6, 7 or 8 Buttons

[Visitor Q]

How many buttons do you have on your control panel for player 1 and 2?

6, 7 or 8 Buttons?

Right now I am mainly trying to decide between 6 and 7. Of course Mame is my main goal here but I do want to have some control over certain console game systems as well.

Thanks.

[Dazz]

I have 7 on for P1 and P2 on my control panel.  There have been times that I have wanted to add an 8th just for other system emus.

[Bleagh]

2, shot and bomb.

[DaveMMR]

2, shot and bomb.

You forgot "magic" - so three! 

Actually, that answer is dependent on if you want to support console emulation past the SNES.  So here are some short answers (all assume a separate Start/Coin button):

Six covers most, if not all MAME games (not including special controllers, majong, etc.) and most classic systems up to SNES (assuming you use COIN as the Select button).

Seven buttons are usually only for those who want to combine the classic Street Fighter layout with the Neo-Geo layout of four buttons across.  Like so:

  x  x   x
  x  x   x
x
Sometimes that seventh button is wired to the same input as the first button, so it's still only six "dedicated" buttons.  You can do it that way or make it a separate seventh button.

Once you hit eight buttons, I assume you're looking to play PS games or later. 

[Ioargra]

Actually, that answer is dependent on if you want to support console emulation past the SNES.  So here are some short answers (all assume a separate Start/Coin button):

Six covers most, if not all MAME games (not including special controllers, majong, etc.) and most classic systems up to SNES (assuming you use COIN as the Select button).

Seven buttons are usually only for those who want to combine the classic Street Fighter layout with the Neo-Geo layout of four buttons across.  Like so:

  x  x   x
  x  x   x
x
Sometimes that seventh button is wired to the same input as the first button, so it's still only six "dedicated" buttons.  You can do it that way or make it a separate seventh button.

Once you hit eight buttons, I assume you're looking to play PS games or later. 

Ahh, that explains it!
I was wondering why there were seven buttons on a number of layouts
Thanks!

[Visitor Q]

I am not so much worried anymore about the neo geo layout as I have an x-arcade currently and always fine myself just using the top 3 buttons and then the 4th one for neo games.

I do want to emulate PSX games but only ones that would play well with this sort of setup, otherwise I will just use an xbox controller or something.

[DaveMMR]

I am not so much worried anymore about the neo geo layout as I have an x-arcade currently and always fine myself just using the top 3 buttons and then the 4th one for neo games.

I do the same exact thing (use the TOP three buttons - it seemed more comfortable than using the bottom row).  And yes, for that occasional Neo-Geo game that utilizes all four buttons, the bottom-left one acts as the "D".

[Visitor Q]

This is a short list I made up of the emualtors I have installed currently and how many buttons they use, feel free to add to the list or correct any mistakes.

None of these include start or select buttons. I did not include any arcade emulation as most all of it tops out at 6 buttons.

PSX =8
3DO = 5
Turbo = 6
NES = 2
SNES = 6
Dreamcast = 6
N64 = 9
2600 = 1
Master System = 2
Genisis = 6

[Hoopz]

Some of those systems use analog controls.  If you aren't going with an analog controller, you may consider just using a game pad (XBox 360 controller or N64 with adaptoid for example) instead of putting more buttons on your control panel.

Since you have your list of emulators, figure out HOW you want to play first (either joys with buttons or game pad).  I think that will tell you what you need.

[Ginsu Victim]

Genisis = 3

Sega Genesis / Megadrive had six later on.

[Visitor Q]

Genisis = 3

Sega Genesis / Megadrive had six later on.

Corrected

Thanks.

[Visitor Q]

Some of those systems use analog controls.  If you aren't going with an analog controller, you may consider just using a game pad (XBox 360 controller or N64 with adaptoid for example) instead of putting more buttons on your control panel.

Since you have your list of emulators, figure out HOW you want to play first (either joys with buttons or game pad).  I think that will tell you what you need.

Well I plan on U360 controllers.

[Ioargra]

Some of those systems use analog controls.  If you aren't going with an analog controller, you may consider just using a game pad (XBox 360 controller or N64 with adaptoid for example) instead of putting more buttons on your control panel.

Since you have your list of emulators, figure out HOW you want to play first (either joys with buttons or game pad).  I think that will tell you what you need.

Well I plan on U360 controllers.

I think he was suggesting that you get an actual xbox or n64 or psx gamepad instead of having to have 8+ buttons for each player, if you wanted to do those console games. Plus having the actual controller for the console games helps.
I have a couple snes controllers for playing nes and snes games, and it helps a lot to bring back memories

[Turnarcades]

6 covers most bases, as coin and start buttons can be utilised in consoles like SNES as select and start. I've never liked the 7-button arrangement as it looks random. For N64 you can assign the most popular buttons on P1's side and add a few on P2's side if you need to. For Playstation emulation, games rarely used all 8 buttons and you can usually re-map in-game if you need to.

