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critique my cocktail control panel??
xefned:
First off, I'm a total newb here, so I could take even the most condescending criticism and not be offended. I used early versions of mame over a decade ago, enjoyed it, but it wasn't the same experience controlling via arrow keys and the space bar. Only recently have I discovered the existence of this culture of arcade cabinet building, and this site, via a youtube video of all things. Armed with St. Clair's book, and a 4x8 sheet of plywood, I'm aiming to build a cocktail cabinet that's flexible enough to play more than just 4-way midways.
So I'm dreaming of this crazy scheme: a 14" wide control panel at both ends of a cocktail cabinet.
I'm curious: is 14" too wide for a cocktail control panel?
Is this control panel too cluttered? Any other thoughts?
I'm imagining using both the trigger stick at the far right and the spinner at the far left simultaneously for a couple games. Too awkward a stance?
Any suggestions from you more experienced chaps would be appreciated, Matthew
millercentral:
I've had an oversized 3-sided cocktail cabinet for years now. While I'm in the process of refreshing the controls and adding some RGB lighting, here is the layout I use:
Horizontal:
The sticks are programmable 49-ways, and the spinner and trackball. The black buttons map to the trackball's left and right click.
Right Side:
The left stick is a 4/8-way (pull and turn to select), and the right stick is a Tron Cocktail trigger stick. Another spinner rounds it out, making this a playable layout for Tron, tank games, and a bunch more. The volcano buttons light up for 1p/2p start.
Left Side:
Another 4/8-way stick, another trackball, and some more volcano buttons.
I've had this setup for almost 5 years, and it is really wonderful. Head-to-heads work great, and almost everything else can be played effectively as well.
Player 3:
--- Quote from: xefned on September 14, 2012, 02:46:47 pm ---I'm imagining using both the trigger stick at the far right and the spinner at the far left simultaneously for a couple games. Too awkward a stance?
Any suggestions from you more experienced chaps would be appreciated, Matthew
--- End quote ---
Sounds like someone's up for some TRON. That configuration actually pretty creative even for a cocktail that wants to play that too. The buttons though should be better arranged for easy access. Unless you plan on older games and shmups, it's not terrible, but that also depends on your hand orientation for the most comfort.
Le Chuck:
As the great proselytizer of the everything stick I would like to recommend that the OP looks into doing a wireless hot-swappable TRON stick on an auto rotatable 4/8 way joystick. This would save a stick and give more room on the CP for pesky things like buttons side by side rather than stacked and maybe even four of them for some rockin' SNK action. Other than that I think the spinner may be too close to the far edge for comfortable play, not that it needs to be centered but maybe just another inch over. Also the stick can be centered and all the buttons on the right of the stick for a more standard configuration but that is pure personal preference.
The current layout is good and would likely work out well, just something to think about.
iserian:
Mill,
What display are you using in your 3 way?
--- Quote from: millercentral on September 14, 2012, 06:00:17 pm ---I've had an oversized 3-sided cocktail cabinet for years now. While I'm in the process of refreshing the controls and adding some RGB lighting, here is the layout I use:
Horizontal:
The sticks are programmable 49-ways, and the spinner and trackball. The black buttons map to the trackball's left and right click.
Right Side:
The left stick is a 4/8-way (pull and turn to select), and the right stick is a Tron Cocktail trigger stick. Another spinner rounds it out, making this a playable layout for Tron, tank games, and a bunch more. The volcano buttons light up for 1p/2p start.
Left Side:
Another 4/8-way stick, another trackball, and some more volcano buttons.
I've had this setup for almost 5 years, and it is really wonderful. Head-to-heads work great, and almost everything else can be played effectively as well.
--- End quote ---
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