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The optimum number of buttons per stick
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paulscade:

So I've been trying to figure out how many buttons to place [per stick] on my panel.  I wanted to know the "right" number (yup... old topic).  I've read and read the postings absorbing all that I could.... and...  I've concluded that the right number is 6.  Hear me out.... this is my logic...

According to MAWS (in MAME .125u4), the following number of games use the number of buttons listed:

1 button - 1256 games
2 buttons - 2204 games
3 buttons - 1245 games
4 buttons - 803 games   
5 buttons - 164 games
6 buttons - 587 games
7 buttons - 101 games
8 buttons - 30 games
<more than that is too much for me>

At 6 buttons per stick, you pick up an additional 587 games.  After 6 buttons the games drop off sharply... and many are classified as "casino" which I really don't care about.

Does this sound like reasonable logic?  Is there something that I'm missing?
vertygo:
sounds good to me.

I think your ultimate, final, absolute decision should be based on what your favorite games are. If you never play fighting games, then really, everything else will need 2 :)
ivwshane:
To put it another way:

4 buttons allows you to play 86% of the games in mame
5 buttons allows you to play 89% of all games in mame
6 buttons allows you to play 98% of all games.

Being able to play 12% to 9% more games with a 6 button setup is what it boils down to.
u_rebelscum:

--- Quote from: ivwshane on June 12, 2008, 02:59:43 am ---To put it another way:

4 buttons allows you to play 86% of the games in mame
5 buttons allows you to play 89% of all games in mame
6 buttons allows you to play 98% of all games.

--- End quote ---

Just to nitpick, the numbers are closer to

4 = 78%
5 = 80%
6 = 88%
7 = 90%

of all games in mame, you'll have enough buttons. 
(Your numbers are closer if you ignore all the mahjong games, but then you have to change the "all" to "all real" or something like that. ;)) 

Either way, there's more to being playable than having enough buttons.  Example: tempest needs a spinner as well as one button.

Also, the reason you see a lot of 7 button CPs is not because of 7 button games.  It's mostly so they can have neogeo's 4 buttons in a row layout & street fighter's 2x3 six button layout.  It's not all about number of games, but which games & playability of said games.
Ginsu Victim:

--- Quote ---Also, the reason you see a lot of 7 button CPs is not because of 7 button games.  It's mostly so they can have neogeo's 4 buttons in a row layout & street fighter's 2x3 six button layout.  It's not all about number of games, but which games & playability of said games.
--- End quote ---

And I have seven buttons wired as six. It's just whatever floats your boat.

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