Mini Cocktail Table - Will Post Pics - Help Always Appreciated

[hahnchen]

So this is my first build so any help is appreciated. I feel so left out as I just discovered MAME. Could not be more excited.

Below is a mini cocktail that I plan to mimic (adding my own touches of course)

Time to do some more research on monitors. I am thinking about using a DELL 21 inch LED IPS. I want to be able to play the classics but also play split screen fighting games. Most likely going with 6 button setup on each side. Rasberry Pi 3 and Retropie.

[Alejo I]

Cocktails are not my favourite form factor, but that one is very tidy. Good colour scheme, too. I would go with solid buttons instead of translucent, but I think it looks great and simple enough to replicate. Just be mindful of heat, as cocktail cabs tend to fail over time due to poor ventilation (hot air from the monitor goes up, which means that it gets trapped inside if you don't vent it outside with some fans).

[dmckean]

You'd be better off just having this cab play 4-way classics. Putting a fighter CP on it will ruin the controls for classic games.

[nitrogen_widget]

I like these little guys.
Need to make one.

[vwalbridge]

I never really cared for the ergonomics of a cocktail myself. But then again, I think that had mostly to do with the fact that I never really had anywhere to comfortable put my knees. With a desk-based version such as this, that problem is solved.

I'd recommend putting some good rubber feet under something like this. An intense game of Ms Pac-Man will require it.

[hahnchen]

You'd be better off just having this cab play 4-way classics. Putting a fighter CP on it will ruin the controls for classic games.

Agree. I am struggling with this duality. I really like the ability to fix the controls on 4-way. My kids will have the most playtime and having 4-way sounds so much better for games like Mrs Pacman 

But games like TMNT and other smshups I am guessing I would really benefit from 8-way.

Isn't there a joystick that can electronically change from 4-way to 8-way for different games (assuming you change the setup file)?


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[dmckean]

Agree. I am struggling with this duality. I really like the ability to fix the controls on 4-way. My kids will have the most playtime and having 4-way sounds so much better for games like Mrs Pacman 

But games like TMNT and other smshups I am guessing I would really benefit from 8-way.

Isn't there a joystick that can electronically change from 4-way to 8-way for different games (assuming you change the setup file)?

And fit in a tiny tabletop cocktail cab? No.

[leapinlew]

I think you are talking about the ultrastik: https://www.ultimarc.com/ultrastik_info.html

[hahnchen]

So let's be clear. This forum rocks

After a lot of reading, I decided to take some advice and list out games I want to play. What I learned was that I want to play a lot of 2-4 player games like TMNT, Smash TV, Contra, Metal Slug, NBA Jam, Double Dragon. I am building this for my family, so I need a setup for my family.

So I thought about a coffee table / cocktail table design.

What do you think about this mock up???

[yotsuya]

What's the point of the overhang?

[dmckean]

I'm guessing so that it will also function as a coffee table, but who wants to sit on the floor and play games?

[hahnchen]

The overhang is so it can function as a coffee table.

The table would be positioned next to a long couch. So you can play while seated on couch. I have not experience with this setup, but I think it would work?

[yotsuya]

I figured that too,  but that means the controls will either be at a weird height, or the tabletop will. Also, four people in a row on one side of a coffee table looking down seems.... awkward.

[dmckean]

If you're going to try and play this sitting on a couch, you're just going to end up hitting your forearms over and over.

[dmckean]

If you're all on the couch, there already exists an excellent control scheme.

[hahnchen]

That's too funny. I see your point and will have to think about this. Just keep in mind you could make the same argument with any cocktail table.


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[GSXRMovistar]

In reality how often do you think you would have four players all wanting to play at the same time? How about creating a 2 player table then having a pair of wireless control pads for player 3-4 controls.

In regards to the comments about how comfortable it would be playing from the sofa my table machine has been up and running since October last year and gets used at least once a week and no problems at all. http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,148135.msg

[hahnchen]

That is your build. That is sick. I saw that online a few months ago and loved it. Really great work

Great call on 2x sticks and then USB or wireless controllers in the event it's more than 2 players. That small tip helps a lot.

I am going to have to rethink design.


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[hahnchen]

Ok. I am back after a 6 month project of laying tile in my house:

I am still on the coffee table style. Very similar to GSXRMovistar's coffee table.

Can I get some help on the part list:

• Raspberry Pi3 (already purchased)
• Joysticks: 2x Mag-Stik Plus. I really like the idea of being able to switch from 8/4/diag without programming (thinking Ultrastik 360) and without taking apart table (thinking all other restricter plate joysticks)
• Buttons: GoldLeaf Pushbuttons: 6 per joysitck + 1 1player(start) + 1 2player (start) + 1 1player(select) + 1 2player (select) + 2 flippers for pinball = 18
• Controller Interface with Raspberry Pi: Mini-PAC Standard. With harness
• TV: 32 inch LED connected via HDMI

Am I missing anything major? For instance any other connectors used for connecting joysticks to Raspberry Pie?[/list]

[hahnchen]

Here is the style I am thinking about going with.

