How do you know what buttons for what games?

[SammyLJ]

One of the things I am working out before I build my cab is how to know which buttons are in use for what games. Marvel vs capcom may use 6 buttons for player 1 but the Simpson game only uses 2 buttons. How do you guys show people which buttons work in each game? I thought of hanging a flip book on a hinge with all of the cp variations(since I won't be running too many games).
I also thought of another way. Is there anyway that when then rom is selected, your led will only light up certain buttons?

[Dawgz Rule]

CPWizard will display the correct button layouts

[abispac]

3 butons on top 3 on bottom, top are 123 bottom are 564 ...i use them this way,why? i dont play 6 buttons games that much. and the ones i do i simply configure mame for that particular game so the buttons are the correct order.  so most 1 ,2 or 3 buttons games should be just fine with the top row, neogeo games, are just fine as well with the 3 top and the extra 4 on bottom. on mortal kombat i do configure mame for that particular game as well. so most folks inmediatly figure out the buttons layout, no need for manuals.

[DaveMMR]

I also thought of another way. Is there anyway that when then rom is selected, your led will only light up certain buttons?

Yup, yup. I use Arzoo's LEDBlinky plugin for MaLa and RGB LEDs with GroovyGameGear's Electric Ice buttons so that the active buttons not only light up the correct original color (really helpful in games like Mouse Trap and Chicken Shift), but are announced via robotic voice before the game starts.

The downside to the above, though, is much more wiring and software setup.

[Nephasth]

I also thought of another way. Is there anyway that when then rom is selected, your led will only light up certain buttons?

Yup, yup. I use Arzoo's LEDBlinky plugin for MaLa and RGB LEDs with GroovyGameGear's Electric Ice buttons so that the active buttons not only light up the correct original color (really helpful in games like Mouse Trap and Chicken Shift), but are announced via robotic voice before the game starts.

The downside to the above, though, is much more wiring and software setup.

+1 for LEDBlinky, -1 for voice identification though (that drives me nuts). It's pretty easy to figure out what button does what in the first few seconds of a game. My Two-Head Beast thread and also the CP database have examples of my buttons being lit up to mimic original layouts and colors.

[DaveMMR]

I also thought of another way. Is there anyway that when then rom is selected, your led will only light up certain buttons?

Yup, yup. I use Arzoo's LEDBlinky plugin for MaLa and RGB LEDs with GroovyGameGear's Electric Ice buttons so that the active buttons not only light up the correct original color (really helpful in games like Mouse Trap and Chicken Shift), but are announced via robotic voice before the game starts.

The downside to the above, though, is much more wiring and software setup.

+1 for LEDBlinky, -1 for voice identification though (that drives me nuts). It's pretty easy to figure out what button does what in the first few seconds of a game. My Two-Head Beast thread and also the CP database have examples of my buttons being lit up to mimic original layouts and colors.

+1 to your -1. Many have remarked that the voice is grinding (even though I changed it to "female") and it's pronunciation is quirky with regards to game names. I just never cared enough to disable it since I'm planning on a complete redesign anyhow...

I loath dead buttons on control panels so every time I play a game.

And that's one of the reasons for the redesign. I'm beginning to hate having 50 million things on a panel and worrying about button labeling/instructions/lights when 99% of the time, I'm playing single joystick, 1 to 2 button games. Going to make a few specialized, easily-swapped panels instead. Even though it's ultimately less cost-effective (redundant buttons/joysticks) - it's ultimately most versatile in that you can make the perfect panel for particular games.

Back to the OP's topic (sorry for the slight hijack): If multiple panels are not for you (and I realize they are not for everyone), and the lights are too much for whatever reason (cost, work involved) you duplicate the buttons as pinballjim said (e.g. top row mimics bottom row). This way you need worry less about giving instruction as most people naturally work left to right when guessing what buttons do.

[SammyLJ]

3 butons on top 3 on bottom, top are 123 bottom are 564 ...i use them this way,why? i dont play 6 buttons games that much. and the ones i do i simply configure mame for that particular game so the buttons are the correct order.  so most 1 ,2 or 3 buttons games should be just fine with the top row, neogeo games, are just fine as well with the 3 top and the extra 4 on bottom. on mortal kombat i do configure mame for that particular game as well. so most folks inmediatly figure out the buttons layout, no need for manuals.

Most of my friends never played arcade but are into bids now so they will have no idea.

[SammyLJ]

I also thought of another way. Is there anyway that when then rom is selected, your led will only light up certain buttons?

Yup, yup. I use Arzoo's LEDBlinky plugin for MaLa and RGB LEDs with GroovyGameGear's Electric Ice buttons so that the active buttons not only light up the correct original color (really helpful in games like Mouse Trap and Chicken Shift), but are announced via robotic voice before the game starts.

The downside to the above, though, is much more wiring and software setup.

I plan on doin led lit buttons so this may be good

[SammyLJ]

I think I will have to do more research on front ends and how they can be modified. I haven't gotten too far into that, it's the only thing I have left to research. Any suggestions for a noob.