I recently purchased a NBA Jam as my first cabinet, and it works great! At first, I thought about swapping out the control panel for one with more of the SF2/MK2 layout (the owner threw in a MK2 and Ultimate MK3 board with the purchase), but I think I'll just wait on that considering it's ready to go for four player action as is, and I can always build another cab strictly for fighting games. Plus, I'm hoping to land a NFL Blitz board so that I can play that...
Now my question...I would like to add a computer to compliment, but not replace the NBA Jam board (and hopeful future NFL Blitz board) inside. From what I understand, the JPac will easily allow me to use the JAMMA connector to connect for players one and two and their respective buttons, and there are screw terminals for the other buttons. But, my NBA Jam board has extra connectors that connect directly to the board for players 3 and 4, and I don't want to cut those harnesses to use the JPac's screw terminals.
Is there another option so that I can use the player 3 and 4 joystick/buttons without damaging the extra harness that is there, or am I missing something with the JPac? Does something exist that will allow me to quickly connect and disconnect to the current player 3/4 harness with wires that I can attach to the JPac, or even just plug in the harness itself and configure it within Mame?
I'm very new to having my own arcade cabinet, so I'll appreciate any help I can get!
Thanks!