Reasons:
-Family plays a lot of side-scrollers and smashups, results in Player 1 and 2 dedicated 8-way joysticks on the long dimension + 2 USB ports for SNES controllers (for players 3 and 4)
-Vertical mode for all the classics that we like: 1941, Pacman, DK, etc. These 2 joysticks would be 4-way dedicated and be hooked up to same contact points as Player 1 and 2.

[GSXRMovistar]

Assuming that's glass on the top I'd consider supporting/framing that exposed corner, as

a) Weight applied to it could break it
b) Weight applied to it make the whole surface flip
c) Someone will walk into it and it will hurt

Skip the pinball flipper buttons (and pinball games), unless you have the secondary screen and plunger you loose the experience.

As for the vertical controls, are they worth it for the larger screen size opposed to just playing vertical games on the horizontal screen rotated?

How are people going to be sat at the table? Sofa, chairs, stools?

These were all questions I went through when putting the CoffeeCade together meaning a number of things I considered were dropped due to being impractical.

[hahnchen]

Thank you so much for your feedback.

You are right. That much glass unsupported is not the best idea.

My biggest issue is that there are like 5 games that are best in verticals with dedicated 4-way. 1941 is a great example. So much better in vertical due to larger size. I would say these games get 20% of play overall play time.

My setup is a fairly large "U" shaped couch. So I have three sides of seating.

Maybe I just do 2x 8-way joysticks and then the SNES controllers for the verticals games. I know it's not ideal but SNES controllers are not bad on 1941 (to the readers that are hardcore arcade junkies...I know this might be blasphemy using SNES controller, but this is for the family and a larger 4person cab is not in the cards)


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[Slippyblade]

verticals with dedicated 4-way. 1941 is a great example.

Pretty sure 1941 is an 8-way game...

[hahnchen]

You're right. I guess dedicated 4-way is not that key if it's for only a handful of games. I guess I will have to live with playing 1941 on a smaller scale.


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[GSXRMovistar]

Have you seen this build:- http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,118776.msg1257994.html#msg1257994

If you are feeling adventurous you could attempt something similar but with inset controls along the horizon side as well. I personally wouldn't have it going full size to the floor (half the height and put it on legs). Would be tight fit with the screen but I think doable with a little planning.

I guess it comes down to available/practical space in the room, when I modelled mine in sketch-up I also included the room floor plan and sofa to gauge size.

[hahnchen]

Picture of mock setup of the table in the environment. The couch lends well to a deep coffee table, allowing the controls to not be hidden in drawers that pull out.

[hahnchen]

So I just got the GP Wiz-40 from GroovyGameGear.

I was having issues getting Retropie to understand that it is controller 2 joysticks rather that just 1.

Here was the solution:
-Retropie only recognizies the 1 USB as 1 gamepad. I could not for the life of me find anyone that can get Retropie to recognize Qiz40 as 2 gamepads. This would allow both joysticks to be able to controller the GUI interface.
-I did find the a video () on how to Remap the controllers in each "core". "Core" being defined as all the SNES games or all the Mame4All games. In the remapping you can manually change the setting to have the Wiz-40 controll both player 1 and player 2. So this will be fine for me. In the end, only 1 joystick will control the Retropie GUI. However both joysticks will work for any of the "cores", as long as I have manually setup the remapping (which is not too hard).

[hahnchen]

Here is an update on the design. I love GSXRMovistar table, so it looks similar. I left off the tops so you can see the "guts".

[GSXRMovistar]

Looking good.

[hahnchen]

Let the woodworking begin!!!



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[hahnchen]

GSXRMovistar - How much space did you leave from the "Control Panel Top" to the "Underside of Glass"... would you recommend the same?

[GSXRMovistar]

GSXRMovistar - How much space did you leave from the "Control Panel Top" to the "Underside of Glass"... would you recommend the same?

Just popping out for dinner but will confirm measurements when I get back in a few hours.

[GSXRMovistar]

[hahnchen]

Thanks for the pic that help. I might think about doing a slight slant.

Progress update on woodworking:



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[Richie_jones]

Let the woodworking begin!!!



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What's happening here?

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[firedance]

Looking good so far

[hahnchen]

Update:

[hahnchen]

Glass cut


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[GSXRMovistar]

Looking good, will it be a wood finish (i.e. stained) or painted?

[hahnchen]

Good question.

I know I want the top to be black so you can barely see the monitor when off. After much consideration, I think the body should also be black to match the top. In summary, I am thinking all black for the whole thing. You'll see in the pictures that I left a space around the outside of the table between the top an bottom horizontal supports. I am going to use this to fill in with "ARTCADE" pictures of different marquees. This will add some color to the all black scheme.

Open to thoughts as I know you thought black was too dark?

- Mike