Mortal Kombat 9 (Home Console) Arcade Cabinet Build

[MK3FAN]

So I have finally decided to start on what I should have started years ago....a "dedicated" MK9/Home Console MK arcade cabinet. I will be using an actual arcade monitor instead of an LCD with a "fat" PS3 on a shelf behind to the coin door to run the different games. It will be a pretty easy build, assuming I can find a cabinet locally. Otherwise I'll have to build one from scratch and that's something that I don't really want to be forced to do. I'll most likely just rob all the parts/guts from a couple of the MK fight sticks and install them in the cab's control panel instead of hacking the regular PS3 controllers. Stay tuned for updates. Until then, here is a video of the basic monitor setup...(I suggest selecting 1080p)

youtube.com/watch?v=oT3Qz16nN7w

[m1cky69]

Sounds gd. My first build was a nintendo wii console hack and the cabinet build is actually pretty easy.....and cheap. Make out of mdf to keep costs down and then ya can customise it to suit your needs

[mattgold]

For inspiration:


One of my all time favorite builds...

[rablack97]

Buy a Kade man, so you wont have to hack at all, it has a PS3 mode.

I was thinking about doing the same thing, but more or an all time greatest fighting games montage with the PS3.  I've collected a few PS3's and gathered a few internal HDD's so I can load em all up and play at will.

Interested in how many buttons you plan to use, as i remember doesn't mk 9 use all 8 buttons or just 6.



PM Sharpfork if you wanna know more about it.

Following this one....Total MK Fan

[Malenko]

For inspiration:

One of my all time favorite builds...

hate to be negative, but thats a terrible cab.

[mattgold]

For inspiration:

One of my all time favorite builds...

hate to be negative, but thats a terrible cab.

How so?  Just not a fan of the VR Global style?

[rablack97]

Well considering it was probably the first MK9 dedicated cab, scratchbuilt, and autographed by Ed Boon.  I would beg to differ.

That photo does that machine no justice, you need to check out the actual forum thread.  Its a pretty sweet machine.

I've seen hella worse thats for sure.

[mattgold]

Well considering it was probably the first MK9 dedicated cab, scratchbuilt, and autographed by Ed Boon.  I would beg to differ.

That photo does that machine no justice, you need to check out the actual forum thread.  Its a pretty sweet machine.

I've seen hella worse thats for sure.

I agree... That's why I asked if it was just personal preference on the cab style itself.

I'm no old hand and cab building (although, I have a pretty nice project underway) but that MK9 could have definitely fooled me.  =)

In any case, it was posted as inspiration for artwork, color combo, etc rather than cab style.

[pbj]

 

[rablack97]

LOL, i'd expect no less from PBJ.

I guess showcase cabs get no love on the forum. 

[pbj]

90s showcase were fine but are a senseless waste of space in the LCD era.

I've seen those newer things in the wild and didn't like them there, either.  They look like converted Stun Runners or something.

 

[stigzler]

For inspiration:

One of my all time favorite builds...

I like it. Although I wouldn't know whether to sit on it, shoot at it, steer it or just simply use a joystick and buttons.

[rablack97]

I guess i'm more looking at the fact somebody built the thing, no manufactured.

Considering its a scratch build, no it's probably not the most practical object, but it is a nice build.

Compared to today's models, this look like an IBM computer that used to fill up an entire room right?

I do see your point though PBJ......looking forward to seeing what this guy is gonna bring to the table.

[MK3FAN]

Buy a Kade man, so you wont have to hack at all, it has a PS3 mode.

I was thinking about doing the same thing, but more or an all time greatest fighting games montage with the PS3.  I've collected a few PS3's and gathered a few internal HDD's so I can load em all up and play at will.

Interested in how many buttons you plan to use, as i remember doesn't mk 9 use all 8 buttons or just 6.



PM Sharpfork if you wanna know more about it.

Following this one....Total MK Fan

Thanks! I have almost NO knowledge of how that encoder would work. I plan to use the same 6-button layout that has been around since MK3 (7 including the start button. Same as the fight sticks). I am not sure what I will do regarding the "PS3" button or the select button. I was thinking about mounting them on the sides of the control panel for each player. I'll probably just 'stick' with my idea of using a couple used fight sticks and just gutting them. Until I can learn how to hack the PS3 or get myself a different HD like you mentioned, I'll just swap out the discs. I'm easy.

