Opinions on control panel setup (Newbie)

[y2k600f4]

Hi, I am in the process of setting up my first MAME machine and have started with the control panel. I have read lots of usefull posts and I am leaning towards a (2) player setup with 8 way joysticks, 6 buttons each (other misc buttons 1-2 players, possibly some pinball buttons and credit buttons). Also a trackball for games such as centipede. My question is regarding the addition of a spinner and 4-way joystick I know the spinner is useful for games such as missle command, but can I get a way with using the trackball ? Also on older games that use 4 way joysticks I was thinking of just adding one on player 1 (wired to the 8 way)....can I get away with an 8 way. If not is there any 2 player games that need a 4 way also ? I am trying to minimize the amount of controls but maximize the amount of types of games that can be played.  Thanks in advance.

[shardian]

Missile Command uses a trackball.

It sounds like you may want to cruise the CONTROL PANEL DATABASE.

If you have a 2 player cabinet w/ 8 ways and 6 buttons per player and a trackball, you can play pretty much everything. 4-way games are playable on a 8-way stick, but not as accurate of control.

Yes, you can wire a 4-way stick to the inputs of the P1 8pway stick to conserve on inputs...just hope your buddy doesn't flick the 4-way to screw you over in Street Fighter. 

[shardian]

Oh, and welcome to the boards! Get a copy of the project arcade book if you haven't already.

[y2k600f4]

shardian....thanks for the info ! I will check out the control panel database now. Do you know off hand any games that could not use a trackball and absolutely need the spinner ? Thxs.

[shardian]

No games absolutely need a spinner. You can play any spinner game with a trackball.

[miles2912]

A track ball is a mouse flipped upside down.  Try the games with a mouse and you will get a general feel.  A spinner is a Mouse that goes left and right. 

If you are a fan of the old spinner games (arkanoid and tempest come to mind) then a trackball will not cut it.  Yes it can be done but looses all of its nostalgia.  Most of us have a spinner and a trackball on their CP's.  The extra hundred or so that it costs is well worth it.

Don

[unclet]

I believe the minimum you should have is two 8-way joysticks (6 buttons each) and one trackball.   You are on the right track. 

I have a couple of hacked mouse spinners on my cabinet and they rarely get used.   Only for some Warlords play every once and again.   If you can not even think of games which use a spinner then you most likely will not miss having one.

It is nice to have pinball buttons though I must admit ......