Dumb to put a button UNDER cocktail cp?

[RayB]

Long story short, I got a Midway cocktail for a friend to MAME, but guilt got the better of me and I will instead be restoring this back to Pac Man. But I'll be running MAME inside.

Now, it would be great to use this for vertical games, but PacMan doesnt have a button. I was wondering what people's opinions were on installing one button on the BOTTOM of the control panel. This way the machine would look authentic, yet still have an action button, relatively easy to access.

Thoughts?

[PoDunkMoFo]

I think having the button on the bottom would make it awkward enough to not be fun.

I would make 2 metal control panel parts and put the button where it belongs.

FWIW

[Kremmit]

Uncomfortable to use.  Try playing Galaga by pushing up over and over again.

Seriously, if it's not a complete restoration, why not just go ahead and do a panel with a button or two?  I'm sure you could find a way to modify the cpo artwork to allow for them.  If you don't want to drill the original panels, but some of these:
ebay auction

[RayB]

I don't think it would be uncomfortable. (Do a test right now: Tap UNDER your desk, rather than the top of it)...

But still thinking about it...

[deadkenndys1105]

I like the idea for admin controls but other than that I dont like it.

[pointdablame]

Yeah... I'd say its a dumb idea.

I certainly wouldn't want to play a game with a button under the CP.   Just my .02

[quarterback]

I don't think it would be uncomfortable. (Do a test right now: Tap UNDER your desk, rather than the top of it)...

I dont' know how your arms are built, but tapping under my desk is considerably different than tapping the top of it.


That being said, I think you could recess one into the SIDE of the cp and it'd be useable and not-readily-visible.  But underneath?  Not so much for me.

[PoDunkMoFo]

Don't forget... You are tapping under your desk with one hand while contolling a joystick with the other.  Extremely awkward in my opinion.

As far as a button on the side of the control panel wouldn't that do more damage than just putting one on top?

[quarterback]

As far as a button on the side of the control panel wouldn't that do more damage than just putting one on top?

I suggested that as a way to protect the "look" as opposed to actually physically protecting the cab.    Ray said he wanted it to 'look authentic', which implies that the hidden-ness of the button is the most important thing.

That being said, if it's a case of wanting to keep the cab as truly authentic as possible, I'd suggest some kind of "clip on" box with a button (or buttonS).  Something that you could plug into a hidden wire and would attach to the side of the cocktail's CP.

[RayB]

That being said, if it's a case of wanting to keep the cab as truly authentic as possible,...

Yes, I want it to look like an original "Pac Man" cktl, but was thinking about extending my game options with the hidden button (since there are alot of vertical games use one button).

That means no drilling holes into the CP, nor into the sides.

I'd suggest some kind of "clip on" box with a button (or buttonS).  Something that you could plug into a hidden wire and would attach to the side of the cocktail's CP.

This sounds interesting! I'm definitely going to look into this option. Second choice will be just buying other CPs as was suggested way earlier in this thread.

[Kremmit]

You know, Ray, if a guy really wanted a button, but didn't want to cut a hole in his control panel, I've heard there are joysticks with buttons on top.   

[RayB]

You know, Ray, if a guy really wanted a button, but didn't want to cut a hole in his control panel, I've heard there are joysticks with buttons on top.

  HAHA oh man, you made me smile there.  Yeah ok, so I'm a dumbass.   

(Well, not completely... see I was thinking I'd secure myself some original Pac joysticks, hence, use the top-fires didn't occur to me.  )