Converting Neo Geo cabinet to MAME

[Xicor]

I just recently bought a Neo Geo MVS-4 arcade cabinet for fifty bucks. Since this monster needs restoring, I'm thinking I might as well convert it into a MAME cabinet because I've always wanted one. I want to paint the whole cabinet black, apply new sideart/marquee, and gut the cabinet to install a computer inside.

But there's a probem. The Neo Geo control panel only has 4 buttons per player, and since it'll be a MAME cabinet, I'd rather it have 6. I've already thought of drilling 2 extra holes for each player into the control panel, but the way the buttons are layed out, it would make playing 6-button games (SFII for example) pretty uncomfortable. Could I buy a 6-button control panel online compatible with my Neo Geo cabinet, or maybe is there another way to solve this problem?

Update:

Neo Geo default CP


Original CP


New CP 1

This is the way I originally thought I could add the 2 extra holes for buttons. This way the buttons look aesthetically pleasing, but aren't very ergonomic. The buttons are too spaced out (it's tough to explain unless you have a neo geo cabinet)

New CP 2

This way I could have 7 buttons for each player. The bottom button closest to the joystick could be used for simple 1-button games, while the other 6 would work for fighting games. But again, the buttons are too spaced out and would feel uncomfortable. It would also look strange, having the bottom yellow and red buttons so close to each other compared to the other ones.

Again, all these configurations might look good but they would still feel weird. I've tried searching for replacement control panels but haven't been able to find anything yet. Cost isn't really an issue, because I would REALLY prefer having a comfortable CP (I'm a huge fighting game fan, so this is important).



If I do end up drilling holes in the original control panel, I'll probably end up drilling one on the top right corner, since without the original CP overlay it would be strange not to have a button there.

So what do you guys think?

[Ginsu Victim]

nevermind

(I posted a reply, for forgot mine is setup backwards)

[Xicor]

Putting the CP aside, I think I've decided on my marquee, side art, and CP overlay.

Control Panel Overlay
http://www.mamemarquees.com/product_info.php?products_id=196

Marquee
http://www.mamemarquees.com/product_info.php?products_id=49

OR (this one's nice too, but I like having a marquee with the MAME logo)
http://www.mamemarquees.com/product_info.php?products_id=215

Side Art
http://www.mamemarquees.com/product_info.php?cPath=67_23&products_id=102

If you guys have anything that would look good for a fighting game-style MAME cabinet, post them!

[Ginsu Victim]

I think New CP 1 is the best idea, and you can setup generic CTRL profiles in MAME for Capcom, Neo Geo, etc.

You don't need a select game button. You can set 1P start or player 1 button 1 to select.

As a matter of fact, if you get a Minipac or Ipac from Ultimarc, you can set everything to shifted functions.

BTW....what the heck did you do above?

[Xicor]

I think New CP 1 is the best idea, and you can setup generic CTRL profiles in MAME for Capcom, Neo Geo, etc.

You don't need a select game button. You can set 1P start or player 1 button 1 to select.

As a matter of fact, if you get a Minipac or Ipac from Ultimarc, you can set everything to shifted functions.

BTW....what the heck did you do above?

The "select game" button is from the original neo geo control layout (EDIT: just noticed it isn't on that picture I posted, but they usually have one). I just put it there in case people didn't know what it was for.

And what DID I do? 

[Malenko]

you cant hot link to the images, anyways if you want SF style lay out, your best bet is to cover the D button, drill 2 buttons to the right of A and 1 above it.

[Xicor]

Strange, it looks fine on my end. Anyways, how hard do you think it'd be to fill a hole?

[Ginsu Victim]

It looks fine to you because the images are in your cache.

[KDOG]

If you are getting a new overlay would consider selling the neogeo overlay.

[CheffoJeffo]

Anyways, how hard do you think it'd be to fill a hole?

Two articles on filling CP holes can be found in the wiki:

http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Restoration

With regard to finding a panel blank, can you identify which MVS-4-25 cab you have ?

http://www.hardmvs.com/xml/usa/usCabs.htm

I've never seen blank panels for them, but perhaps someone else has.

I would opt for your CP2 design, IF you can install buttons in those locations (P2 Button D would require removing a strut on my MVS-2-25). You cite that the layout would feel weird, but when I check my panel, the B,C,D buttons are on 1 5/8" centres, which isn't too far from 1 1/2". Yeah, the A button would be 1/8" closer, but if that bothers you, you can just fill it and go with a standard SF layout (on 1 5/8" centers).

[Xicor]

If you are getting a new overlay would consider selling the neogeo overlay.

Mine is in pretty bad shape. The bottom right corner is ripped off, and the back had a lot of rust residue. I'll try to post some pictures later today.

With regard to finding a panel blank, can you identify which MVS-4-25 cab you have ?

MVS-4-25 (ver. 2)

[Malenko]

would he need to fill the button hole in if he covers it with plexi/lexan ? Ive never left a hole covered by just plexiglass before but I have owned a few machines that were converted and didnt have anything filling in the old hole, I didnt know until I stripped the overlay off