[Visitor Q]

I think I may just get 6 then. 

I like the neo geo layout and all but I don't like that it uses the buttom row to do it. Like I said, I currently have an x-arcade with 6 buttons and I never use the buttom for neo geo, I always just use the top 3 and then button 4.

[Turnarcades]

If you want to retain the Neo-Geo curve but use only 6 buttons, you could do what we did for this customer:

[Visitor Q]

If you want to retain the Neo-Geo curve but use only 6 buttons, you could do what we did for this customer:

Thats cool and while I do like that, I think my best is just the standard 3 over 3.

[Dan]

When I was designing my 2 player fighting panel, I went with the 7 button layout.  I'm a big fan of the Neo-Geo games and wanted this layout on my panel.  I also used the same button colors as the Neo-Geo cabs.  Here's a closeup of my panel.

[Visitor Q]

I also was just talking to another guy that said 7 button layout is good for NBA Jams so maybe I should just get 7. 

[Jack Burton]

Even if you plan on playing console games I can't really think of any that would be suited to playing on a cab that use more than six buttons.

I am 99% sure that no fighting game needs more than six buttons.

Are there any recent schups or puzzle games  that use more than six buttons?

I would just go ahead and do the 7 button layout with the 7th in the Neo position if you aren't sure.  If you really don't like having it you can always just buy a button hole plug and put it in there.

[DaveMMR]

I also was just talking to another guy that said 7 button layout is good for NBA Jams so maybe I should just get 7. 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but NBA Jam only uses 3 buttons - same for Hangtime, NFL Blitz, Open Ice, etc.   

Maybe he's referring to the positioning? 

[Visitor Q]

I also was just talking to another guy that said 7 button layout is good for NBA Jams so maybe I should just get 7. 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but NBA Jam only uses 3 buttons - same for Hangtime, NFL Blitz, Open Ice, etc.   

Maybe he's referring to the positioning? 

Yes you are correct, he was referring to the turbo button working out well as the 7 button.

[DaveMMR]

I also was just talking to another guy that said 7 button layout is good for NBA Jams so maybe I should just get 7. 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but NBA Jam only uses 3 buttons - same for Hangtime, NFL Blitz, Open Ice, etc.   

Maybe he's referring to the positioning? 

Yes you are correct, he was referring to the turbo button working out well as the 7 button.

You could always map them with 2 rows or 3 like so if you want to avoid a 7th:

x X X
X x x

Still not the exact positioning as NBA Jam (a 7 button wouldn't accomplish this either) but it separates it.

[Visitor Q]

I also was just talking to another guy that said 7 button layout is good for NBA Jams so maybe I should just get 7. 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but NBA Jam only uses 3 buttons - same for Hangtime, NFL Blitz, Open Ice, etc.   

Maybe he's referring to the positioning? 

Yes you are correct, he was referring to the turbo button working out well as the 7 button.

You could always map them with 2 rows or 3 like so if you want to avoid a 7th:

x X X
X x x

Still not the exact positioning as NBA Jam (a 7 button wouldn't accomplish this either) but it separates it.

I understand what you are saying but its hard to seperate buttons like that is your head when trying to play when they are surrounded by other buttons.

I mean it would be better just to use the top 3 buttons in this case but I think the best would be with the 7th button...
 
 xxx
 XXx
X

[Hoopz]

Since you're looking at lighting your buttons, I would also suggest that you have the buttons light up that you use on specific games.  I know you post at GameEx forums so I think you know that Headkaze's plugin allows you to specify what buttons are lit during specific games.  Regardless of what button setup you use, you can always use the plugin to make it easier for everyone to know what buttons to use.

And if you do use the Electric ice buttons, you can match the colors for the Neo Geo games to the actual buttons that were used on dedicated Neo Geo cabinets.

[Visitor Q]

Yes... I am pretty excite about it all.   

I am just trying to make the very best choices in all this before I put down the $$$.

[solderguy1]

I went for a standard 7-button layout, but I made my 7th buttons TT2 spinners:
1. Dual spinners opens up more gaming options,
2. The CP doesn't look cluttered,
3. If I change my mind in the future, they can be changed to buttons without CP rework.

[MrMojoZ]

7 buttons in a Japanese style curve. I'll get pictures once my Metal Guy is done with the panel.

[cmoses]

I went for a standard 7-button layout, but I made my 7th buttons TT2 spinners:
1. Dual spinners opens up more gaming options,
2. The CP doesn't look cluttered,
3. If I change my mind in the future, they can be changed to buttons without CP rework.

Can you post a picture of your your TT2 spinners in the 7th button position?  Also if you have any info showing the measurements used for spacing.  I am very interested in this idea, something I had not thought of.  I am very interested in incorporating dual spinners in my cabinet for games like Super Sprint, Ivan Stewart's Off Road Racing, etc.  How is the spacing?   

