So what is the best control/Keyboard interface to use?

[paulwgraber]

On to the control part. So what do I need to interface my controls with? Is it an IPAC or Jpac or something.

I will have two players, spinner, trackball, joystick 6 buttons on each side kind of like street fighter style.

Thx

[bperkins01]

Ultimate IO card.
I have all that stuff - works great.

[PL1]

On to the control part. So what do I need to interface my controls with? Is it an IPAC or Jpac or something.

I will have two players, spinner, trackball, joystick 6 buttons on each side kind of like street fighter style.

If you aren't plugging into an existing JAMMA harness in your cab (JPac) or controlling a bunch of LEDs (Ultimate I/O), the IPac covers the setup you describe plus the usual admin buttons. (Coin x 2, Start x 2, Exit, Pause)


Scott

[keilmillerjr]

Jpac offers protection from dangerous signals if using CRT. It could be easy to wire because it uses a jamma harness. However, it does not support trackball.

[Howard_Casto]

Also I'll give my usual warning.  You don't want two joysticks 6 buttons per joystick AND a trackball AND a spinner.  It's too much on one panel and you'll find that the joysticks and buttons are all you'll ever use.  At least that's the conclusion 90% of us tend to come to after years in the hobby. 

[nipsmg]

Amen Howard. 

I’d say maybe add the trackball.  Unless your all time favorite game is arkanoid or tempest, lose the spinner. I’ve built 4 player aircraft carrier panels, 2 players with trackball, spinner, and dedicated 4- way, and a 2 player panel with 2 ServoStiks and a trackball.

I used the exact same controls 99.9999999999% of the time ON ALL 3 CABINETS.  It adds work, another think to troubleshoot, and while most people don’t listen to this advice, I’ve had many people tell me they should have listened after the fact.

Go with ServoStiks though.  There is a servo that automatically switches you controllers from 4 to 8 way mode based on the game you’re launching.  They kill the need for a dedicated 4-way stick and are amazing.

For an interface, go with an Ultimarc iPac 2.  Hands down, no question.

[bperkins01]

I'd agree on the spinner - I have one and barely use it..
I do like Arkanoid which is why I put it in in the first place.
Ultimarc has an option for the spinner so that it's a different USB device than the trackball - you want to get the option..
otherwise if your playing Centipede and you accidentally hit the spinner - you do (to the system - they would be the SAME device unless you get the option)

[Arroyo]

Love you guys but gotta disagree.  Some of the best games use a spinner:

Tempest
Arkanoid/Arkanoid 2
Major Havoc (unless you have the roller)
Omega Race
Tac/Scan
Star Trek
Zektor
Mad Planets
Kozmik Kroozer
Both Tron games

Just to list a few :

I get not wanting a ton of stuff on a panel but there are some fun spinner games out there.  More comprehensive list here:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=20283.0

[Mike A]

You are going to be pissed at me...

Major Havoc (unless you have the roller)

Major Havoc sucks major ass.

Arkanoid and Star Trek are two great reasons to have a spinner.

[Arroyo]

You are going to be pissed at me...

Major Havoc sucks major ass.

You crazy.

Um you didn’t list Tempest....being that you own one and all...

[Osirus23]

2 joysticks 6 buttons each with a trackball in the middle isn't that bad. When I started on this site that was pretty much the standard for BYO generic panel layouts. I built my first one that way and it's never bothered me, though I really only ever use the trackball as a mouse for doing things in Windows.

[PL1]

The wiki also has a list of spinner games.

http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?title=Spinners_and_Dials#Which_games_originally_used_a_spinner.2Fpaddle.3F


Scott

[Mike A]

Tempest is just assumed. It is the best spinner game of all time.

When you say you are standing still you are actually screaming through space at an ungodly speed, and you are also spinning along with the Earth. All of that is just assumed when you talk about walking around.

Nobody I know has ever asked about Major Havoc or say they remembered playing it. It just became popular in the arcade nerd community so now people are being brainwashed into thinking it is a fun game.

[Arroyo]

Nobody I know has ever asked about Major Havoc or say they remembered playing it. It just became popular in the arcade nerd community so now people are being brainwashed into thinking it is a fun game.

I’ll change your mind once I get mine built and you come play it

[Mike A]

Dude. You can convince a 97 year old to like anything. Assuming I live that long.

[Arroyo]

Well since this ones being built for me.....

Sorry OP, won’t thread derail anymore.

[Howard_Casto]

My advice if you like arkanoid or tempest is to buy/build a dedicated arkanoid or tempest machine and play all your spinner games on it.  The spinner is a deceptive control to the inexperienced.  You think "Oh look how tiny it is! I can put it anywhere."  but the thing is, it needs more hand resting space than probably any other control.  The space it actually takes up if you want to use it and not accidentally hit it all the time when using other controls is about the same as a joystick with 6 buttons.  It's the same deal with a trackball but to a lesser degree.  You can fit a trackball or spinner in a cramped layout, but not both.  You probably won't use them much though, so you've been warned.

[paulwgraber]

Yeah you'll all hate me. But I love Tempest and Major Havoc so I really have my heart set on a blue spinner.
I also want my trackball lighted and maybe the buttons. I know........

Question though are the ball top joysticks better or the competition ones?

Also, any brand or company you recommend: Twisted Qtr, Suzo Happ, Ultramarc.........

Thx guys. I really do apprecaiate all the advice and everything. Have both project arcade books so Im using them as well now.

PG

[CitznFish]

Tempest is just assumed. It is the best spinner game of all time.

When you say you are standing still you are actually screaming through space at an ungodly speed, and you are also spinning along with the Earth. All of that is just assumed when you talk about walking around.

Nobody I know has ever asked about Major Havoc or say they remembered playing it. It just became popular in the arcade nerd community so now people are being brainwashed into thinking it is a fun game.

Lol, what a strange opinion. I played it in the arcades, I played it in MAME. It's a great game!

[Mike A]

Well your opinion of my statement of fact is wrong.

I can't help people that deny the immutable laws that govern our physical existence.

[yotsuya]

Well your opinion of my statement of fact is wrong.

I can't help people that deny the immutable laws that govern our physical existence.

Major Havoc is ok. I don’t get why it’s a $5000+ game in today’s market. I’d rather have a Black Widow.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Howard_Casto]

It's ultimately forgettable.  So forgettable that I had to google it to make sure I knew the game you were all talking about.