Question about 4 player games

[JoeyJoeJo]

I'm wanting to build a 4 player cabinet and was wondering about buttons.  How many should each player have?  I'd like to be compatible with as many games as possible.  From what I've seen online, most everyone gives players 1 and 2 7 buttons, but do players 3 and 4 need this many?

Also, which games use the most buttons?

[brophog]

The common build is 6 buttons for players 1 and 2 and 3 buttons for players 3 and 4.

[shardian]

If you don't plan on playing playstation, x-box, or other consoles that require alot of buttons, then you should need no more than 4 buttons for p3 and p4 (Really, you shouldn't need more than 3).

If you are going to play console games in your cabinet, then you would need all of the buttons required for the console.

This gets crowded though, so you should consider just using controllers for p3 and p4 if consoles are in the picture.

[Hoopz]

There are some 4 player games that use 4 buttons though.  The D&D games in particular.

[shardian]

The 7th button for p1 and p2 is for aesthetic purposes to allow accurate button placement for Neo-Geo.
To me, this is highly overrated. Of course, I'm not a huge Neo Geo fan either.

[shardian]

I never even saw a D&D in the arcade. Seems like a really neat game though.

[JoeyJoeJo]

So looks like I'll do 4 buttons for players 3 and 4, and 7 for players 1 and 2 because I like a bunch of Neo Geo games.

Heres something I just thought of.  Which hand usually holds the joystick?  Does this depend on if I'm a righty or lefty?

[Hoopz]

Heres something I just thought of.  Which hand usually holds the joystick?  Does this depend on if I'm a righty or lefty?

That's like asking what joystick is the best.  Some like using their strong hand for the joy while others prefer to use it for the buttons.  I believe in the mid to late 80's the games changed and the dominant (right hand) was used primarily to hit the buttons while the off hand (left) was for the joys.

I would say test it on a mock cardboard setup.  I prefer to use my right hand on the joy but my friends hate it.  I have player 1 setup for the right hand and player two setup for the left hand.  They hate playing on P1 and I hate playing on P2.  But it works for us.

Test it out before you do anything final.  And see what games you will be playing the most and what feels best.

[brophog]

Heres something I just thought of.  Which hand usually holds the joystick?  Does this depend on if I'm a righty or lefty?

That's like asking what joystick is the best.  Some like using their strong hand for the joy while others prefer to use it for the buttons.  I believe in the mid to late 80's the games changed and the dominant (right hand) was used primarily to hit the buttons while the off hand (left) was for the joys.

[/quote]

Yes, if this was a 1 player cab. But it's not, it's a 4 player cab which tells me that it will often be his companions opinion that matters most and the defacto standard is by far joy on the left.

[ahofle]

Heres something I just thought of.  Which hand usually holds the joystick?  Does this depend on if I'm a righty or lefty?

Yes, depends on your handedness and also depends on whether or not you're in the mood for a "stranger's hand".   

[Hoopz]

Heres something I just thought of.  Which hand usually holds the joystick?  Does this depend on if I'm a righty or lefty?


That's like asking what joystick is the best.  Some like using their strong hand for the joy while others prefer to use it for the buttons.  I believe in the mid to late 80's the games changed and the dominant (right hand) was used primarily to hit the buttons while the off hand (left) was for the joys.

Yes, if this was a 1 player cab. But it's not, it's a 4 player cab which tells me that it will often be his companions opinion that matters most and the defacto standard is by far joy on the left.

Isn't that what I said?      The games after the mid 80's had the joys primarily for the left hand. 

[brophog]

Mine eliminates choice. I'm the choice eliminator! 

[Hoopz]

 

Gotcha.  I'm the guy saying test it to see what feels best.  Unless Ahofle is coming over with his stranger's hand!

[brophog]

That's another reason to eliminate options.......you never know what some of these guys will do! 

[Hoopz]

That's another reason to eliminate options.......you never know what some of these guys will do! 

Or invite only women over.   

[ahofle]

I made no such offer!!!  A "stranger's hand" is something you do to yourself. 

[brophog]

You can play arcade games to meet women!!