Module #10-- T2 Arcade Gun

[MameMaster!]

Well I've finally finished one of my top desired modules--- a T2 USB Ready Arcade gun for use within Mame(tm) on my home arcade machine.

Some of you know that I came across a small quantity of NOS T2 arcade guns (I still have a few by the way if anyone wants to buy one for $225. shipped in the US)....that I've been dying to finally hack using the amazing 1uparcade sidewinder hack.

I have to admit that I originally was concerned about hacking a brand new arcade gun and connecting it successfully to a sidewinder...but I have to say it was SUPER easy and I nailed it on the first try (thank goodness!).

Attached are the photos that I took (they're in order)....and they're pretty self explainatory.

As with all of my mods-- I used an XArcade Solo and stripped out the parts as I like to physically attach these as plug/play modules on my arcade cab.

Unfortunately, I realized after the fact that while game play was possible....it was physically too close to the screen and wasn't as much fun as it could be.

I took an old CD rack and cut off about 3" from the top and it makes a PERFECT stand for the gun. I think at somepoint I'll decorate the stand but for now I'll leave it as it.

I also had to level out the XArcade base with some MDF as by default the design is so that it slopes towards you. Which is great for using it as intended...but not so much with a gun.

For those of you who don't know...the Midway T2 guns are NOT light guns...they act basically as giant gun shaped joysticks. So the interface with a sidewinder is therefore possible.

The games are highly playable...but I have to admit they're not 100% dead on in regard to aiming. No matter how much I've tweeked them...the gun sight is just about 1/2 inch lower than I would like but after a few minutes adjusting to it....gameplay actually is excellent.

Operation Wolf, T2 and Revolution X are GREAT!!!...with this set up.

By the way...you'll note that for fun...I added in Randy's new coin button. I don't have it lit...but it still looks cool.

Enjoy the photos!...and feel free to ask questions.

MameMaster! 

[MameMaster!]

more photos

[MameMaster!]

final pics.

[theCoder]

You've got to love a hack gone good.  It feels great when they fire up first try.  Good job.

[patrickl]

That's amazing. I've always loved T2 and Operation Wolf.

Is the recoil working standard in Mame these days or do you still need to compile your own version of MAME?

[MameMaster!]

That's amazing. I've always loved T2 and Operation Wolf.

Is the recoil working standard in Mame these days or do you still need to compile your own version of MAME?

the recoil is disabled....

[MameMaster!]

Couple of minor updates.....after hours of trying to get the gunsight to match up better on screen within software....I had a realization that, that wasn't the problem......the stupid stand was too high.

I cut it down by 1 more inch and the sight is now perfectly lined up.   

Oh well......the bottom line is that, the hack worked perfectly. If you get a hold of a T2 gun...this is SO much more fun than using a joystick or trackball. I actually finished Operation Wolf using the gun. It's feels exactly like the arcade.....and it's VERY accurate.

I also decorated the stand to better match the gun. Much better now. 

[patrickl]

How did you line it up? I mean, how did you figure out the correct height? Does the distance matter too?

[MameMaster!]

....I'm guessing the height and distance all play a factor. Keep in mind that this is technically a joystick (although shaped like a gun) so you're restricted mechanically how much movement you'll get from the target sight on screen.

For me a distance of approx. 1.5/2 feet give or take a few inches seems to be the best distance from the screen to line up the gun correctly.

The problem I was encountering was that no matter how much I adjusted the on screen targeting....it was just a bit too low for the gun to match up.

Regarding height, I just went with what felt "right" without really measuring. But I have it at approximately 5 feet or so from the floor to the gun sight itself.....which works great.

While you can quickly overcome the sight being off....by playing for a bit...the gameplay is MUCH improved when the target on screen lines up with the front of the gun making shooting more intuitive......

[evilfred]

Hi! awesom project! 

Im about to make a replica of this gun for my own homemade arcade game. creating the same kind of USB controlable gun rig with a scraped Joystick.

Could you help me with a photo of the gun in profile with a mesurment so i could recreate the gun, and make a blueprint in photoshop. im going to use laminat wood or acrylic plastic to build the guncasing from scratch.

Best Regards / Fredrik in Sweden