Build an arcade for little kids - raspeberry pi 2 - questions!

[consolas]

Hello all

I've always wanted to build a cab with hyperspin and all the works but for now, I'll be using a raspeberry pi.

This cab is not for me - I'm gonna build it and place it in a oncology hospital, the childrens ward. I've already talked to the hospital and there is no problem with wood (mdf), plexiglass or the games/arcade being there.

I have also asked if they would like for their little kids to draw pictures and stuff and place them as art on the side of the cabinet, which was a well received idea.

Some background: due to very unfortunate reasons, I know the place well and know that those kids need any kind of "good stuff" and distraction they need, both them and their parents. It is unbearable to think what the parents go through so whenever their children pick up playstation controllers, laptops, etc. taking care of the item is not on the priority list. If the little kid is playing and smashing buttons (or keys) and smiling, trust me, the parents won't (and rightful so, in my opinion) stop the action in any way. That said, the consoles controllers they get from donations don't last long and are fairly limited to a small range of games.

I think an arcade will solve most of this problems (well, except the fact they are sick... ) but unfortunately I can't do anything regarding that.

The initial plan revealed to be on the expensive side, as I wanted to have hyperspin running on the desktop. I thought it was really appealing and easy to use. I've read that hyperspin is very hardware demanding and getting a good graphics card just to run it won't be possible.

That said, the plan revolves around building it with a raspeberry pi. Let me explain why:

1) Way more cheaper than getting a pc, be aware they will probably want more arcades if this is well received.
2) Since it is a solid unit (and not desktop components like motherboard, graphics card, etc) it is bound to resist more to hits
3) Controllers don't need to be super special in quality or sensibility, they have to endure a lot of hits, thought. I read than Janwa joysticks are pretty resistance. Buttons will probably be leaf ones.
4) VERY IMPORTANT: the visual interface MUST be easy to use - this is why I wanted the hyperspin, it's cool and easy. I don't know about the PI, are there easy to use emulators?

Now more general questions, thanks for bearing with me so far.

Do the PI (2) holds on and deliver good speed when playing games?

I was looking more into Metal Slug like games, Jack and John (the caveman one, don't know if the name is correct), etc. Of course I will try to get in the occasional street fighter and fighting games for older kids. I'm guessing the range goes from 2-3 to 10 in this specific ward.


The Arcade

If you guys agree, I will get:

- 1 x Raspeberry PI ( or the 2, if you guys think it is better )
- 1 x IPac from Ultimarc, I've exchange a few e-mails with Andy and the dude was pretty cool
   - just found out there is a cheaper IPAC now, cool, I think I will go with that and use the default mame controls
- 12 x action buttons, leaf ones to try to make them hold longer (and they do make less noise)
   - 6 x buttons for each player
- 2  x player button (the 1P and 2P buttons)
- 1 x Power on button

- 1 x set of desktop speakers
- Wood (mdf) - 19mm and maybe make it 1mt tall, smaller kids could get on a bench to play and older/bigger kids would bent just a little to play. Seems a good compromise.
- Plexiglass
- Art
- Almost forgot: monitor-

I came here to ask you guys for advice and to ask if is there a way to purchase refurbished buttons or something as this will become expensive as it is. Also, anyone with spare parts please let me know if you are interested in selling them.

The monitor I will use one from a broken laptop I was given and try to adapt it somehow - if I feel it is on the small side, maybe on ebay there are 21' monitors or something that I can get!

Thank you for reading and looking forward for your input

Ric

Edit: I think the 1P and 2P buttons should have lights so they know what buttons to press to start playing. Also, I'm really worried about the PI interface as it needs to be easy for them to find a game and play - they do not know english. If they can enter a game and exit if they don't like, and enter the next one, that is fine - they don't mind exploring all games.


-------

Edit - adding this here so it will be easier to find

Money so far

Monitor: 20€ (22$)
Speakers: (still to be delivered) 5€ (6$)
Wood: 61€ (65$)
PC/PI: To be defined
Controllers (joystick, encoder, buttons): 35€

All: 121€ (129$)

[keilmillerjr]

Emulation Station is a good front end, but has no video previews - which is a must for non English reading people. Try attract-mode for the pi.

Narrow down your game list. If you only require a few buttons, you might be able to wire directly to gpio. A few good games will be better than thousands of games.

[consolas]

Emulation Station is a good front end, but has no video previews - which is a must for non English reading people. Try attract-mode for the pi.

Narrow down your game list. If you only require a few buttons, you might be able to wire directly to gpio. A few good games will be better than thousands of games.

"A few good games will be better than thousands of games." Totally agree.

