how many buttons?

[gazz292]

i'll rephrase my last post and stick the the subject this time,

about to buy my bits to make the CP for my mame cab, have a CP area 65cm wide by 40 deep, will be a 2 player CP, and i'll have the origional golden tee's trackball on it somewhere, as well as a spinner, 2 ultimark mag stik plus joys, and some fire buttons, will be using a mini pac opti most likely.

we dont play the street fighter type games at all, prefer the platform games and arkanoid types etc.

seems most people go for 6 fire buttons per player, but would i need that many? i was thinking more like 4 buttons, and even then i can't think of a game that needs more than 3 that i've played.

any reason people seem to go for 6 buttons except to play the street fighter type games?

[guybrushthreepwood]

First Post! Love this forum and it has been my go to source for help with my build.

Anyways back to topic. I have a similar dilemma. I recently started a build in a older midway bally cabinet (pacman, dont give me grief the thing was out on the side of the road in the rain and is definitely not a candidate for a restore). The panel is not very wide so it would be tough to play 6 button games, and while I do enjoy fighting games I don't play them too much.

The panel as of now has two buttons and I noticed that 2 pretty much works for most games but there are some good ones that need three. Are there any games worth noting that require 4 buttons other than Neo_Geo?

Thanks Guys definitely the best source of information on the web as far as cabinet restoration and construction goes. Glad to be here!

[Thenasty]

I think a 7 button config will probably take the same space as a 3 buttons. The other 3 buttons is just on top of it, so plenty of room there. Then that 1 button just slighly put it on the lower left.


      000
      000
     0

Lower sample here take more space than above.

    000000    but no one set it up this way.

[guybrushthreepwood]

I think a 7 button config will probably take the same space as a 3 buttons. The other 3 buttons is just on top of it, so plenty of room there. Then that 1 button just slighly put it on the lower left.


      000
      000
     0

Lower sample here take more space than above.

    000000    but no one set it up this way.

I was thinking more like

J    00    J   00
J    00    J   00

J=joystick

its set up now with 2 buttons per person and is still uncomfortable ( the sides of the cab interfere) but with 6 the control panel would be very smooshed and play would be even less comfortable...
I did some research with romlister and discovered that the increase in games from 2 to 4 buttons is pretty significant so ill probably go with that. there are a few fighters too mostly neo geo stuff. I wish my cp was more comfortable tho...oh well nothing I can do about it. After all it was designed for a game that requires 1 joystick and 2 buttons....

[DJ_Izumi]

I'd say six buttons offers you the 'future proofing' should you ever decide to use a game that DOES use more buttons.

[HanoiBoi]

Do you like Asteroids?

I'm also not a fan of the fighter games, but I do like the Vector games such as Asteroids, Space Duel, Gravitar, Rip Off, Armor Attack, Star Castle, etc.  For that reason, I went with 5 buttons per player in the classic Asteroids configuration.  With this, I can also kinda pull off Defender/Stargate, but have to sacrifice a button or two.  Not a problem for me as I'm not that good at those games to notice.  lol

My CP (MDF for now) is 23.75", not counting the vertical side T-Molding, and looks like this (photo attached)


J  00 00    J  00 00
      0             0

I have 4.25" between the left players buttons (furthest right), and the right players joystick's dust cover.

I've had two grown men (5'10", 200lbs) playing side by side Space Duel, Hat Trick, Twin Cobra, Trog, etc. without issue.

Laying out the CP is one of the most difficult tasks.  If you haven't found it yet, check out this thread where member posted pics of their CPs.  It's 14 pages of gorgeousness and gorgeousity!

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=59359.0

As you've already noticed, many people do the 6-7 button layout.  But, that doesn't mean you have to.   

[Space Fractal]

On my cab I use Neo Geo layout so I have 4 buttons, and I have this layout (due limited space I did have):

     *
* * *

No reason to do more buttons if not used at all when many buttons fighting games is not played, and with some fe's you can also filter games with use "too many" buttons, so you only show games you can play and no more.

[Ginsu Victim]

As for SF2, nobody ever uses jab or weak kick anyway.

Speak for yourself.

[guybrushthreepwood]

NeoGeo layout always did it for me.  You can figure out a way to remap most games to work with it. 

As for SF2, nobody ever uses jab or weak kick anyway.

Another layout that I've used in the past and liked went like this:

        O
  J  O   O
        O

Crams 4 buttons into a small space.

