Information overloaded new guy. Is this possible?

[31spoonerstreet]

After finally breaking down and deciding I want to play arcade games on something other than my PC i found this site.  I am going to build a cabinet.  I have found it extremely helpful in getting me up to speed but I am getting overwhelmed.  I figured I could rely on the experts here to try and find out if what I want to do is possible or if anyone has tips on what type of hardware will help me get it done (ie I-Pac KeyWiz etc.)

I am looking to have a Control Panel of 2 players with 6 buttons.  I also want a trackball (Golden Tee/Bowling) and a Tron stick and spinner.  I assume that is do-able am I right?

Galaga is also one of my all time favorites so would a separate 2way be needed or would a Happ stick do the trick?

Thanks in Advance everyone

[Fozzy The Bear]

I am looking to have a Control Panel of 2 players with 6 buttons.  I also want a trackball (Golden Tee/Bowling) and a Tron stick and spinner.  I assume that is do-able am I right?

Yes, absolutely it's doable.... BUT you should strongly consider if you should do it all on one control panel. Unless it's a large panel you might find all of that a bit too much for the space.

If you really must have all of those then why not make swapable control panels.

Either the Ipac or the Keywiz will easily accommodate 2 player six button layout. Personally I'd recommend the Keywiz. I think it's better value for money and for me it works well.

Galaga is also one of my all time favorites so would a separate 2way be needed or would a Happ stick do the trick?

Galaga plays fine on any stick 8 way 4 way etc etc.  But you might also want either a dedicated 4 Way stick or a switchable 4 way/8 way, for other games like Pacman or Donkey Kong and quite a  lot of others too. They don't play well on regular 8 Way sticks, as you can get stuck, as you go from one direction to another and accidentally hit a diagonal.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[chazbeenhad]

You can also consider the Xgaming Build Your Own Arcade.
I've not used the others, but I would use the BYOA again.

http://www.xgaming.com/byoarcade.shtml

[_) (V) (-)]

1st off, Welcome!

I'd highly recomend making a mock up and doing some experimentation before you make the actual CP. Mostly because as you see what others have done you'll get all kinds of new ideas of extra things you want to add to your panel. Much easer to 'test drive' them on the mock up panel!

Check out the project anouncments threads, there are tons of cool ideas waiting for you there.

[Buddabing]

You might also look at the wiki and see if any examples inspire you.

Link to Examples

[steveh]

there is always Project Arcade http://www.amazon.com/Project-Arcade-Build-Your-Machine/dp/0764556169/sr=11-1/qid=1166104227/ref=sr_11_1/103-8120803-6547866

which i am sure many of us have found quite informative.  I am in the same boat you are.  I too am in the planning stage in this project (i have been "planning for 2+ years but now i am actually going to follow threw) 

[Neilyboy]

I myself am a n00b still. I have been reading the forums for well over three months (finally getting my account to login when it was fixed the other day hehe) but I bought saint's book 'Project Arcade' and while I was down after surgery (testicular cancer) for two weeks I had plenty of time to read it through. It really does help you take a step back, and relax approach. Its is a very informative step by step guide to building it from the ground up. I love it and would really recommend it!

Neil

[fatfingers]

Galaga plays fine on any stick 8 way 4 way etc etc.  But you might also want either a dedicated 4 Way stick or a switchable 4 way/8 way, for other games like Pacman or Donkey Kong and quite a  lot of others too. They don't play well on regular 8 Way sticks, as you can get stuck, as you go from one direction to another and accidentally hit a diagonal.

I particularly enjoy my Ultimarc UltraStiks (true analog joysticks, but digitally restrictable to 8way, 4way, 2way, etc.) but they are a little pricey (worth it in my opinion).

[AtomSmasher]

I also highly recommend getting the project arcade book, it is extremely useful for beginners. 

I too am a big galaga fan which is why I got the happs ms pacman/galaga reunion stick which is a 4-way stick, but feels a lot like the original galaga sticks. 

[31spoonerstreet]

Thanks for the info everyone.  I have ordered the book so that will be a start and I think I will go with a single player CP with more controls than have a second one for 2 player since the 2 player will just be fighting games mostly.  Maybe some NBA Jam and the like, but the people that will be playing are fans of a a lot of the single player games (Tron, Galaga, Golden Tee, Bowling etc. ) so I think a single player CP with the controls in place of the second player will work.    I have found a ton of great resources from this site on CP planning etc.  I wait to get to far ahead of myself till I get a chance to read the book. 

Thanks again everyone for the info.

[missioncontrol]

yep, The book Project Arcade is a must..... I also recommend spending time in the Project announcement section checking out other control panels....

I do caution you about trying to fit every control possible on a CP... A lot of times they come out too overcrowded.... either go with swappable panels as previously suggested or use it as an excuse to make a couple cabinets 

you may also look at the MAMEY page http://www.mameworld.net/massive/NEWMAMEY/awards.html and see examples of cabinets that have set the bar for other cabinet makers

[AtomSmasher]

Also make sure to browse the CP database thread:  http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=59359.0