Cheapest + Best Way To Re-Create Street Fighter 3: 3rd Strike... In A Cabinet?

[shodokan123]

i dunno what route to go...

i was thinking using a TV, but then i dunno how i would mount it, what cabinet design to use etc...

I want to use Sanwa buttons and either sanwa or seimitsu sticks.

I have ~ 900$ to do the project with.

Should i go with a mameroom kit and just some how mount a shelf put a TV in and build my own CP?

Or go for an arcade monitor or what?

help me out here lol, i want the cheapest and most effective way to re-create the 100% arcade feel.

I will even go so far as to get japanese versions of the game to play.

[CheffoJeffo]

"Cheapest + Best"

 

Cheers

[shodokan123]

i'm 17 with a limited budget... if i could i'd just spend 2 grand on the cab but i cant... i would get a japanaese cps3 version A board and a VS city cabinet... but thats not possbible due to the fact that working japanese 3s cost about a grand on their own.

[CheffoJeffo]

My point was that "Cheapest + Best" doesn't let us know what is important to YOU, so we can't strike an appropriate balance.

Having said that ...

My knowledge of fighters is extremely limited, but I bought a fully-functional big blue Capcom cab with beautiful monitor for C$300 (and that was overpaying). Sell the PCB and recoup some of that.

From there, you can add a MAME machine with ArcadeVGA and JPac and come in under $900 fairly easily.

At that point, it comes down to replacing the CP, sticks and buttons. If cash is low, then you can cut back with cheaper alternatives to the ArcadeVGA and JPac.

Cheers.

[shodokan123]

well i'm going to use consoles

what it is required to have is

Official marquee
Good artwork for CP
Coin Door
Moniter bezel
Black cabinet will work fine
Speakers... nothing too fancy
Backlight for the marquee
TV 25-27"
Sanwa Sticks
Sanwa buttons

Basically a barebones arcade machine....

[Witchboard]

The cheapest way to get 3rd Strike in a cabinet without buying the CPSIII system would be hacking a Dreamcast.  Use the search function on the board since there are several mods you can do for the Dreamcast.

There are a couple of guys I think that do Dreamcast joypad hacking and there's a mod where I think you can output to VGA.

[clanggedin]

You can do it under $500 easily if you use either a dreamcast or ps2 and you use a TV or find someone to sell you a cab with a 25" monitor already installed.

[TravistyOJ]

Use eBay or go to an arcade auction to find a decent JAMMA cab- $100-$300
hack a dreamcast - free-$70 depending on what you have lying around
order new sanwa joysticks and buttons - excellentcom.net has sticks for $11 and buttons for $1.10 each, you wont beat that price anywhere, but shipping will be a little more (from Hong Kong) and the sometimes have limited color selection.

[shodokan123]

DC is not an option... i won't settle for that BS

and i still ahve to pay shipping on that cab from ebay so it will end up costing ~ 600 anyway... also there is the fact that i can't fit it through my door.

I need it in parts cause i wanna put it in my room some how.

[Warborg]

DC is not an option... i won't settle for that BS

Nice 'tude.

As to have a SF3 cab...  Well, your stuck with either the arcade guts of a true SF3, or the DC.  CPS3 has not been emulated.

[shodokan123]

you are forgetting ps2 and x-box...

and my "tude" is because the DC version is GARBAGE.  50% of the links dont work, the game is slowed down from the arcade version, parry timing is 1 second difference... all stuff that DRASTICALLY effects competative play.

[Mark70]

It depends on how "factory original" you want to be.

The cheapest way to get your own upright cabinet is:

-buy a used cabinet from a local seller.  Get as many working parts on it as you can.  In my area you can get a decent fully working cab with a crappy title in it for CAN$300.  Expect to pay more if you you're looking for a specific cab which is in demand.

-Once you have a mostly working cab you only then have to pay for replacement parts which should be less than a budget for all new parts.

-stick an old 1gig processor in it.  That old computer sitting around your house, and run mame on it.

I built from scratch and paid more in materials for my cabinet, less controls, than I would have for a used working cabinet, which I would have had to drive 5 hours with it hanging out the back of my blazer.  I didn't want to drive but it about doubled the project cost.  I'm going to sit down and do the accounting after (and hide the results from my wife).

