Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Arcade Collecting => Miscellaneous Arcade Talk => Topic started by: whte_rbt on March 11, 2009, 02:26:04 pm

Title: Orbatak Cabinet Conversion
Post by: whte_rbt on March 11, 2009, 02:26:04 pm
Hey guys -

So I used this site in the past to make an arcade controller hacked out of usb keyboards, worked pretty well.
I just moved into a house that has an arcade machine sitting in the basement. Looking into it, I figured out its an unreleased prototype 3DO game called 'Orbatak'... so inside the cab is just a 3DO and a bunch of hardware to convert the video output for the monitor
http://www.arcadeflyers.com/?page=thumbs&db=videodb&id=4409 (http://www.arcadeflyers.com/?page=thumbs&db=videodb&id=4409)
you can see it on the right hand side image
So what I'd like to do is take out the trackballs, put in my hacked keyboards, and replace the 3DO with a PC.
Most of the hard work is done for me, because as long as my graphics card can output to VGA or SVIDEO the converter hardware is already in place, right?
Title: Re: Orbatak Cabinet Conversion
Post by: Mauzy on March 12, 2009, 07:12:19 pm
So wait: you're wanting to take an unreleased, non production, probably pretty rare (if not one of a kind) prototype and MAME it? Does it work as it is?
Title: Re: Orbatak Cabinet Conversion
Post by: whte_rbt on March 12, 2009, 11:47:51 pm
okay, that should have been the 2nd part of my question. Is there actually a market for this thing? or should I leave it be just for the sake of preservation? as far as i can tell, its rare but no one really cares. Which part of the forum should I post this in to find out if anyone is interested?
its currently not working, but thats just cause some ---uvula--- cut the power cable. it'll probably work if i put a new one in. the AC cable just hooks up to one of those little separate wire screw tightening things. do you know where I can buy an AC cord thats just stripped wires at one end? Or do i have to just buy one and cut it myself
Title: Re: Orbatak Cabinet Conversion
Post by: Mauzy on March 13, 2009, 08:32:20 am
okay, that should have been the 2nd part of my question. Is there actually a market for this thing? or should I leave it be just for the sake of preservation? as far as i can tell, its rare but no one really cares. Which part of the forum should I post this in to find out if anyone is interested?
its currently not working, but thats just cause some ---uvula--- cut the power cable. it'll probably work if i put a new one in. the AC cable just hooks up to one of those little separate wire screw tightening things. do you know where I can buy an AC cord thats just stripped wires at one end? Or do i have to just buy one and cut it myself

Post it over in Arcade Miscellaneous to see what people think. Never mind, just saw your Main Forum post.

As for the cord, most hardware store should have them. If you want one quick, you could just cut up an old computer cord or three prong extension cord.
Title: Re: Orbatak Cabinet Conversion
Post by: Turnarcades on March 13, 2009, 07:07:20 pm
I'd keep it as is and try to sell it to a collector.
Title: Re: Orbatak Cabinet Conversion
Post by: whte_rbt on March 14, 2009, 01:20:18 am
alright, where could i find collectors? craigslist? here?
Title: Re: Orbatak Cabinet Conversion
Post by: Mauzy on March 17, 2009, 11:21:54 pm
the KLOV forums would probably be best for collectors.
Title: Re: Orbatak Cabinet Conversion
Post by: RayB on March 18, 2009, 12:31:18 am
DO NOT MAME

Where do you live?
Title: Re: Orbatak Cabinet Conversion
Post by: Kevin Mullins on March 18, 2009, 11:50:03 am
Is this in the dedicated cabinet like in the flyer?
(not just a kit in some other cabinet)

Got any pictures?
Title: Re: Orbatak Cabinet Conversion
Post by: whte_rbt on March 19, 2009, 02:29:16 pm
I live in Berkeley, CA.
Here are some pics of the cabinet, controls, and guts with the 3DO.

I mean, just look at it. its in pretty ---smurfy--- shape. its been in a frat house basement for years, its dusty and graffiti-ed. is there really a market for it?
Title: Re: Orbatak Cabinet Conversion
Post by: Kevin Mullins on March 19, 2009, 02:39:23 pm
I mean, just look at it. its in pretty ---smurfy--- shape. its been in a frat house basement for years, its dusty and graffiti-ed. is there really a market for it?

That ..... is an ideal candidate for restoration.
Title: Re: Orbatak Cabinet Conversion
Post by: Mauzy on March 19, 2009, 03:01:40 pm
its dusty and graffiti-ed. is there really a market for it?

 :laugh2: Go look through the restoration forum to see what some of these guys will drag home. You will quickly find that your cabinet there is in GREAT shape.
Title: Re: Orbatak Cabinet Conversion
Post by: SirPeale on March 19, 2009, 07:37:24 pm
Agreed.  Dirt cleans off.  Grafitti...well, that's another story, but that looks totally workable.
Title: Re: Orbatak Cabinet Conversion
Post by: Ummon on March 20, 2009, 11:17:34 pm
What an odd little machine.
Title: Re: Orbatak Cabinet Conversion
Post by: whte_rbt on March 21, 2009, 01:35:57 pm
Thats what I'm sayin'. It doesnt even seem worth restoring, I've played the game, its not that great. People are interested because its rare, but no one actually wants it. I'd rather have a mame machine.
Title: Re: Orbatak Cabinet Conversion
Post by: RayB on March 21, 2009, 03:20:55 pm
Thats what I'm sayin'. It doesnt even seem worth restoring, I've played the game, its not that great. People are interested because its rare, but no one actually wants it. I'd rather have a mame machine.
Who's no one? You have to understand that with this type of item, there are a handful of people in the country who WILL want it. You have to wait and let word get out to them.  They won't find you via a local Craigslist ad.
Title: Re: Orbatak Cabinet Conversion
Post by: Kevin Mullins on March 21, 2009, 09:26:09 pm
And there's some of us that would gladly take it off your hands right now and trade you out a generic JAMMA cab to MAME to boot ..... but ..... we're also probably no where near you.
(which is where btw?)

Space Invaders is on my list of need to get games because it's a classic, but honestly I don't like to play it.
So yes, rare or classic games are "collected", even if they are only played occasionally.
Especially those not seen often and already in complete condition that haven't been hacked all to hell and converted to something so badly that it's missing everything original to it.
Title: Re: Orbatak Cabinet Conversion
Post by: whte_rbt on March 22, 2009, 12:33:09 am
Gotcha. That makes sense. So, should I just post on the KLOV forums? I'm in Berkeley, CA btw
Title: Re: Orbatak Cabinet Conversion
Post by: RayB on March 22, 2009, 01:05:51 pm
Gotcha. That makes sense. So, should I just post on the KLOV forums? I'm in Berkeley, CA btw
Absolutely.  As I see it, the most likely buyer of this will be one of the big collectors, the type of guy who hauls out rare games to shows like "California Extreme", etc.  Try KLOV.

PS: this is California Extreme: http://www.caextreme.org/
Title: Re: Orbatak Cabinet Conversion
Post by: RayB on March 22, 2009, 04:47:00 pm
I took it upon myself to contact the folks at California Extreme to get the word out and got a response from someone who is near you and would be willing to trade you a cabinet you can MAME.

I'll send the contact info via "Private Message"
Title: Re: Orbatak Cabinet Conversion
Post by: Kevin Mullins on March 22, 2009, 05:53:05 pm
 :cheers:

Awesome job there RayB ...... hope it comes through a good deal for all.
Title: Re: Orbatak Cabinet Conversion
Post by: whte_rbt on March 22, 2009, 11:25:36 pm
thats great! i dont have any messages though...