Working MERCS game to mame....should I?

[bullrees]

Hello, This is my first post so be gentle.

Originally I had planed to build my own cab. I have all of the tools needed except a router and bits. I also considered getting a gutted cab for cheap and starting there. I didn't have much success finding gutted cabs in my area but I did find a working MERCS game that is right down the road from me for 125us. I know this is a jamma cab from 1990'ish but nothing much else. I kinda hate to gut any game that is working for mame but not sure if this is considered a game that should not be converted. The way I see it I have the following options.

1. Pass on it and spend the money on a self built cab.
2. Buy it and gut it for mame.
3. Buy it and keep it like it is just because I want it. (then listen to the wife complain when I spend more money for a mame cab)
4. Buy it and try to do some sort of minimal mame conversion that would allow me to put it back to original.


I'm good with electonics/soldering and "ok" with wood work.


EDIT: Forgot the pic of said game. Also I have a X-Arcade Dual Joystick if it matters.





Thanks for any advice.

[wweumina]

If you were to build/convert to mame, what games would you play? 

If the games you are after can be accomodated by the current controls then you can pretty easily convert to mame but leave in good enough shape to put it back in the future. 

[bullrees]

Well I'm sure I'll need the additional button for MK style fighting games. I'm thinking I can just remove the top of the control panel and replace  it but not sure how complicated the wiring issue would be.

[wweumina]

Well I'm sure I'll need the additional button for MK style fighting games. I'm thinking I can just remove the top of the control panel and replace  it but not sure how complicated the wiring issue would be.

The wiring is the easy bit. The biggest problem for Mortal Kombat games is going to be the vertical monitor. Is there room to rotate it?  If not, and you are after more modern games you might want to consider a different cab.

[bullrees]

Good point... I had not thought of the screen angle. I picked it up anyway. If I have to make a new cab for mame I will. I don't know why but having a real arcade game sitting in my garage is the coolest thing ever.  

EDIT: Some pics

Outside.

Hi res

Coin Door.

Hi res

Inside the coin door.

Hi res

Board

Hi res

Power supply

Hi res

CRT zenith ga63adg25x

hires

Working game (no sound and fire on player two does not work)

Hi res

Documents found inside (also found the key that opens the back panels)

Hi res

Adjustment board.

Hi res

[wweumina]

It was never in doubt that you would pick it up

Looks like a nice clean cab, but certainly doesn't look like there is room to rotate the monitor.

What I would do (but bear in mind I already have a working horizontal machine)...

If you aren't in love with the Mercs game:

1. Get a j-pac, arcade vga and a nice dedicated 4-way stick.
2. Stick an old computer in it and set up MAME
3. Replace the center joystick with the 4-way
4. Set up both the left 8-way and center 4-way as player 1 either through wiring or software.

This would give you a 4-way in the middle of the screen for vertical classics (pac-man, donkey kong etc) and leave you 2 8-way sticks for 2 player vertical shooters (Raiden etc).  You could also play some other 2 player horizontal games but the image size is going to be pretty small so I don't think it would be a permanent solution if you are thinking of building a cab anyway.  If you want more buttons you change out the control panel altogether for a more standard 2 player setup but I like the 3 stick option.

Also, the artwork looks pretty good so I would probably leave it (maybe changing the marquee for a more multi-game theme).

Just my opinion.

[bullrees]

Thanks for the tips wweumina that does seem like the most useful way to go.
I also have an old 21" CRT PC monitor laying around.
This one http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/IBM-P275-21-inch-Black-CRT-Monitor-Refurbished/1086804/product.html

Think it would look too small in a new mame cab?

EDIT:Small update

Fixed the sound: speaker wasn't connected..lol
Fixed fire button: Took switch apart and sanded the contacts.
Adjusted the colors/brightness/contrast on the monitor: noticed there was no red before duh

I'm a bit confused about the adjustment board in the previous pic after I found this already attached to the monitor. It did make it much easier to adjust those settings though.