Thanks! I think this is going to be my final layout configuration. Its like SNES I should get buttons of the same color.

[Ginsu Victim]

I tend to think of it as Vanguard style.

[DeLuSioNal29]

If you like SNES, then what about the other buttons like L, R, Select, start, etc?  That's what people were talking about with future proofing it.  I have 7 per player and sometimes with the console games I don't have enough buttons for everything.  Which is why you'll see some 4 player panels with 7 buttons for players 3 & 4!  (mine only has 4 each for players 3 & 4 though since I rarely use more than 2 players for consoles).

Also, what if people like me come over and ask if you have Street Fighter or something?  You have a huge list of games, but no SF?  "WTF?", I would say to myself.  Part of owning an arcade is for show off value.  After all, it took you some time to build and it's your pride and joy.

There are games I have that I'm not fond of, but people that come over love them.  To each their own, but I personally don't like being embarrassed.  I want it to be the best, for everyone.

DeLuSioNaL29

[gazz292]

well i dont really have to problem of friends coming over asking to play street fighter.... i have no friends 

i think i'll go with 4 buttons,  to be honnest i find playing games that need 3 buttons a bit of a pain... litteraly due to my arthritis, tho my CP layout will have the buttons lined up with fingers, atm i use a modified old amiga 500 joyboard JP2, added extra buttons to it and the guts of a usb controlpad inside, but the buttons are 4 in a square, not easy to use.

i'm building this cab for me and my Gf firstly, we both use the joystick with out right hands (are both right handed, would hold a guitar upside down too!) so i guess any one who does come round would find the controlls weird,

now i have to figure out the exact layout i want, and decide how many other buttons to put in (esc, tab, pause etc) will be using smaller buttons placed well out of the way of normal game play areas.

[guybrushthreepwood]

If you like SNES, then what about the other buttons like L, R, Select, start, etc?  That's what people were talking about with future proofing it.  I have 7 per player and sometimes with the console games I don't have enough buttons for everything.  Which is why you'll see some 4 player panels with 7 buttons for players 3 & 4!  (mine only has 4 each for players 3 & 4 though since I rarely use more than 2 players for consoles).

Also, what if people like me come over and ask if you have Street Fighter or something?  You have a huge list of games, but no SF?  "WTF?", I would say to myself.  Part of owning an arcade is for show off value.  After all, it took you some time to build and it's your pride and joy.

There are games I have that I'm not fond of, but people that come over love them.  To each their own, but I personally don't like being embarrassed.  I want it to be the best, for everyone.

DeLuSioNaL29

I wont be playing snes games on my cab I have a snes for that. As  far as friends coming over...I have friends come over now to play games and we have space problems with 2 buttons.you have to keep in mind that this cab is meant for 1 joystick and a 1 and 2p start buttons. There really isn't enough room for 2 players, so im already pushing the limits here.

[Sjaak]

Personally I don't like control panels with hundreds of buttons. I made a two player CP, with 2 joysticks, 3 buttons per player on top and one player/two player and coin button on the front of the CP.

Haven't found a game (that I like) yet which uses more than 3 buttons.

I can do Pause, Esc, etc. using the "shift" functionality of the I-Pac.

[UberCade]

As for SF2, nobody ever uses jab or weak kick anyway.

Speak for yourself.

I just had to comment because your response made me laugh, seriously. I was thinking the exact same thing. I use jab and weak kick all the time in the Street Fighter games.

Anyway to the OP, I guess if you're not interested in the Street Fighter games, you could probably get away with just 3 or 4 buttons for most games. It's not like it's very hard to add another button later on anyway. Just drill another hole and drop one in.

[guybrushthreepwood]

Personally I don't like control panels with hundreds of buttons. I made a two player CP, with 2 joysticks, 3 buttons per player on top and one player/two player and coin button on the front of the CP.

Haven't found a game (that I like) yet which uses more than 3 buttons.

I can do Pause, Esc, etc. using the "shift" functionality of the I-Pac.

this is the same cp I have would it possible to get the dimensions?

[Sjaak]

this is the same cp I have would it possible to get the dimensions?

Distance between the joystick and buttons is 95mm, spacing between buttons is 40mm. Click on the image below, to see all the dimensions.

[bgspot]

As for SF2, nobody ever uses jab or weak kick anyway.

Speak for yourself.

LMAO, I second that!!