Hum, the video preview would be in fact very important. Is there a way to have an image preview?

[JDFan]

For ease of use I'd consider one of the 60 in 1's ( or other xxx in 1) instead of a Pi or PC base since it is going to be in a location that you will not be able/wanting to go and support the machine often (ie. if someone turns it off without exiting and bricks the SD card on the Pi or similar ) - and they come with fairly easy to use menu systems so are pretty easy to navigate and much harder to mess up settings on. 

Nothing worse than having a machine there and not being able to let the kid play on it because a setting got messed up and no one is around that knows how to fix it.

Also the Street fighter games etc. might be a bit mature themed for a hospital setting where younger kids are around even if not playing - so might want to consider the list of games a bit - better to leave some off than cause some parent to go postal on the staff !

[Slippyblade]

Also, consider coating the sides of the cabinet with chalkboard paint.  That way the kids could draw all over it and then it could just get erased to start again!

[consolas]

Also, consider coating the sides of the cabinet with chalkboard paint.  That way the kids could draw all over it and then it could just get erased to start again!

Hey!! That is a REALLY cool idea! I just have to see if they can be around chalk as some of these little fellows have their immune system way low. But that is a pretty awesome idea!

[consolas]

For ease of use I'd consider one of the 60 in 1's ( or other xxx in 1) instead of a Pi or PC base since it is going to be in a location that you will not be able/wanting to go and support the machine often (ie. if someone turns it off without exiting and bricks the SD card on the Pi or similar ) - and they come with fairly easy to use menu systems so are pretty easy to navigate and much harder to mess up settings on. 

Nothing worse than having a machine there and not being able to let the kid play on it because a setting got messed up and no one is around that knows how to fix it.

Also the Street fighter games etc. might be a bit mature themed for a hospital setting where younger kids are around even if not playing - so might want to consider the list of games a bit - better to leave some off than cause some parent to go postal on the staff !

Thanks for the reply, my friend. I know one of those 600 in 1 japanese cards (elf or something like that) and it was around 150€ or something. The PI is around 40 so that was my main focus. I totally agree that this can brick easily but I will try to see if there is anyone there (from their IT department or something) that could take a look at the arcade from time to time.

I will try to check other types of those cards and see if it is cool.

What about the other stuff, what do you guys think? My limit is around 200€, I know it is not much but it is what I can afford due to many reasons. I still want to build my own arcade (project I postponed due to this one)

[JDFan]

Thanks for the reply, my friend. I know one of those 600 in 1 japanese cards (elf or something like that) and it was around 150€ or something. The PI is around 40 so that was my main focus. I totally agree that this can brick easily but I will try to see if there is anyone there (from their IT department or something) that could take a look at the arcade from time to time.

I will try to check other types of those cards and see if it is cool.

What about the other stuff, what do you guys think? My limit is around 200€, I know it is not much but it is what I can afford due to many reasons. I still want to build my own arcade (project I postponed due to this one)

While the Pi itself may be a bit cheaper by the time you add the additional pieces ( 5v powersupply, SD card, GPIO cable, etc.) you need for it you'll be closer to $100 than you might think at first. and the 60 in 1's can be found for around $40 also (would still need a Powersupply also) but since the 60 in 1's have only classic games you can get by with fewer buttons and other components to keep the cost down (figure you can find 60 in 1 kits with the joystick - 5 buttons (1&2 player start and 3 control buttons used by the games) - the Powersupply - and Jamma Harness for wiring for about $100 +/- )

True if you want the fighting games etc. the xxxx in 1's run a bit more but on your budget a 60 in 1 build with just the necessities would probably stick in your budget better and be a bit less support dependent. SOmething like Delusional's Green Invader Vigolix build ( http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,141778.msg1467318.html#msg1467318 ) for example.

[consolas]

Thanks for the reply, my friend. I know one of those 600 in 1 japanese cards (elf or something like that) and it was around 150€ or something. The PI is around 40 so that was my main focus. I totally agree that this can brick easily but I will try to see if there is anyone there (from their IT department or something) that could take a look at the arcade from time to time.

I will try to check other types of those cards and see if it is cool.

What about the other stuff, what do you guys think? My limit is around 200€, I know it is not much but it is what I can afford due to many reasons. I still want to build my own arcade (project I postponed due to this one)

While the Pi itself may be a bit cheaper by the time you add the additional pieces ( 5v powersupply, SD card, GPIO cable, etc.) you need for it you'll be closer to $100 than you might think at first. and the 60 in 1's can be found for around $40 also (would still need a Powersupply also) but since the 60 in 1's have only classic games you can get by with fewer buttons and other components to keep the cost down (figure you can find 60 in 1 kits with the joystick - 5 buttons (1&2 player start and 3 control buttons used by the games) - the Powersupply - and Jamma Harness for wiring for about $100 +/- )

True if you want the fighting games etc. the xxxx in 1's run a bit more but on your budget a 60 in 1 build with just the necessities would probably stick in your budget better and be a bit less support dependent.

