What do you all think about 4 player cabs?

[subzero23]

(mame cabs)

do you all like them?
not sure what else to ask lol give opinions!

[clanggedin]

They are only worth it if you have enough friends over all the time that want to play it. Otherwise a 2 player cab will totally suit your needs.

[pointdablame]

They are only worth it if you have enough friends over all the time that want to play it. Otherwise a 2 player cab will totally suit your needs.

And even then, you have to have those friends be really interested in 4 player games.  Not that there aren't good 4p games, but if you don't have a bunch of people who simply LOVE a bunch of 4p games, you'll find that all your friends will be switching off playing 2p games more often than not, at least in my experiences.  I have a dedicated Xmen that gets a good amount of play, but it's only had 4 people at it at the same time maybe five times... tops.

I was dead set on converting it to a 4p Mame machine when I started out, but I realize now it wouldn't be worth it for me.

[paigeoliver]

I have a Konami 4 player cabinet, and I just want the sucker out of my house. Unless you live in  frat house or a drug house then it is probably NEVER going to get more than 2 player's on it. Most 4 player games on location never get 4 player's on them either. Matter of fact, as far as I can remember the only 4 player game I have ever played in 4 player mode was the Pong in my living room, and that only happened one time, and it was at the auction before I bought it.

In order to play a 4 player game with 4 players you need 3 friends. All three friends need to be present, all 3 need to be interested in playing the game. And all 3 must be interested in playing the game at the same time. The older you get, the less likely you are going to be able to fullfill those requirements more than once or twice a year. Unless you have 3 children, in which case it is a no brainer.

[subzero23]

Well having more than one friend over at a time is a rarity now days out of high school for 5 years

but i have 2 nieces + 1 nephew who come over occasionally...

but the reasons were mostly for aesthetics I think
I like the idea of having 4 different colors.

very tough decision

[Xiaou2]

  Ahh, but with the 4player setup... you can use 2 rotary sticks on the 2nd and 4th player.   They can be used in both 8way games, and as rotary joy games.  And or - you can add other joys like Wico leafs - ect.... or...

 use the 2nd pair of joys to use as tank controlls, or robotron controls (2 sets so no need to swap places when playing 2 people).

 Other ideas...

  Make a dual monitor + dual computer setup in a single cab!  - with controls on the same panel, but each going to thier own pc.   That way,  2 or more people could play different games,  yet be close enough to watch the other at times when there was no action... or just to be social...ect.

 The biggest prob with 4 player cabs... is that some of them have the monitor a bit too close - so the end people have a poor view of the screen.    Showcase cabs solve that... but at the expense of the 'blinder'  like box effect that is in earlier cabs.    The close quarter - mostly enclosed cab helps by keeping your eyes from seeing anything distracting in the periferial view.   It keeps glare down,  helps brighten the pic due to darker  contrast... and the sidewalls make the audio sound a bit more robust.    A 4 player 'enviornmental' cab would be wicked...  ; )  (look at  discs of tron cab to know what enviornmental cab type is)

 Anyways... theres a lot you can do with 4p  control panel.   You just have to decide what features you want.. and if its worth it  for what you really want to do with your cab.

 If you have many young ones come over... simpsons 4player is always a hit.  Well, at least it was in the arcade i worked for years back.  : )   

   Another note... if making a 4p control panel.... make sure to build it so that the panel can be removed...   else it probably will not fit thru doorways  if/when you have to move it.


 

[LeedsFan]

I pretty much agree with what's already been said. You need 4 people to be interested in the same game AND all present at the same time.

Secondly, a lot of the 4 player cabs I have seen tend to look a bit frankenpanel(ish).  The outer players positions sometimes look as though they would struggle to see the screen properly. I've never played on a 4 player panel so I can't speak from experience. It's just something I tend to think about when I see some of them, that's all.

[captainpotato]

I agree with all the comments, but once I have the space, I do plan to make a Gauntlet-based cab. This way it isn't as frankenpanelish as some, nor as large. Sure, it may be a little cramped at times with four people, but as that won't happen so often, it's not such an issue. Most of the time I imagine that I'd leave one of the side sticks as a 4-direction stick, use the middle sticks for 2-player and the fourth wouldn't get a lot of use.

[missioncontrol]

I am not a big fan of 4 player cabs.....most of them look cluttered with all the buttons and joysticks....I'd stick to a 2 player cab unless there is a 4 player game you play all the time and know 3 friends who will be over alot to play it too........

[Apollo]

4 player cabs are fine, as long as they haven't got various other controls like trackballs, spinners buttons everywhere etc. Dedicated 4 player cabs can look and play just fine. Unfortunately for MAME builders the Frakenpanel is just around the corner.

[hulkster]

4 player cabs are fine, as long as they haven't got various other controls like trackballs, spinners buttons everywhere etc. Dedicated 4 player cabs can look and play just fine. Unfortunately for MAME builders the Frakenpanel is just around the corner.

depends on your setup

[JustMichael]

I find most of the time a 4-player cab is a big waste of space.  I prefer a 2 player cab that has a couple of plug in controls for players 3 and 4.

[Vicious]

Unless you have 3 children, in which case it is a no brainer.

You hit it right on the head for me.  I have three children and if one had to wait for a turn I would probably go crazy having to listen about the other kids not sharing.

[missioncontrol]

Unless you have 3 children, in which case it is a no brainer.

You hit it right on the head for me.

