My new project. :3

[Aerowyn]

It's something I've wanted to do for a while now, and now that I have a job I have the means to pay for it!

I bought an upright arcade cabinet with plans to renovate and make a MAME machine out of it.

Here's how it was when I got it 2 days ago:

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c183/Lady-Aerowyn/Arcade/Arcade_9_6.jpg

So in order to figure out exactly how old this thing is, I had a look on the inside, and found a date as well as the manufacturer on the boards:

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c183/Lady-Aerowyn/Arcade/Arcade_9_2.jpg

With a little research, it turns out that Gottlieb does NOT make any game called Shoot-Out. The marquee that is in there is made out of paper, meaning that this is not an original machine. Someone modified it to be what it is. So what is it?

The underlying layer of paint is a vibrant yellow. And when I was taking a closer look at the monitor I noticed some burn-in. (the previous owner rotated the monitor, so tilt your head to see it XD)


http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c183/Lady-Aerowyn/Arcade/Arcade_9_5.jpg

It is my belief that this was once an ORIGINAL Q*BERT cabinet. The previous owner took the decals and art off and decided to do his own thing.... which is retarded if you ask me. :\

The monitor is EXTREMELY OLD, and I couldn't get any power to the machine at all (Lightning and I looked at it all day and we just couldn't figure it out). So we decided to gut it and we're going to mount a 22" LCD monitor in there.

We tore out everything. The monitor, all the boards, the control panel and buttons... I tore apart the coin mech because it SEVERELY needed to be cleaned, the whole thing is completely empty.

Here's the box of shit we don't need:


http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c183/Lady-Aerowyn/Arcade/arcade004.jpg

And finally, here is the machine, gutted and ready to be sanded and re-painted:


http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c183/Lady-Aerowyn/Arcade/arcade002.jpg

Just wanted to share with you guys. :allears: any suggestions on things are cool (any games I should add?, and I will keep updating as it progresses. I can't wait!

[klange]

Make it play Halo.

[Ki11a_FTW]

Make it play Halo.

.

[Aerowyn]

The setup I am going to do is a classic fighting game control scheme. I don't think Halo would work.

[klange]

I'll one-up my previous post and say "decal it with Halo graphics with the help of the community and a decal printing shop."

Once you have the hardware in place, the possibilities are endless. Just set it up with an acceptable graphics stack and install an appropriate operating system for your needs, and you've got yourself a game rig with a classic appeal.

e: You'd be surprised what sorts of controls you can actually play Halo on. Give it two sticks and give one of them a fire button.

[Llama Juice]

Add a DDR pad, some DMX sensors, a full Para stage, and cover it in brightly colored five inch buttons. Then post some pics.

[Cojafoji]

that. is. awesome.

what do you do for a living that would allow you the spare cash to engage in this awesome endeavor?

[InnerGoat]

The setup I am going to do is a classic fighting game control scheme. I don't think Halo would work.

Give it some USB ports and it'll play Halo :neckbeard:

This looks like a fun project so keep us updated~

[teh lag]

make it play the touhous

yeah do this

[Masterz1337]

that. is. awesome.

what do you do for a living that would allow you the spare cash to engage in this awesome endeavor?

She's a girl... what do you think?

[ICEE]

That is way cool. Requesting more pics as it unfolds

[InnerGoat]

yeah do this

Yeah it would work very well for toho in the default latout it was in :-3

[Limited]

Sick, cant wait to see finished result. So how much did this arsehole rip you off for? Least at end of the day you got the bare bones cabinet and you can customise it to your hearts content.

[Ganon]

not sure why, but devil may cry 4 seems like it would be fun on an arcade machine

[Llama Juice]

She couldn't have spent more than $50 for that cabinet.... not saying it's bad or anything... just that... they're cheaper than you guys think they'd be.

[Heathen]

Mortal Kombat vs DC.

Srsly.

Or DragonballZ Burst Limit.

I would buy that fucker.

[Ganon]

DragonballZ Burst Limit.

