How many dedicated buttons for a spinner?

[LeedsFan]

Did a search for this but couldn't find an answer really. I'm considering putting some buttons to the right of my spinner in my CP but I'm not sure how many to put in. Of all the spinner games in Mame were there many that used three buttons? Or will two be enough?

[unclet]

I do not know the answer to your question but I am curious why you need dedicated spinner buttons instead of using buttons next to an existing joystick?

[LeedsFan]

I do not know the answer to your question but I am curious why you need dedicated spinner buttons instead of using buttons next to an existing joystick?

Well that's my dilemma... do I use the Player 2 buttons or not? I know I can use them if I want to, but I may add a couple of buttons just to the right of my spinner so that they are closer. My CP will measure about 24" x 12" so the Player 2 buttons would be about 8" to 9" away and a bit lower down. I'm just thinking that having a couple right next to the spinner might be better for playability.

[Minwah]

Well that's my dilemma... do I use the Player 2 buttons or not? I know I can use them if I want to, but I may add a couple of buttons just to the right of my spinner so that they are closer. My CP will measure about 24" x 12" so the Player 2 buttons would be about 8" to 9" away and a bit lower down. I'm just thinking that having a couple right next to the spinner might be better for playability.

I think most people use their right hand for spinner/trackball.  Could you use the normal P1 buttons?  Personally I wouldn't add extra buttons but of course it's up to you.  Maybe do a trial panel...

In answer to your original question, there are definately some spinner games which use 3 buttons, eg Blasteroids.  I think there are even a few which use 4, eg Star Trek.  If you count driving games there will be several with 3 buttons.  Go to the following page, click 'Deluxe Search' and then pick 'control spinner' and 'buttons 3' etc...it will give you a list of games:

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

edit: sp

[arzoo]

Back when I was designing my cp, I did some research on which games have the spinner on the left (left hand) and which have it on the right (right hand). As I recall, more games have it on the left.

[TOK]

This doesn't directly address your question, but I wouldn't do any dedicated buttons for it at all. Each control panel I make ends up with less buttons... The first one had admin buttons on it, which became a nightmare when kids used the panel -I hid those elsewhere on the cab.

The second one I made for the same cab, had 3 dedicated mouse buttons in addition to the regular 2 stick 6 button setup. It looked cluttered to me after a while. The final revision added a spinner, but I also made the trackball and spinner buttons the bottom row of the player one controls. The panel looks much cleaner and still has more functionality than my first.