cocktail rotation

[danfman]

I've researched the wiki and the search function, but I cannot find very useful help when trying to figure out how to do mapping for a cocktail table. 

I've played around with the controls settings and have made Mala rotate to one side and lost most function of the layout (no pics, marquees, videos... just a list of games listed on one end).   Also when I've played around I can get Mala to rotate  but the games (Roms) don't. 

I probably am over looking the obvious, but where exactly can I find info on cocktail rotation?

[dungbeetle46]

are your looking to play games in 2 player and getting the screen to flip when its player 2 turn
or are you trying to operate mala from either side

[NOP]

yeah, if you're trying to make sure that everything flips for a standard P1+P2 cocktail table, where p2 can select games and the list flips over depending on who is using the joystick, that is 100% doable, since that's exactly the way I have mine set up.

If you're looking for a 3 sided table (which iirc, you may be) then you've got more work ahead of you.  if the list flips but the graphics don't, then you have issues with the layout.  the games can all be rotated individually by launching the game, pressing TAB and selecting video options and rotate.  (I assume games played on the horizontal side will never be played from the vertical sides)

Also don't forget to add games that are top down (ie guantlet) to your machine.  those are perfectly playable on a cocktail machine with just a bit of joystick remapping.

[danfman]

Yes, I am looking to play games in 2 player and getting the screen to flip when its player 2 turn.  Nothing too complex.  I'm just having a hard time figuring it out.

[NOP]

ah!  you might just need to set the dip switches in the game then.
Not all MAME games support cocktail mode. Let's pick one that we know does and experiment.

Galaga

Load it up, press the TAB key and you'll get a little popup menu.  First make sure the screen orientation is correct for player 1 to be sitting at the P1 controls and the game works.  If needed, use the video options from that popup menu and rotate the game until it's correct.

Then, there should be an option in that menu for dipswitches.  Go into that, find the menu option for cocktail, and flip it on.  You will have to reset the game (ctrl-F3 I think, or just exit it and come back), and that should take care of it.

You will have to do this on every game that support cocktail mode that you have in your list.  It's a PITA, but you'll get to know your ROMs really well.

[dungbeetle46]

as nop said, you will have to do this with all games that support cocktail, you will only need to do it once, not everytime you play the game.
for games that dont support cocktail like streetfighter etc but you want to fight against someone you can press tab and change the video option to cocktail instead of the cabinet option, this will give you 2 screens 1 facing you and 1 facing your opponent, now go fight