Arcade machine button layouts have evolved over decades but several standards have emerged as the most common and influential in both commercial cabinets and home-built MAME setups.

The classic 1-player layout typically features a single 8-way joystick with 3 to 6 buttons arranged in a slight arc. This configuration became standardized in the 1980s with games like Street Fighter II popularizing the 6-button fighting game layout (three punches, three kicks). The 2-player layout mirrors this setup with two joysticks and identical button arrays, allowing for head-to-head competition.

Modern fight sticks often follow the Viewlix layout (straight button columns) or Noir layout (more pronounced arc), both derived from Japanese and Western cabinet designs respectively. The American-style layout tends to feature buttons in a straight line or very slight curve, while Japanese cabinets often use a more curved, ergonomic arrangement.

For multi-game cabinets, many builders adopt a 4-8 button per player configuration to accommodate both classic games and modern fighting games. The placement of auxiliary buttons (coin, start, menu) also follows conventions, typically located along the top or side of the control panel away from action buttons to prevent accidental presses.

Understanding these layout standards is essential for both arcade preservation and building custom controllers that provide authentic gaming experiences.