want 2 build dedicated pacman/galaga bartop with a computer monitor help plez

[muffin man]

ok first it wanted to make a cocktail but learned its sort of more expensive so i want to build a bartop mini with only pacman and galaga for one player.

i will be using for this a either 15" or 17" monitor, 1 joystick and one button for galaga.

ok here is my problem

1. is what should i use to get the game galaga and pacman to connect to the interface of a monitor plug, and also what kind of pcb, tv plug in, or somethin. to run the game

2. how can i actually make my computer monitor work vertical instead of horizontal or is it going to only stay horizontal on its surface.


yes i want to make this fairly cheap

thanks guys

[Fozzy The Bear]

1. what is better way to get a cheap but good connection of pacman (ie authenctic PCB board, a hand held pacman game crack it open and solder buttons/joys, but for any of these how can i actually get hook it up to a computer monitor)

None of the above!! The best way to go here is to get a cheap old PC and run MAME on it. Several advantages here.... 1) almost any old PC can cope with PACMAN and other early 80's games.... 2) you can also run all the PACMAN Variants (and other early 80's stuff) 3) Easy to connect to your monitor 4) Easy to connect to a set of controls by using one of Randy T's Superb value Keywiz interfaces.

This is also cheaper than buying an original PACMAN board and doesn't require anything extra to connect it to a VGA PC monitor.

It really is your best way to go with this if you really do want to do this on a budget and even if you haven't got an old PC hanging around, then you could do the whole thing for about $50 with a bit of begging and scrounging and scrap collecting.

2.Which direction does putting the joysticks matter as in if i put player 1 by the bottom, how does player two play on the other side?

Use MAME in cocktail mode and when it's player two's turn the screen gets flipped the other way up by the software. Problem Solved!...... You might want to look at using a specific Cocktail front end / loader as well.

3. What do to think i should really do?

I think I just answered this one above.......

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[markrvp]

Fozzy is right on all counts if you are married to the 17" PC monitor.  A handheld won't work with a VGA monitor and it is one player only, so it won't support two players (or screen flipping) which is kind of necessary on a cocktail.

[muffin man]

same thread just decided to build bar top instead of cocktail

[markrvp]

powered speakers
wire and disconnects

[muffin man]

bumpy for modified thread name