4-way games play far better with a real 4-way joystick. Even with the current control options in MAME, the 4-way feels better. When I first decided I was going to start this project, I wanted to make separate joysticks for different control setups, so that I would not have this monster, four foot long control panel sitting on my desk. I also did not want fifteen different controllers either (which would require more buttons, and more wood and wiring, and ultimately more money). I decided on a way that this controller would also double up as a buttons only controller, and still be able to play Defender comfortably. I sacrificed a little on the classic button layouts so that I could also play Asteroids, Track and Field, and Toobin' with this same controller. You will also notice that this is the only controller with color buttons. That was so I could keep track of things better while playing Trivial Pursuit, Chicken Shift, and Mouse Trap.
Though my woodworking skills during this project were lacking, I felt I did a pretty good job with wiring everything up. Below is a pic of the wiring on this control panel.
