Main > Main Forum
Opinions needed before i begin
CheffoJeffo:
I am going to recommend Yes to the trackball issue -- not so much because you need a mouse to navigate the front-end (my first MAME cab was a 3-sided cocktail and had not trackball), but because there are a number of good trackball games out there (both old- and new-school). And you have PLENTY of room if you are using that size TV.
And, let's not forget that there are encoders that combine the functionality, so that you no longer need to buy two encoders.
For those who expect to fall into the "first CP is going to suck" category (which completely baffles me if you only have sticks and joys) -- start with a proven design like the standard Knievel.
saint:
Let me throw this perspective out there:
1. Is there a chance you will regret installing a trackball? I doubt it.
2. Is there a chance you will regret *not* installing a trackball? Quite possibly.
--- saint
Ginsu Victim:
You have the room. If you have the funds, I say TRACKBALL.
Dudeman:
Reason for trackball:
MARBLE MADNESS - If you haven't played it you are missing out.
Reason for spinner:
TEMPEST - If you haven't played it you are missing out.
Another reason for a spinner:
Tron and Disks of Tron
severdhed:
since you have such a large monitor, your control panel should be plenty big enough to add a trackball. but you are right, they are expensive. my first 2 or 3 control panels did not have a trackball, but then i added one. i don't use it alot, but there are a handfull of good trackball games that are fun to play (centipede rocks).
you will more than likely not keep your first panel...there are some here who are either just completely awesome at panel layout, or are easily satisfied...i am neither. i am revision number 6 on my panel, and will be tweaking it a bit more here soon. so i would probably skip the artwork and stuff until you are sure it is teh way you want it.
you can always lay out your panel, leaving enough room in the middle for a trackball, without actually installing one. you are going to have a big enough panel that your player 1 and player 2 controls should be far enough apart to fit a trackball in there anyway... you don't want to be rubbing right up against each other when playing games anyway.
i say forget teh spinner. i took mine out because i never used it, my friend has one in his panel, and he never uses his either. most spinner games can be played reaonably well using a trackball. (unless you are one of those people who can't even believe i suggested that, but in that case, you would already know that you want a spinner)
i say go with just the sticks and buttons and try it out, but leave the room for the trackball that you will probably want to add down the road. I highly reccomend the U-Trak from ultimarc, it works great and is really easy to mount in a wood panel.
here are the trackball games i like to play:
Centipede
Missile Command
The Irritating Maze (this game is so awesome...it is very irritating..but yet i just can't stop playing it)
World Class Bowling
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version