[microwrx]

I have a 4 player MAME cab and prefer it to my old 2 player machine.  Probably the main reason is my old machine was a cabaret and got a bit cramped with 2 players.

We've had the 4 player cab running for some time now and yes, unless there are kids around I wouldn't bother.  My brother in-law and his two kids and I played TMNT for about an hour and then the Simpsons for about the same and every time they come over they all (2 nephews and 2 neices) want to play 4 player games.  One of the families has my old 2 player machine so the kids are used to MAME and MameWah.

When adults are over though they mainly play single player classics so even a 2 player cab is of no use.

[Gunstar Hero]

If you have the space and the cash go for it.

Two sets of dual 8 ways can also be used for 2 player Smash TV and Total Carnage. Major plus there. 

And even if you don't get a chance to throw down some 4 player Gauntlet, NBA Jam or TMNT often it doesn't mean you never will! 

[eyal8r]

I just finished building my cab a couple weeks ago. I built a 4 player CP, but, 1/2 way through the build I decided to go to 2 player. So I have a 2player cab with the space of 4 players- I gotta tell ya, I am sure glad I did NOT do a 4 player cab!  My oversized 2 player setup is very nice for 2 people to sit on a stool and each play comfortably. I have 2 7button controls, 2 8 ways, 2 TBs and 2 spinners- it's spread out very nicely and roomy. I couldn't imagine playing 4 players on that sucker- WAY too cramped, even if I DID have 3 other friends...   AND- I built this wider than the standard 4 player CPs!  I agree with everyone else- it's not needed, and you could take the cash you're saving on buttons and sticks and put it to light guns or TBs or something...
D

[subzero23]

Well its definately one of those weigh the pro/cons things but I still think I'm gonna go for it
My plan

joystick      -- joystick        --joystick    --joystick
4 buttons      7 buttons      7 buttons    4 buttons

I like the 4 color theme (blue/red/green/yellow) so that works out nice. Also there will be a Ms.Pac-Man joystick in the middle of the 7button joysticks.

but I think the main attraction is having the capability to play as many games as possible the way they were originally... like Sunset Riders.. and now SmashTV now that someone mentioned it
I figure that someday I'll get a 2nd cab for some reason, maybe a real arcade machine that will be 2 players

BUT now I have to figure out what way I should build it? The cabinet will be a Midway style one  (Mortal Kombats, Killer Instinct, NBA Jam etc)...so should I go with the most logical matching control panel design? One like NBA Jam?




and also like the games I really want to play 4 player style



Those are all square/rectangle types, but maybe I should go with angles? I donno
The max it can be is 34" wide, will things be too cramped to be all one way like NBA Jams?  Or maybe I should put them sideways so people can play on the sides

I'm really excited about the prospect of this thing at parties

[Xiaou2]

 I personally do not like angled joys.   This can tend to be confusing about which way is up at times.

 Heres a pic of a type of 4player space saving method.   Gives more arm room in 4player mode by popping buttons almost below the stick.  You need about 1" right of under the stick - else  its uncomfortable.   With that - its very comfortable... and you can see the advantage of it.

 Also, nice to add the rotaries in there.

hmmm,  pic gets smushed a bit here.   Rightclick, save as,  then open it  and it should be fullsize and easier to see whats going on.

[BASSOFeeSH]

While some 4-player panels look crowded, I'll have to build one.  Most of my time spent multi-playing is when we throw parties for family/friends.

[screaming]

Having a honkin' 4 player cabinet is worth it just for 2 player Smash TV.

-Steve

[pointdablame]

Having a honkin' 4 player cabinet is worth it just for 2 player Smash TV.

-Steve

You don't need to have a 4p cabinet for that.

[the3eyedblindman]

Im building a 4 player panel just so Im set whenever there is an opportunity for a 4 player game is I have 3 friends over. Might as well have 2 extra controls just in case.

[Bones]

The added expense is minimum in comparison to the total project cost. I am planning one and if P3 & P4 only get used once a month, that's OK.

I have an Xbox that

[subzero23]

Well mine wouldn't be very cluddered up at all



I can't decide if I want there to be a uniform color scheme for the buttons for every player or if there should be a differnet color for buttons for every player

and there is no way I can figure out what kind of art I want for it which sucks.

Does anyone know how much kinkos charges just to print out nice quality oversized stuff?

[walls83]

I have a 4 player cab and I love it.  I wouldnt have it any other way

[subzero23]

Anyone know what kinkos offers in just plain prints that are nice quality?

[zvar]

Why not call them?  Seriously, they are open 24/7 and you can get the number from their website.  (www.kinkos.com) I called, asked how much to print out a full color x by x on vinyl and they gave me a price.  I believe to print on vinyl it was $8.00 a sq foot on vinyl (planning on using plexi to cover, use regular paper to save money.) 

It's much better to ask the source to get an exact amount for the store in your area.

[subzero23]

doh! I forgot they were 24/7, thanks

[subzero23]

Hmm they're too pricey
how hard is it to print out on to seperate pieces of paper and link them together and not see the seems?

[Tailgunner]

I'd rather have four single player cabs, or three single player cabs and a 2 player cab.

[pointdablame]

Hmm they're too pricey
how hard is it to print out on to seperate pieces of paper and link them together and not see the seems?

you're gonna see the seams.  That's not to say you shouldn't do it, but you WILL see the seams... no way around it.

[subzero23]

I think im just going to go with a control panel from mamemarquees,
but with one of those do I need plexiglass over the CP?