Cocktail builders, How long is your cp for a 3 sided cocktail?/

[06attaker]

Wondering what the length of the cp is for the 3rd side of cocktail tables that play horizontally at the same time??  These cabinets must be larger than the original pac-man and Ms. pac-man tables only measuring 21" on the side.  How big does the cocktail have to be in order for the 2 players playing simultaneously don't hit elbows?? 
Thanks for any input!!

 

[MazzMn]

Mine started out based on the Kyle Lindstrom Ms Pacman and Zakks Cottaga Cab plans. I modified it a little bigger than Kyles. The control panel ended up being 27". My son and his friend spent all Sat playing Mutant Ninja Turtles, I didn't hear any complaints about elbow smashing...pretty awesome considering these are guys used to playing "modern day" console games.

[specksynder]

Mine's the standard size (because I didn't think about it in advance).  It's not a problem bumping elbows, but the issue is chairs -- everyone has to sit off to the side a bit.

[ArtsNFartsNCrafts]

As long as it needs to be!  Personal preference, my friend!  I have a 2 player "street fighter" array on my cocktail's horizontal side.

[06attaker]

I understand the cocktail should be as big as it needs to be, but what I am asking is what is the minimum distance for the cp someone has used to play side by side without hitting elbows or being uncomfortable.  I want to make this cocktail as small as I possible can, but not too small where it is uncomfortable to play it.  I think the pac-man and Ms. pac- man replicas from Kyle are too small for the third cp side, in my opinion.

Thanks for any advice!!

[rackoon]

Mine is 36". The third side is split into two control panels (each with a joystick then six buttons then another joystick) The middle of the third side is split with an elavated box (6"x6")that has a trackball on top, at the same hight as the glass.  Im using a 27" monitor as well.

[Franco B]

Mine is 24". I would have liked to go slightly larger but im using a 21" monitor and so if the CP was longer, they whole of the cab would have to be longer and I want to keep the [screen:cab size] ratio as close as possible.

[06attaker]

24 inches is large enough so the two players aren't bumping elbows??  Is this enough room for two players to sit side by side??  Also, is your screen a true arcade 21" or is it a crt 21" monitor which would have a smaller screeen size than 21"??  I have a 22 " crt flat screen with a veiwable screen of 16" by 12".  In your opinion, is this a good size screen for a cocktail 2 player??

[ArtsNFartsNCrafts]

I have a 19" monitor that I'm using and it's pretty sufficient.

[06attaker]

I looked on X-Arcades site and they say their dual player CP is 25" in length.  I thought this was a little tight for 2 players sitting side by side.  Then I read a review that said do not play with someone using the X-Arcade unless they have taken a shower because your thighs are side by side when playing.  Any other input out there!!

Thanks for any replies!!

[ArtsNFartsNCrafts]

Well keep in mind, also, that cocktail cabinets were not originally made with side-by-side gaming in mind.  You're compromising personal space, for saving overall space with a cocktail.  That's just how it is, I guess.   

[06attaker]

I just would like to find a happy medium between comfort and building an oversized cocktail cabinet.  If I were to do that I should just build an upright.