What major breakthroughs have changed how you built/build your control panels?

[Wiibound]

Back in the day, game manufacturers only had to worry about what would work with one single game and they had jamma to make things easier.. but since people have started making their own arcade cabinets that house 1000s of games there have been a lot of innovations and breakthroughs. What are the major ones that changed how you build/built your controls?

I haven't built my arcade yet (although have made a couple makeshift control panels for consoles) but have been planning it for years and years now.

Ipac2 or 4. Amazing. I hooked one up for my friend's arcade and it's amazing how easy and customizable it is. Before this the plan was to hack some gamepads or a keyboard and would have been rather sloppy.

Happ USB trackball. I was completely against the idea of putting a trackball because of all the hassle it would have been and price of buying a separate adapter like optipac (As much as I'd want one in the machine). But now that there is a full sized Happ trackball thats simply plug and play AND acts a mouse for under $100 I'm on board.

Tornado Terry's balltop shafts for competition joysticks. This solved a HUGE dilemma for me recently of whether or not to use bat or ball top joysticks. Now I can use both. Also solves the problem of the Ms. Pac/Galaga Reunion balltop being too small in diameter.

Honorable mention: THIS SITE. I've been addicted to this site off and on for years.

[leapinlew]

TurboTwist 2 spinner... easy, works great and fits in a standard button hole!

Beer - while not a break through, we didn't normally drink beer at the arcades. I now know that beer + golden tee and a poorly placed spinner equals a busted set of fingers.

[DaveMMR]

The Ultimarc Ultrastick 360 joystick.  No more need to put multiple sticks on a panel as this one emulates them all (4-way, 8-way, analog, 45 degree angle). 

GGG TurboTwist2 Spinner.  I wasn't going to entertain the idea of a spinner on my limited-space CP until this little marvel came out.   Now there's really no excuse not to have a spinner.

GGG Electric-Ice buttons, TB kit, RGB LEDs and LED-wiz - A little extra time and expense, but in the end my panel is more user friendly and attractive as it lights up controls based on the game (in the original panel's button color).

[Fozzy The Bear]

GGG TurboTwist2 Spinner.  I wasn't going to entertain the idea of a spinner on my limited-space CP until this little marvel came out.   Now there's really no excuse not to have a spinner.

I second that from Dave.... It's so easy to fit the GGG TurboTwist 2 that it's almost childs play. Just drill a button size hole and screw up the nut underneath, easy!!

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[hillbilly]

I have a question on the GGG turbo twist 2, is that just a pc type spinner or could you use it on an arcade board too? it says good for a paddle game was wondering if it would work and play okay for an arkanoid pcb as an alternative to the gear ones

[advocate]

I have to Agree.

The Best Supplier out there is Tornado Terry, for Joysticks and Trackballs - Half Price


Terry is an absolutely fantastic individual and company.

When I had an issue with a Trackball, he helped me by E-mail and then I sent it back for him and he Immediately, Let me say Immediately Twice, He took care of the problem and sent it back to me.

He even credited me for my shipping cost of the Trackball to him, which was completely Unnecessary, and I didn't even request it..

Go to His Site at :  www.tornadoterrys.com/surplus.htm

His stuiff is the cheapest, but I would even be willing to pay extra just to deal with him.

Terry stands behind every transaction, and he will not stop until you are satisfied.


Jacob

[thep1mp]

i totally agree about tornado terry. He would get my buisness from now on even if he wasnt the cheapest (but he is!!)