I would buy that fucker.

give it a sweet paint job and i'll outbid ya. nostalgia knows no limits

[Heathen]

Cept the burst limit *snicker*

[PopeAK49]

Mortal kombat, featuring a story mode with the master chief called; search for the hidden skull. Like this:

part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI4518Ponbk

part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAx88gd17Tk

[Heathen]

no.
That mach sucked.

[ExAm]

Fuck all that shit, make it play METAL SLUG.

[Aerowyn]

that. is. awesome.

what do you do for a living that would allow you the spare cash to engage in this awesome endeavor?

I work at a place called Fun Central. Haha.


She couldn't have spent more than $50 for that cabinet.... not saying it's bad or anything... just that... they're cheaper than you guys think they'd be.

Actually, I spent $100, but that is including the cost of shipping. I actually spent $60 on the cabinet. But thankfully the fella I bought it from offered to bring it to me. :)

The amusement place I called about empty cabinets wanted $200 for a bare-bones one. They're harder to find in this area than you would think.


Also, thanks for game suggestions. I was considering touhou but I can't honestly see myself being any good at it. At all.

And I had a traumatizing experience with Mortal Kombat so I don't think it is going to make it onto my cabinet .___.; nice try though.

[Cojafoji]

well shit, i thought it'd be way more expensive then 100$.

[Aerowyn]

well shit, i thought it'd be way more expensive then 100$.

Seriously. Craigslist works wonders.

[jcap]

Do Burnout if you want it to have simple controls and be "arcade-like."

Oh, and throw a screen on each side of it too. :cool:

You can also do Audiosurf. Make it into a multi-purpose arcade machine where you can choose what you want to launch from a simple menu.

[English Mobster]

My dad did something similar to this, except he just renovates old nostalgia cabinets and makes them run like new again.
He's done this probably 7 or 8 times, actually:
Centipede
Asteroids
Space Invaders
Frogger
Galaga
Donkey Kong
Pac-Man

I've never seen him buy an empty cabinet and just rework the entire thing, though. Should be interesting to watch this unfold.
Also, I vote Portal. You need a joystick and, what, 3 buttons? Blue portal, Orange portal, and pick up object?

[ThePlague]

I second jcap with Audiosurf, that would be an amazing game with that.

[itszutak]

Also, I vote Portal. You need a joystick and, what, 3 buttons? Blue portal, Orange portal, and pick up object?
Aiming (stick)
Moving (stick)
red
blue
jump
crouch
pick up

Two sticks, 5 buttons :eng101:

[Aerowyn]

lol, I can't imagine playing with two joysticks that way. And I'll definitely consider adding in a USB port or two, but IDK, I'll have to get some more input. I'm trying to be cost efficient here.

Today before I go to work I cleaned off the glass panel in front of the monitor, which also acted as the bezel because the guy painted onto the glass. Used acetone and a rag to get all the paint off--really a mess. But it's all cleaned now, it just needs a few good wipe downs with some Windex and I think it'll be good.

I also took the back door off the cabinet, as getting all the screws and shit off the cabinet is going to make sanding a whole lot better. I removed all the crap off the door to perhaps make room for some kind of shelving to store the keyboard/mouse to the computer going inside.

As for the computer, my mom brought me one from where she works. Her boss is selling it to me for $15 including the keyboard and mouse. It's a Dell, and it's probably not the greatest computer ever, but for running games like Pac-Man and Mario, it will be more than enough.

I'm going to Washington DC for vacation this weekend, but when I come back I will have a full plate in front of me. Here's a few things I need to do:

- get a 22" LCD monitor (you can get one on newegg for $140, I saw one somewhere else for $125. I'm getting an advance on christmas money to afford it. Anyone else know where I can get a monitor that size for cheap?

- Buttons and joysticks. I'm getting a lot from e-bay that includes 14 buttons and 2 joysticks for under $50. Though, I am probably going to need an extra button or two. I want to have a button SOMEWHERE on the cabinet that you can push to take you back to the MAME Game Select screen WITHOUT having to get keys out and open the coin door to get to it. I can always get a simple button of some kind at the hardware store, I think.