Pick up your local yellow pages.  There IS a coin op company in your town... somewhere.  Go in person.  Being there in person commands much more service than callling.  I got my coin door free by going in person to the local coin op.  They had a machine out back going to the dump.

[shodokan123]

problem is due to the fact that it wont fit in through the doors of my house if it a whole cab.  It must be in pieces if i want any hope of putting it in my house lol.

We don't have a finished garage neither so i can't just put it in there.  There is also no access to my basement from the outside either.

There is a local arcade seller, but the problem with that is i set to buy an actual 3s machine with him but it wouldnt fit in my house... so we're not exactly on good terms.

[Mark70]

problem is due to the fact that it wont fit in through the doors of my house if it a whole cab.  It must be in pieces if i want any hope of putting it in my house lol.

We don't have a finished garage neither so i can't just put it in there.  There is also no access to my basement from the outside either.

There is a local arcade seller, but the problem with that is i set to buy an actual 3s machine with him but it wouldnt fit in my house... so we're not exactly on good terms.

You should be able to fit an arcde machine in most housed if they have any of:
-a full size refrigerator
-a full size washing machine
-a full size dryer

find these appliance in your house, measure them, and then you'll know how big of a cabinet you can buy.  Never buy a cabinet without measuring it.  Most control panels come off if they stick out past the sides of the cabinet like a Mortal Kombat cab.

[shodokan123]

ok, thx for the info

but it will still be nearly impossible to fit it through a door and down the stairs with it's weight... and there are like 25 stairs

[javeryh]

couldn't you bring the cab home, disassemble it outside until it fits and reassemble inside?

[shodokan123]

couldn't you bring the cab home, disassemble it outside until it fits and reassemble inside?

i suppose lol

[whatzcrackn]

I have ~ 900$ to do the project with.

$900 is plenty for a cab.  If you go the tv route:

about $625 for the cab: http://www.mameroom.com/arcadecabinets.asp

use an xbox: $90 to $120

then use a regular tv from home or goto a pawn shop and get a cheap tv  Walmart has 20in for under 100

and you should have about 80 or so dollars left.  Save that and  add it to next weeks allowance  and you should have an x-arcade stick or save another $100 and get the kool slikstik:  http://www.slikstik.com/  (best bet)  and I think the cab makes control panel ready for both set-ups.

Just my one cent of thought.

You would not have a problem getting this into the basement.


oops almost forgot ebay the game ($20 max): Street Fighter Anniversary Collection (Xbox) 

http://search.ebay.com/Street-Fighter-Anniversary-Collection_W0QQa14Z24215QQalistZa14QQfromZR40QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQgcsZ1135QQpfidZ1413QQpfmodeZ2QQreqtypeZ1QQsacatZQ2d100


BUT NOTHING IS LIKE BUILDING YOUR OWN!!  IT IS A PRIDE THANG!!!!

[Warborg]

you are forgetting ps2 and x-box...

and my "tude" is because the DC version is GARBAGE.  50% of the links dont work, the game is slowed down from the arcade version, parry timing is 1 second difference... all stuff that DRASTICALLY effects competative play.

I stand corrected, didn't think about the PS2/XBox version (mainly, I suppose, cause I'd never waste one of my consoles in a cab, but that's just me).  I use my modded XBox for stuff other than just gaming so I guess I didn't consider it...

[elvis]

1) Buy a second hand generic JAMMA cab off ebay or wherever.  I got a 26" unit for AU$260.  In $US you shouldn't have to spend more than $250 to get it to your front door.

2a) (expensive method) Buy an ultimarc console->JAMMA converter and associated parts:
http://ultimarc.com/psx.html
http://ultimarc.com/xba.html
And hook your console of choice up to the cabinet

2b) (cheap method) Hack a SCART cable with an LM1881N circuit to suit a JAMMA monitor using the PC2Jamma guide (follow the Saturn guide for both Playstation and XBox):
http://www.mameworld.net/pc2jamma/
Then hack two cotrol pads to your sticks and buttons.  This should cost you less than $30 in parts.

Seriously, if you already have a PS2 and 3S, you shouldn't be looking at more than $300 to get yourself 3S in a cab and working.  A bit more if you're lazy or afraid of a soldering iron and want to buy pre-made parts (nothing wrong with that, support folks in the industry where you can).

