Unconventional cabinet designs?

[WoadWarrior]

So I've been thinking about doing some arts and crafts projects, and one thing that I thought about was making arcade cabinets. Because hey, I grew up going to arcades and I think nothing will truly match the feel of being in a dark arcade back in the 80s to early 90s, when indoor smoking was still allowed and multiplayer meant someone standing next to you. There are only two fully functional arcade that I know of in my city, but only one has classic, non-gimmicky arcade cabinets.

But this got me thinking, especially about unconventional or non-standard cabinet designs. Boxing cabinets like the 1987 Heavyweight Champ cabinet that you used two grip paddles to simulate punching (and moved them left and right to dodge) and even had a working bell that rang to signify the start of a match. Other ideas that weren't quite as big as Heavyweight Champ were simpler, but just as cool ideas as Q-Bert's knocker. You know when you fell off the cubes in the game, Q-Bert would go 'whoooaaa' as fell to the bottom, but the original Q-Bert arcade cabinets had a cool feature... a knocker that knocked the bottom of the cabinet when Q-Bert hit bottom, making it look like Q-Bert was a real character who actually fell.

Since I don't like doing simple stuff, I was thinking... how would you make such things? Especially when you're talking about emulation and you don't have the original ROMs or boards? I think homemade cabinets are pretty dope and I'd like to make one some day, even if it's just to show off and give away (or sell, at a reasonable price). What needs to go into this to make such a thing work?

[lilshawn]

What needs to go into this to make such a thing work?

simply?

an idea and the knowledge/ability to make it work.

not so simply?

i'm not sure what you are asking, but really you just have to come up with an idea, and just start running with it. work out what needs to happen...design what needs to move....troubleshoot as necessary...Program what you need to if that's what you need.

[WoadWarrior]

What needs to go into this to make such a thing work?

simply?

an idea and the knowledge/ability to make it work.

not so simply?

i'm not sure what you are asking, but really you just have to come up with an idea, and just start running with it. work out what needs to happen...design what needs to move....troubleshoot as necessary...Program what you need to if that's what you need.

OK, so let's say I want to make a replica of this:



How different would that be from conventional arcade machines?

Edit:

Also this is what I mean by some weird features, like the Q-Bert knocker:



Any guides on making that work? Remember, I'm a total beginner when it comes to wiring things. I've actually never done that before and just starting to read about it.

[keilmillerjr]

I remember that game! Games like that, your better off seeking a used one online and traveling to pick it up. There is arcade collectors world wide Facebook page that would be a good place to start. Most people here replicate games with buttons, joysticks, and trackballs. People struggle with things like Star Wars yokes that break, never mind starting from scratch.

[WoadWarrior]

I remember that game! Games like that, your better off seeking a used one online and traveling to pick it up. There is arcade collectors world wide Facebook page that would be a good place to start. Most people here replicate games with buttons, joysticks, and trackballs. People struggle with things like Star Wars yokes that break, never mind starting from scratch.

I know I haven't even built my first real cardboard, non-electronic game yet (I want to build this: for my nephew and nieces), but I'm a masocist... I want to try to be the first, even if it means learning a whole bunch of new skills. I don't know how long it'll take before I even begin learning the requirements, but I'll try eventually.

But seriously. Any clues on where to start? There are guides aplenty for buttons and joysticks and trackballs, and they're really, really cool, but I want to make something different.

[yotsuya]

I have like 19 cabinets now, and most of them are the ones with specialty controls. You just can't emulate them correctly.

Check out my Q*Beret to see how you can use a Jrok board and a knocker.

[PL1]

OK, so let's say I want to make a replica of this:



How different would that be from conventional arcade machines?

If a conventional arcade machine is the engineering equivalent of a '55 Chevy, then that cab is the engineering equivalent of a Boeing 707.

Looks like at least 5 analog axes (1 for monitor turn, 2 for each control handle) with some sort of complex control linkage for the control handles.

Unless you have some serious mechanical build skills, you probably won't succeed at making controls that work/feel right and that survive sprited game play.

Also this is what I mean by some weird features, like the Q-Bert knocker:



Any guides on making that work? Remember, I'm a total beginner when it comes to wiring things. I've actually never done that before and just starting to read about it.

Just put "knocker" in the search function at the top of the page -- you'll get lots of useful hits.

Howard Casto's mamehooker is your friend.   


Scott

[WoadWarrior]

I have like 19 cabinets now, and most of them are the ones with specialty controls. You just can't emulate them correctly.

Check out my Q*Beret to see how you can use a Jrok board and a knocker.

Show me.

[Ian]

deep down ... I am glad I am not a mod.

deeper down. Good luck. Keep working and maybe your arts and crafts dream will come true.

[ark_ader]

Why don't you make a cloud arcade cabinet.  It would be in context of today, and relate to dreaming of the past when arcade gaming was the height of technology..  Since arcade gaming can be cloud based, it has some irony too.

You can suspend it from the ceiling.

The sky is your limit.   

[Titchgamer]

I applaud your enthusiasm!
But I agree with scott that to build a control layout for something like that would be a feat of engineering to behold!

I think the first thing you want to do is set your self a achievable target.

Building a Q*bert with a knocker is fairly straight forward.

But realistically building a cab like the boxing one is a non starter.

[Titchgamer]

Why don't you make a cloud arcade cabinet.  It would be in context of today, and relate to dreaming of the past when arcade gaming was the height of technology..  Since arcade gaming can be cloud based, it has some irony too.

You can suspend it from the ceiling.

The sky is your limit.   

[ark_ader]

He looks like a colleague from work.  He's currently walking on water in Florida right now.

[Titchgamer]

Dudes got skills LOL