Pushbuttons

Pushbuttons are the simplest and most common form of control.

Microswitch Pushbuttons

Microswitch Pushbutton

Pushbuttons come is various forms and shapes, though the most common is the Industrias Lorenzo (iL) horizontal microswitch pushbutton (aka Happ Horizontal Pushbutton). Due to the microswitch, these buttons have a 'clicky' activation that can seem a little alien to many old-school gamers. They are comprised of...

• Button plunger
• Button housing/bezel
• Spring
• Microswitch

The plunger top may be concave, flat, or convex. The microswitch can be orientated horizontally or vertically. Most people prefer horizontal orientation as these tend to be more reliable. Microswitch pushbuttons are probably the most popular type of button using in arcade. Because of this they can be found in almost any color, including transparent. These also can be found with little men icons, generally used as start buttons for the player indicated.

These buttons are sold by Happ, Ultimarc, and GroovyGameGear.

Leafswitch Pushbuttons

Leafswitch Buttons

Leafswitch Holders

Leafswitch Pal Nuts

Before microswitch pushbuttons appeared, leafswitch pushbuttons were the de facto standards and are still prefered by many people today. The main advantage to leafswitches over microswitched is that they're almost completely silent. They are comprised of...

• Button
• Button holder (usually with the actual leafswitch attached)
• Pal nut

As with most types of pushbuttons, they come in two lengths; long for wooden panels and short for metal panels.

Atari Volcano Buttons

Also known as cone buttons, volcano buttons are comprised of:

• Microswitch with illuminated red lens
• Plastic or aluminium cone
• Plastic mounting clip/brace

These were used as player start buttons in many Atari cabinets, the red button lens would blink when a player inserted a coin and remain lit during gameplay. Taller cones were used as fire buttons on Missile Command.