And the board has a preview feature right? Seems the way to go - I will look into it. Is ebay a safe place to by these? And the wiring is pretty much the same? IPAC, etc?

Thank you very much for your help and attention!

[JDFan]

And the board has a preview feature right? Seems the way to go - I will look into it. Is ebay a safe place to by these? And the wiring is pretty much the same? IPAC, etc?

Thank you very much for your help and attention!

The board has a menu system to select the games with previews so yes

Forum will not allow linking due to them not being 100% legal though are sold by many places so can't comment on the forum but most of them are pretty much identical no matter where you purchase whether direct from China or a reseller.

Wiring does not require an Ipac or encoder as it uses a Jamma Harness connector so just need to hook up the wiring from the harness to the buttons and power supply directly from the PCB Jamma connector to the harness to the parts without needing an encoder (also part of the savings they offer for your budget build !)

[paigeoliver]

I find it hard to believe the hospital also cleared the use of bootleg software.

If you want your controls to hold up then buy American style not Asian style. Supers are way more heavy duty than Sanwas.

Also, giving the kids too much choice just ruins the machine. They will spend all their time fighting over the menu and playing terrible games selected at random.

A simple Neo Geo 2 slot or something like a Capcom 3 Wonders board would go over far better in actually use than any sort of mame cabinet.

If you do get a 60 in 1 then get Namco Reunion 4-way joystick and turn off all the 8-way games.

[stavros693000]

Hello all

I've always wanted to build a cab with hyperspin and all the works but for now, I'll be using a raspeberry pi.

This cab is not for me - I'm gonna build it and place it in a oncology hospital, the childrens ward. I've already talked to the hospital and there is no problem with wood (mdf), plexiglass or the games/arcade being there.

I have also asked if they would like for their little kids to draw pictures and stuff and place them as art on the side of the cabinet, which was a well received idea.

Some background: due to very unfortunate reasons, I know the place well and know that those kids need any kind of "good stuff" and distraction they need, both them and their parents. It is unbearable to think what the parents go through so whenever their children pick up playstation controllers, laptops, etc. taking care of the item is not on the priority list. If the little kid is playing and smashing buttons (or keys) and smiling, trust me, the parents won't (and rightful so, in my opinion) stop the action in any way. That said, the consoles controllers they get from donations don't last long and are fairly limited to a small range of games.

I think an arcade will solve most of this problems (well, except the fact they are sick... ) but unfortunately I can't do anything regarding that.

The initial plan revealed to be on the expensive side, as I wanted to have hyperspin running on the desktop. I thought it was really appealing and easy to use. I've read that hyperspin is very hardware demanding and getting a good graphics card just to run it won't be possible.

That said, the plan revolves around building it with a raspeberry pi. Let me explain why:

1) Way more cheaper than getting a pc, be aware they will probably want more arcades if this is well received.
2) Since it is a solid unit (and not desktop components like motherboard, graphics card, etc) it is bound to resist more to hits
3) Controllers don't need to be super special in quality or sensibility, they have to endure a lot of hits, thought. I read than Janwa joysticks are pretty resistance. Buttons will probably be leaf ones.
4) VERY IMPORTANT: the visual interface MUST be easy to use - this is why I wanted the hyperspin, it's cool and easy. I don't know about the PI, are there easy to use emulators?

Now more general questions, thanks for bearing with me so far.

Do the PI (2) holds on and deliver good speed when playing games?

I was looking more into Metal Slug like games, Jack and John (the caveman one, don't know if the name is correct), etc. Of course I will try to get in the occasional street fighter and fighting games for older kids. I'm guessing the range goes from 2-3 to 10 in this specific ward.


The Arcade

If you guys agree, I will get:

- 1 x Raspeberry PI ( or the 2, if you guys think it is better )
- 1 x IPac from Ultimarc, I've exchange a few e-mails with Andy and the dude was pretty cool
   - just found out there is a cheaper IPAC now, cool, I think I will go with that and use the default mame controls
- 12 x action buttons, leaf ones to try to make them hold longer (and they do make less noise)
   - 6 x buttons for each player
- 2  x player button (the 1P and 2P buttons)
- 1 x Power on button

- 1 x set of desktop speakers
- Wood (mdf) - 19mm and maybe make it 1mt tall, smaller kids could get on a bench to play and older/bigger kids would bent just a little to play. Seems a good compromise.
- Plexiglass
- Art
- Almost forgot: monitor-

I came here to ask you guys for advice and to ask if is there a way to purchase refurbished buttons or something as this will become expensive as it is. Also, anyone with spare parts please let me know if you are interested in selling them.