[garnerb350]

As for SF2, nobody ever uses jab or weak kick anyway.

Speak for yourself.

LMAO, I second that!!

I won some bragg-all matches using jab/weak...plus you can do a mean combo with Wolvie on XMvsSF...

[ragnar]

Also, what if people like me come over and ask if you have Street Fighter or something?  You have a huge list of games, but no SF?  "WTF?", I would say to myself.  Part of owning an arcade is for show off value.  After all, it took you some time to build and it's your pride and joy.

I agree with this.  Part of having a cabinet would be to entertain friends and family.  It's also a conversation piece for your home.

I'll also lend the advice of my father in law.  Don't not do something that you might regret later.  For example, I debated putting recessed cans in my kitchen during a remodel.  I also had one light in the center of the kitchen.  I debated and debated.  I was spending something like $20K on the kitchen and I was busy debating what was about $20 in wire and $100 for the cans.  At worse, I spend $120 that might not be used on something when the overall scope of the project is $20K.  But the cost to add those cans later would be much greater if you need/want them.  As it turns out, I am very happy that I put them in since the additional light is very useful.  So, how much are you spending in total and what is the cost of 6 extra buttons (3 per player)?  If you have hte room for more buttons, I say do it.

[CheffoJeffo]

Also, what if people like me come over and ask if you have Street Fighter or something?  You have a huge list of games, but no SF? 

Around here we call that having taste ... 

26 machines and no SF to be seen anywhere. 

 

[guybrushthreepwood]

If you have hte room for more buttons, I say do it.

thats the problem I dont really have room but if I do 3 in a row OOO then I might as well do 6... I am considering 4 in snes setup
   O
O    O
   O
but with sjaks dimensions I may be able to squeeze 6 in we will see

sjak is it uncomfortable playing with 2 people on that cp?

[gazz292]

i personaly can not get on with the diamond pattern of buttons found on gamepads etc,

i 'could' put 6 buttons, but i'm thinking they would get in the way of my layout, i want the buttons exactly at my fingertips so i dont have to move my fingers/hand about too much whilst pounding the buttons (arthritis thing mainly)
so i'm thinking that even if i had 6 buttons, unless i use something else to operate the 6th button (may be good for those pervy japanese games 

i could put 5 buttons in, but being honnest i'm just not sure what games i'd play that use more than 3 buttons,

and as i'll be making the control panel, if i suddenly find i like 6 button games, i can always make up a new one, it's only a bit of wood, a few holes and an overlay with a bit of perspex on top.

[Lilwolf]

I personally went with

j  o o o
j  o o o o

I found it easier myself then the extra to the left.... But I can say this, I rebuilt that control panel like 10 times.

I would recommend going to home depot, and buying some cheap press board or whatever (you can get it for 5-8 bucks for a 4x8 sheet... and then make some mockups... and put the controls in... will take 1/2 hour per control panel, and if you use quick disconnects, you don't have to rewire every time...

anyway, make one design... play for a few weeks... then try another...

Then when you get the only you like best... do it right...

btw, I never use the 7th button... never being hardly ever...

and for me... 6 buttons is a requirement for SF games...

But I also have 6 control panels in my room... and 2 more in the basement... plus I'm thinking of building a 1 player specific control panel... just so I can sit in the middle of the machine when playing 1 player...  Consider if you can get a hot swap control panel setup... really nice when you find that specifically weird controller you just have to have.

[Franco B]

I'm not into fighters in the slightest but I have always gone for a six button layout for console emu's and for people if they wish to play SF etc.

If I was into fighters I would go for one of the six plus one varients for Neo Geo fighters.

I don't mind having six buttons but people can get bent if they want six plus one 

[Sjaak]

If you have hte room for more buttons, I say do it.

thats the problem I dont really have room but if I do 3 in a row OOO then I might as well do 6... I am considering 4 in snes setup
   O
O    O
   O
but with sjaks dimensions I may be able to squeeze 6 in we will see

sjak is it uncomfortable playing with 2 people on that cp?

It's not uncomfortable, there is enough room for all hands, but you are almost standing shoulder to shoulder.

[Jack Burton]

I highly recommend this layout

credit for this image goes to slagcoin.com

minus the two rightmost buttons.

like this:



This layout takes very little space, can play 99% of all joystick  + button games every made, and is very easy on the hands.

Even if you have arthritis this will still probably be the best layout.  If you want to stick to 3 buttons just use the VF layout: