Mame spinner control? Question

[Igorr]

Is it worth getting a spinner and a track ball controller? I have a track ball and I am getting ready to order all of my joys and stuff, should I get a spinner too?

[Tommy]

depends on what type of games you are going to utililize a spinner with

[Igorr]

Kinda my point. Are there alot of games that use a spinner? Is it worth putting one in? Like I know Tron is one. I am going to have a variety of newer and older games.

[Sniderman]

Kinda my point. Are there alot of games that use a spinner? Is it worth putting one in? Like I know Tron is one. I am going to have a variety of newer and older games.
As I recall from another thread, you don't even have MAME running on a computer yet! In fact, you don't have the computer! Right now, you're worrying about what kind of windshield wiper blades to buy when you haven't even got your car running.

Simply put: Get a computer. Get it running MAME without any problems. Get the operating system and frontloader working the way you like it. THEN worry about how many buttons you should get or whether you need a spinner, tracball, or other miscellaneous stuff.

You kind of need to stop "putting the cart before the horse."

[Kid Ice]

IMO the spinner is worth it for Cameltry and Arkanoid alone.

Also works w/ Tempest, Zektor, Tac Scan, and Star Trek...but those are all vector games that you may or may not want to run based on your display.

[Igorr]

True Sniderman, I just want to get all the pieces together so I have it all within my reach. I already have a trackball, and I am in the process of ordering buttons. Just wondering about things to make decisions. I do need a computer too, but is there anything wrong with getting other parts at the same time?

[Sniderman]

True Sniderman, I just want to get all the pieces together so I have it all within my reach. I already have a trackball, and I am in the process of ordering buttons. Just wondering about things to make decisions. I do need a computer too, but is there anything wrong with getting other parts at the same time?
Nothing at all. But if you can't get the system working right, you bought a bunch of pretty candy buttons and controls and molding for nothing. Focus on getting it working first, then start fleshing out the details. Just trying to help you see the forest for the trees. Good luck with your project.

Here's mine:
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c151/gameagain/machine/000_0801.jpg

[jb143]

Another thing to keep in mind is that Mame will let you play spinner games with joysticks or a trackball and in most cases it works fairly well. Adding every possible input device any game might ever use can make your control pannel look completely ridiculous and confusing to anyone else that might play it. If you add a spinner or not, try to keep it simple.