Ideas for mostly 4-way CP

[caykroyd]

Trying to layout my control panel and have a slight dilemma.  I will mostly be playing old school games with 4-way action and 1-2 buttons.  But I want to be able to play the fighter games occasionally.  I think having the 6 buttons might get too crowded when you only have to use one or two of them for the 1-2button games.  I am planning on just having two 8-way sticks with some hardware logic to convert to 4-way.  Now I need some ideas for button placement.  Do most of you use some of the 6 buttons for the 1-2 buttons games, or do you have a couple extra buttons elsewhere on the CP for those games?

[paigeoliver]

Hardware logic?

No matter what tricks you pull, a 4-way stick does not feel right unless it is a REAL 4-Way joystick with a diamond shaped movement area.

An 8-way stick is not a 4-way stick no matter how much you want it to be. Those sticks that let you flip the actuator to become 4-ways are terrible too. Just shell out the $20 and get a Ms. Pac/Galaga reunion replacment joystick. They are too awesome for words. As soon as you use one of those you will see how much crap those 8-way to 4-way tricks are.

[Cue-Ball]

How big is your control panel?  That is going to be the deciding factor.

I'd also think twice about using hardware logic for 4-way.  Most people agree (myself included) that a dedicated 4-way stick with a physical diagnol restrictor is the way to go.  I'm using a modified 8-way as my 4-way right now and as far as i'm concerned it's not acceptable.  I'm monkeying around with the Oscar restrictor plates as well, but that's still a compromise.

Post more details about your control panel size and maybe people can give you more input.

[caykroyd]

My control panel is going to be about 28"-30" by 15"-18".  I want to be able to play golden tee, so I want a lot of empty space around the trackball.  I will build a circuit to convert the 8-way controller to a 4-way.  I have read the posts about nothing working, but a true 4-way joystick, but being a circuit designer by trade, I want to try it out.  I will also leave room on the CP for a dedicated 4-way incase i deos not work.  I'm actually thinking about jsut axing the fighter style layout, but want is to be as universal as possible.  Sounds like most people just use some of those 6 buttons for the 1-2 button games.  I looking for other ideas.

[Frostillicus]

I got the new 4-way from happs(mspacman replacement) and it is awesome.  You can do the same thing in software that you can do with circuit logic - there are hacks out there that prevent diagonal signals from being processed - but you can still move there physically with the joystick.  I think it's always been more of a hardware problem.
 

[2slk]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. If you want an 8-way / 4-way setup but your space is limited, check out the t-stick or j-stick available at www.ultimarc.com They are fantastic in 8 and 4-way and are easily switchable. 2 sticks in 1.

[paigeoliver]

My control panel is going to be about 28"-30" by 15"-18".  I want to be able to play golden tee, so I want a lot of empty space around the trackball.  I will build a circuit to convert the 8-way controller to a 4-way.  I have read the posts about nothing working, but a true 4-way joystick, but being a circuit designer by trade, I want to try it out.  I will also leave room on the CP for a dedicated 4-way incase i deos not work.  I'm actually thinking about jsut axing the fighter style layout, but want is to be as universal as possible.  Sounds like most people just use some of those 6 buttons for the 1-2 button games.  I looking for other ideas.

What has worked for me in the past is simpy sticking the 4-way right to the left of the player 1 stick, and letting it share the buttons with player one. (Can also do the same for player 2). That doesn't take up nearly as much space as trying to make a separate little station for it.