Some people might have seen similar topics on other forums, but this one looks like the most active right now
So I'm a new guy to the arcade modding/making, so here's a bit of backstory.
I recently upgraded my computer parts on my gaming rig, but the older parts were still very good. We're talking 1.8ghz dual core, 1gb RAM and NVidia 7300gt. I wanted better for play my games, and already have too many computers on this workstation. So then I had a flash. A Mame machine! Well not just Mame, I want it to run just about every emulator to make it into a perfect Retro-Machine.
So it seems like a fun project to do as well. About a month ago I started to hunt down a few parts to start the project, ordered some more, and was looking into plans to build one from scratch. That's until I found on local ads a cheap Asteroid machine without a monitor or motherboard. That's perfect, much cheaper than making one myself, probably more sturdy but I'm aware I'll probably need to work on the paint. I think it has the coin door too, but dunno about the mech inside. Either way, I'm still debating many finer points like using the coin door for coinage, and control panel setup, because I have some ideas about it too.
The first part and major that comes to mind : The control panel. There's still several things I'll need to debate and ask around for opinions before I start it up. I don't have the cabinet yet, so it's the biggest thing on the list, planning.
-7 or 8 buttons. Being more than just MAME, I wanted to make it into 8 buttons (7 button NeoGeo layout, +1 near the bottom one). That's because I also want it to run PS1 games, and PS1 has 8 functionnal buttons. Yet, there's also the point that it's probably only going to run games that could make better use of an arcade layout. Street Fighter for example has only need for 6 buttons, the last 2 are combo buttons (like 3 punches).
-Also to consider that I want it to be 4 players, so I won't kick myself later for not making it from the start if it ever comes down to it. Plus certain games are 'player dependant', like Simpsons that locks the characters to a certain player. It doesn't really change the gameplay, but it's nice to get to pick your favorite too. Re-mapping a controller just to get to be Player 4 for once is a hassle, plus certain games for NES/SNES and PS1 can use 4 players as well.
-Slide out and hook up to another system. That was the prime idea at first. Make a control panel that I could slide in the arcade cabinet, or slide out and hook up to another console (like PS3 or XBOX). Of course, only for games that could use the button layout once again (Street Fighter 4 and Soul Calibur comes to mind). I already know how to do that, thanks to another project (
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=90072.new;topicseen#new ). Basically, DB15 ports hook up to an IPac4 inside of the cabinet, and smaller boxes with the innards of controllers (got the same MadCatz ones that he used too) hooks to the same DB15 ports to link to the game console. It's not hard in theory, but making it slide in and out will be the biggest challenge here.
Why not hook an Xbox inside of the cabinet instead? I have a 40in HDTV, it would be a shame to run int through a non-widescreen lower quality screen
Plus it only really needs to get two players to work normally, and not all games would use the control panel obviously. So I want it to sit on my lap in front of the TV when I want to. There's some mods out there that are alot more impressive!
I also need to find an interesting name for the machine itself, I guess. Just slapping a generic marquee and artwork sounds a bit dull. I was thinking of the same name I used for a private WoW server I got running for fun, Trinity. What do you think?
Either way, I'm updating my blog daily with info as well, but I'll definitely be posting here if people show a bit of interest in other projects.
Blog at
http://fk-nantonaku.blogspot.com/. Cya around