NOOB: First Build -> 3 side cocktail

[bwolf1766]

Hello, so this is my first build and I am trying to finish up my cocktail design. This is based on combining two cabs (centipede, super pacman, both cocktail) that my uncle had (he sold them) and adding in some other functionality. Running the whole thing in emulation(already set up on a spare computer set I had lying around).

Here are my design parameters:

Short side:    (x2)
1x joystick
4x buttons
1x trackball
+3 buttons mounted on the main box above the controls

Long side:     (x1)
2 sets of
1x joystick
8x buttons
+3 buttons mounted on the main box above the controls
There may be room in the middle to add something for S&G we will see

I was originally planning to buy a CAB kit but I have been unable to find what I really want. So I moving on the the Self built one. I have a few friends that have woods shops and wood skills, But I still want to have a solid design before I jump into that. I have been looking at some of the pacman designs that are out there. I have also been playing with sketch up, which I have almost no experience with.

I have two or so designs in mind. One is the more standard build based on Pacman machine:

http://www.doopamusement.com/i01.i.aliimg.com/photo/v1/419867279/Cocktail_Arcade_Game_Machine_3_sides_4.jpg

Or going with a more atari feel like the sports games:

http://www.arcade-museum.com/images/118/1181242049181.jpg

Or even a hybrid of the two where each control panel is brought all the way to the edges.


Does anyone have any advice for me or can give me a kick in the right direction regarding my design?

[Manorite]

I like the Pacman cab better between the two, but the Atari style one looks like it's set up specifically to accommodate the trackballs, and it looks like a stand-up cocktail cab.  What would you be using your trackball for?  If you want to be able to follow through like a bowling or golf game, the Atari style would probably work best, but if you just want to just use it like a mouse could probably include it in the under-the-screen type controls of the Pacman cab.

[Speed Racer]

Hey there bwolf - welcome to the forum!

Here are my design parameters:

Short side:    (x2)
1x joystick
4x buttons
1x trackball
+3 buttons mounted on the main box above the controls

My first thought when I saw this (and I may be misunderstanding what you are trying to do) is that this is a lot of controls to have on the short sides of a cocktail cabinet. I know its great to have a cabinet that will play a large variety of games, but its more important to have a good control panel layout.

So with that in mind - how important are the trackballs? If most of the games you want to play don't use them I would be tempted to not have them. They need a lot of space to mount under the panel, and like manorite says some trackball games really need that "follow through" space. Just my 2c 

Oh, and good luck with your build 

[bwolf1766]

Thanks for the feed back so far its helping my perspective quite a bit.

The reason I want to use a trackball is for Centipede and missile Command. I don't really have a ton of interest in Golden Tee and the Like. So a trackball isn't super important, But I still want to play those, may have to build a bartop version of a centipede machine but thats another project.

I agree with you speed I do like the Midway style better and I have been thinking about extending the side control panels (the plans on mikes arcade have the panels being ~10in with the side being 19) to the full width of 18 X 6 or so. But That seams a bit big. Maybe I will try to mock up some cardboard versions this weekend and see how they feel in hand.

I did a mock up in paint.net of what a 12 x 6 control panel would be. and it was very tight, and Will need to be redesigned.

Thanks for the advice and well wishes so far!!

[behrmr]

I like the Midway style. There are a lot of "standard" 11" Midway cocktail style control panels that are joystick + 3 buttons + trackball.  You can actually buy them pre-punched or with overlays pre-made if that's the route you want to go.   You could make even more room on your P1 control panel by using small Happ-style start buttons.  So I think any of those could be adapted to avoid a 3 sided cocktail unless that's what you're after.   That football is definitely a stand-up style bar height where you could lean on it while standing type of table.  They're actually pretty cool.

[JDFan]

Thanks for the feed back so far its helping my perspective quite a bit.

The reason I want to use a trackball is for Centipede and missile Command. I don't really have a ton of interest in Golden Tee and the Like. So a trackball isn't super important, But I still want to play those, may have to build a bartop version of a centipede machine but thats another project.

I agree with you speed I do like the Midway style better and I have been thinking about extending the side control panels (the plans on mikes arcade have the panels being ~10in with the side being 19) to the full width of 18 X 6 or so. But That seams a bit big. Maybe I will try to mock up some cardboard versions this weekend and see how they feel in hand.

I did a mock up in paint.net of what a 12 x 6 control panel would be. and it was very tight, and Will need to be redesigned.

Thanks for the advice and well wishes so far!!

One option for the trackball then would be to put only 1 on the third side - figure Missile command and Centipede are 2 player alternating play so would only need the one trackball and that would allow you to put CPOs on the 2 sides with the joysticks and buttons for those 2 player games that are simultaneous play while still allowing the third side to be used for Centipede and missile Command