Another n00b introduction and CP input thread

[piecesof8]

Been reading through the forum for a while now and thought it was time to make the obligatory "hi i'm a newb" thread. There's so much great information available here that I think one could lurk forever without ever actually participating.

Currently in the early stages of my project - collecting some parts here and there when I find a good deal, and working my way through mala configs and creating a layout. Not totally new to mame - I did have it running on my desktop several years ago, but eventually gave up on it because playing all my old favorites with a gamepad or keyboard just wasn't the same. Due to lack of tools and workspace, I think I'll be going with a cocktail kit from Arcade Depot. I won't have space (or spousal approval  ) for more than one cab in the house, so this will need to be as close to a "do it all" cab as I can make it - which I realize will be a challenge with the limited control panel space of a cocktail.

What I'm thinking is: if I use 3 buttons on the facing control panels, I can squeeze a TT2 spinner on there. The third panel on the side would have a fairly standard 6 button per player layout. Also thinking I'll include coin and player buttons on the panels, and put a row of 4 buttons somewhere off-panel for power (wired to the power header on the mobo), pause, tab, and exit. Pics are attached. What do you think - look feasible?

Thanks in advance for any input. Looking forward to contributing my fair share of dumb questions as I stumble my way through this!

[DillonFoulds]

Welcome to the active life on the forums! Lots of great people around here, and as you obviously are aware, TONS of useful information!

Something else you could consider for your build, would be finding the Ms Pac cocktail schematics by Kyle Lindstrom. I guess it would be more for the ambitious/crafty types, but at least you could say you built it from scratch.

I like what you're thinking about the button layout. Vertical games don't often use more than 4 buttons. If you check out MAWS' Deluxe Search, and sort by vertical/X buttons, only 22 games use 5 buttons, 76 games use 4 buttons, 272 use 3 buttons. If any of those 76 4-button games appeal to you, you could try for a  diamond layout with your buttons, and shouldn't lose too much space...

The biggest downside i've come across with a cocktail cab, is you're gonna miss out on the 2p shmups, like 1942, etc.

Edit: You should drop the buttons on the front panel. You'll have a better experience with sticking to coin doors for the coin switches, be it mechanisms, or just re-locate the coin buttons to the coin door.

[piecesof8]

Thanks, I'll take a closer look through MAWS and make sure I'm not nixing anything I can't live without by limiting the vertical cp to 3 buttons. Did you mean to say drop the coin buttons on the front panel?

I hear what you're saying re: building from scratch, but I'm afraid I just don't have the tools or workspace (I won't even mention the skill part). Still haven't completely ruled it out, though - where there's a will there's a way, right? 

[DillonFoulds]

Sorry, yes i meant the coin buttons Even if you can't go for a fully button-less setup, with mechs only, you'll have a more authentic feel if you move them to the door.

As for the admin buttons, out of sight out of mind is always a safe policy.

http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Ms_Pacman_Cocktail_Plans_By_Kyle_Lindstrom