Arcade control panel, what buttons really needed on the cp?

[beerbarrel]

I have my controls and am getting ready to start construction of my mame machine. I would like to retain my original cab cp size. I like the way it looks. The cp will be 23 by 6.5 when completed. I'm wondering what are the minimun controls that I need to play most 80's games. I would like it to be 2 person with 2 sticks. I'm mostly concerned about the buttons and their locations. I would like to include a 1 and 2 player select button on the cp. I'm think along the lines of 3 buttons per joystick. Also, does it handicap LH players if the buttons are located to the left of the joysticks?

Thanks,
Tracy

[Turnarcades]

Such a vague request depending on what games you favour playing. The trusted layout we favour at Turnarcades is 2 players, 6 buttons each in two rows of three. This covers most bases without overkill, plus offers enough buttons for 16-bit console emulators. If Jamma cabinets were your only flavour, you could stick with three buttons each, but why sell yourself short of Neo-Geo and fighting games when you're already building your own panel?

Buttons on the left handicap RH players, not lefties. I know a few people who tried it, but most lefties played fine on the regular joy->button layout that catering for them specially is pointless.

Regarding other buttons like coin, start etc. - mount a couple on the front of the control panel - they do not intrude on your playing stance.

[beerbarrel]

I know it's rather vague but if I leave the cab as is I won't have the room for six. My dilemma is should I cut the cab or not. I know if I do it opens up a world of possibilities and future expansion. I guess that is a decision that I can only make myself. I was really curious what other folks have done in the same situation I guess.

Btw, it seems funky to me to use the joystick with my left hand. I have allways used my right as far as I can remember. I looked at tour cabs and they do look good. I'm still curious about the LH RH thing.

Thanks again,
Tracy

[Ginsu Victim]

Mine is 23 5/8" and I have two players with 7 buttons each. You can do it!

[beerbarrel]

Mine is 23 5/8" and I have two players with 7 buttons each. You can do it!

Do you have a pic of that? I sure would like to have a look....

Tracy

[yalborap]

I know it's rather vague but if I leave the cab as is I won't have the room for six. My dilemma is should I cut the cab or not. I know if I do it opens up a world of possibilities and future expansion. I guess that is a decision that I can only make myself. I was really curious what other folks have done in the same situation I guess.

Btw, it seems funky to me to use the joystick with my left hand. I have allways used my right as far as I can remember. I looked at tour cabs and they do look good. I'm still curious about the LH RH thing.

Thanks again,
Tracy

The vast majority of arcade games I know of keep the joystick to the left.

Also, given your situation, you could try to compress the buttons(Two columns of three instead of two rows of three wouldn't break most games too badly), or slim it down. You could also do a 1 player panel with an extra attachment for a second player. Just build a little box with a gamepad in it, and a connection(USB port or something).

[beerbarrel]

WOW! I must not remember that joystick location thing. Memory problems happen when you hit 50 I guess . Here are some pics as to what I'm trying to maintain. I would love it to be the same size as the factory cp. Notice the line that I drew. I can cut it there and install a large keybord but that is my second choice.

Thanks guys,

Tracy

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29062660@N07/2715687298/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29062660@N07/2714871675/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29062660@N07/2714871573/

[Ginsu Victim]

Mine is 23 5/8" and I have two players with 7 buttons each. You can do it!

Do you have a pic of that? I sure would like to have a look....

Tracy

Pics at the bottom of the first post:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=82468.0

[beerbarrel]

One word comes to mind...awesome! That looks great! That board looks fairly deep. I really only have about 5.5 inches to play with but it looks like it could be done in that space.

Thanks,
Tracy

Mine is 23 5/8" and I have two players with 7 buttons each. You can do it!

Do you have a pic of that? I sure would like to have a look....

Tracy

Pics at the bottom of the first post:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=82468.0

[Ginsu Victim]

You probably don't need 7 buttons. Just depends on your Neo Geo love. (I'm a fan)

Mine is 10" deep (looks like more in the pics, but it's not), but you could put your start buttons on the front of the panel. As you can see, I worked within the original CP space, rather than building out. Mock it up on cardboard and see how you like it.

[Turnarcades]

Not enough room for six buttons? That's doubtful. Check out this pic of a cabinet finished just last week with a custom button layout the customer requested; the panel is only 18" wide by 5.5" deep:



Only on our Bar-Tops (at 16.5" wide) do we change the alignment like this:

[severdhed]

you shouldn't have any problems fitting those controls on that panel, however it could be a little tight if you have 2 adults trying to play at the same time.  i tried making my first panel 23" wide so it would fit inside the cabinet, however after a few mockups, i decided to go ahead and cut the sides and build my own box. i'm very glad I did.  i made the new panel 12"x30" and there is plenty of room for two large adults to play.

download the mameroom control panel designer software, you can set the custom dimensions of your panel, and then add components and move them around to see if they fit.  it is a great tool, and it is what i used to design my panels.

http://www.mameroom.com/files/CPD_Setup.zip

 i played around with it quickly and you should have no problems at all getting a 6 button street fighter layout on that size panel.  just figure that you need 1.5" between the centers of the button holes, and i like to have 3 inches between the center of the joystick hole, adn the center of the closest button holes.  also, don't forget that the graphics representing the joysticks don't account for any wiring that may stick out  of the sides, i made this mistake, and put my joystick too close to the edge of my panel, and i had to use a router adn route out a space on the side of my cabinet for the wiring for the one switch...if you are going with standard happ super sticks, allow for about 3" from the center of the hole to any sides so you will be safe.