Please critique my Control Panel

[gmunny]

Hi folks,
I'm a first time builder and have designed what I hope to be my CP. 
I used Edgemod's template and also based it off of Arcade Paradise 3's CP as well. 
 
I wanted dedicated 4-way and 8-way Joy Sticks, but not have too many buttons.  Most CP's that I saw had the 4-way above the 8-ways, but for my machine I can see me, the wife and kids playing more 4 ways games so I moved the 4 ways below.  The button on left of 4-way will be mapped to mirror the main fire.  I really wanted 2 buttons on left, but not sure if i have enough room.  I may just remove the one button alltogether. 

In the middle is a Track Ball and spinner.  Oh yeah, it's not too scale.



Do you guys see any problems with this set up?  Are the buttons/joysticks too close to the trackball?   I am planning on mocking up with cardboard as well.  Any suggestions/comments would be appreciated!  Thanks.
Gmunny

[PCtech]

For what you have it looks good.  I've never tried a joystick setup like that, but your mockup will tell you if comfortable. 

If you're a Golden Tee fan, you're going to crack your knuckles    on the spinner for any hard, forward spinning action.

Seems like the 4-way joysticks are going to be in the way when using the 8-ways on top.

But, do the mockup and adjust as needed.

Good luck!

[DrTongue]

Why not just use those happ joysticks that you simply rotate the base to switch between 4-way and 8-way action? That could solve a few problems.

[Zeosstud]

I like the plan.  I would suggest maybe that you consider the Grovvy Game Gear Joysticks that switch between 4 and 8 way from above the control panel and if your into it, possible get the ones that have the fire button on top, would make tron alot more fun.  Once the "extra" joysticks are out of the way you could move the spinner to one side and the whole golden tee issue would be gone.  My control panel isnt perfect, noones is, do the mock up and test until YOUR happy. 

Zeosstud

[tommy]

Maybe it's just me but when i built my cab i knew exactly what type of games i would play and added those controls only. It seems like most guys try to cram every possible controler known to man on there and really most likely will never use half of them.

I don't recal a real arcade machine looking like that with so many joys and whatever else crap is on there.

Make a few cabs if you really want to play every game ever made, i really can't see having 3 wheels and 5 types of joys and 3 spinners and 57 buttons. Good luck.

[Ghoward]

I think your joysticks are way too close together.....

Gary

[shardian]

Why not just use those happ joysticks that you simply rotate the base to switch between 4-way and 8-way action? That could solve a few problems.

These are mag-stick plus sticks. They are not happ. You can buy them from Ultimarc, or divemaster from the buy/sell/trade forum. Cost is not an issue, as you would have as much tied up in a 4 way and an 8 way as you would a mag-stick plus.

For the mag-stick plus, MikeDeuce makes a sweet vinyl sticker for the dustwasher that shows you which way to twist the stick for 8way or 4 way.

[leapinlew]

Do yourself a favor and design it to scale.

Initial thoughts:

Buttons are too far apart

People would be frustrated not knowing which joystick to use

Joysticks too close together and would be uncomfortable to use in this config

is that a spinner above the trackball? Not good for follow through players.

The main fire button is a good idea, but making the 1st button on the row of 6 fire will work just as well and not be in your way of an accidental hit during a game of street fire.

Did you not want credit buttons on your cab?

It's already 29.5" you might as well extend it out a couple more inches and put a joystick on either side of the buttons.

[Sizzler]

Buttons are too far apart.   
Especially the thumb buttons on the other sides of the joysticks. How will you ever reach those?



I kid.  But the buttons are too far apart.

[shardian]

Have you played around with offseting the center column upwards in the six button layout? I did this for my desktop panel, and I love it.

As to critiquing, you really need to print out some scale button layouts and see what everyone that will be playing this machine thinks. you dont have to build a cardboard model just yet. Just set some layouts on the kitchen table and get some input.

I originally planned a monster of all monsters frankenpanel when I first got into this hobby. So does everyone...that is why there are so many examples of machines with 5' wide control panels, and a 19" monitor.

Take a step back, get some arcade parts to play around with, and make sure to build what you really want, not just throw every part you see onto a panel. You don't HAVE to have one of every control. You also don't have to play every single arcade game ever made. Another thing I have done is actually work my way thru the entire game list to figure out what I really like, and what plain just sucks. You learn alot about what controls you really want and need once you have played them all at least once.

That will be 2 cents please.

[gmunny]

Thanks for everyones reply.  Keep em coming.   

I thought about the ultimarc changable 4 to 8 way joysticks, but at first but then I wanted a dedicated 4-way.  I guess I'll have to buy one and see how it works in 4-way mode, especially in Pac Man.  Has anyone here used this stick? Please tell me how you like it in 4-way mode.  I read some reviews, but would like more feedback.

I also might consider just having 1 4-way stick instead of 2 and get rid of those single buttons.  That may reduce the clutter.

I think my wife and kids will play mostly 4-way games, but I wanted to have an 8-way stick to play fighting games, so I know I definately want to be able play both. 

Based on everyone's comments, I'll definately move the spinner up more away from the track ball and move the buttons closer together. 

[leapinlew]

if you look around, there is a template for a standard street fighter layout.

As for the magstik - the throw was a little too short for me. I couldn't play ms. pacman well on it at all. It moves about 5 degrees and comes to a dead stops. Some people like it, but I ended up selling mine.