- Gotta do some measurements and start making decisions in regards to the control panel and the mount for the monitor.

- Oh yeah. And I still need to sand and paint the dang thing before anything else can get done. How would you guys recommend that I go about painting it? My parents seemed to think a can of paint and a roller would yield the best results, but I do want a smooth coat of paint, so I thought spraypaint. Opinions are welcome.


Aaaaaaand that's all I've got going in terms of progress on this thing. :) will pop in later with more pics once things start happening.


OH YEAH. And anyone interested in my list of games so far:
(And don't make fun of them because some of them are ones I played as a kid on SNES and shit and I need to have them on there)


Q-Bert
Bubble Bobble (and other variants)
Pac-Man
Mrs. Pac-Man
Jr. Pac Man
Pac Man 2: The New Adventures
Tetris
Techmo Stackers
Super Mario All-Stars + World
Aladdin
The Lion King
Frogger
Galaga
Space Invaders
Clay Fighters
Donkey Kong (Jump Man)
Donkey Kong Country
Vectorman 2
Daffy Duck: The Marvin Missions (Duck Dodgers)
Taz in the Escape from Mars
Beyond Oasis
Tempo
Dr. Franken
Sonic the Hedgehog (all games)
Kolibri
Star Wars
Road Runner vs. Coyote: Desert Demolition
Doom
Kid Icarus
Asteroids
Paper Boy
BurgerTime
Touhou

[TheGhost]

This is a really cool idea. Best of luck with it and make sure to keep posting progress pics!

[Limited]

For painting, do you want it a little shiny? I'd put an undercoat (primer) first, then put the colour on. A roller would be good for the bit areas, however the small nook-and-cranny bits would be a nightmare with it so also use just a regular small paintbrush, you can buy them at hardware stores, should be able to get just a single one.

What colour you thinking of painting it?

Also will the 22 inch screen fit in? :D

[Aerowyn]

For painting, do you want it a little shiny? I'd put an undercoat (primer) first, then put the colour on. A roller would be good for the bit areas, however the small nook-and-cranny bits would be a nightmare with it so also use just a regular small paintbrush, you can buy them at hardware stores, should be able to get just a single one.

What colour you thinking of painting it?

Also will the 22 inch screen fit in? :D

When I talked to my parents they said that a latex paint would work best? I really don't know exactly what I'm looking for in terms of the paint job, I just want it to look and feel smooth.

Because the machine is going to be in our basement, and we have not yet done any remodeling down there (my dad is dreaming of a Man Cave), I am probably doing solid black. If I can get decals made at a good price I might put a design on.

And yes--a 22 inch screen will fit just fine. The screen that was in there was about a 20 inch. So I figured giving it a little upgrade would enhance the gaming experience. :)

[InnerGoat]

Wouldn't it be better to go with a 4:3 LCD as most of your games won't scale to widescreen?

[Aerowyn]

Wouldn't it be better to go with a 4:3 LCD as most of your games won't scale to widescreen?

I'm just doing what Lightning told me to .___.; he said 22" would look nice in there. IDK. What do you recommend?

[InnerGoat]

After looking around, the older 1600x1200 displays cost way too much. Nevermind :-3

[odseraphim]

DAMN it. I was about a day away from posting my arcade cabinet project in a thread.

I can give you any advice you want as far as setting it up, but then again, so can Lightning. I am all ready to assemble mine, just need the time to do so (and some wood to set my 20" 16:9 monitor in it).


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2463/3589013544_6dd6b6f428.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3307/3589011096_dc9a41c5fb.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3644/3589011462_e0f5d73cce.jpg

[klange]

One of you better make your machine do Halo, or I'll have to go out and buy my own cabinet >:|

[InnerGoat]

DAMN it. I was about a day away from posting my arcade cabinet project in a thread.