The monitor I will use one from a broken laptop I was given and try to adapt it somehow - if I feel it is on the small side, maybe on ebay there are 21' monitors or something that I can get!

Thank you for reading and looking forward for your input

Ric

Edit: I think the 1P and 2P buttons should have lights so they know what buttons to press to start playing. Also, I'm really worried about the PI interface as it needs to be easy for them to find a game and play - they do not know english. If they can enter a game and exit if they don't like, and enter the next one, that is fine - they don't mind exploring all games.

this sounds like a fantastic project and will bring some joy to the children. I bought these of ebay ages ago but havnt tried them out yet, but the joystick is a sanwa jlf knock off and the buttons are silent(no click)....they also light up which is a nice feature the kids will like and comes with encoder and wires....everything u need for the controls and only $85.........
here it is http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/USB-LED-Controller-to-PC-Joystick-20-Illuminated-Buttons-For-Arcade-DIY-Parts-/201330271499?hash=item2ee038250b.

also I recommend the pi2 there great and theres also peeps selling them cheap on ebay loaded with 1000's of games and come with quality wireless controllers....check em out.

good luck with this project....its a worthy/noble cause..... if it brings just a little bit of joy to these sick children, than it is worth it.

ps...I only mention this cause ur on a tight budget and these will save you a lot of money. and the item I mention is $85 au so it will be much cheaper if your in uk or us as the aussie dollar is fooked

[keilmillerjr]

Your not going to brick a pi if the SD card is in read only mode.

[consolas]

A simple Neo Geo 2 slot or something like a Capcom 3 Wonders board would go over far better in actually use than any sort of mame cabinet.

Agree. I read through the 64 games in one and the list didn't exactly made me happy - I didn't know most of the games and the ones I knew were actually "too old". I'm all about the classics but tetris and arkanoid are not the type of games I want the little rascals to play.

Metal Slug, Captain Commando, etc, these are the games I would like to have - cartoonish so no blood or whatsoeve and both the little ones as the older ones (being 10-12) can enjoy.

I agree that a big selection would just make them go all around the list and never actually play - I also no that with the limited budget I have, I cannot have the world and that is why I looked into this all in one boards you guys so gently told me about.

Regarding the bootleg - it isn't really something that is accepted but it is not to make a profit or sell the arcade or whatever so I'm guessing it is like one of those "don't ask, don't tell" things - the kids will enjoy it so no harm done.


 

[consolas]

Your not going to brick a pi if the SD card is in read only mode.

That is very good to know, maybe pi still is a viable solution, but hardly now. From what I learned from you guys, these all in one cards have all the requirements already satisfied like emulator, preview, converter (will not need an Ipac), etc.

Seems the cheapest and coolest way to go with it.

To be honest, I really wanted to go with a PI and just try it out but I will do so in a project of my own or something.

[consolas]

Hello all

I've always wanted to build a cab with hyperspin and all the works but for now, I'll be using a raspeberry pi.

This cab is not for me - I'm gonna build it and place it in a oncology hospital, the childrens ward. I've already talked to the hospital and there is no problem with wood (mdf), plexiglass or the games/arcade being there.

I have also asked if they would like for their little kids to draw pictures and stuff and place them as art on the side of the cabinet, which was a well received idea.

Some background: due to very unfortunate reasons, I know the place well and know that those kids need any kind of "good stuff" and distraction they need, both them and their parents. It is unbearable to think what the parents go through so whenever their children pick up playstation controllers, laptops, etc. taking care of the item is not on the priority list. If the little kid is playing and smashing buttons (or keys) and smiling, trust me, the parents won't (and rightful so, in my opinion) stop the action in any way. That said, the consoles controllers they get from donations don't last long and are fairly limited to a small range of games.

I think an arcade will solve most of this problems (well, except the fact they are sick... ) but unfortunately I can't do anything regarding that.

The initial plan revealed to be on the expensive side, as I wanted to have hyperspin running on the desktop. I thought it was really appealing and easy to use. I've read that hyperspin is very hardware demanding and getting a good graphics card just to run it won't be possible.

