Arcade1up Clearance Sale

[RandyT]

Yeah, but you shouldn’t **have** to do that as a consumer.

True enough. I can understand why they kept MAME buried, but they could have tuned the display settings a bit better for those titles.

[SlammedNiss]

Question for those of you who have a 1Up Galaga. I haven't read thru this entire thread so maybe it's already been covered. But it has to do with the high score. First time my brother got 197,xxx and I think I had 167,000. Was curious if it retained the high scores if shut off, which it does, kind of. After it plays thru the entice sequence and shows list of high scores, the scores indeed show up as they should with our initials. But, the 'High Score' at the very top middle shows only 97,xxx, effectively dropping 100,000 off. Is this normal?

[negative1]

Question for those of you who have a 1Up Galaga. I haven't read thru this entire thread so maybe it's already been covered. But it has to do with the high score. First time my brother got 197,xxx and I think I had 167,000. Was curious if it retained the high scores if shut off, which it does, kind of. After it plays thru the entice sequence and shows list of high scores, the scores indeed show up as they should with our initials. But, the 'High Score' at the very top middle shows only 97,xxx, effectively dropping 100,000 off. Is this normal?

It's a known defect in their implementation:
"GALAGA CABINET - Very minimal design faults; issues saving high score over 100,000;..."

ref : https://www.reddit.com/r/Arcade1Up/comments/9qe1aq/arcade1up_open_and_resolved_issues_list_updated/

 Be aware if you experience lock ups or freezes in the game, or while playing Galaxian, you will need to
request a new replacement PCB board to fix it. They have issued one, but they didn't mention whether
it fixes the high score save. The scores should save to the main table properly.

I killscreened the game to just over 3 million, but of course, the high score table and main score only register 999,990:


later
-1

[ark_ader]

Got my replacement Control panel protector today.

Made two replacement CPs for the Galaga.  One for the rotating panel.

Took my xarcade encoder apart for the multi console mod and adding shelves inside.  More weight the better.

I do more work on crimbo hols than I do all year. 

[The 80s Man]

Just a thought, I bet the peel and stick chrome trim they sell at automotive stores would work as simulated t-molding. They sell black trim instead of chrome as well.

[pbj]

I killscreened the game to just over 3 million, but of course, the high score table and main score only register 999,990:

You sat in a Wal-Mart playing Galaga until you hit the kill screen?




Dude.

 

[Malenko]

You sat in a Wal-Mart playing Galaga until you hit the kill screen?

Don't have to return it if you never buy it!

[yotsuya]

I killscreened the game to just over 3 million, but of course, the high score table and main score only register 999,990:

You sat in a Wal-Mart playing Galaga until you hit the kill screen?




Dude.

 

That does sound pretty sad when you put it like that.

[negative1]

You sat in a Wal-Mart playing Galaga until you hit the kill screen?
Dude.

 

That does sound pretty sad when you put it like that.

i wish i could have sat. i had to stand with my neck craned, and my back hunched over.
every bonus level i had to adjust my arms, and hoped my wrists weren't getting cramps.

not very optimal. but the things we do to play videogames.

later
-1

[smass]

Just a thought, I bet the peel and stick chrome trim they sell at automotive stores would work as simulated t-molding. They sell black trim instead of chrome as well.

1/2" vinyl pinstriping tape works the nuts.  Here is Galaga green for instance: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077Z2C29H/?coliid=I2EWIDLOS2XFA7&colid=3C73L73LAWUHO&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

[ark_ader]

Just a thought, I bet the peel and stick chrome trim they sell at automotive stores would work as simulated t-molding. They sell black trim instead of chrome as well.

1/2" vinyl pinstriping tape works the nuts.  Here is Galaga green for instance: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077Z2C29H/?coliid=I2EWIDLOS2XFA7&colid=3C73L73LAWUHO&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

If I added that I would be kicked out of the house.  Green is a very tricky color, but baby puke green is out of the question on a cab. 

[Ginsu Victim]

I killscreened the game to just over 3 million, but of course, the high score table and main score only register 999,990:

You sat in a Wal-Mart playing Galaga until you hit the kill screen?




Dude.

 

I was wondering when someone was going to address that.

[RandyT]

The MAME settings on these things are pretty borked.  I have a TurboTwist 2 running on the Asteroids version now, but the Tempest experience is being hampered by the default settings, which:

A) You need a USB port hack to get to and change

B) Aren't saved by the machine after you exit the game.