I can give you any advice you want as far as setting it up, but then again, so can Lightning. I am all ready to assemble mine, just need the time to do so (and some wood to set my 20" 16:9 monitor in it).


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2463/3589013544_6dd6b6f428.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3307/3589011096_dc9a41c5fb.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3644/3589011462_e0f5d73cce.jpg

What will you be doing about games that don't support widescreen? I was talking to aerowyn about it and she doesn't want to see the black bars or mess the aspect ratio up.

Do you think running a widescreen monitor at a 4:3 resolution, then masking the black bars by painting the cabinet's glass would work out well?



Like so. Red being the painted glass covering everything but the image.

http://www.modacity.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=106&stc=1&d=1248814846


.

[klange]

Run them windowed and put a wallpaper themed for the particular game on, don't take away from the total potential screen space by blocking out parts of the monitor.

[odseraphim]

Run them windowed and put a wallpaper themed for the particular game on, don't take away from the total potential screen space by blocking out parts of the monitor.
Yeah, I planned on doing that. My frontend allows for running "aspect ratio-saving" wallpaper.

[Lightning]

Add a DDR pad, some DMX sensors, a full Para stage, and cover it in brightly colored five inch buttons. Then post some pics.

Somehow, this could work. Needs an IIDX turntable though.

[Masterz1337]

Aladdin is the shit.

[Aerowyn]

Aladdin is the shit.

I don't need sarcasm in my thread if that's what you were going for. Aladdin was a GREAT SNES game. And so was the Lion King. Disney actually put out some quality games in the olden days.

[Limited]

Uuuuh, no Lion King game can beat the Sega Mega Drive/Saturn version.

Edit: Holy shi that is the version of Aladdin I've played:

http://www.consoleclassix.com/info_img/Aladdin_SNES_ScreenShot2.jpg
Great game, loved the flying carpets :D

[Aerowyn]

Uuuuh, no Lion King game can beat the Sega Mega Drive/Saturn version.

Edit: Holy shi that is the version of Aladdin I've played:

http://www.consoleclassix.com/info_img/Aladdin_SNES_ScreenShot2.jpg
Great game, loved the flying carpets :D

The Sega version of The Lion King is the same as the SNES version only it has worse sounds and music. XD seriously. Watch gameplay from both systems. The SNES version is far superior.

Anyway, topic was derailed a little there. Keep suggesting games guys. :)

[annihilation]

Tempest.
E: Pic
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f7/Arcade-atari-tempest1.png/450px-Arcade-atari-tempest1.png

[kid908]

Cube Runner isn't really a classic but gameplay is quite simple and it has the retro feel to it.

How about Geometry War?

Pokemon?

If you want help designing aesthetic for the sides I'm always up for a little go at something like this.

[Aerowyn]

How about Geometry War?


Geometry Wars is on my list already (I've been doing a little updating, remembering a few games from my past).

Hopefully 6 buttons is enough to all of these games. :gonk:

[Ganon]

LOL pokemon. That would be awesome.

[Limited]

Are you only doing SNES games? If not, you totally have to get Road Rash 1 & 2 and Super Hang On (Sega Mega Drive/Saturn)

As for SNES games, you have to get Super Mario Kart, one of the best 2 player games on SNES.

[ExAm]

Are you only doing SNES games?No, it's going to be a MAME cabinet, IIRC.

[jcap]

MARBLE BLAST


Too bad Ultra isn't out for Windows :(

There's a Gold version out (I think). This is the second closest thing to it though: http://www.ballance.org/game.htm

[leorimolo]

Why not have an xbox in there instead of a PC? You get native halo and alot of other games plus great emus.

[Llama Juice]

'cause it's a lot more difficult to setup a bunch of stuff on a modded Xbox than to do it naively on a PC. Plus she already has a PC for it lol.