I already have a dreamcast in a home made cab with VGA monitor (SvC2, MvC2) and I'm in the process of making a generic SCART->JAMMA video converter for all my other consoles to go in a JAMMA cab (PS2 for 3S, all the SNK/Playmore ports, Tekken5, etc; and Tekken3 and Point Blank on my PSX).

Console-in-a-cab is the best way to go for all the post-2D era arcade conversions, especially considering how good arcade to console conversions are these days (as much as I loved SNES SF2, it really was a downgrade on the arcade back in the day).

[shodokan123]

it HAS to have japanese buttons/sticks

which will cost roughly 70$...

i'm not a complete noob to where i have to rely on ---smurfy--- AS HELL x-arcades... not to mention with fighters you bang elbows...

i already have 3s for ps2 and a ps2, and an x-box and it for x-box...

So the rout i will have to go is this...

590 for cab
buy wood for the CP & plexi about 50$
70$ for sticks & buttons
100$ for coindoor
100$ for TV
10$ for marquee
15$ for backlight and such
10$ for thing to put the TV on

Total of

over 900$ :-P


I COULD do the jamma option but i have no f'n clue how to do any of that... and wiring up fingerboards and kick harnesses is not somthing i REALLY have time to do... unless i can get someone to wire them up so i just have to put quick disconnects and grounds etc... I don't have a soldering iron anymore nor do i want to get another... i burnt my self once and i'm not really looking forward to that happening again lol

[MikeDeuce]

Slightly OT, but you probably know... are the Xbox and PS2 versions of 3rd strike true to the arcade? And between xbox and ps2 is one superior to the other?

[whatzcrackn]

this dude "shodokan123" is too funny. he wants a Bently for the price of a Pacer.  Yikes.............good luck.  try www.craigslist.com.  They where given free cabs away in different areas, no sure where you are.

[elvis]

590 for cab
*snip*
over 900$ :-P

$590 for a cab?  $900 total?  You can buy a JAMMA cab with proper arcade monitor (a million times clearer than a TV) for less, and wire in your own buttons and sticks.  If I was looking for that true arcade experience, I wouldn't be settling for a TV.

And if you're looking at a bigger screen and better quality cab, check out anyone who sells candy cabs like the Astro City, Super Neo 29 / LS-Sound 29, Atomis, etc.  Most of them come with Japanese sticks already, and the screens are great. 

TV just isn't an option for me, but it depends on exactly how picky you are when you demand "arcade perfection".

Slightly OT, but you probably know... are the Xbox and PS2 versions of 3rd strike true to the arcade? And between xbox and ps2 is one superior to the other?

The PS2 port seems to get the thumbs up as the best one over on Shoryuken.com.  I guess those kids would know better than most.  I currently only have the DC version, but I'll be grabbing a Japanese PS2 version as soon as I get my PS2 modded for import play.

[MikeDeuce]

The PS2 port seems to get the thumbs up as the best one over on Shoryuken.com.  I guess those kids would know better than most.  I currently only have the DC version, but I'll be grabbing a Japanese PS2 version as soon as I get my PS2 modded for import play.

Thanks for the info, very helpful... One more if you don't mind then ... is there an appreciable difference between the import version and the US PS2 version? Besides the language/text, of course.

[elvis]

Thanks for the info, very helpful... One more if you don't mind then ... is there an appreciable difference between the import version and the US PS2 version? Besides the language/text, of course.

With the disclaimer that I haven't played them myself, as far as I'm aware they are identical (except for the text and the player names, as you mentioned).  Both are NTSC, so they both run at 60Hz out of the box.  I have no idea if the PAL versions have a 50/60Hz selection, but that doesn't worry me, as I'll be grabbing an NTSC version from import for myself anyway (most likely a US one, for the language/text as I don't speak/read Japanese).

Shoreyuken would be a better place to ask.  Those guys know the games inside out, and would be able to tell you which port is the most accurate right down to the timing microsecond.  Heck, they even have their preferred revisions of which CPS3 board to buy based on game glitches and timing differences!  Animals!

[shodokan123]

Version A is the CPS3 board u would want.

Astro cities and such are like 600$ + shipping

wiring my own controls isnt a problem i will just hook up some ps2 controls. If someone could get out to me a plug and play way to get my DC and ps2 working on an arcade monitor i would do it that way.