[gmunny]

Have you played around with offseting the center column upwards in the six button layout? I did this for my desktop panel, and I love it.

As to critiquing, you really need to print out some scale button layouts and see what everyone that will be playing this machine thinks. you dont have to build a cardboard model just yet. Just set some layouts on the kitchen table and get some input.

Hi Shardian,
Do you have a pic that you can share?  I am having trouble visualizing what you mean.  Good tip on the printouts. Thanks,
G

[gmunny]

I like the plan.  I would suggest maybe that you consider the Grovvy Game Gear Joysticks that switch between 4 and 8 way from above the control panel and if your into it, possible get the ones that have the fire button on top, would make tron alot more fun.  Once the "extra" joysticks are out of the way you could move the spinner to one side and the whole golden tee issue would be gone.  My control panel isnt perfect, noones is, do the mock up and test until YOUR happy. 
Zeosstud

I need to check out those Groovy Gear Joysticks.  Has anyone hear used them?  Also how do they compare to the Magsticks?  Thanks.

[KillerArcades]

I also might consider just having 1 4-way stick instead of 2 and get rid of those single buttons.  That may reduce the clutter.

You should think about how many 2-player 4-way games you really play. I thought I would play a lot, but in the end, 90% of the old 4-way games I play that even have a 2P option don't let you play simultaneously. Some do, but a lot don't, so just double-think that part to make sure that you really want/need 2 separate 4-way joysticks.

[Circo]

I second that, I have never, ever needed two 4-way sticks.  I didn't even realize that there were any 4-way game with simultanious play. 

Beating a dead horse.... that spinner will hurt real bad.  Have a first aid kit handy! 

[leapinlew]

I second that, I have never, ever needed two 4-way sticks.  I didn't even realize that there were any 4-way game with simultanious play. 

Beating a dead horse.... that spinner will hurt real bad.  Have a first aid kit handy! 

Lets see here...

There aren't many, but off the top of my head:

Karate Champ used dual 4 ways for single player and you need four 4 ways to play against each other

Namco Classics allows you to play simultaneous Dig Dug, Pacman, and a couple others. The problem is these classics have been "updated"

Lastly, you can configure mame to have 1 4 way handle player 1 and the other 4 way to handle player 2.

With that being said, I have a dedicated 4 way machine with just 1 joystick on it. Seems to not confuse people so much.

[gmunny]

Lets see here...

There aren't many, but off the top of my head:

Karate Champ used dual 4 ways for single player and you need four 4 ways to play against each other

Namco Classics allows you to play simultaneous Dig Dug, Pacman, and a couple others. The problem is these classics have been "updated"

Lastly, you can configure mame to have 1 4 way handle player 1 and the other 4 way to handle player 2.

With that being said, I have a dedicated 4 way machine with just 1 joystick on it. Seems to not confuse people so much.

Thanks folks.  I guess the main game I am thinking about is Bubble Bobble. My kids love this game!  I also think Bomberman has 2 player, too.  I'm still undecided.   I like the idea of having a dedicated machine, its that I haven't even finished one yet, so I can't assume I can build 2.  That could take years!   

And i'll definately move that spinner away from the track ball.  Spinner is for Tempest and Arkanoid and the trackball is for centipede, missle command, crystal castles and marble madness! 

[Alcathiax]

I have the Mag-Stik Plus on a test single player CP. The throw is pretty darn short. I love the ability to switch between 4way and 8way though. I haven't had any problems playing 4 or 8 way games on it...my problem is just with the feel of it (as I don't remember any arcade game with this short of a throw).

[KillerArcades]

I have the Mag-Stik Plus...the throw is pretty darn short....I don't remember any arcade game with this short of a throw...

Even shorter than an original ms pacman stick?

[shardian]

Have you played around with offseting the center column upwards in the six button layout? I did this for my desktop panel, and I love it.

As to critiquing, you really need to print out some scale button layouts and see what everyone that will be playing this machine thinks. you dont have to build a cardboard model just yet. Just set some layouts on the kitchen table and get some input.

Hi Shardian,
Do you have a pic that you can share?  I am having trouble visualizing what you mean.  Good tip on the printouts. Thanks,
G

http://ubercade.randomdrivel.com/images/P0000094.jpg

[Alcathiax]

I don't have an original Ms Pc. Man stick laying around to compare it to the throw of a MagStik but I'm sure somebody on here can provide the angles on it. But I am trying to mentally think back to Ms. Pac Man in the arcade and my guess is the throw is going to be pretty darn close on the Magstick+ and the original Ms. Pac Man

[leapinlew]

Eventually I couldn't deal with the magstick any longer. It's partially due to the 5 degree of throw, no physical restrictor, and once you hit 5 degrees the stick stopped dead.

It seemed like to go from extreme left to extreme right was maybe half an inch? maybe an inch? it wasn't much.

[KillerArcades]

no physical restrictor, eh?

blecht!

ok, I think that right there answered my question. Thanks.

[BlinKY1337]

I know It looks pretty to have everything be geometrical but it doesnet really work on mame cabs specially with control pannels designed for every type of game. My suggestions
 fix the button spacing there way to far apart
 switch the location of the 4 n 8 ways
 remove 1 4way move the spiner to where it was (not over the trackball ouchie)
 move all the buttons n joysticks up more on the cp it might get uncomfortable resting your wrist on the corners
 move the 4 way and the spinner over the buttons instead of the joysticks
 hope this helps its meant to be constructive i hope