For inspiration:


One of my all time favorite builds...

I saw this a while back. LOVE IT! I don't understand all the dis-like. Hell, it's signed by Ed Boon. All my MK cabs are signed by John Vogel, Richard Divizio, Daniel Pesina, Tony Marquez, John Parrish and Dr. Phillip Ahn. Haven't been able to get Ed to sign anything for me. Maybe he'll sign this one, lol.

Updates for this might be few and far between for the time being. I am in the middle of trying to fix up my house to sell it and buy a new house with a big basement to house my 31 arcade machines (picking up a dedicated Karate Champ tomorrow).

[rablack97]

Kades are simple man, it comes with a free loader, you select PS3 firmware, load it into the minimus and done.  The terminals are wired out to your buttons and jstik, no soldering etc.  You can even customize what buttons go to what switches, so you dont have to unhook anywires once you've installed, it includes all buttons, start select and even the PS button.





Then you just plug one female end from the minimus other end into the PS3 USB port.

Wayyyyyyyy better than a hacked jstick man....

Oh and you can just send it off and have it downgraded people do it really cheap these days, just got mine back and am happy with it.

[MK3FAN]

So I'd need two of them, right? One for each player because I don't see enough inputs for two players on just one unit.

[PL1]

Correct.  One KADE miniArcade board per player for PS3.

There's also extended mode for MAME which allows 26 inputs using "impossible" key combinations and some "backward" wiring, but that firmware is for PCs.


Scott

[MK3FAN]

So does the firmware get installed on the PS3 to make it recognize/see the endcoder?

[Malenko]

I guess i'm more looking at the fact somebody built the thing, no manufactured.
Considering its a scratch build, no it's probably not the most practical object, but it is a nice build.
Compared to today's models, this look like an IBM computer that used to fill up an entire room right?
I do see your point though PBJ......looking forward to seeing what this guy is gonna bring to the table.

Its not the build quality I dont like, its the aesthetics. It looks like a stun runner conversion with a giant wing. Ive seen the build thread (I posted in it how I thought the cab wasnt pretty) its just meh to me. In my eyes, an MK9 machine should keep the general look of the first 4 MK arcade cabs. Boon signing it is neat, doesnt make the cab any less ugly *shrugs*

I have a ton of faith in Mike to make a pretty epic MK9 cab 

[pbj]

...sigh...

You don't need a "kade", you need a minimus 16 and you need to download the kade firmware onto it.  The minimus is all of $7 from Amazon.

Its not the build quality I dont like, its the aesthetics. It looks like a stun runner conversion with a giant wing. Ive seen the build thread (I posted in it how I thought the cab wasnt pretty) its just meh to me. In my eyes, an MK9 machine should keep the general look of the first 4 MK arcade cabs. Boon signing it is neat, doesnt make the cab any less ugly *shrugs*

I have a ton of faith in Mike to make a pretty epic MK9 cab 

I agree 100% with the above.

[rablack97]

I guess i'm more looking at the fact somebody built the thing, no manufactured.
Considering its a scratch build, no it's probably not the most practical object, but it is a nice build.
Compared to today's models, this look like an IBM computer that used to fill up an entire room right?
I do see your point though PBJ......looking forward to seeing what this guy is gonna bring to the table.

Its not the build quality I dont like, its the aesthetics. It looks like a stun runner conversion with a giant wing. Ive seen the build thread (I posted in it how I thought the cab wasnt pretty) its just meh to me. In my eyes, an MK9 machine should keep the general look of the first 4 MK arcade cabs. Boon signing it is neat, doesnt make the cab any less ugly *shrugs*

I have a ton of faith in Mike to make a pretty epic MK9 cab 

So an MK9 show cab gets no love, i'll just have to live with that.  I think its a cool cab, could it eventually be an eye sore, of course..

...sigh...

You don't need a "kade", you need a minimus 16 and you need to download the kade firmware onto it.  The minimus is all of $7 from Amazon.

Its not the build quality I dont like, its the aesthetics. It looks like a stun runner conversion with a giant wing. Ive seen the build thread (I posted in it how I thought the cab wasnt pretty) its just meh to me. In my eyes, an MK9 machine should keep the general look of the first 4 MK arcade cabs. Boon signing it is neat, doesnt make the cab any less ugly *shrugs*

I have a ton of faith in Mike to make a pretty epic MK9 cab 

I agree 100% with the above.