[Scott84]

Buy a cabinet with a working arcade monitor and for the price of a tv. You can buy the arcade VGA and a barebones computer to run it on.

Then grab an ipac... or a j-pac.... and you will have a mame machine.

[PCtech]

Maybe I missed a post, but why don't you build your own cabinet?  If you have basic woodworking skills (and I mean basic), you can take one of the popular designs (Lucid's is popular), and modify it yourself to whatever size you need to fit into your living space.  You might also want to look into a BarTop system (hate them myself, but they are good for small spaces).  You might also look into building just a control panel , hook to your PC, and play on your regular TV.  IMHO building the cabinet yourself, is cheaper, and you can guarantee that you can fit it in your door.  I built my own cabinet (Lucid design), and for the wood, hardware, and paint, you would probably spend maybe $150 (cabinet only).

Good luck, be sure to post pics when you get it done...can't wait to see it!

Also, nice to see someone from your generation doing this....I'm 35, and my teenager thinks I tinker around too much with the "dinosaur games", and should play more consoles....funny how he has no problem spending hours on an upright cabinet I just built, then basically calls me "old".   

[Havok]

Spend $900 on a candy cab with your game in it. They can almost completely disassemble. Put it in your house. Reassemble. Done.

[Warborg]

Also, nice to see someone from your generation doing this....I'm 35, and my teenager thinks I tinker around too much with the "dinosaur games", and should play more consoles....funny how he has no problem spending hours on an upright cabinet I just built, then basically calls me "old".   

I guess I raised my kids right, they like the "dinosaur games"...   

I'm 34 and have a 12 and 14 year old girls, both like a lot of the classics.  In addition, my 12 year old loves the Street Fighter series of games and Darkstalkers, and loves playing Dragon's Lair 2. 

Of course, they also loved playing Puzzle Bobble, but the music was driving me nuts after a while... 

[shodokan123]

when does 3s work on mame?

it doesn't i understand you people are trying to help but 3s is cps3 and has not bee emulated so stop mentioning computers :-P

also... i have 0 woodworking skills

[thebrownshow]

I really don't want to come down on you here man, but people have really been trying to help you, and every time they suggest something, you're just throwing it back at them. 

You know, if you have this many demands about what you want, maybe you should just put it on hold for a while until you can do it how you want.  You seem to require that it's a full cabinet, but you don't have room for it.  You want the arcade perfect version, but then you say how the console versions aren't perfect and how it doesn't work on MAME yet...

Other than buying the actual arcade board on an original machine, I really don't think you're going to be happy with anything.  So you have two options:

1.) Lower your expectations
2.) Put your $900 in the bank and wait until you have the means to meet your expectations

I'm sorry, I just couldn't keep that to myself anymore.

[shodokan123]

I really don't want to come down on you here man, but people have really been trying to help you, and every time they suggest something, you're just throwing it back at them. 

You know, if you have this many demands about what you want, maybe you should just put it on hold for a while until you can do it how you want.  You seem to require that it's a full cabinet, but you don't have room for it.  You want the arcade perfect version, but then you say how the console versions aren't perfect and how it doesn't work on MAME yet...

Other than buying the actual arcade board on an original machine, I really don't think you're going to be happy with anything.  So you have two options:

1.) Lower your expectations
2.) Put your $900 in the bank and wait until you have the means to meet your expectations

I'm sorry, I just couldn't keep that to myself anymore.

Ok... well let me shed some light on you since you couldn't help your self.

1. CPS3 has been out for 6 years and has not been emulated... IT WONT F'N HAPPEN!
2. Ps2 import version is ARCADE PERFECT besides few minor details that have no direct impact on playing... such as yang's EX slashes does not go through or break ageis reflector, that is the version i intend to use.
3. I have the room but most AMERICAN cabs wont fit through the doorway to my basement where i will put it.
4. 900$ for what i want SHOULD BE PLENTY!
5. WHO WANTS TO PAY 1000$ FOR AN ARCADE BOARD THAT IS NON JAPANESE THAT CANNOT BE REPAIRED IF IT DIES?!?!  The chances are the lithium battery will die out on any non japanese version because they were harder to change the battery as well as they are no longer supported for direct fixing by capcom them selvs.  Other boards are a waste if you cannot have support on them in order to fix them if you have some sort of problem.

