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Any links to 4 player CP...specifically must be Smash TV playable...
KenToad:
SmashTV is one of my favorite games, so I've done two of these types of panels. The first is my original crappy ass standalone, played fine but not constructed too prettily. The second is my modular design for my bartop.
And now that I'm looking at these again, I remember that my original cp, now dismantled, wasn't designed for four players, so it may not be what you're looking to see an example of.
Oh well.
Cheers,
KenToad
hypernova:
One possibility is having four buttons for players three and four, and orienting them like a diamond (45 degree angled square) This works well if you choose an x++x layout.
Since I have a trackball, I chose this. My CP was already 48", so having P3&4 as + would've been cramming things.
Using what I've done myself opens up options. Player one can use the P1 and P2 sticks like normal, or both players can work off P3 and P4, using the joysticks and buttons. The buttons work as the shoot joystick. Having them oriented as mentioned above allows easy cardinal direction shooting with one button, and for diagonals, pressing two of the buttons at the same time.
Sure, it's not true to the original, but you work with what ya got, and that's what I did, and it works swell.
Admittedly, I will at times inadvertently press opposite buttons (left and right for example) which results in no shooting, but you'll realize it within a second or two, and adjust your fingers accordingly. It's not like you're tossing quarters into the thing, so no big whoop for me.
Plus I'm not a "veteran" of that particular game, so playing with buttons instead of a second joystick doesn't make all that much of a difference to me. A true SmashTV fanatic wouldn't settle for anything less than the four ++++ setup. If it is one of your FAVORITE games, I'd go that route. Or, if you can somehow squeeze two extra 8ways in there, go that route, but with a trackball, that might not be possible.
Or you can just screw all that, and make two CPs. One for smash tv (and other games probably) with the two players/four joys, and another CP with a standard four player setup. The trackball could be put on either, I would think. Really you're only talking 4 extra joysticks, some buttons, wood, and overlay graphics (if applicable.) Those would be the higher cost items for such an endeavor.
Lots to consider.
jelwell:
I built my cabinet for SmashTV and Crystal Castles (which is a trackball game too).
Here's what I learned (afterwards), although I'm not sure I would have done anything differently. You'll notice that it can become a bit crowded with 4 players - personally I don't mind because I like crowds. But I heard a suggestion once that made some sense. Rather than keep the outside players buttons parallel with the middle ones - wing them out. BUT keep the joysticks for those players at the same level as the inner ones.
I can't explain worth :censored: so I did some searching for an old thread I posted in. And voila! Franco did an excellent version of what I'm talking about:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=36073.msg316881#msg316881
Align all 4 joysticks at the same distance from the monitor - but wing out the plaery 3 & 4 buttons. You'll need programmable joysticks, like the 49 way, so that you can set UP to towards the monitor or alternatively perpendicular to the buttons - depending partly on preference.
Read through that whole thread. I posted some other ideas there as well. And many people in the thread have good examples of 4 player control panels.
Joseph Elwell.
Buddabing:
Xiaou2 had some very interesting ideas on this topic.
Alcathiax:
jelwell...I like that idea you mentioned. Can you do me a huge favor though? I'm trying to figure out if I have the room for a bulky 4p machine. Can you measure the depth of your machine from back to the front of your CP (not counting your pinball plunger).
Thanks
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