A PC failure has led to the need for a full overhaul of my 18-year-old Konami 4-player cab. Amazingly, it has worked and worked well for a long time but it's finally ready for an update.
In the process of figuring out to what to do about replacing the PC I came to the realization that my CP had some limitations... mostly being that neither my trackball nor spinner are USB and my Optipac connects via serial. My iPac connects via PS2. And my Arcade VGA card seems to be on its last legs.
In any case, a desire to replace the PC led to the conclusion that I need a full CP refresh. Plus, I'd like the option to fool around with Reotrpie, which would require everything to be USB.
The monitor is a WG 25K7401, and I prefer to keep it. It's working well (I bought it new) and see no need to replace it. All of the controls are Happ.
And while I'm at it, I'll update all the artwork as well. And by "update" I mean put artwork where there currently is none.
Before I start playing with panel layouts, I need to figure out what I want to do for a CP. Here are my desired changes relative to what I have now:
- 4-player support
- Update trackball and spinner to USB
- Support switchable 4/8-way joysticks (probably Servostick, but open to other options) Is 4-way needed for p3 and p4?
- General update to newer controls
- Add JAMMA support for ease of swapping different systems in and out
- Add admin buttons - pause & exit
- RGB pushbuttons
- Digital marquee (trying to find some options here - I think a prefer something hi-res as opposed to Pixelcade style, but not sure what's available)
Optional, but nice to have:
- Driving wheel attachment on spinner
- Tron or flight stick
- Pinball buttons
- Light guns
While I may dabble in other emu's, this vast majority of use will be playing classics on MAME.
My current CP is OK for 1 and 2-player games, though the layout could be improved even for that.
With that background, my first decision is how I want to execute the CP. These are the choices I've been contemplating:
- Try to jam everything I want within the panel size I have (probably not possible)
- Build 2 panels... one for 4-player and another for 2-player plus all the extra controls
- Build a single frankenpanel (which would mean redesigning and rebuilding the control panel box - has anyone done this? I'd be interested in design inspiration.)
- Remake this cab as a 4-player and build a second cab for 2-player
Functionally, the 2-panel approach probably makes the most sense, but realistically I doubt that I would swap it that much. I would want to and it wouldn't be hard but it just seems unlikely to happen because it's always easier to play games that support the CP that's currently installed.
I want to include a lot of controls, but it seems like a reasonable list. I'm not sure that the frankenpanel option is that bad. This is probably the easy, logical choice if it can be done without too many playability compromises.
I have the skills, time and ability to build CPs and boxes, but I don't think I would undergo a complete scratch cab build.
With that, here are some pics of what I'm starting with. I know there are builds that cover all of these options. I'm hoping to get some feedback and guidance from those who have done this before... what's worked and what hasn't, given what I have to start with?
- Dave