You jump all over me because of simple information that restricts me from completing some of these ideas, thus why they were denied...

[Stingray]

Did you actually want help or are you just here to argue? I can play either way, I just need to know what the rules are.

-S

[PCtech]

denied?......"we're not worthy" 

I'm sure I'm not the only one that feels this way but, I would suggest taking your $900 and shoving it up your arse. 

Or maybe buy some manners

Do you like those suggestions better?

[CheffoJeffo]

Ok... well let me shed some light on you since you couldn't help your self.

1. CPS3 has been out for 6 years and has not been emulated... IT WONT F'N HAPPEN!
2. Ps2 import version is ARCADE PERFECT besides few minor details that have no direct impact on playing... such as yang's EX slashes does not go through or break ageis reflector, that is the version i intend to use.
3. I have the room but most AMERICAN cabs wont fit through the doorway to my basement where i will put it.
4. 900$ for what i want SHOULD BE PLENTY!
5. WHO WANTS TO PAY 1000$ FOR AN ARCADE BOARD THAT IS NON JAPANESE THAT CANNOT BE REPAIRED IF IT DIES?!?!  The chances are the lithium battery will die out on any non japanese version because they were harder to change the battery as well as they are no longer supported for direct fixing by capcom them selvs.  Other boards are a waste if you cannot have support on them in order to fix them if you have some sort of problem.

You jump all over me because of simple information that restricts me from completing some of these ideas, thus why they were denied...

I think the problem that many of us are having is that there is more than enough information in this thread to assemble what you want for well under your budget. This is a $400 project, except that you continue to insist that everybody is wrong (OK ... *I* was wrong about the MAME aspect ... I don't follow fighters so have no idea what is emulated)

You object to those who tell you that a cabinet will fit in your house anywhere you have a washing machine (exception for small footprint washing machines). You say that  "most AMERICAN cabs" won't fit, but "most" (?) North American cabinets are less that 25" wide, so unless you have a really narrow doorway, they should fit. If what you really want is a wider cabinet, like the big CapComs, that is another issue.

I am spending so much time on this point because this is the part that is going to make or break your budget. And you seem to be committed to a course that is going to break your budget. Fine, it's your choice to make, but don't whine about it.

You are on a budget, but HAVE to have a $100 coin door ? You should be able to get an empty cabinet with coin door for less than that.

You have an answer for everything you want to do, but YOU asked the question in the first place ... why?

You seem to have all of the answers, and none of us can help the fact that you don't like them.

Good Luck!

Cheers.

[thebrownshow]

Ok... well let me shed some light on you since you couldn't help your self.

1. CPS3 has been out for 6 years and has not been emulated... IT WONT F'N HAPPEN!
2. Ps2 import version is ARCADE PERFECT besides few minor details that have no direct impact on playing... such as yang's EX slashes does not go through or break ageis reflector, that is the version i intend to use.
3. I have the room but most AMERICAN cabs wont fit through the doorway to my basement where i will put it.
4. 900$ for what i want SHOULD BE PLENTY!
5. WHO WANTS TO PAY 1000$ FOR AN ARCADE BOARD THAT IS NON JAPANESE THAT CANNOT BE REPAIRED IF IT DIES?!?!  The chances are the lithium battery will die out on any non japanese version because they were harder to change the battery as well as they are no longer supported for direct fixing by capcom them selvs.  Other boards are a waste if you cannot have support on them in order to fix them if you have some sort of problem.

You jump all over me because of simple information that restricts me from completing some of these ideas, thus why they were denied...

Attitudes like this are what make people want to stop trying to help.  Show some appreciation and respect for the people who are taking time out of their lives to answer your questions.  I didn't jump all over you, pal, all I was trying to do was illustrate the fact that perhaps your expecations are a bit too high for your budget if you have that many requirements.  You certainly seem like you know what you want, just don't give people crap for trying to help you think of alternatives.

[whatzcrackn]

well he is 17 and has been saving his allowence

[PCtech]

There is a local arcade seller, but the problem with that is i set to buy an actual 3s machine with him but it wouldnt fit in my house... so we're not exactly on good terms.

You mean he doesn't like you?

With you're winning personality?  I can't believe it!