Ok that's just bass ackwards, i was swaying him from having to solder up anything.  Yeah you can get a $7.00 minimus and do hack job on that if you want to.  However the kits just make it easier.  If your cutting costs PBJ is correct, although i wouldn't recommend that route.  Getting the kits will make your wiring nice and neat, per the photo.

Yes, you will need 2 of them, once you load the firmware to the Kade/minimus the ps3 will recognize it as a normal ps3 jstik, sorta like playing with the bluetooth stick plugged in charging.

It's up to you though, no right or wrong, i was just exposing a different option, if your lighting up your CP there is also the HOWLER, this will give you an AIO 2plyr and led controller options, also PS3 compatible.



Options man, options...

[PL1]

So does the firmware get installed on the PS3 to make it recognize/see the endcoder?

To be clear, the firmware I was talking about is installed on the KADE using the KADE Loader software.

The KADE becomes a HID keyboard, a HID gamepad, or a PS3 gamepad based on the firmware you install.

The KADE will retain the installed firmwre/settings until you use Loader to program the KADE with different firmware/settings.

Check out the Quick Start guide here for details and a link to the Loader software.

You don't need a "kade", you need a minimus 16 and you need to download the kade firmware onto it.  The minimus is all of $7 from Amazon.

Yes, you can solder wires or 0.1" header pins straight to the Minimus AVR board if you're so inclined or pay for the handy-dandy screw terminals.

Loader will work with a 16k Minimus (AT90USB162) or a 32k Minimus (ATmega32U2) board. (more are being added)

Do you have a link for that $7 board?

The only one I've seen on Amazon is this one. (currently sold out)

i was swaying him from having to solder up anything.  Yeah you can get a $7.00 minimus and do hack job on that if you want to.  However the kits just make it easier.  If your cutting costs PBJ is correct, although i wouldn't recommend that route.  Getting the kits will make your wiring nice and neat, per the photo.

I wouldn't call soldering on a Minimus a hack job, unless you're commenting on someone's lack of soldering skill.   

Given a choice between hacking a gamepad vs. soldering on a Minimus, the Minimus wins every time IMHO.

Like you said, options.   


Scott

[rablack97]

Same here, $7.00 minimus is no longer stocked on amazon.

The .1 screw terminals are expensive.

I dunno Scott, I agree with you on minimus wins, I'm also factoring in neatness as well, making the minimus look like a daddy long legs is not my idea of a neat wiring job.

However like i said no right or wrong just options,

Damn PBJ for false advertising, i was poised to go an buy up some AVR's.

[DeLuSioNal29]

Isn't MK9 designed for widescreen monitors?  I have a 4:3 27" arcade monitor and I hate the fact that MK9 is letterboxed!  So much so that I'm actually going to make my next arcade widescreen just for Steam games and such. And then leave my other 4:3 monitor for the classics.

D

[MK3FAN]

Isn't MK9 designed for widescreen monitors?  I have a 4:3 27" arcade monitor and I hate the fact that MK9 is letterboxed!  So much so that I'm actually going to make my next arcade widescreen just for Steam games and such. And then leave my other 4:3 monitor for the classics.

D

The PS3 has an option for 16:9 or 4:3 in the video settings. There's no letterbox ing that I can see when using 4:3. Looks pretty good to me. Refer to the video I posted (around the 7:00 mark).

[MK3FAN]

Quick update with some recap for the fans of the FB page I run ( https://www.facebook.com/yourmkarcadesource ). I ended up just getting 2 of the MK Fight Sticks for a total of $70. That solves my dilemma of how to interface the controls for the cabinet...

[MK3FAN]

Artwork mostly done (still working on a control panel). Opinions?...





CP Front...





CP Sides...





Rough draft for the control panel...

[rablack97]

Control panel 

Marquee     Boring and not very original

Sides    You took 1 photo and chopped it in half....Where did the spear go, and then where did that spear come from.  Whats the leg doing there?