It's sad, because once you set up the game properly in the MAME settings, it plays and looks just like it should.  Major Havoc, OTOH, saves the settings and works great.

Again, this is on the Asteroids version, so the 12-in-1 may be different.  I'll need to reach out to one of the testers for that info, as I'm not keen on dropping $300+ for the other model.

[Howard_Casto]

It saves hi scores right?  It doesn't make any sense for it to save settings for one game and not for another unless a cfg file is already present and set to read only.  Is it possible to upload a new one via serial connection, or is the access read only?

[RandyT]

It saves hi scores right?  It doesn't make any sense for it to save settings for one game and not for another unless a cfg file is already present and set to read only.  Is it possible to upload a new one via serial connection, or is the access read only?

I don't believe it does.  My goal, and that of the hackers, is different.  I need to tune my device to seamlessly elevate the play experience on the machine, without resorting to gaining full access to the operating system.    That's out of the realm of most users' capabilities, so I will likely just need to make the best of what is available at the surface.  There are folks working on that, and users who are successful in opening up the system won't have a need for what I am working on, as a stock TT2 will work fine for that group .

[negative1]

It saves hi scores right?  It doesn't make any sense for it to save settings for one game and not for another unless a cfg file is already present and set to read only.  Is it possible to upload a new one via serial connection, or is the access read only?

I don't believe it does.  My goal, and that of the hackers, is different.  I need to tune my device to seamlessly elevate the play experience on the machine, without resorting to gaining full access to the operating system.    That's out of the realm of most users' capabilities, so I will likely just need to make the best of what is available at the surface.  There are folks working on that, and users who are successful in opening up the system won't have a need for what I am working on, as a stock TT2 will work fine for that group .

Agreed, that the goals are differerent.
All the details known so far are these : https://www.reddit.com/r/Arcade1Up/comments/a02870/hack_original_board_not_just_replace_w_pietc/

i'm working on modifying the pac-man files, so that the galaga ones work also.
and there are efforts to get MAME working on these boards too.

once you get access, you can pretty much do what you want with the files,
but the programmers were sloppy, and overwrite a lot of the config files,
and others with savestates as an easy way to go back.

it should be easy to restore machines to their stock state also.
i think the focus is on the 12-1, but i haven't messed with that yet,
maybe in the next week or two.

all of this is just an exercise, because, of course, its just easier to replace it with something
completely different. my pac-man is now a vertical only (temporarily) xbox one mod, and it
also has xbox 360, and pc emulation. several modified controllers are attached to it to make
more modular. it's a bit messy, so i'm not posting pictures, but there's a video on EWWWTUBE
showing it. (since you guys hate EWWWTUBE links), i'll spare you.

later
-1

[RandyT]

Well, I have played more Major Havoc in the last 24 hours than I have in my entire life.  I have to admit, it's a pretty good game.  But the Arcade1UP default MAME settings make the game tougher than it should be.  I did find out that both Tempest and Major Havoc retain the top 3 high scores through a power cycle.  Tempest never seems to keep settings changes, but Major Havoc seems to keep them most of the time?

Regardless, I now have a spinner solution for these units with unmodified MAME settings.  I developed some spinner profiles which address play accuracy, while working within the host's limitations.  I also have a couple which will provide an even better experience for those who can tweak the MAME settings.   And if that's not good enough, users can easily tune the spinner themselves.  Further, if the user decides to later scrap the A1UP hardware in favor of something better, the TT2 will still be usable.

Hopefully, this will be a better alternative to drawing on encoder wheels with markers .

*edit*  Just to be clear, this is a special package which will be available shortly.  The regular TT2 is not recommended for these machines.

[Howard_Casto]

I wouldn't quickly dismiss the hacks being done to the software.  Typically with these stand alone games (the classic consoles, ect) eventually a solution will be made that's so easy an idiot could install it. Since the files are writeable I can see someone compiling a custom build of mame with a one click installer.  Once these are cheap enough I'll join the fight but with the way my free time is now I'm sure someone will come up with a solution long before I even take a look. 

[negative1]

just as a heads up.

anyone with a galaga machine, and experiencing lockups with galaxian.

this is a known issue, and you will have to contact Arcade 1UP for a replacement PCB.
Take a video of the game freezing, and take a picture of your reciept for proof. You will
probably have to send your old board in also.