[shmokes]

I think the 7-button layout looks strange and is unnecessary.  Neo Geo fighters use only four buttons.  Last I checked four is less than six.  I understand the positioning argument, but so what?  There are a bajillion games in MAME that had button layouts that differed from the Street Fighter layout.  We don't try to reproduce them all because the Street Fighter layout more or less covers them.  It's not exactly the same, but it works just as well.  So, yeah, the 7-button layout gives you a more authentic Neo Geo experience, I suppose.  But the difference is negligible and it looks funny.

[Visitor Q]

Well at least I can rule out 8 buttons, it doesn't seem anyone wants that. 

[DaveMMR]

Well at least I can rule out 8 buttons, it doesn't seem anyone wants that. 

I know you said that it jest, but do remember that it's not what we want, it's what you want.  We are only offering opinions to consider, not steadfast rules.  You needs may and will vary.

I share Shmokes opinion about the layout but Neo-Geo fighter fanatics may beg to differ.  It's all personal priorities.

Make a test panel out of cardboard, play your favorite games with it and see how to proceed for the final product. 

We don't try to reproduce them all because the Street Fighter layout more or less covers them.  It's not exactly the same, but it works just as well. 

Two sets of six is surprisingly versatile.  I recreated the Defender layout in button assignments (more or less) using both sets.   It does help when you use the RGB LEDs to let them stand out amongst the unused.   

[Visitor Q]

Well the good think about this is I already own an x-arcade and that has eight buttons. I find the 8 button layout to be too much and I never use the 8th button so to me it is a waste. As my system is portable right now (just a PC and controller) I had it over at a friend’s house. People got confused with all the buttons and I admit, it can be somewhat confusing epically to non-seasonal gamers. So... Is one less button going to make a difference, I think so since button 7 is placed further away than 1-6. Would 6 buttons make a difference, sure as the less there are to deal with the more confusing it becomes.

With all this said, I did find myself using button 7 for turbo in NBA Jams which seem to work better than the top 3 buttons. For me it seems like button 7 is just enough out of the way to work for certain layouts and rather than not have it, I guess I would rather have the choice not to use it.

For console games I just plan on using a controller to play them if it comes to needing more buttons.

Soooooo....

I like the idea of 6, 8 is too much and I don't think you can really go wrong with 7.

I am still listening to suggestions though.

[Todd H]

I almost added a few more buttons to my setup. I was thinking of going with nine buttons set up like so:

 X  X
 XXX
 XXX
X

My thinking was that the two buttons above the six would be the shoulder buttons for a few of the console emulators like the N64 and PS1. The one button below would be for Neo Geo games and also used as the z button for N64. I eventually just went with the standard six button layout with the seventh Neo Geo button.

Go with however many buttons you want. It's your choice, as you'll be the one playing it the most.

[Visitor Q]

Understood.

6 or 7, going to be one or the other.

[solderguy1]

I went for a standard 7-button layout, but I made my 7th buttons TT2 spinners:

Can you post a picture of your your TT2 spinners in the 7th button position?  Also if you have any info showing the measurements used for spacing.  I am very interested in this idea, something I had not thought of.  I am very interested in incorporating dual spinners in my cabinet for games like Super Sprint, Ivan Stewart's Off Road Racing, etc.  How is the spacing?   

From the department of "Better late than never".  Spacing is 1.5 inches center to center on buttons and 3.5 inches from center of stick to centerline of left buttons.  Spinner should be set wherever is good for your thumb, try standing it upside down and moving it around till it feels right, then drill.
Pretty happy with it, only nit is having to hold arms up when playing dual stick games.  And the GGG steering wheels probably won't fit, but I can live without those.  Just wanted the maximum gaming I could get without going into Frankenpanel mode.

[Martijn]

i will use 7 buttons layout on my sf cab

question about this

is it possible to edit the neogeo game ini files so it will remap the buttons on the fly for the 4 button in a row style?

i am using u360 with the wireing harnas to the 7 buttons

[u_rebelscum]

i will use 7 buttons layout on my sf cab

question about this

is it possible to edit the neogeo game ini files so it will remap the buttons on the fly for the 4 button in a row style?

i am using u360 with the wireing harnas to the 7 buttons

There are quite a few ways you can do this.

My fav method: use a ctrlr file for all games in mame.ini, with a neogeo section.  Mame will ignore the neogeo section if the game is not a neogeo game, but use it if it is.  If you have mame, it cames with a few example files with neogeo sections.  All check out our wiki ctrlr page for a lot more info.  If that's not clear or need more details, I might be able to help.

Close but different: make ini file for neogeo games, pointing to a ctrlr file that the other games don't.  The remap can be in the default sections, or in a neogeo section (but if it's the latter, just do the above).

There are other ways, but they need separate apps and I haven't tried 'em, so I won't go into them: xpadder/joy2key + batch, and maybe ultramap + batch.

[Martijn]

thanks, ini files sound simple and great !

still busy building my cp, but already good to know