Wierd Space invaders is really a Galaxian.

[knave]

I followed up on an Add in CL about a Space invaders cab that was for sale near my house.  After getting some picts I talked them down some. Have a look.







There was mention of some rot in a corner and a pic. I wasn't too worried.

I suspected from the picture of the screen that this was not SI but in fact Galaxian.  This was cool with me since I like Galaxian much better than SI.

I got there and the think was tiny, and all the horrible wood grain formica was separating. there was bits of damage here and there...I got it anyway.  I just had to rescue it from the dumpster.


I put in neced to my Dynamo cab and it looks really small.  I suppose it would be cool if you lacked space.  Just a wierd design.  The Game works and is sorta Playable.  There are horizontal lines going across the screen.  The guy said he could make the lines go away by hiting it.  (sigh)  I'll have to check this out sounds like a loose rom.

The coindoor is pretty unique and cool, it has that symbol (yen?) and under black electrical tape is the number "5".  All the mechs are there.

The CP is player 1 & 2 a 4 way joystick (microswitch???) and a fire button.  These are some old school microswitch mounts though.

With no keys I had to be creative getting inside...in the end I was able to unscrew the nut holding the lock and then open everything up but the coinbox.  I'll get to that someday.

The wiring seems ok, there have been some mods such as a credit bypas hooked into the down stitch of the joystick ...er ok... and a power switch has been added to the front of the coindoor.

Here's some picts once I got it home.


The cab next to it is a generic Dynamo.


Cool coin door.

I'll post some picts of the board and monitor later. And share some possible plans I have for it.

[am_monkee]

That's a unique design for a cab, but it looks so bare without any artwork! What size monitor is that?  Looking forward to seeing new designs for this cab-it definitely needs your help. 

[modessitt]

Now that's a weird looking cab.  Why on earth would you need such a high back behind the monitor - to block light?  The angle looks all wrong.

Looks like the Galaxian board has some dirty chips or bad rams with those lines through the graphics.

mutters{damn, just when I thought I'd seen every ugly cab made by man...}

[Level42]

Yeah a cab somewhat like that recently won the Ugliest cab contest:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=55512.0

However, that one at least had a marquee, so this one may beat it next year !!

How much did they pay you to take it with you ? I'd want at least €200,-

[knave]

Well contrary to all common sense I did pay fot it. (not the other way around)

If I considder that I got a working PCB (ok mostly working), powersupply, 13" monitor with good color, A four way joystick and a unique coin door for pretty cheep I'm happy with it.  (I'll ignore the 3 oldschool buttons)

I was playing it and learned that Galaxian is way more fun with "real" controls.  This whole thing started because my daughter got the namco collection for her gameboy...I wasn't that impressed with good ol' Galaxian. But with original sound and a joystick it's pretty cool. (I still suck though)

Now, I'll ask you all this?  What do you do when life gives you a Galaxian in a crappy cab?

Answer: Make a Galaxian in a good cab.

Now to decide...This...



or this...

[blueznl]

Stand up, definitely. (I just realized that the only Galaxian I ever saw in real life was a GREEN one. Uh...  )

[modessitt]

Always liked the white cabs.... the namco cocktails are too generic nowadays....

[(+_+)]

Yeah a cab somewhat like that recently won the Ugliest cab contest:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=55512.0

However, that one at least had a marquee, so this one may beat it next year !!

How much did they pay you to take it with you ? I'd want at least €200,-

Yes it is quite ghastly. 

[Level42]

Of course I'd vote for an upright, but then again, there's plenty of woodgrain panels in that cab to make a cocktail with !

[knave]

Here's a few more picts.  The retro button mounts, coin mechs, the monitor chassis and the board itself.



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I love the funky buttons...would never use them again but it interesting.  They work well. 

The coin mechs are not set for quarters. I put one in and have to hit the eject button.  The switches on them are both still good even though it's hacked to also work off of the down switch of the 4-way. I can adjust them right.

Monitor is going to be harder for me to ID than my last one since everything is printed in Japanese.  There are a few numbers so perhaps they will help.

From what I can tell the board looks original. Is there an easy way to tell?

As for the Upright vs Cocktail I think you have convinced me...Upright all the way. 

I have jackobuds plans...any other places I should look to recreate a galaxian cab?

If I build one It will be my first real project.  I think I'll use the Japanese coin door as a tribute (plus I think it's cool).