My Projects Next Step: Joysticks and Buttons

[Goatz18]

I am building my first cab, or should I say planning out building my first cab, no building has commenced yet. I have my computer 99% done and tweaked and I have my old CRT TV hooked up to it and they're ready to go. Now onto making the controls. I have done some research and know as much as I can know without any actual experience in building the controls setup for a cab. I am just curious of what others may have done for the kind of controls that I want set up.

What I want is four player action and as many buttons for all the players as I need. I am initially thinking of maybe two Ultrastik360's and two cheap sticks from the ebay seller Y-Plus Technologies. But then I did some research into X-Arcade sticks and didn't know that they came with lifetime guarantees, which is very nice. I mean, I just want some good old Turtles in Time, Street Fighter, NBA Jam, button mashing fun along with the old schools like Pacman and Frogger.

Now if I read right, the Ultrastik360s can be switched from 4way to 8way via software. Right? If so then that would be awesome because I have heard about 8way sticks not being as responsive in 4way games, naturally. I would like a stick that is able to switch from 4way to 8way (without the hassle of going under the control board and fastening restrictor plates and such every time you want to switch) as player 1 at least and maybe also as player 2. Player 3 and 4, from what I have gathered, don't need that.

When it comes to buttons, I am thinking 8 buttons for player 1 and 2 (making sure there is four in row 1 for neo-geo games, but not sure if any games actually utilize 8 buttons, Is there?) and either four or six buttons for player 3 and 4, not sure if there are 4 player games that utilize six buttons. Is there again?

So basically, how have you guys set up your four player controls, i.e. joysticks and how many buttons for each player?

[javeryh]

Do you really need a 4P control panel?  I'm a little biased against them but you should really think about how often you will have 4 people over to play, the added cost of building for 2 extra players (it's easily $100 because you will need extra buttons and an iPac4 in addition to the joysticks) and the space that these monsters take up.  IMO, there are less than 10 games that I'd play with 4 people, if that.  TMNT, The Simpsons, Gauntlet, NBA Jam, Xmen... ummm... yeah and 3 of those are basically the same game with a different skin...

At the end of the day it's up to you but I'd think about it at least.  The tendency when you start out is to want to build something that can play every game known to man (at least it was for me) but you really might not need it.

Oh yeah, if you have to have the 4 neo-geo buttons in a row (only the fighters use all 4, right?) then 7 buttons per player is plenty.  That is a small subset of games to base your button entire layout around and you can get away with 6 buttons or get creative and do one of those 6 button curved layouts that actually has the 4 neo-geo buttons in an arch - look around and you will see what I'm talking about.  4 buttons max for P3 and P4.  Also, I can't say enough good things about the U360 sticks from Andy.  They are great and they work just like they should. 

Good luck!   

[Goatz18]

Awesome, good info. Thank you javeryh.

[javeryh]

I should add that my post was based on a MAME setup.  If you are planning on playing advanced console games like N64 or PS1 then you might need 900 buttons per player to cover everything!   

[Goatz18]

Okay, okay. I actually am putting them on there, but will resort to the actual controllers through adapters. I just stumbled across the Suzo Happ Joysticks, anyone know how they work?

[severdhed]

i had x-arcade sticks, and i just upgraded to u360s..i couldn't be happier...they work so great in every game i have played...their performance is amazing in everythign from street fighter to donkey kong...and everythign in between.  for mame only, you need 6 buttons for players 1 and 2, and 4 for players 3 and 4...but like everyone said, there are only a small handful of 4player games...it may not be worth the extra expense and space it takes up. (you can always use usb gamepads for players 3 and 4)

if you do go with a 4 player setup and u360s for players 1 and 2...the sanwa JLW stick is similar to the u360, so they will all look the same from the top of the panel. (and from what i read in another thread, the Ultimarc Jstick is a sanwa JLW, so you can get them both from ultimarc and they will match up with the u360s)

[Goatz18]

I'm a sucker for the 4 and 3 player games. The extra money is worth it. Looks like Ultimarc is gonna be my one stop shop, 2 u360s, 2 jstiks, 1 ipac4. Saves on shipping at least.

[severdhed]

pick up a utrak as well, you won't regret it