Looking for a Neogeo template

[Paul Olson]

Hi, I am looking for a template to use to drill button holes for a Neogeo layout. I have been looking at pictures on klov and ebay, and there seems to be many different variations on the placement of the 4 buttons. Some have the left button at an angle to the other 3, and others have the first 3 buttons at an angle. Still others are more rounded all the way across.

Those of you who have used these a lot: which would be the most comfortable? I will mostly be playing the Metal Slug series and Bust-A-Move with this button panel.

Thanks,
Paul

[Crowquill]

You're right. When originally released, the Neo-Geo dedicated cabinets had buttons B,C, & D in a straight line with A offset down a bit. The cabs that were released a little bit later on had the curved layout like the home console controllers had all along. My 2-slot cabinet is the later version with the curved layout. If you'd like I can take the measurements for you. I've been meaning to break down the CP to clean it up anyway. I could even go ahead and scan and vectorize it while I'm at it.

Several years ago when I built my MAME cab (before I had the 2-slot) I took measurements from a cabinet on location and laid out my panel to match the straight-button layout. I can't really say I have a preference between the two. Besides fighters you only use 1 or 2 buttons for most MVS games. For a MAME cab the straight layout might be more versatile as you can do the 7-button thing and have both MVS and Capcom 6-button layouts in one.

FWIW, I'm pretty sure more MVS cabinets have the straight layout than the curved one.

Here's a few comparison pics:

The first is a pic I found on the web of the ugliest cabaret ever made.
The second is my 2-slot. I've never seen another one with a shiny aluminum control panel (except the one that was auctioned off next to it).

[Paul Olson]

If you could make a template for the curved one, that would be great. I'm sure it would get some use around here. I am building a modular panel, so I can add any layout. I will be able to test both types that way. I made a panel for the straight one last night. I just used a 6 button fighter template with another button on the bottom left to get the spacing for the 4 buttons. It looks like the pictures that I have seen.

I saw one pic that had the buttons laid out like this:

A     B

C     D



Thanks,
Paul

[Crowquill]

I'll get it scanned and mapped out within the next day or two. I'm starting to wonder how different they really are. Even on the curved layout C and D are even. I'm wondering if B's placement is the only difference. I think A might be shifted left a bit, though. It seems like it's a bit of a reach to put your fingers on all buttons when playing KOF'99 on mine. It's not that bad, but I'd think closer button-spacing might be better. I measured C and D and they're 1-5/8" apart. This is the same spacing used on the official Capcom 6-button layout. My Primal Rage dedicated cab and many other templates I've seen have the buttons 1-1/2" apart.

I got the overlay off of my MVS control panel. I knew there'd probably been a drink spilled on my panel due to gunked up buttons when I got it, but I didn't realize it was this nasty. Despite the way it looks in the picture, that's not rust. The panel is actually aluminum. I'll get the overlay scanned tonight at work.

I saw one pic that had the buttons laid out like this:

A     B

C     D

This is how the buttons worked out on my Primal Rage cabinet (I also have a 1-slot JAMMA PCB). It doesn't work bad. KOF'99 was strange with it. It was kind of like having a Mortal Kombat layout. It was

Light P    Light K

Hard P     Hard K

In MAME I think it would work better if punches were remapped to top and kicks were on bottom (like Street FIghter). Any other game would be fine since most you only use the first two or three buttons (and the third is usually a special attack or something).

[Crowquill]

Here's a 150dpi JPEG of the overlay. I'll make a nice, easy-to-print version later today.

[Crowquill]

As promised, here's a b/w easy-to-print template. I made one for the whole 2-player CPO as well as one that'll fit on an a letter-sized sheet of paper.

[Paul Olson]

Thanks! Now I get to go drill 2 more panels.
The whole point of my modular panel is to have any layout I want, so this will be a great addition.

Thanks for all the work you put into this. I'm not sure what the procedure is, but you should add this to the templates page on the main site. I'm sure others will make good use of it as well.

Thanks,
Paul