Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: tsomo2000 on November 11, 2012, 03:11:54 pm
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Hi All
Thinking of building myself a bartop, 2 player mame cabinet and just wondered if anyone could lend me a bit of helpful advice.
From doing a bit of research it looks like a i need the following bits:
A PC
A TFT monitor (19" should do it)
Plywood and various fixings/screws
2x joysticks and buttons
I would be looking to play mostly oldskool games, TMNT, Final Fight, MK etc, so nothing too processor hungry.
I have had a look on ebay for various bits it looks like i can get a set of joysticks, and numerous buttons, the biggest question i have is how do i wire these buttons and joysticks up to the PC?
What sort of front end would be best to use, I remember using MAME32 ages ago, and Mala recently, i would like it to boot as soon as the PC is turned on?
Can the PC be configured so it is turned on/off with the press of a 'power button' on the mame cab?
Can you set up the joystick buttons to enable you to alter game modes/menus - for difficulty levels in games?
Thinking the classic 6 button configuration would be good enough for me, it would allow me to play the majority of fighters out there.
Thanks v much from a newbie.
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To answer your topic; patiance, persurverance and the search button.
Godspeed!
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Welcome aboard, Tsomo2000.
I have had a look on ebay for various bits it looks like i can get a set of joysticks, and numerous buttons, the biggest question i have is how do i wire these buttons and joysticks up to the PC?
Before you get your heart set on eBay for parts, you may want to look at Ultimarc (http://www.ultimarc.com/), Groovy Game Gear (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/), and Paradise Arcade Shop (http://www.paradisearcadeshop.com/) a.k.a. the "Big Three" suppliers. All of them are great and the business owners are active here on the forums.
For how to connect to the PC, check out wiring (http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Wiring) and encoders (http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Encoders) in the wiki then go here (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,80229.msg837804.html#msg837804).
Can the PC be configured so it is turned on/off with the press of a 'power button' on the mame cab?
Yes, here (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,118776.msg1277363.html#msg1277363)'s one example.
Can you set up the joystick buttons to enable you to alter game modes/menus - for difficulty levels in games?
Umm, what game do you have in mind? Some had dip switches that set the difficulty.
Thinking the classic 6 button configuration would be good enough for me, it would allow me to play the majority of fighters out there.
Slagcoin (http://www.slagcoin.com/joystick/layout.html) is your friend.
To answer your topic; patiance, persurverance and the search button.
Godspeed!
:laugh2: Quite true, Dex. Read the stickies and recent topics and you'll be able to ask questions that are more sniper than shotgun and less likely to produce :angry:.
Scott
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The ability to be able to finish what you started. :o
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Bartops are not the absolute best for 2 player fighters or two player games in general, as they can be very cramped.
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To have a playable 2 player bartop your control panel should be wider then the actual bartop body or you can innovate and have a separate CP for the second player or 2 bartops with only a single computer. (It has been done before and it was great)
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One other thing to consider is the layout of the buttons. MK uses a layout with 5 buttons while MK3 uses a layout with 6 buttons in a unique configuration.
I built a 2 player bartop with a 24" control panel. In the end, I think a full size makes more sense for a 2 player bartop. You can check out the Widowmaker bartop in my sig and look at the pic of it on the 36" round table.
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Bartops are not the absolute best for 2 player fighters or two player games in general, as they can be very cramped.
+1
To have a playable 2 player bartop your control panel should be wider then the actual bartop body or you can innovate and have a separate CP for the second player or 2 bartops with only a single computer. (It has been done before and it was great)
+1
Be careful of the input lag with the flat screen. If it's bad it will hamper the feel of the games.
http://shoryuken.com/forum/index.php?threads/sub-1-frame-hdtv-monitor-input-lag-database.145141/ (http://shoryuken.com/forum/index.php?threads/sub-1-frame-hdtv-monitor-input-lag-database.145141/)
Edit: That link seems to have stopped working, here's a new one
http://forums.shoryuken.com/discussion/145141/sub-1-frame-hdtvmonitor-input-lag-database/p1 (http://forums.shoryuken.com/discussion/145141/sub-1-frame-hdtvmonitor-input-lag-database/p1)
When shopping, be aware that response time is not the same as input lag.
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Thanks for all the replys guys. It will give me some good reading for the night ahead.
Thanks again.
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Also, have you ordered the book yet?
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The ability to be able to finish what you started. :o
Or in other words, finish one project before starting another. :D