Post by: dpisacane on December 10, 2018, 10:01:48 pm
I have a question that I have not been able to find the answer to after what I would consider a pretty exhaustive search online (including these forums). I apologize in advance if I have broken some rule on here or not followed protocol. I genuinely am sorry, but I just have not been able to figure this out at all.
I am thinking about starting my first serious arcade cabinet project. It is pretty basic. My idea is to make a machine for playing some of the vertical display games that I would like to play, but the one issue I have encountered is this. This cabinet must play Arkanoid well, as it is one of two arcade games that my wife really loves. I, personally, want to be able to have a reasonably authentic experience playing Tron. Aside from those, I would want to be able to play the typical vertical arcade games well (Donkey Kong, Frogger, Mappy, etc.) as well as many of the shooters that are out there. With all of that said, it seems like I would need the following to be really successful.
- A good spinner (I've read that the Spin Trak is particularly good for Arkanoid)
- A 4/8 way switchable joystick (I love how the Mag-Stik Plus makes it so easy to change between 4 and 8 way)
- A button on top of the joystick for Tron
That last one is where I seem to run into trouble. I have not been able to find a top fire 4/8 way switchable joystick to save my life. Is this just not a thing? Am I missing something?
Thanks in advance for any advice on this issue. I am genuinely excited about this project, as I have been toying with the idea of putting together a MAME cabinet for over a decade now, and I am finally dipping my toes into the water.
Post by: EwJ on December 11, 2018, 12:07:08 am
One thing that may work for you is this high-end spinner that has push/pull capability to activate switches here (https://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=86&products_id=311)
Another that might work for you is a high-end joystick with modifications here (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,132356.msg1359619.html#msg1359619) and here (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,108490.msg1151221.html#msg1151221)
Edit: Keep in mind that the Arkanoid spinner was geared, not free spinning/had a different feel. If you use any of the latest high res spinners on the market, you will need to adjust the sensitivity in Mame and possibly add some friction between the spinner knob and control panel for the same feel. You can likely find a good compromise that will work and you can adjust to.
Post by: dpisacane on December 11, 2018, 08:52:15 am
So, do I really have to give up on Tron? It seems that way, as the button spinner seems like it is an expensive, compromised solution anyway.
I guess my only other question is, if I had to go with either a 4-way or 8-way stick, which should I choose? I haven't seen much consensus, but from what I can gather, the 8-way is probably the best choice, despite the fact that it will make the game play on a lot of the games less than ideal.
Any advice is greatly welcome.
Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
Post by: Titchgamer on December 11, 2018, 09:24:08 am
The general jist is if you use a 8 way stick 4 way games play like ass.
If you use a 4 way you cant play 8 way.
The mag stick is great but not a normal feeling stick so its a love hate thing.
Other option and preferred by most is to have 2 8 way sticks and 1 dedicated 4 way.
As for the spinner, Yeah spin traks are awesome but look up the turn ratio page so you can set it up properly for each game.
Post by: dpisacane on December 11, 2018, 02:22:35 pm
Thanks a lot for all of the advice so far.
Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
Post by: Mr. Peabody on December 13, 2018, 01:41:54 pm
Post by: MCTS on December 18, 2018, 07:33:10 pm
So, do I really have to give up on Tron? It seems that way, as the button spinner seems like it is an expensive, compromised solution anyway.
I just made some modifications to an X-Arcade Tankstick, with similar goals to what you described. I wanted to add a spinner, and be able to play Tron. For the joysticks, I wound up going with two UltraStik 360s -- one ball top, and one FlightStick. The 360s are analog, but can be programmed (using a provided Windows application) to operate in 4- or 8-way mode. The FlightStick has a trigger and thumb button, so it can work for Tron.
I've gotten the parts installed into the X-Arcade and have proven to my satisfaction that they do work for Tron. I think there are still some configurations settings that I can tweak to get better response, but then again I wasn't terribly good at the game when I played it in the arcade . . .
Post by: MCTS on December 18, 2018, 07:40:55 pm
I don't recall what games used a top-fire. Why, when you can have buttons next to it?
Some games, like Tron, tie up your off-hand with another control. In the case of Tron, the other device is a spinner. For games that don't use a secondary input, I agree that a panel button is less tiring than a trigger or thumb button.
Post by: Mr. Peabody on December 20, 2018, 06:01:08 pm
Post by: paigeoliver on December 22, 2018, 12:27:55 am
Tron support ruins any project. It puts your left hand on a low res spinner (the kind that isn't good for Arkanoid or similar games, and that in any case you would want the right hand on), then it puts your right hand on a stick that is 8-way, but can only barely trigger the diagonals. Then finally it forces your monitor to vertical, when horizontal is the better choice for most projects. This is particularly sad because Tron really isn't a good game, it is the cabinet that makes Tron, the gameplay itself is just four minigames that are just pretty versions of what was happening in 1976-1977.
Post by: Mr. Peabody on December 30, 2018, 06:54:28 pm
Ok, I am going to speak here from almost 20 years of experience.
Tron support ruins any project. It puts your left hand on a low res spinner (the kind that isn't good for Arkanoid or similar games, and that in any case you would want the right hand on), then it puts your right hand on a stick that is 8-way, but can only barely trigger the diagonals. Then finally it forces your monitor to vertical, when horizontal is the better choice for most projects. This is particularly sad because Tron really isn't a good game, it is the cabinet that makes Tron, the gameplay itself is just four minigames that are just pretty versions of what was happening in 1976-1977.