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I have an empty DK... so what do I do now?
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severdhed:
i say go with a PC running mame...it is definitely the cheapest way to go.  you can get a low end used pc for next to nothing, setup mame with dk and dkjr and you are good to go.  gamepad hacks are pretty cost effective if you only need a few inputs..

you can always try to collect the original boards over time when you have the extra money, then replace the pc once you have collected everything.  that way you can get it up and running quickly for very little money.
CheffoJeffo:
I am not a DK fan and my purist attitude doesn't extend to Donkey Kong. I am also somewhat lazy, desire more playable cabs and am way behind on my projects.

I provide that information as a preface to what I intend to do the next time I come across an empty DK cab

- restore the externals with authentic Nintendo gear, including that itty bitty joystick made out of Strongtanium(tm)
- wire the cab for JAMMA using a "normal" arcade switching power supply
- grab a Happ VisionPro CGA monitor (or correspondingly inexpensive arcade monitor)
- drop in a 48-in-1 with just the 3 DK games selected

Voila -- lazy man's MultiKong. You don't get D2K, but I would only run D2K using the "real" kit or the ArcadeShop board as those are the only ways that Jeff sells it (the JAMMA wiring plan is actually intended to use the 48-in-1 as a stepping stone to the more expensive AS option down the road).

Alternatively, you could use a spare PC power supply (the 48-in-1 has a connector for this), a VGA monitor (also has a connector for this) and PC speakers (also has a connector for this). Based on what I have lying around the house (which includes those three components), that would definitely be the cheapest option.

IMPO, as far a resale goes, if you use a 48-in-1, your value goes way up, compared to going original or MAME.

EDIT: I should mention that part of the above comes from not wanting to deal with the 100V issues with Nintendo cabs and the video inversion issue with original boards. If I came across a cab with a nice EZ-20 already in it, then my answer above might be different.
Turnarcades:
Create a 'dedicated MAME' cabinet. Find out what games used similar cabs/ controls, stick a very basic MAME PC inside and sking the front-end entirely with cabinet-themed artwork. Restore the external artwork, controls etc. to their former glory but with the modern brain of a PC and you have an authentic-looking cab with a little more versatility. From a re-sale point of view, anyone looking for a DK cab who can't stretch to an original minter would jump at this, a proper restorer would have it and be willing to pay to restore all the genuine internals, or an average gamer would like the combination of a clean well-presented authentic cab with versatility and keep it as is.
Ginsu Victim:

--- Quote from: CheffoJeffo on March 23, 2009, 01:25:27 pm ---You don't get D2K
--- End quote ---

No big loss. Anyone else really let down when they finally played this? I hated it. Impossibly difficult.
javeryh:
Hmmm... you guys have given me a lot to think about! 

I do not see myself ever selling this cabinet since it is something I've always wanted since I was a kid.  I guess you never know but I'm not going to think about resale value for this project.

I am leaning towards installing a board but I've never worked with them before.  I am willing to learn though.  From what I can gather from Cheffo's post:

Wire the cab for JAMMA:
- arcade power supply (I assume "normal" means not a Nintendo original that runs off of 100V)
- Happ VisionPro CGA monitor
- 48-in-1 board
- this could easily be converted to a DK/D2K cab down the road

Or:
- a PC power supply
- 48-in-1 board
- VGA monitor
- PC speakers

Am I reading this right?  Is there an advantage to doing one vs. the other?  Will the games look the same?  The second option is probably cheapest for me since I already have a PC power supply and PC speakers laying around but I like the option of converting it to a true DK down the road.  I better start reading the wiki to learn about wiring up a JAMMA cab...
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