Input buffering, or the queuing of unintended button presses, is a common frustration in arcade gaming. It manifests as lag, double inputs, or "ghosting," severely impacting gameplay. Preventing these issues primarily involves two approaches: hardware and software debouncing.

The most common hardware method is integrating a simple Resistor-Capacitor (RC) filter circuit directly at the microswitch. When the button is pressed or released, the capacitor charges or discharges through the resistor. This creates a slight delay, smoothing out the voltage signal and eliminating the rapid on/off transitions of the mechanical bounce. For a more robust solution, a Schmitt trigger can be added after the RC circuit to further clean the signal and ensure a sharp, digital transition. Many modern keyboard encoders and microcontrollers now include built-in hardware debouncing, making implementation easier.

On the software side, the primary technique is a polling delay or a simple counter algorithm. After the initial input is registered, the software ignores any subsequent changes in the button's state for a predetermined number of milliseconds. This brief window (typically 5-50ms) is long enough for the mechanical bouncing to settle, ensuring only one clean press is recorded. A more advanced method is a state-checking algorithm, where the software polls the input at regular intervals and only registers a change after confirming the button's state has been stable for two or three consecutive polls.

For optimal performance, a combination of both methods is highly recommended. Basic hardware debouncing handles the bulk of the electrical noise, while software debouncing provides a final, configurable layer of protection. This hybrid approach delivers the most reliable and responsive arcade control experience, free from the annoyances of input buffering.