Help me build the ULTIMATE 2 PLAYER CONTROL PANEL! Opinions Please. =]

[Visitor Q]

I am in the process of configuring an upright 2 up cabinet and need your thoughts. I need you to help me build the perfect control panel. I will more than likely be dealing with Mameroom for my purchase so I am looking to build off their default (current) 2 player layout, pictured here.

http://www.mameroom.com/ClassicController.asp

My question is what would you change about this layout? I was thinking and have already been recommended to change the button layout to 8 for each player as seen in the current X-Arcade layout.

http://www.xgaming.com/specialoffer/2player1.htm

I will be playing multiple systems on this cabinet meaning I need to consider layout controls for console systems as well. I am trying to cover my bases here as much as possible guys!

So far my thoughts are bringing the 4 way stick down lower as seen in this picture.

http://www.mameroom.com/examples/Image9.jpg

I was also trying to figure if I should relocate the spinner as I heard there are wheels that fit over the spinner to play some game.?. Maybe a bad idea?

There is no need to consider colors of buttons or anything like that at this point; my main concern is the layout of the joysticks and buttons however I would like opinions on the U360 sticks, if I should include them in this layout or any other special controller for that matter.

Your opinion is important to me! You guys know so your reply is valued very much to me. Please feel free to share your opinions, experience and any pictures you may have in helping me decide.

This is a big purchase and I want to go about this the right way.

Thank You.

Jason

[chriss]

if you consider playing console titles maybe it makes sense to use extra pads (e.g. the wireless ps3 controllers which you can use over bluetooth) to get a more original console feeling.

i was first thinking about only having one massive control panel to control everything and then need nothing else (no keyboard, no extra pads, no mouse and so on) but after playing some old console titles with my x-arcade i kind of missed the pad layout. especially for psx and dreamcast emulation it really made sense having pads instead of sticks.

besides that i don't really know for what kind of recommandations you are looking for... if you like the layout of the mamecabinet of the one picture then you should go for it.

i like the 8 button layout of x-arcade though i rarely need all 8 buttons for mame games... having a trackball and maybe a button to exit an emulator are nice additions, in my opinion thats all you need

[bkenobi]

Get what you like first and foremost. I personally don't think arcade cabinets do justice to console games when using the control panel. I have many consoles set up (primarily Nintendo and Sega), but they were never meant to be played on an arcade CP. If you want authenticity, you really need a game pad. I have been planning on getting a pair of Logitech Wireless Rumble Pad 2 sticks for quite a while now but haven't done it yet. The PS3 pads might work nice if the driver support is there (haven't researched it myself). Another choice (for me anyway) is that since my XBox DVD drive recently went tits up, I may use it's wireless controllers.

As far as 7 vs 8 buttons...I would just go with 7. You really only need 6, but I like the ability to have the authentic Neo Geo layout as well as the SF layout. That way, you don't have to compromise and pick which system you like better. There's really no need for the 8th button (you rarely need over 6 really). Go get RomLister and see how many games have more than 6 buttons...

To make it short and sweet:

* The only reason to get the 8th button is for console emulation.

* Consoles really need game pads

* You don't need the 8th button

[Visitor Q]

Understood.

It's possible I guess to hook up a game pad to it right?

Like I said, I am just trying to cover my bases here.

Anymore feedback guys?

What about U360 controllers?

[bkenobi]

I don't understand. All of these machines that run GameEx are standard PC's running Windows 98SE or newer. Therefor yes, you can install a USB game pad (wired or wireless) without any problem. The only issue might be if the PC doesn't have USB ports. But I can't see that as likely since I haven't seen a machine without USB ports since ~1998.

[Visitor Q]

So you are saying if I want to run console games on it, leave some ports for USB open on it for pads?

Maybe I can have them right on the front of the cab., thats would be pretty cool!

[bkenobi]

Yup. There are a few options for that.

1) Put a USB hub in your cab either exposed or easily accessible to the front so you can just plug in game pads as needed.

2) Build USB ports right into the front of the machine somewhere to accomplish the same as 1.

3) Use wireless controllers and install the wireless portion inside the machine so you don't need to have access to the USB ports.

There's many other options, but those are the 3 that I've seen implemented and would consider first. I personally have a USB hub under my CP already, so I use it for things like plugging in HDD's and testing. One of my cabinets was originally an Area51, so it had holes for guns. I use the holes to run the wires for my guns.

Depending on which way you choose to go, you can either store the gamepads hanging under the CP or in a nearby drawer/cabinet (depending on how you want things to look).

[Visitor Q]

I think easy access to USB ports all around would be great. Really something to consider I guess...

[Tempest]

A coin door would provide easy access to storage in a cabinet that looks authentic... I picked up a used (non-working) one for $15.

[Visitor Q]

Any pix of yours opened?

[bkenobi]

I don't have any pics with me, but if you have no intent on using the coin door other than for external looks, you can strip down everything attached to the inside. If you do that, then you have a nice door that doesn't get in the way when it's open. If you want to keep all the guts for whatever reason, you still have nice access, you just have to work around the coin mechanisms (minor inconvenience). I personally left them intact on both of my cabs and even hooked up the lights so the coin reject buttons are illuminated. My wife thought I was crazy for worrying about that minor detail, but in the end she agreed that it did make it look better.