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1st Round of Newbie Questions

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Josh:
Hello...I am new to all of this and have a few questions to get me started.  I have read through this site as well as many others and am it the process of reading "project arcade"

I am starting to get together my ideas and do research to build a full size arcade cabinet

I am planning on building the ultimate arcade II with the ultimate control panel from www.mameroom.com

In the materials list it calls for 5/8" MDF  All I can find at my local stores is 3/4"  Do I need to just adjust the plans?  or can I find 5/8" somewhere?

Anyone have any experience building from these plans?

My opjective for this machine is to be able to play all Mame, NES, SNES, and Atari 2600  as well as whatever else looks interesting

How do I determine how to set up the control panel?  number of buttons, layout of buttons, types of controls,   I have looked at many examples, but have not really been able to figure it out.  I want a 2 player control panel that will allow me to play the above types of games.  What types of controls do I need?  

Should I put in a coin door?  Is it possible to make the buttons on the coin door act as player 1 and 2 credit buttons?

Is the i-pac the best method of interfacing with a computer?

I am sure I have many more questions, but I will save them for later.

Thanks in advance for any help and insight you can provide

Josh



mmmPeanutButter:
answers to some of your questions...

Use at least 6 buttons for player 1 and 2.  This will cover you for the fighter games.

Definately use a coin door.  Real arcade feel.

I'm using a KeyWiz as an interface.  I like it a lot.  It has a shift function so you can hide a button somewhere and when you press it plus player 1 or 2 start, it "inserts a coin".  (just be carefull not to touch anything else with the shift button pressed, or you can accidently change settings).

Best of luck.

pointdablame:
The Ipac also has a shift function, so you can do that with the Ipac as well.

You would have to adjust the plans if you used a different size MDF since they width would differ for all measurements using a different size piece.

For the control panel, its mainly personal preference really. For MAME, you can't play EVERY game with just one panel without it looking terrible, since you would need probably 20+ controls.  If you want a fairly well rounded CP without it turning into a frankenpanel, I'd say go with a 2 player setup with 6 buttons, maybe 7 if you wanted a fighter layout and neogeo layout.  If you used a 4/8 way switchable joystick, or a seperate 4 way, that would help a lot for classics. Finally, I'd throw in a trackball and spinner if you are interested in any games that use it.  Beyond that, i.e. guns, wheels, rotary sticks, etc etc, the panel will start to look very cluttered.

For the consoles, you won't need anything other than a joy and 4-6 buttons until you get into PSX emulation or newer, where more buttons are necessary.

Coin door is personal too, but if you ask me, it just doesn't look like an arcade machine without one.  And yes, you can set up a microswitch so that everytime you press in the return button it registers as a coin, and also when a coin is actually inserted into the machine.  Other than that, you could always rig up a COIN button as was suggested.

As for "best" interface, you'll get a lot of opinions here. The Ipac seems very simple and is arguable the most well known and used, but there are other options.  I personally haven't set my cab up yet, so I don't have any first hand experience beyond a gamepad hack, so you'll have to figure that out for yourself.

And welcome to the boards.

Tiger-Heli:
A lot of this was already covered before I got here, but . . .

--- Quote from: Josh on May 17, 2004, 10:42:09 pm ---Anyone have any experience building from these plans?

--- End quote ---
They are reviewed at www.retroblast.com

--- Quote ---My opjective for this machine is to be able to play all Mame, NES, SNES, and Atari 2600  as well as whatever else looks interesting

--- End quote ---
Not possible, as pointdablame said, but a common statement.

--- Quote ---How do I determine how to set up the control panel?  number of buttons, layout of buttons, types of controls,   I have looked at many examples, but have not really been able to figure it out.  I want a 2 player control panel that will allow me to play the above types of games.  What types of controls do I need?  

--- End quote ---
Basically, it comes down to:
1) Determine what game you primarily want to play on the cab.
2) Determine the controls needed by these games.
3) Set the controls up for maximum playability
4) Look for games that won't work with your set-up and adjust accordingly.

Personally, I like the seven button layout of the HotRod SE with the middle buttons raised into a slight curve.

--- Quote ---Should I put in a coin door?

--- End quote ---
Personal opinion, but I like it.

--- Quote ---Is it possible to make the buttons on the coin door act as player 1 and 2 credit buttons?

--- End quote ---
Yes.

--- Quote ---Is the i-pac the best method of interfacing with a computer?

--- End quote ---
As previously mentioned, your main choices are the I-PAC or Keywiz.  I had a page up comparing all the encoders.  One day it will return.

Basically, the KeyWiz has more inputs and a more flexible shift function.  The I-PAC has USB support, LED support, and an auto-switching keyboard pass-thru.  There are subtle differences as well, but I doubt you will regret either purchase.


Josh:
Thanks for all the help so far

I mainly enjoy the classic games as well as many first generation NES games.  I think a 2 player setup with 6 buttons would play most of what I need.  What is the preferred layout for the buttons?  What functions would each of the buttons have?  

I plan on just using my wireless keyboard/mouse to interface with the pc

What kind of software program can I use to interface with the emulators I want to use?  Is there something that will automatically start when I start Windows XP?  

This is almost overwhelming with all the information available.  

Thanks Again for all the help

Josh

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