That said, the plan revolves around building it with a raspeberry pi. Let me explain why:

1) Way more cheaper than getting a pc, be aware they will probably want more arcades if this is well received.
2) Since it is a solid unit (and not desktop components like motherboard, graphics card, etc) it is bound to resist more to hits
3) Controllers don't need to be super special in quality or sensibility, they have to endure a lot of hits, thought. I read than Janwa joysticks are pretty resistance. Buttons will probably be leaf ones.
4) VERY IMPORTANT: the visual interface MUST be easy to use - this is why I wanted the hyperspin, it's cool and easy. I don't know about the PI, are there easy to use emulators?

Now more general questions, thanks for bearing with me so far.

Do the PI (2) holds on and deliver good speed when playing games?

I was looking more into Metal Slug like games, Jack and John (the caveman one, don't know if the name is correct), etc. Of course I will try to get in the occasional street fighter and fighting games for older kids. I'm guessing the range goes from 2-3 to 10 in this specific ward.


The Arcade

If you guys agree, I will get:

- 1 x Raspeberry PI ( or the 2, if you guys think it is better )
- 1 x IPac from Ultimarc, I've exchange a few e-mails with Andy and the dude was pretty cool
   - just found out there is a cheaper IPAC now, cool, I think I will go with that and use the default mame controls
- 12 x action buttons, leaf ones to try to make them hold longer (and they do make less noise)
   - 6 x buttons for each player
- 2  x player button (the 1P and 2P buttons)
- 1 x Power on button

- 1 x set of desktop speakers
- Wood (mdf) - 19mm and maybe make it 1mt tall, smaller kids could get on a bench to play and older/bigger kids would bent just a little to play. Seems a good compromise.
- Plexiglass
- Art
- Almost forgot: monitor-

I came here to ask you guys for advice and to ask if is there a way to purchase refurbished buttons or something as this will become expensive as it is. Also, anyone with spare parts please let me know if you are interested in selling them.

The monitor I will use one from a broken laptop I was given and try to adapt it somehow - if I feel it is on the small side, maybe on ebay there are 21' monitors or something that I can get!

Thank you for reading and looking forward for your input

Ric

Edit: I think the 1P and 2P buttons should have lights so they know what buttons to press to start playing. Also, I'm really worried about the PI interface as it needs to be easy for them to find a game and play - they do not know english. If they can enter a game and exit if they don't like, and enter the next one, that is fine - they don't mind exploring all games.

this sounds like a fantastic project and will bring some joy to the children. I bought these of ebay ages ago but havnt tried them out yet, but the joystick is a sanwa jlf knock off and the buttons are silent(no click)....they also light up which is a nice feature the kids will like and comes with encoder and wires....everything u need for the controls and only $85.........
here it is http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/USB-LED-Controller-to-PC-Joystick-20-Illuminated-Buttons-For-Arcade-DIY-Parts-/201330271499?hash=item2ee038250b.

also I recommend the pi2 there great and theres also peeps selling them cheap on ebay loaded with 1000's of games and come with quality wireless controllers....check em out.

good luck with this project....its a worthy/noble cause..... if it brings just a little bit of joy to these sick children, than it is worth it.

ps...I only mention this cause ur on a tight budget and these will save you a lot of money. and the item I mention is $85 au so it will be much cheaper if your in uk or us as the aussie dollar is fooked

Thanks for the kind words!:)

These look really nice and the light thing would be awesome - wonder if they can take a punch!

[consolas]

Like Stravos recommended, I browsed around for the kit he spoke off

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Arcade-USB-Control-Panel-DIY-Bundle-Kit-2-joystick-20-LED-Illuminated-Buttons-/191560963489?hash=item2c99ec55a1:g:~doAAOSwFAZTu~Xj

What is that encoder for? Just for the lights to go off? How do I connect this to a Elf 640 in one card, for instance? I'm asking this to know if I actually need that encoder or not cause I will probably go with no light buttons and just get a special light ones for player 1 and player 2

Thanks

[consolas]

Read about the Elf card, some people say it sucks, other like it.

I've read about the pandora box as well, is it worth it?

So many options.

[JDFan]

Read about the Elf card, some people say it sucks, other like it.

I've read about the pandora box as well, is it worth it?

So many options.

Yep that's gonna happen figure some people are only happy with the originals that are 100% accurate and any slight sound problem or something that isn't 100% true to the original is complained about while others that never played the originals never even notice since they never played the originals - so you're always going to have people on both sides and only way to be sure is to try it yourself !

