The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Chance667 on January 24, 2022, 12:29:11 am
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As I am new to MAME, I do have a few questions... And some feedback would be greatly appreciated...
I am building a full size cabinet based on the Defender style, which is no problem. What I would like to do is, instead of a full console with tons of buttons, I would like to have "pullouts" like drawers, to create each possibility, like one exclusively for Defender and Stargate, but also PAC Man, Missile Command, Tron and even a few other games. As you know, each can use basically the same consoles, but instead of a bunch of buttons, I would like to keep it real as to the originals.
Instead of hacking a bunch of keyboards to do this, is there something I can use to employ actual buttons, rollers, dials etc... to accomplish my idea? Something that would incorporate every design I may wish to use?
As I stated before, keeping to the control panel is a MUST to make it worthy of an actual game that everyone was used to.
Is there ANY way I can get a FULL controller that could incorporate this? Set up the buttons, the joysticks, rollers, to just plug in after pushing the new drawer in? Every drawer would be different if course and I suspect a good three or four would work quite well.
I am running a Dell 64 bit 3.30 GHZ Windows 10 Pro with 6gigs. She runs flawlessly with no other programs installed.
Please help on this because otherwise I will be hacking keyboards and soldering stuff forever!
I know this must be easy for someone here. Just some ideas on how I can pull this off!
Thank you in advance! Plus, I will help to explain my build.
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Check out What type of build meets my needs? (http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/FAQ#What_type_of_build_meets_my_needs.3F) and the rest of the FAQ. There's a lot of good info on the wiki. ;D
I would like to have "pullouts" like drawers, to create each possibility, like one exclusively for Defender and Stargate, but also PAC Man, Missile Command, Tron and even a few other games.
OK. Swappable control panels.
- You may want to include an enclosure on the bottom of the panel to protect the wiring when installing/removing/storing the panels.
Instead of hacking a bunch of keyboards to do this, is there something I can use to employ actual buttons, rollers, dials etc... to accomplish my idea? Something that would incorporate every design I may wish to use?
First step is to work through the design process in the "What type of build meets my needs?" entry in the FAQ, paying particular attention to steps 2 and 4.
- Until you know the game list, you don't know what controls (and how many of each) you need and any encoder advice we offer will be generic at best.
Most of the games you'll come up with for step 2 will be fine with a standard "8-way joy + 6 buttons" layout for each player.
It will be a lot easier to have the encoder(s) mounted on the swappable panel so all you have to do is plug/unplug one or two USB connectors instead of a large Molex or D-sub connector.
If you can solder and want to keep the overall price down, consider using Arduinos for some or most of your encoders.
- There are lots of examples if you search the site for "Arduino encoder".
Scott