This will fix two things:
--------------------------
Red player ship sprite - unlike the white one [which is a modified Namco ROM]
Game freezing

later
-1

[RandyT]

I wouldn't quickly dismiss the hacks being done to the software.  Typically with these stand alone games (the classic consoles, ect) eventually a solution will be made that's so easy an idiot could install it. Since the files are writeable I can see someone compiling a custom build of mame with a one click installer.

I don't think anyone is being dismissive.  The thing is, doing these kinds of things require at least some soldering on the main PCB, just to get a way in, before that "1-click idiot-proof MAME replacement" could even be considered.  The vast majority hasn't even done the USB mod for the keyboard, or for that matter, is even aware of it.

And just replacing MAME doesn't fix some of the issues related to the system itself.  As it turns out, a standard spinner meant for a PC is a very poor choice for these units, and MAME tweaking alone can't fully address the issue with this hardware base.

*edit*  Side note:  Someone in the thread linked above, recently tried to do what you suggested to add more games, and it appears that each of these are compiled with a subset of support specific to the games on the units.  So a complete replacement would probably be required, and that may or may not come to pass.  Pi's are too cheap, and are a better hardware platform, which makes them much more attractive to those with that kind of goal.

[pbj]

Pi's are too cheap, and are a better hardware platform, which makes them much more attractive to those with that kind of goal.

Which means that hacks on everything else are half assed at best now.

[negative1]

I wouldn't quickly dismiss the hacks being done to the software.  Typically with these stand alone games (the classic consoles, ect) eventually a solution will be made that's so easy an idiot could install it. Since the files are writeable I can see someone compiling a custom build of mame with a one click installer.

I don't think anyone is being dismissive.  The thing is, doing these kinds of things require at least some soldering on the main PCB, just to get a way in, before that "1-click idiot-proof MAME replacement" could even be considered.  The vast majority hasn't even done the USB mod for the keyboard, or for that matter, is even aware of it.

And just replacing MAME doesn't fix some of the issues related to the system itself.  As it turns out, a standard spinner meant for a PC is a very poor choice for these units, and MAME tweaking alone can't fully address the issue with this hardware base.

*edit*  Side note:  Someone in the thread linked above, recently tried to do what you suggested to add more games, and it appears that each of these are compiled with a subset of support specific to the games on the units.  So a complete replacement would probably be required, and that may or may not come to pass.  Pi's are too cheap, and are a better hardware platform, which makes them much more attractive to those with that kind of goal.

I agree with everything said here.

There will be people who will do those mods for a price though.

But in the end, you're probably better off, just replacing everything.
The only real reason, any of this hacking the board was done in the first place was just to prove that it can be done,
and for the challenge of it.

I don't think there's any real practical use for it.

Personally, I like the challenge, and I'm learning a lot more about hardware, and software hacking, and
arcade 1UP boards, along with emulation.

later
-1

[Malenko]

if you have to replace everything why buy it in the first place?


-Signatures are for dooshboxes
+2

[Howard_Casto]

if you have to replace everything why buy it in the first place?

Exactly.  IMHO, gutting the included board and putting a pi with a lcd controller in it for around 100 bucks rather than just hacking the thing makes about as much sense as buying a snes classic for 80 and then putting a pi in it and buying new usb controllers instead of hacking it.  Don't buy these things for the shells guys, because they aren't exactly top quality in that aspect. 

[chrisdfw]

if you have to replace everything why buy it in the first place?

Exactly.  IMHO, gutting the included board and putting a pi with a lcd controller in it for around 100 bucks rather than just hacking the thing makes about as much sense as buying a snes classic for 80 and then putting a pi in it and buying new usb controllers instead of hacking it.  Don't buy these things for the shells guys, because they aren't exactly top quality in that aspect.

Ok, so I will ask again.  I have seen these in person and the artwork isnt bad and as long as the control panel is protected.  What does it cost and what are the options for getting this size of side art, control panel, and marquee printed to stick on a cabinet that I build from scratch?

[Nephasth]

if you have to replace everything why buy it in the first place?

Exactly.  IMHO, gutting the included board and putting a pi with a lcd controller in it for around 100 bucks rather than just hacking the thing makes about as much sense as buying a snes classic for 80 and then putting a pi in it and buying new usb controllers instead of hacking it.  Don't buy these things for the shells guys, because they aren't exactly top quality in that aspect.

