The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: ogisha007 on April 17, 2006, 09:20:19 am

Title: A bunch of questions - newbie warning !
Post by: ogisha007 on April 17, 2006, 09:20:19 am
I'm trying to build an arcade cabinet from scratch (not totally from scratch, since I would probably get the cabinet wood parts done by someone else) and, as all the noobs, I have some questions i would like to ask:

-This whole thing about keyboard encoders has confused me pretty much, and so i ask a simple question: how many buttons will I be able to push simultaneously without any problems, and does this vary from encoder to encoder?

-I want to build a cabinet for 2 players, 7 buttons each, a trackball, spinner, etc. I would love it if you had recommendations for the joysticks(8-way), buttons(would like microswitches), and the trackball.

Sorry if I've made you mad with my noobish questions :angry: , but bear in mind that I'm only 14 yrs old and got a lot of questions (should be ordering Project Arcade soon to demystify some stuff  :) )

More questions will probably follow, since i'm a little tired now (going to take a nap)
Title: Re: A bunch of questions - newbie warning !
Post by: pointdablame on April 17, 2006, 10:27:51 am
Welcome.

Go read the Wiki on this board, you will answer a TON of your questions, including some that you probably didn't even know you had.  You can find the wiki here: http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/

You should also check the stickied threads in each forum as your questions have been asked a lot before, you'll find a lot of good info in those threads.

To answer some of your questions very quickly though,
- Number of button presses will vary by encoder, but most (if not all) commercial encoders do not have ghosting and blocking problems that you'd have with a keyboard encoder.  So basically, don't worry about it.
- Don't ask for recommendations on joysticks.  There is no "best" one.  You need to try some and also figure out what types of games you play most.
- Happ horizontal microswitch buttons are pretty much the standard microswitch button people get.
- I like Happ trackballs better than Betson/Imperial or others, but they are all pretty good.

Now go read :)
Title: Re: A bunch of questions - newbie warning !
Post by: hypernova on April 17, 2006, 12:12:37 pm
14?

Familiar with the classics?  I didn't know people that young knew what an arcade was.  Good luck on your build!
Title: Re: A bunch of questions - newbie warning !
Post by: Q*Bert_OP on April 17, 2006, 12:32:00 pm
14?

Familiar with the classics?  I didn't know people that young knew what an arcade was. 

 :laugh2:
Most of my machines are older than I am...
Title: Re: A bunch of questions - newbie warning !
Post by: ogisha007 on April 17, 2006, 02:43:50 pm
14?

Familiar with the classics?  I didn't know people that young knew what an arcade was.  Good luck on your build!

@hypernova
Well, it's a long story, and it involves stuff that possibly breaks the forum rules, so i best not talk about it  ;D (i live in Serbia, so a classsic is probably not in a cabinet but on a hard disc or burned CD, sadly :'(  Not that i wouldn't buy and play on originals, it's just that they're pretty much not available and the arcades are pretty lame, most of the machines not working properly... :blah: and so on). Oh, and thanks on the good luck :)

@pointdablame
Thanks for the explanations and the link, I've already got most of the stuff about in my head, I just need to make a final plan and order stuff, I will take my time though, since I have to study for my exams and stuff...