. I think I could have put it under the Hyperspace button, it would have been a very tight fit, but I decided just to go with a trackball only swappable CP. Plus I had already built the TB panel anyway. I am quite satisfied with it.
I have actually thought about building an Atari mini-cabaret style cab with trackball and buttons only and put all the Atari Trackball classics on it. I would use Birch or Oak plywood and stain it and polyurathane it so it looks like one of those old wood-grained Atari cabaret cabs.
Kinda like these:
leapinlew:
You could try mounting it without the trackball plate. Thats what I did. You can check it out on my showcase cabinet in the project announcement thread. My plate was bigger than my template I printed so I had to figure out a way to mount it.
I love some of the party trackball games. Shuuz, shuffleshot, capcom bowling... not to mention the old school games.
DaveMMR:
A few replies here:
--- Quote ---My CP is hinged so swappable panels may be an option, but unlikely since it'll be printed and lexan'd. If I have some happ 4/8 way supers I should be set, but I'm gonna take the swap idea to heart. Maybe make the alternate panel a flat black formica for the odd cases when I need it.
--- End quote ---
Lexan and artwork shouldn't stop you from going swappable. The hinge will. Unhinge and use panel clamps - cheap and effective. ;)
--- Quote ---Yes, try swappable control panels. I made drop-in swappable CPs for mine. Check out my project thread:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=54556.msg534960#msg534960
I am very happy with this setup and it takes less than a minute to switch panels. It really keeps the whole cabinet looking clean and lean and mean.
--- End quote ---
Very nice! :cheers:
--- Quote ---I think your layout looks good, so I'm not sure what the issue you have with it is.
--- End quote ---
Except for the angles of the joysticks. Parallel and straight. You will be thankful you fixed that before construction. And resist any urge you have to mirror player 2's controls. Sorry to beat that point like a dead horse but those are my two big pet peeves: angled controls and mirrored controls.
But if you're only half-interested in the trackball, you can wait on that part. Make your panel removable and add it down the road.