Ok, so I will ask again.  I have seen these in person and the artwork isnt bad and as long as the control panel is protected.  What does it cost and what are the options for getting this size of side art, control panel, and marquee printed to stick on a cabinet that I build from scratch?

Build a bigger one.

[Malenko]

Ok, so I will ask again.  I have seen these in person and the artwork isnt bad and as long as the control panel is protected.  What does it cost and what are the options for getting this size of side art, control panel, and marquee printed to stick on a cabinet that I build from scratch?

Art work that size and quality? $40

[Osirus23]

if you have to replace everything why buy it in the first place?

Exactly.  IMHO, gutting the included board and putting a pi with a lcd controller in it for around 100 bucks rather than just hacking the thing makes about as much sense as buying a snes classic for 80 and then putting a pi in it and buying new usb controllers instead of hacking it.  Don't buy these things for the shells guys, because they aren't exactly top quality in that aspect.

Ok, so I will ask again.  I have seen these in person and the artwork isnt bad and as long as the control panel is protected.  What does it cost and what are the options for getting this size of side art, control panel, and marquee printed to stick on a cabinet that I build from scratch?

Build a bigger one.

Exactly. No one building their own cabinet builds one waist-high.

[Mike A]

I am still amazed that people in this hobby went so nuts over these crap boxes. They might be decent for children, but not adults. Most people who post here know that the pointy end of a drill makes holes in stuff. That is about all the skill you need to make a much better cabinet.

[negative1]

if you have to replace everything why buy it in the first place?


-Signatures are for dooshboxes
+2

you would figure people around here have spare parts,
and it's not hard to find a cheap computer or raspberry pi.

you can live with the stock controls, but it doesn't cost much
to get better parts.

most of the fun half the people are having is modding their machines,
and seeing how extreme they can get with it.

cost is not an issue to them.

lighted marquees, completely redone artwork, superior sound systems.
i'm sure plenty have spent way more than they did on the machine.

and people that are buying them for $50,$75, $100,$150 all feel like they got a bargain.
=============
i'm not going that extreme,

but i'm testing out a lot of stuff for another side project.
might as well do it on the pac-man cabinet i have here:
----------
1) replaced stock joystick with arcade quality 2/4/8 way
2) replacing and adding new buttons to controller, to support more NAMCO vertical games
3) LCD marquee that changes to show the game
4) stereo sound with subwoofer
5) multi system input - xbox one/xbox 360/pc

total expenses so far $50 for controls, and LCD for marquee.
$30 for the compatible LCD controller that works with the monitor.
[although i will swap it out with a better one i have later on]

I can live with that, since I got the Pac-man cabinet for $100.

I already have all the other equipment already.

so for me, it's a win.

later
-1

[chrisdfw]

Ok, so I will ask again.  I have seen these in person and the artwork isnt bad and as long as the control panel is protected.  What does it cost and what are the options for getting this size of side art, control panel, and marquee printed to stick on a cabinet that I build from scratch?

Art work that size and quality? $40

Where please?

[chrisdfw]

In regards to building a bigger one, I dont have room.

I would prefer to build a lot of little 1/3 size with 6 inch screens based on some 7 inch windows tablets I got cheap.

However, with a riser or sitting on a chair I dont find these 1up cabinets that offensive if the price is down to $100. 

I guess we all have different goals.  I like the nostalgia of seeing the original artwork and game but dont need it full size in my house.  I would prefer to have 4 or 5 small classics than 1 or 2 frankenpanel full size units.

[ark_ader]

I am still amazed that people in this hobby went so nuts over these crap boxes. They might be decent for children, but not adults. Most people who post here know that the pointy end of a drill makes holes in stuff. That is about all the skill you need to make a much better cabinet.

Really?  Are you speaking for everyone on the planet or just in the country?  Most people do not know woodworking skills, or the intelligence to get the electronics going.  Do you know how hard it is to get a full sized arcade machine into a house?  Never mind those who live up three flights of stairs, or have difficult girlfriend/wives who see these toys as irresponsible junk.  These 1up Arcades work or put the shell in front of someone who would like to mod.  Decent for children?  They wouldn't play on it for ever - it wasn't part of their childhood, think it was a novelty and probably side with their mommy.

