General thoughts of japanese candy cabinets?

[gord]

Hey guys,
I got to planning a cab today, and I tried out some candy cab designs.  It wouldn't be authentic as it would be made out of wood, but the general shape and size would be the same as a generic candy cab.  I spend a year in japan and have played more candy cabs than normal sized arcade cabs, so I think it's a great idea for me.

How are candy cabinets viewed?  Do you guys just see them as smaller cabs, or is there some sort of general opinion on them?  I'd love to hear any thoughts!

[davieboynj]

i think they're badass, but really hard to find.  I actually like the idea of a candy cab made of wood.  I would actually use plywood and stain it if it were my project.  keep us posted...

[deadkenndys1105]

I dont veiw it as a bad idea but I wouldnt want one myself.  I like the big upright cabinet myself but some candy cabs dont look to bad.  They use the candy cabs in japan because they take up a lot less room.

[Grasshopper]

I like them. They don't have the nostalgia factor of the eighties cabs but they are generally more comfortable to play on and some of them look good as well.

[AtomSmasher]

I've never played on a candy cab, so I'd never want to have one.  But that 70's style one posted in the project announcements section a few months ago was a very cool design.

[Fozzy The Bear]

How are candy cabinets viewed? 

The thing about this hobby is that you build what YOU like...... It doesn't matter a damn if we like Candy Cabs or not.  If you like them and want to build one then go for it!!

Personally I quite like them... Although I prefer 80's stuff.  They do have some advantages. Being able to sit at them on an ordinary chair is one of the plus points. Being able to get a big monitor into a small space is another.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[AtomSmasher]

I found the one I was thinking of, http://mixo.matoz.free.fr/arcade_cab/

[deadkenndys1105]

You know you could build it out of wood and put the plasic over it to get it the candy cab look.

[MYX]

I think that they are butt ugly and uncomfortable to play. I like the whole upright thing. Never was a big fan of cocktails either. But it is just my oppinion. I know lots -o- people that love em.

[Goz]

I have a couple of candy's and they rock. They are more confortable to play.

I've owned a bunch of woods as well but I do favor the candy cabs.

Of course all you are getting in this thread is opinions and your's is the only one that counts for your project.

-Goz

[Stingray]

Of course all you are getting in this thread is opinions and your's is the only one that counts for your project.

Agreed. I for one don't like them at all. They look cheap and junky (while actually being quite expensive) and they don't look at all retro. So that's what I think, not that what I think should matter one bit to you. Build & play what you like, tell the rest of us to get bent.

-S

[aumameman]

I too think they look cheap, but they're practical, which is why theyre used commonly in japan.  Go with what you like is my advise, jullian is 100% correct!

[DarkBubble]

Personally, I always thought I'd hate them.  I just thought they'd be cramped, uncomfortable, and make it a chore to play effectively.  However, on a recent trip to Indonesia, I did get to play on some and was proven wrong on all counts.  Of course, the cabs were in various states of functionality, some with great buttons and sticks with no angles, others with great sticks and stuck buttons, but that's the fault of proprietor, not the cabinet.

My experience, however, is based on the fact that I am not a big guy.  I'm barely 5'7".  I also never had the chance to play against anyone, so it was always just me at the machine.  The wife's tiny, so even if she were to play, I'd still be comfortable.  My 6'6" friend, however, would be a different story entirely.  All in all, though, it wouldn't matter, because it would pretty much just be me on the machine.

I think that if you plan on having more than one person, though, you should consider sticks with a short throw.  The above-mentioned bohemoth would beat me to death with his elbow on an upright Street Fighter Alpha 2 cab, and that was with whatever they used in U.S. cabs.  On a candy cab, space is a bit more precious, especially since you can't take a half-step to the side mid-game if you're getting elbowed.  The Sanwas, which I'd also never used and figured I'd hate, worked really well, at least on the machines that hadn't fallen into disrepair.

My final verdict on the candy cab was that it was like what I'd always dreamed of when I pictured having a stick for my consoles that wouldn't slide all over the table or flip around in my lap.  Sitting down is kind of important, as my knees have been shot since I was 15.  Unless I get an upright cheap to MAME out and just use barstools, I'll probably go with candy dimensions when I finally have the time and money to build.

In the end, it's really up to you on the candy cab decision.

[GrantJ]

  I must admit I think candy cabs are great, I have seen loads of home made cabinets which always cost much more than planned and look a bit rough round the edges. At the end of the day if you are a craftsman then make your own but if you are not dont bother. The key to a good cab is whats inside it, when your mates come round its all about what you can play on it, not really what it looks like.

[Glaine]

It is and it isn't. I think the cab should be expressive & sleek. These things are to me as cars are to most people: beautiful objects of desire. Sure the game and the screen especially are what gets the most eye time, but I still spend alot of time just looking at my cabs.

And back on topic, candy cabs look awesome to me, especially when you can just flip the top back to mount the monitor. I also like the 2 person fighter types with the built in stools.

[GrantJ]

Thatys a really good take on it and perhaps another reason not to build your own if you like looking at sleek lines. I have my Cab in the corner of my study at home, so I look at it most of the day, although its a stand up candy cab. When I have a mental block I just walk up and play a game and go back to work.

Speaking of which I feel a game of Metal Slug coming on....

[teef two]

I've no wish to influence anyones opinion as to some these things are beautiful, to others, ugly. But you did ask 

I don't like the look of them myself, much in the same way as I don't like IKEA furniture. Cheap looking generic boxes. I much prefer the older cabs which were unique, even if only with dedicated artwork, to each game, but that's just me. To me, they are the tupperware of arcade cabs.

[GrantJ]

I love it tuppaware,,, excellent

[Glaine]

Yeah, they do tend to look alot alike, but as few as I get to see - it's refreshing.

You're right on mark about the older cabs though, they don't make em like that anymore. I mean, look at Tempest, there was a hot body. And I love the side art & CPO of Black Widow even if it was just a conversion kit.

[MTD2]

I'll make someone a deal on a Sega Astro City with a 26" monitor.  Jamma has been stripped so its perfect for a MAME conversion.  I just don't have room. 

Located in WA

[TOK]

I think they look like someone MAMEd a washing machine.
The idea of a large monitor in a regular sized cab is the only thing about them that is appealing to me.

[tetsu96]

They do have some advantages. Being able to sit at them on an ordinary chair is one of the plus points. Being able to get a big monitor into a small space is another.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

Absolutely - and don't forget:  Our japanese friends and cabinet designers are shorter than us in most other countries so they don't sit down to play these.  They know what they're doing.

Wait - I'm thinking about midgets and Ooompa Looompas, but it's the same thing.   

All kidding aside, I do love candies and have 2 m'self.  Constantly fighting not to get a 3rd that will become my 1st dedicated Dreamcast cabinet.

[Glaine]

I think they look like someone MAMEd a washing machine.

At one point, I was almost given a copy machine that I was going to convert to galaga...
I Thougt it woulda looked awesome...

[NoOne=NBA=]

I love mine.

Not as much as my Crazy Climber, but more than my Vindicators.

[Circo]

My first mame cab was a Jaleco Mark II candy cab.  Once i found short enough barstools to fit it I was fine.  I was going to keep it after I got the new Slikstik cab but the room just wasn't there.  However it was a great cab your just a bit limited with control panel options due to the size.