What is that encoder for? Just for the lights to go off? How do I connect this to a Elf 640 in one card, for instance? I'm asking this to know if I actually need that encoder or not cause I will probably go with no light buttons and just get a special light ones for player 1 and player 2

THose encoders are for wiring up the buttons and joysticks if you are using a PC or other device that does not have connectors for them and also for the lights on the buttons (this is why it has 3 connections on each pad rather than just 2 like some other of the zero delay encoders) The game elf and other Jamma boards use the Jamma connector instead - so you would not need the encoder if using the Elf etc. ( but would need a controller for the lights if you go with lit buttons)

IF going the Elf route you would probably want a kit similar to this ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/171029496400?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT ) That comes with the Jamma harness for wiring and 16 buttons(your choice of colors), 2 joysticks, and microswitches for about $50

[consolas]

It is more or less the previous one I showed, right? I'm trying to get stuff from Europe so it is faster to get it.

I'm still wondering if I should get normal buttons or the ones with light.

The wood will be around 120$ as far as I understood, strll trying to see if they give me some scraps big enough for me to use - I will try to make one arcade 1m height or something like that.

Still need to look into those.

Ok, so to resume:

- elf or pandora card, think I'll go with the pandora cause it seems better, read that some games lag on the Elf one.
- buttons will be from a kit that you guys showed me here, I know they will break eventually but I'm guessing it will be the joystick to break first so when that happens, I'll get a better one (and already know how they play, what damage they put into the machine, etc)
- Monitor: will try to get one 21', 22'. Don't know where, probably ebay or something like that, don't need to be extra good so I expect it to be fairly cheap. Is it possible to adapt a monitor from a laptop? I have one at home that doesn't work, could use that.
- speakers: no need as the elf/pandora have some, right?
- plexiglass

I will try to paint the outside with chalk board paint so the little rascals can paint and scribble all over the machine. I'm not sure if the dust in the chalk is good for them so if that fails, I'll try to place one of those white board materials on the side so they can scribble with pens.

If that fails, I'll just ask for them to draw me stuff, scan it, arrange it in photoshop and ask around where to print that to be able to glue it.

[JDFan]

If the chalk is ruled out could go with a dry erase paint and dry erase markers

[consolas]

I was thinking more about this http://www.usmarkerboard.com/images/mfrs/28/500/aptimized-jpg-C6352E3E8DF2F2ABDCE68EC15D8EDDCD-LcW7DkAwFADQ3W$Y721pRYx2q1XqVUW16UN9PoPh5HDK8pKT55P951sItkFMKcHoVFhu5aM4rTNznIKHyWhUWsjFo16dx6JGTghWjENfdO5o54FQBlqoC3YrXw==-6bc69fb4.jpg but cut somehow - ahah.

Your solution is way better.

[monkeybomb]

There's typically a few adult games on the big multiboards.   You can hide them from the menu and lock the cabinet, but you would effectively be stashing porn at the kids hospital.

[consolas]

There's typically a few adult games on the big multiboards.   You can hide them from the menu and lock the cabinet, but you would effectively be stashing porn at the kids hospital.

Oh no...didn't know that.

Is there a way to hide the games? That seems ok, I guess?

[monkeybomb]

You can hide the games from the menu and then lock the coin door.  It's just that it's still there and people make mistakes. 

[consolas]

Thanks for the heads up.

I've been reading a lot and the main idea I've gotten is you can't beat a pc regarding speed and quality of the games (fps, etc). That said, Raspberry-PI 2 is pretty good as well. As soon as I do some math, it all goes to hell and I'm stuck with pandora/elf things which make sense, you pay for what you get.

I will check out those type of boards but with less games to see if there are no adult games in there.

[yotsuya]

Those bootleg multi boards don't have built in speakers. Don't know what gave you that idea.

[monkeybomb]

You also need a power supply for the jamma harness.

Have you tried to find a free computer with a 4 x 3 lcd monitor.  Any PC that someone is looking to upgrade on will work for this and people will give you stuff for this.  People don't like giving money, but if they can give you a computer that they didn't know what to do with and feel like they helped sick kids, there will be a line around the corner.  If the hospital has a computer sitting around from the past 10 years it will work too.

If you start with a free computer, your numbers will improve quite a bit.

[consolas]

Those bootleg multi boards don't have built in speakers. Don't know what gave you that idea.

Don't know either, didn't read it anywhere - don't know! aha glad you drop that to my attention.

[consolas]

You also need a power supply for the jamma harness.

Have you tried to find a free computer with a 4 x 3 lcd monitor.  Any PC that someone is looking to upgrade on will work for this and people will give you stuff for this.  People don't like giving money, but if they can give you a computer that they didn't know what to do with and feel like they helped sick kids, there will be a line around the corner.  If the hospital has a computer sitting around from the past 10 years it will work too.

If you start with a free computer, your numbers will improve quite a bit.