[Malenko]

I like the idea of the marquee, but I'd re arrange the characters maybe a "good versus evil" kinda thing.  I'd also loose the back ground, maybe put a 50% visible Shao Kahn or something.

sides..... that seems to be the defacto standard for the sides. I suppose no other hi res art is available. If you have the hi res files and either send them to me, or tell me where to get them, I'd be happy to make the art fit the sides better. I could edit together a rough draft using what you posted or what I find on line. Just needs some quality time with the magic lasso and the clone stamp.

Control Panel is great. It helps that Scorpion is my favorite character You could easily edit that into A scorp/subbie combo (see attached) I dont like the start button labels though.

[MK3FAN]

Thanks guys! Yeah, that's really the only side art images that are available. I could probably mess around with them and do what Malenko is suggesting. That shouldn't be to hard.

As for the marquee. I'll take your suggestion and see what I can do with it. I have someone working on a better, more custom CPO right now. I'll post it when they are finished.

[MK3FAN]

Marquee     Boring and not very original

How about this for the marquee...?

[Malenko]

way too tired to Photoshop right now, but I was thinking a 50% transparent shao kahn on the left, a 50% Raiden on the right (invader vs protector) on top of that "MORTAL KOMBAT 9" with the dragon logo inside the circle of the 9.

seems like that'd match the flow of the previous arcade games marquees.  If you want I can whip something up tomorrow. Having fun playing as Eyedol?

[Gatsu]

Looking good man. I posted this on your facebook page. Wasn't sure if you saw it yet or not.
How about this for a control panel? I could probably shrink the button area a little more to cover up less of Scorpion. I can adjust it also if you'd prefer the way you had the button layouts. I just found the 8 button template from slagcoin and put that on there.



Love the side art for sure. Maybe for the marquee, just the simple MK logo & dragon. Like the old marquee from MK1.

Also, are you gonna be selling the UMK3 board out of that cab you picked up? If so, how much would you be asking for?

[MK3FAN]

Looking good man. I posted this on your facebook page. Wasn't sure if you saw it yet or not.
How about this for a control panel? I could probably shrink the button area a little more to cover up less of Scorpion. I can adjust it also if you'd prefer the way you had the button layouts. I just found the 8 button template from slagcoin and put that on there.



Love the side art for sure. Maybe for the marquee, just the simple MK logo & dragon. Like the old marquee from MK1.

Also, are you gonna be selling the UMK3 board out of that cab you picked up? If so, how much would you be asking for?

That is awesome!!

Only thing I'd suggest changing is moving two of the buttons down to where the normal "run" button would be for when games like Trilogy and MKAK are being played. Would that be possible? Do you have a high-res scan of that?

As for the UMK3 board, it's already been spoken for. Sorry.

[MK3FAN]

Project cabinet has arrived, ready for gutting and re-configuration. This cabinet was a dedicated MK4 that I converted to an MK3 so I could have all 5 MK cabs (MK1, MK2, MK3, UMK3 and MK4). I was running low on room at the house so I combined MK3 into UMK3 for a 2-in-1 setup and sold this cabinet locally.

A week or so ago, I saw the guy I sold it to was selling it and I decided to buy it back from him. So here it is...






And, based on feedback from Facebook, this is the marquee design I'll be going with. I will be printing both this one and the original just so I can see how they both look compared with the rest of the art on the machine when it's all installed. Still working on a control panel but credit for the marquee goes to Mr. Victor Cabrera...

[MK3FAN]

Quick update. New marquee design....





And I spent a few hours this morning in Photoshop and came up with what I think is a really cool CPO...

[Gatsu]

Yeah I can adjust the control panel, no probelm, if you still want that layout. I can work on it some tonight at work if you'd like and post it. The PSD file is 200dpi instead of 300 because some of the graphics get a little fuzzy at 300.

Let me know if you still want me to adjust it.

[MK3FAN]

Cool. I'm going to mess around a little more with my design and see what the public say about it. I DO like yours though. I'll let you know. Thanks!

[MK3FAN]

Ok. A few more hours of Photoshop labor later and this is what I have. I am officially going with this for the CPO, so let the naysayers say "nay." The version with the button holes is just for reference. I'll only be printing the one without the holes and decide on a proper layout later. Thoughts? Opinions? All are welcome. Artwork will be taken to the printer tomorrow!







EDIT: Here's one without the character renders if you guys think this looks better...

[Malenko]

without the characters.  If you must have the 2 dragon logos at the top, flip the one on the right.

Not entirely sure you need to have start labelled.