Spinner Talk

[Mamiac]

I'm thinking about adding a spinner to my CP, but my question is: other than Tempest, what games require a spinner?  As far as spinners go there are tons of different ones (how are they different?).   I guess what I'm trying to say is are there enough games that use a spinner to make the cost worth while?  Being somewhat of a newb to the MAME world I'm just trying to figure this all out.   

[ARTIFACT]

Use Deluxe Search from MAWS:

http://www.mameworld.net/maws/

Listing only hall of fame games, sorted by number of votes:
http://www.mameworld.net/maws/index.php?src=srch.php%3Fpage%3D1%26mode%3Dhof%26type%3D1%26control%3D1%26has_rank%3Dyes%26by%3Dvotes%26order%3Ddesc



I like Cameltry and Arkanoid ... I don't have my spinner yet but I hope this helps.

[leapinlew]

I love Arkanoid/Puzz Loop.

[Donkey_Kong]

I have the Turbo Twist 2 spinner from Groovy Game Gear.

The games I play with it are...
Arkanoid, Tron, Tempest.

The TT2 also has a mini racer wheel as an add-on that really puts it over the top and allows you to play umpteen racing games.

I like Super Sprint, Pole Position & Turbo with the mini racer wheel. There are so many more you could play with it...



TT2 with Token knob, Mini racer wheel, usb interface (included with TT2)




My wife playing Super Sprint with the TT2 and Mini Racer Wheel...

[Avrus]

Can those mini race wheels be used with other spinners or just the TT2?  And is it easy enough to switch out the knobs or do you have to pull the control panel up?

[Zeppo]

Like the people above said, there are lots of spinner games.
If I was going to buy one, the Turbo Twist 2 is definitely the spinner of choice right now.

Still waiting on Randy to do a push/pull version so I can play Discs of Tron. 

But for right now I got a spinner I made myself from a mouse hack. It works fairly well.

Good luck.

[whynotpizza]

Checkout Apache Controls, bar none the best choice for all around spinner play, and of course allows for push/pull action. Works great for everything from Tempest, Puzz Loop, Arkanoid, Discs of Tron and all other games. Their custom aluminum knob rocks, feels great for regular play as well as push/pull.

They will even take a trade-up for an existing spinner and they guarantee your satisfaction.

I've had their Blackhawk spinner (primary config) in my arcade and have not been disappointed.

  http://www.apachecontrols.com/

  David

[u_rebelscum]

Check out our wiki for more info.  IMO, currently there is no one spinner fits all, since there where so many different spinners in the arcades.


Things to note:

AFAIK, all of those listed in the wiki use a 1/4" shaft, so most knobs are interchangeable between the different brands.  So don't let the knob be the only deciding factor.  The one exception might be GGG's steering wheel; don't know cause I don't here one to see how it pops in and out.

TT2 and SpinTrak have an order of magnitude higher resolution, or CPR (counts per revolution), over the other spinners.  TT2 (1200 cpr), SpinTrak (1000), the rest are between 36-72 cpr.

Size and shape under the CP.  If you have space, this shouldn't bother you, but if your space is limited, look at the TT2, SpinTrak, and Tornado.

If you didn't play in the arcades, you'll be happy with many of the brand models.  However if you did:
Did you love Disks of Tron or Forgotten Worlds in the aracdes?  Get the Apache Blackhawk push/pull.
Did you love arkanoid in the aracdes?  Get the TT2 or SpinTrak.
Did you love Super Sprint or Offroad in the arcades?  Get the TT2 w/ steering wheel (or better, get two or three).
Did you love tempest in the arcades?  Get one of the light ones.

Which one you should get?   

[Donkey_Kong]

Can those mini race wheels be used with other spinners or just the TT2?  And is it easy enough to switch out the knobs or do you have to pull the control panel up?

Simple as pie. It is done from the top side.


The token knob has an adjust ability feature that requires an allen wrench and a few seconds to adjust spinner tension.

AFAIK The other knobs just slide on and off, no tools required. The mini racer wheel, I know, slides on and off. No tools.

[Avrus]

Can those mini race wheels be used with other spinners or just the TT2?  And is it easy enough to switch out the knobs or do you have to pull the control panel up?

Simple as pie. It is done from the top side.


The token knob has an adjust ability feature that requires an allen wrench and a few seconds to adjust spinner tension.

AFAIK The other knobs just slide on and off, no tools required. The mini racer wheel, I know, slides on and off. No tools.

So could you conceivably take the mini wheel and use it with the Spintrak?  Just switch out the knobs when you need to?  That mini-wheel has caught my eye for sprint etc.