When I see comments like this on a board devoted to arcade gaming, I see the death knell of this hobby.  So is 2019 the end of retro?

[Mike A]

I am still amazed that people in this hobby went so nuts over these crap boxes.

I said people in this hobby you ---sufferer of cranial-rectal-inversion---. Not everybody.

[Mike A]

I also have no problem with smaller cabs like bartops. I help people here all of the time with them. These 1up cabs are ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---. Your act is tired Ark.

[smass]

I like mine.  I have three.  They were only $150 each.  The form factor is perfect for my computer room.  They take up about half the space of a full size cabinet.  Having them on the main floor has worked out great with guests over the holidays as we can all hang out on the same floor and kids/adults can play some games.  I have built two cabs from scratch, converted two empty cabs to mame, and have 3 original cabs in the basement.  So yeah, I can use a drill, heck I can even work a router and re-flow solder.  But still, in MY OPINION:

For $150 you can't beat these things.  Also, I hate bartops.  So there.   

[ark_ader]

I am still amazed that people in this hobby went so nuts over these crap boxes.

I said people in this hobby you ---sufferer of cranial-rectal-inversion---. Not everybody.

Duh!  Nobody told me you are funny.

I also have no problem with smaller cabs like bartops. I help people here all of the time with them. These 1up cabs are ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---. Your act is tired Ark.

Well how many did they sell?  They are going to be around for a long time.  So you will be happy playing the Debby downer for all those guys wanting to play more games on them.  Better start a wiki on it soon.

I like mine.  I have three.  They were only $150 each.  The form factor is perfect for my computer room.  They take up about half the space of a full size cabinet.  Having them on the main floor has worked out great with guests over the holidays as we can all hang out on the same floor and kids/adults can play some games.  I have built two cabs from scratch, converted two empty cabs to mame, and have 3 original cabs in the basement.  So yeah, I can use a drill, heck I can even work a router and re-flow solder.  But still, in MY OPINION:

For $150 you can't beat these things.  Also, I hate bartops.  So there.   

That's the spirit!

[leapinlew]

You two knock it off or get a room already.

I've found a couple on clearance in the $250 range, but nothing at the $150 spot. That's a real sweet price. I would consider one for the office at that point.

I think they are great units. I don't think the company has legs to last much longer, but I'll enjoy the option why they are here.

[JDFan]

You two knock it off or get a room already.

I've found a couple on clearance in the $250 range, but nothing at the $150 spot. That's a real sweet price. I would consider one for the office at that point.

I think they are great units. I don't think the company has legs to last much longer, but I'll enjoy the option why they are here.

I'd agree - I bought one at $250 on Black Friday just to give them a try and then found a local store with them priced at $150 - bought 3 there and returned one to get my $250 back so have 3 I paid $150 each for - at that price they are worth the price as is for the 2 - 4 games they come with for awhile and then will probably wind up modding 2 of them ( 1 Vertical and 1 Horizontal layout )

The company should last awhile - figure all these price fluctuations don't really effect them since they already got their wholesale price so what happens at retail effects the end retailer more than the wholesaler ( though it may effect future orders ) and Walmart wouldn't be selling them at $150 if they had paid more than that for them ! We don't know the actual break even price on these things but I'd doubt it's more than $80 +/- - so even at the $150 price there is still some profit being made. 

[RandyT]

I don't get it.  People (in this hobby) will spend a relatively ridiculous amount of time, effort and money to make a tiny and virtually unplayable cabinet which sits on a desk. Yet when something which is large enough to actually be useful, yet small enough to fit just about anywhere with the whole shebangy-bang of artwork, monitor, controls and licensed roms hits the market, the noses start elevating.

These things are way better than any mass-marketed attempt in the past, and they are helping to bring new people into the fold of this waning community.  They are, for many, the gateway into what we do here.  Once you knock together a store-bought bookshelf, it helps to build confidence so that the next time, you might just try building a better one yourself.  It also offers an incremental approach to the costs involved in making a machine.  The base units work well enough and look good on their own to get started, and parts can be purchased to upgrade them when money is available.  And, when/if the individual decides it's time to move to something better, those parts will be able to follow along.

If for no other reason, these units should be seen as a welcomed development by anyone who wishes to see this community gain more members.  But if you need another reason, they are a fun diversion which won't take up dozens of your free weekends to build and tinker with... unless you want to.