Building a cabinet for the first time: n00b questions

[shponglefan]

I'm planning to build a full-sized MAME cabinet for the first time  I previously had built a 2-player arcade controller, so I'm not a complete n00b at this, but never undertook a full-sized cabinet.

I've ordered Project Arcade, so I'm hoping that will have enough details on cabinet building itself.  But I have some controller questions:

1) Controller interface - I'd previously used a KeyWhiz back in the day when I built my 2 player controller (this was 5 years ago maybe?).  Have things changed much since?  I notice I-PAC and KeyWhiz controllers still seem popular, although now it seems there are more options (USB keyboard, USB gamepad, etc).  Anywhere that has a good summary of pros/cons of different types?

2) Trackballs/spinners/flightsticks - How useful are these?  I never included either in my previous controller, but kinda wish I'd included at least a trackball.  Do they serve much use outside of just trackball/spinner/flightstick specific games?

3) 4-way joysticks - I want to include a dedicated 4-way this time in the center of the panel.  Any pros/cons on using an 8-way w/ restrictor plates as opposed to a true 4-way?  Are there ideal brands for 4-way joysticks?  And how many buttons would be ideal for the 4-way?  I see a lot of cabinets use only 2, but would it be worth having an extra button (do many games use more than 2?).

[Ginsu Victim]

1) Both are great. No problems with using either.

2) Trackball can also be your mouse, so that's nice. I like spinner games, so I have one, but not everyone will play games that use them. I don't care to ever have a flightstick, myself.

3) Tornado Terry's Ms Pacman 4-way is the way to go. Also on ebay.

[Beretta]

1. both are popular options they offer the most flexibility, hacked game pads will buy you the cheapest cost per input for a little time soldering and some wire, 2nd only to keyboards which are really just a pita to hack and dont usually deliver on simultaneous inputs.

2. spinners are'nt use that much neigher are flight sticks..
your most common control is gonna be a 8 way, follows by a 4 way, then probably steering wheels, and after then every thing else.. depends on if there are any games out there that need something other then a 8 or 4 way that you gotta have..

i know there are a number of track ball games i like.. namely bowling.. golf aint to bad, and of course marble madness, rampart, etc.. although despite that i have no intention of my first CP having a track ball since it's a relative minority of games out there for it, but this is something you gotta decide for your self.

3. i would assume that 8 ways with restrictor would be as good as any 4 way only stick.. as it's really the restriction of motion that gives you a 4 way, but i can't say for sure.

as for buttons.. 2 sounds like a good number, i might shoot for 3 just for good measure..

i do know there is at least 1 game that uses a 4way and 4 buttons, chinese hero but i dont think there are many 4 ways that use more then 3.. or really even 2.

[protokatie]

1.Don't bother with hacks; just get a minipac/ipac/keywiz. (I have never dealt with RandyT, so I cannot personally recommend a keywiz, but there are many other people here who will recommend it.)

2. Make your CP detachable so you can make a new one with new options. The first one you make should just be a set of 8/4 way joys and enough buttons to fit the games you want to play. If you make the CP detachable then you can add spinners and trackballs later. (For me, the only reason I would add a trackball is for marble madness, so it is a low priority for me).

3. Most 8-ways you get from Ultimarc or GGG have a rotational restrictor that lets you make the joy act as a 4-way. This is fine.

4. Get some of the basic stuff again and play around. Do not try to make the first CP the best one. It never will be.

5. (Grammar Nazi alert). Beretta needs to learn how to use contractions. The &APOS is placed when letters are dropped. (IE Are Not becomes Aren't [not are'nt]) ARGH!

[shponglefan]

Thanks for the responses.  I've been doing some more research and have tentatively made some decisions:

1) I think I'm going with an IPAC 2 for the controller.  It allows for USB which I figure will be better for compatibility down the road.

2) I like the idea of a detachable control panel.  I wanted to stay away from some of those more complicated spinning/modular panels, but the idea of removing the entire control face and hooking up another panel appeals.  Especially since I was also debating building a three-player control panel in lieu of a trackball/4-way stick.  Being able to swap panels for 3-player games would be sweet.

3) After discovering the TT2 and fact that you can get mini wheels for it and use it w/ driving games, I'm definitely wanting a spinner.  Being able to play Championship Sprint or Super Off Road would be a huge plus.  Trackball, still a little iffy on, but being able to properly play Marble Madness would be nice.

4) For joysticks, I have a feeling I'll order a handful of types and experiment.

5) Ditching the flightstick idea for now.

Thanks again, and I'm sure I'll have more questions soon!

[Ginsu Victim]

4) For joysticks, I have a feeling I'll order a handful of types and experiment.

Just order the UltraStik360 from ultimarc.com and you'll have the best you can get.

[severdhed]

4) For joysticks, I have a feeling I'll order a handful of types and experiment.

Just order the UltraStik360 from ultimarc.com and you'll have the best you can get.

+1   

i love my u360s...they are by far the most versatile sticks you can find. 

[shponglefan]

The US 360 sounds like an awesome stick!  How does it perform in fighting games?  I've been using Happ Super sticks and find they are a bit too sensitive to diagonals sometimes.

[Ginsu Victim]

They perform great. At the heart of the U360, it's a Sanwa JLW, which is an excellent fighting stick. The nice thing is, you can set the sensitivity and dead zone to damn near anything you want because of the mapping system.

[severdhed]

i'm not good at fighting games, but i did find that i do much better with my u360s than i did with my x-arcade sticks, or with the happ competitions here at work.  being able to adjust the maps makes it really customizable to your taste.  and they just feel so smooth