I guess this is a really good alternative as well. I discard the computer when I started cause I needed a good graphics card to run Hyperspin in order to make it easier for them to select a game. I just can't get a list of games just by text, it is required to have an image, video preview, anything.

I will try out the computer - I have a really old one laying around (15 years old?) - maybe that is too old? I will probably manage to get an I5 that a company is selling for around 60$, that would surely work!! (no monitor though).

The thing with the boards - although I never thought about buying one before talking to you guys - is that it has:

1) all required adapters, converters, etc to connect to the controllers
2) all games are included
3) preview
4) "more solid" (debatable) than a computer - I could screw in the computer or find a way to get it really stuck in there.

The computer will have a lot of advantages though - I could even try to get some kind of a remote tool like Teamviwer in order to fix smaller issues without going there, but this is far fetched.


The computer would have a power source included, so that is one less item to spend money on.

[consolas]

Hey everyone

Just wanted to thank you guys once more for all the attention and caring regarding this little project - I really can't stress this enough.

So, I asked around for old computers and a friend's company is selling their old computers to buy new ones.

OptiPlex 390 SF
Processor : Intel Core i5-2400 (3.10GHz, 6MB)
Memory : 4GB (1x4GB) 1333MHz DDR3 Non-ECC
Hard Drive : 250GB 3.5inch Serial ATA III (7.200 Rpm) Hard Drive
Optical Drive : Not Included
No Monitor
Graphics : 512MB AMD Radeon HD 6350 Graphics (Low Profile, 2 VGA output)


This is being sold for around 60$, I think it is a very sweet deal!! I ask if he had two! That way I can either do another machine for another project (an orphanage close to my home) or if it is WELL received in the hospital, I just place another machine on another ward.

I think it is a very sweet deal, what do you guys think? I5 is more than enough to play ROMS right? And it even has a graphics card, who knows, maybe it can run hyperspin, even if slower (I really REALLY need some kind of preview for the kids).

This way I'm a little more relaxed in regard of adult games and games I don't want them to have access to.

Bear in mind I'm in Europe - things are a little more expensive here, regarding old computers and stuff.


# NOTE #

Regarding the wood, I realize yesterday when talking to my girlfriend (the only one that knows I'm doing this besides you guys) that MDF is a no go! Kids are bound to spill water and every kind of liquid stuff on the machine so I should use a type of wood that deals better with water than mdf.

Placing plexiglass all over the machine will kind of make it a lot more expensive but if it comes to that, I will do it.

Edit: just sent a message to the woodshop (don't know how to call it) asking for 2nd hand boards or wood boards that they can't sell due to dents and stuff like that. Let's see what they say.


Monitor

Found a 19' LG (LCD 19" 1440x900 16:10)  - is 19' cool? Do you guys think I should go with 21' or 22'? This is being sold around 40€ so roughly 60$?

Found a 20' Samsung for more or less the same price.


Zero Delay Arcade

If I go with the pc (which I hope I can), will the Zero Delay Arcade be a good solution instead of the Ipac? - Thanks for the heads up, JDFan!

[consolas]

Funny how going through e-mails, I saw a bunch of exchange questions and answers with Ultimarc! Ahah Talk about projects that don't come to happen...

This one will. I have to get this done by 1rd of Dec so I can get it in the hospital before Christmas.

Will place my order here - I was looking through some buttons on ebay but I don't know how they will work or if I need anything special to connect them to an Ipac (I was thinking of getting a mini-pac, but if I need to remap any button I'm kind of screwed..).

Something like this - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-Player-Arcade-Control-Kit-2-Ball-Top-Joysticks-12-Buttons-MAME-JAMMA/121698818874?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D33957%26meid%3Dfb6fc8f0ce0a47d5b053b394db1282e3%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D141697502451

To be honest, it doesn't seem cheaper than in Ultimarc but I just doing the math now.

If I go completely with Ultimarc (which I would prefer, dude was very helpful in the past, deserves the business!), I will go with:

- 2 1P/2P buttons (one of each)
- 6 x Gold Leaf buttons x 2 Players -> (so 12 total, 6 for each player)
- 1 coin button, either a normal one or one of those cool coin buttons
- 2 joystick with the ball, not the stick, I think its cooler (maybe more resistant? Don't know)
- 1 IPac2 (maybe the minipac if the default mame mapping is cool! - but since I will probably have different emulators, I want the kids to always know which button to press in order to play so I guess I'll need the IPac 2)

I don't know if I'm allowed to post prices here so I'll refrain myself from doing so - If I do am allowed, I will separate all the items and price them so I can see the overall price and you guys can shout out your opinion.