[OmegaDragon]

Street Fighter. All of them.
Marvel Vs Capcom I and II
Defender
DigDug
If you can somehow get a light gun, House of the Dead 4 and Time Crisis

Can't think of any more right now D:

[Llama Juice]

If you can somehow get a light gun, House of the Dead 4 and Time Crisis Duck Hunt

Can't think of any more right now D:

OOxRpIPRwAo

That's the arcade version of the game, there's a mode where you can shoot the dog.

[TomClancy]

How about Crash Bandicoot? It's definitely got some nostalgia in it.
This project seems awesome though, good luck on it! Hope it goes well!

[Aerowyn]

Today I bought a monitor from ComputerGeeks. After considering the whole aspect ratio thing, Jason helped me pick out a 20" monitor (http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=6736-HC9-R&cat=MON) that I am happy with. This way I will not have to cover up bits of the monitor, it would've been a waste otherwise.

I also ordered 2 joysticks and 14 buttons for the control panel. They came to about 47 dollars including shipping.

My dad and I need to take a trip over to the hardware store and pick up some wood, some plexiglass, and paint. Then things can start coming together.

[Corndogman]

Why not have an xbox in there instead of a PC? You get native halo and alot of other games plus great emus.

why not get an input switcher, and throw an xbox (or other console) inside too? you could screw in a little platform thing to put an xbox controller on.

[InnerGoat]

Oh nice you two found a good deal there :)

[Aerowyn]

UPDATE:

My buttons and joysticks came on wednesday. The monitor came today and I am very excited to get working.

Painted the coin doors and installed the new locks. Now if I can just figure out how to put the coin door back together again....

Dad also got me started on sanding the machine. This is what has me fretting, it's so boring and I just want to get it done ASAP.

After taking a rest, I continued sanding on the front of the machine, and I made a very exciting discovery.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c183/Lady-Aerowyn/qbert.jpg

I was right about it being a Q-Bert machine! :V

[Siliconmaster]

Awesome. Nice observation beforehand.

[Rob Oplawar]

Get Halo Zero running on it. :D

[Kalub]

What's Qbert?



I've always wanted one of those Guitar Hero / Rock Band ones like the DDR machines with the big speakers and lights and shit. Anyone wanna give me one for my birthday?

[Alwin Roth]

Well, since there's a fat chance of getting halo running i was thinking, Mirror's edge 2d or that halo: Owaw 2d game...

[Rob Oplawar]

^
7hL6-54u1Es

[Aerowyn]

What's Qbert?

fAU-kkpWK8M

In other news, machine is sanded roughly. I need to go over it with a finer-grit sandpaper and I should be ready to paint.

I've got the wood cut for my control board as well as the wood that is going to be the mount for my monitor. My uncle has a wood router so we're going to round off that edge of the control board.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c183/Lady-Aerowyn/Controlboard.jpg

Planning on doing a test mount of the monitor tonight, and getting the holes for the control board drilled out if I have the time.

[JunkfoodMan]

you should totally get street fighter 2 HD/3rd strike on that thing

[Aerowyn]

Yet another update guys!

I've sanded and painted the machine, and basically I spent today re-assembling everything while my dad worked on drilling holes for the control board.

The joysticks aren't in place because I need to paint the control board and everything first, this was just a test fit.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c183/Lady-Aerowyn/Arcade/Img_5811.jpg

Almost done now guys!

[Rob Oplawar]

Words cannot describe how awesome that is. I feel like a nostalgiafag.

[InnerGoat]

That's coming along nicely :)

[Aerowyn]

Yay video update!

0bAnzQ4igd8

[Rook]

Nice I'll give u $20 USD for it take it or leave it!

[Aerowyn]

Nice I'll give u $20 USD for it take it or leave it!

leavin' it. TTYL.

[Siliconmaster]

Haha. Nice. Looks very spiffy.

[MetKiller Joe]

My dad's friend did something like this and had games like lunar lander and tron on there. He also did some art (planetoids and the like) on the sides.

This also looks really promising. Can't wait to see more. Mind me asking what games you will be putting on there?

[odseraphim]

Did you finish it yet? It's been like 3 weeks since last update :ohdear: