Does this look like a good CP layout?

[The cranky hermit]

It's compact, looks ergonomical, and if I add 4 admin buttons in the upper left corner, it has all the functionality I need.  Do you think this is a good design?

[paigeoliver]

Well it looks like you already made it. If that is just a mock up, then I would rework it so that the two buttons for the 4-way are both on the right hand side (a lot of 4-way games have 2 buttons, a couple even have 3).

[tmasman]

It looks to me like those 2 buttons are the mouse buttons... (At least that's what I'm assuming...)

It looks like you have a little room to rest your hands while playing... You can use the buttons from player1 with the 4-Way.

To me, this looks like a decent layout for those controls on that size of a control panel.

Nice job...
What did you use for the overlay/finish on the top?
I'm debating on what mine should be...

[TheTick]

Looks fine, but is the 4-way to high up to be comfortable? You have to reach past the trackball. I'm one of the dumbasses that put their spinner there, above the trackball. (Someones bound to mention Golden Tee).

Maybe the two buttons under P1 & P2 are coin buttons?

[The cranky hermit]

Well it looks like you already made it. If that is just a mock up, then I would rework it so that the two buttons for the 4-way are both on the right hand side (a lot of 4-way games have 2 buttons, a couple even have 3).

It's not mine. It's someone else's. I'm going base my CP on the best already made example I can find. Why re-invent the wheel?

http://www.doughansen.net/arcade/standalone.htm

As for the 4-way buttons, I thought of a better idea (i hope). What if for 4-way games with 1 or 2 buttons like Galaga, I made the 2-player start and coin buttons function as action buttons instead? I can't think of any 4-way joystick games that support true 2-player mode. And even if I could, I wouldn't be able to play them since I only have one 4-way.

It looks to me like those 2 buttons are the mouse buttons... (At least that's what I'm assuming...)

I was going to make them my 5+6 keys. Are mouse buttons really necessary? This thing's going to be a desktop CP, so I'll still have my mouse handy.

[paigeoliver]

Dedicated mouse buttons are not needed. In several designs I have done I made the start buttons the mouse buttons.

There are a few two player simultaneous 4-way games.

Karate Champ (actually needs 4 sticks total).
Hyper Pac-Man
A lot of puzzle games (but these usually play fine with an 8way).

[Lilwolf]

I like the layout for the space.  Getting so much on a small control panel is hard.

Make a quick one with cardboard and try it out.  It really helps.  Or make one with some scrap plywood!  Then test.

But I vote for a few more buttons for the 4 way or none (and maybe move it down a little) to make use of the buttons for the 8ways.

Also, I like my buttons for the 8ways straight across.  But that was how my local arcade did their SF games when I grew up... It's all about what your used to....

If it's for an arcade machine, consider hotswappable control panels, and make 3.  One for 2 player 8ways.  One classic arcade with a 4 way and what I did was the buttons for asteroids next to it (and qbert after that)... Great classic CP.  Then a trackball one.  For the trackball one (and spinner one) it also is great if you can find an 8way flight stick / Tron type stick.  Adds a TON of games that can be played there.

If its NOT an arcade machine (standalone CP)... Make 3...

Breaking up CP's and making each work better by themself In my opinion is MUCH better.  Allows you to do SO much more!  And add later!

Good luck

[Hoagie_one]

i would put teh spinner on the LEFT side myself so that I could have easier access to the 1 player buttons

[AlanS17]

Lots of people don't like having anything (except buttons) above the trackball. It gets in the way of certain games that require a good shove.