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Almost talked myself from a 4P CP to a 2P
clnilsen:
Hey everyone - I have been reading these forums ever since my wife picked up a no-name non-working cab from work last year. I was originally planning on going the 4P control panel route, and even started picking up gear to do it. However, after reading a lot of posts here I have ALMOST talked myself down to a 2P control panel.
So far I have picked up the following:
* TWO GGG eletric Ice trackballs
* 2 Ultimarc 360's
* 1 Turbo Twist High Low spinner
* ex Xenophobe stick that would be converted to a tron-like stick via GGG's new Tron handles
* Misc Happ pushbuttons
So I have a lot of pieces here, and could still go either way. My original goal was not to limit my ability to play games as much as possible. About the only games I figured would be out would be driving games that required a pedal, and the star wars yoke.
That said, I have laid out a pared down version of my original plan, and I'd like your collective thoughts on what I am losing, if anything. Here is what I am envisioning for my new 2P panel.
Thanks in advance!
Chuck
javeryh:
Good call on the 2P panel. Some comments:
- There doesn't appear to be enough room to rest your hands next to the joysticks or the spinner
- I'd rethink the volcano buttons in the upper left - you don't need that many admin buttons
- Maybe put the admin buttons on the front of the CP or right below the monitor?
- You DO NOT want your pause button right next to your exit button, trust me
- You don't need separate "mouse" buttons so I'd get rid of those
- The 1P and 2P start buttons seem like they are 'floating' in no man's land
- Are you going to be playing console games? If not, you don't need 8 buttons per player
- Check out Kneivel's standard layout. You seem to want the "generic 2P panel" to play as many games as possible and his design is elegant and has proven to work time and time again - I'd start there.
I'd also recommend building a mock-up out of cardboard to test everything. Have fun! :cheers:
drventure:
I'd second Javeryh's comments, but I'd also consider moving the tron stick to the right of the spinner. It's really more a personal pref than anything I suppose, but I'd want my right hand on the stick and left on the spinner in games that work that way.
cmoses:
Good call. My cabinet that I am still working on had a 4 player NFL Blitz Control Panel. I figured a 2 player would be more practical and have more room.
You mentioned (2) GGG Electric Ice Trackball's - is that a mistake?
I would also loose the mouse buttons and consider moving the spinner if you want to play any golf, bowling, shuffleboard, horseshoe type games. Most people have the flight sticks on the right similar to TRON. I am planning to do (6) regular size admin buttons. Top left corner Esc - Top Right Corner Pause. Above Player 1 and Player 2 a coin and start button for each. With my MiniPAC I can assign shift buttons for the rest. I am going with a (7) button curved layout, it felt much more comfortable than the straight when play testing.
I built a mock up on MDF because I got a great deal on a full 4' x 8' sheet. It has been great for testing and making decisions.
retrometro:
Here's one benefit to having a 4 player cpanel (other than playing 4 player games):
2-Player Karate Champ
Oh yeah.