Thanks


Roughly: 100€. This is getting really expensive!..:| Oh, and forgot about the wiring kit! I think I can get the mini-pac with the harness included, price will be more or less the same.

Since I'm on a time and $$ budget, I already checked for dimensions.



This seems pretty cool, I will just make it smaller on the height and with a bigger "tip"? So the marquee will have space for the speakers. The volume control will be hidden either on top or back of the cab so kids won't reach it

[keilmillerjr]

Neo Geo MVS is a bad idea for public use on a crt. If left in the game menu of a multicart, you will obtain burn in as there are no screen savers. Also, the price point probably puts you over budget.

I still think a raspberry pi running attract mode with composite connected to a CRT TV that you could find for free and wiring the controls to the GPIO would be your cheapest option to obtain your goals. The hardware minus the controls would cost you maybe $60?

[consolas]

Thank you for your reply. The PI-2 with the power source would be at around 70$, I agree.

If I get the computer for that value, I prefer the computer - I really need those previews you know? What do you think?

I will spend more in the buttons and joystick, that much I understood. Around 100€.

[paigeoliver]

Neo Geo MVS is a bad idea for public use on a crt. If left in the game menu of a multicart, you will obtain burn in as there are no screen savers.

You don't install a multicart. You install 2 or 4 or 6 legitimate games. The kids don't need the selection.

When the end result is something you are going to put out in public unattended for people to play then an actual mame cabinet is never the solution. I know countless guys who own and run arcades and not a darn one of them is running a mame cabinet with a menu out in public (just a few isolated uses of computers replacing priceless boards and laserdisc setups with single game emulation solutions).

[consolas]

You guys lost me there - are you talking about different emulators?

If we use a pc, we can add whichever emulators  we want, right? I really wanted neo geo as I think they are the distributors of Metal Slug, are they not?

The machine will probably have a lot of playing time so I'm guessing it won't be left alone that much (ie.: with a static image) - I thought all the games, if using hyperspin, would have some kind of screen saver?

I'm lost here.


On another note, read here that it is very important to measure the doors where the arcade must go through to be placed in its final spot. That said, I don't think I can assemble it in my backyard as the door to the backyear is horrendously small!

[keilmillerjr]

Neo Geo MVS is a bad idea for public use on a crt. If left in the game menu of a multicart, you will obtain burn in as there are no screen savers.

You don't install a multicart. You install 2 or 4 or 6 legitimate games. The kids don't need the selection.

When the end result is something you are going to put out in public unattended for people to play then an actual mame cabinet is never the solution. I know countless guys who own and run arcades and not a darn one of them is running a mame cabinet with a menu out in public (just a few isolated uses of computers replacing priceless boards and laserdisc setups with single game emulation solutions).

Cost. He is doing this for charity and trying to do this on a budget. Buying an mvs, jamma harness, arcade monitor or supergun, and then like a few costly (relative) games will certainly make his pocket more empty.

[keilmillerjr]

Thank you for your reply. The PI-2 with the power source would be at around 70$, I agree.

If I get the computer for that value, I prefer the computer - I really need those previews you know? What do you think?

I will spend more in the buttons and joystick, that much I understood. Around 100€.

Attract Mode for RPI can do "previews", so I don't understand what the fuss is there. It's the same damn app as the windows, mac and linux version. Checkout is $45.90 from adafruit for the pi and power supply. You might not need a keyboard encoder like a pc because the pi has GPIO pins. You can use a standard crt tv unlike a normal pc, saving even more money since crt tv's can be had for free and look much better than having retro games on an lcd.

So I don't understand how you think buying a computer will be cheaper.

[consolas]

If it is possible to have PI with preview, surely enough I can try that!

I have a computer on sight (from a company that is renewing its stock) for around 50€, same as the PI would cost. I know this is an incredible offer so I'm not getting my hopes up.

Good to see I have a cheap solution (and viable) using the PI! I will look into it, I have a PI at home that I can use - I'll get another one for me later, if I end up using it, it is ok.

Will the 2 run faster?

OH! I remember why I discarded the PI! People here advised me against it that it can "break" easily, like card burning out, data corruption, etc. with all the on and off going around. I can't have the machine to stop every other day, not that I mind going there (I will not only for the machine, I'm sure) but I do mind having kids to go all excited to play a game only to find a broke machine.

I do not want that - if I must, I will save some money and get a desktop or something as too much bad stuff is happening in their lifes (I'm not comparing what they are going through to finding a video game not working, obviously. But you get my drift)



This is why I discarded the PI - on the first post, I actually started by saying I wanted to use a PI:)

[keilmillerjr]

Once again, just put the sd card in read only mode. Data corruption will no longer be an issue.