Adding buttons to a CPS2 setup?

[Eddie Lukin]

Hello everybody. First of all, I apologize for starting a new thread so soon after joining this forum. I know it's kinda rude not to lay low for awhile to learn the unwritten rules and such, but I'm quite eager to get my question out there.

Anyway, a couple days ago I purchased a cabinet for $150. I was going to use it as the home for a MAME cab project, but after monkeying with it for a few minutes, I've decided against it for now. This cabinet's got a gorgeous monitor, the furniture itself is in great shape, and it's got a Capcom CPS2 system in it. Groovy!

So I've decided to start a CPS2 game collection. Problem is, the game that my cabinet came with (Alien vs Predator) is a three-button game. Most, if not all, the games I want to pick up in the future use six-buttons.

How do you add buttons to one of these things? I've tried to do a bit of research, but aside from a FAQ on GameFAQs, I haven't come across much. Most everything I've found is about the games, not the CPS2 hardware.

So if anybody could provide some help, or at least point me in the right direction so I can help myself, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks a lot!
Eddie Lukin

[SNAAAKE]

http://www.arcadebase.de/seite1.htm
This dude explains clearly.

http://www.arcadebase.de/jammapin.htm
The so called "STANDARD" pinout..

I bet you already have 56 way jamma connecter in there since its an avsp cps2 cabinet(unless its the dedicated then chances are NO).

Do a little more research if you are still not sure.

I am not sure about where #6 button is wired but i could guess that its pin 27(28 is ground).

just trying to help..

[rampy]

Hello and welcome aboard...

I'm guessing that games that require more buttons would require some additional harness (the "plus" in JAMMA+)

I imagine on the CPS2 hardware itself or on whatever plugin board for additional games (i'm not that faimliar with CPS2 systems to be honest) would have some sort of header or fingerboard to plug into where you'd then run wires up to the additional buttons.

Maybe it would be worth it to scrounce ebay for a a CPS2 or a CPS2 specific game manual for exact pinouts and such (or maybe some other clever byoac'er will speak up with links/needed info)

All in all it shouldn't be all that hard... for ease of connectivity you might wanna get the special cable to plug in for additinoal buttons... (bobroberts? happs? ebay?)

*shrug* does that make any sense in a very generalized way?

good luck
rampy

PS i'd also try searching google groups for RGVAC to see if its come up before there... or just to browse and soak up useful info (or post to ask a specific question or see if someone has the harness for sale/trade...

EDIT: wow snaaake i'm so proud of you... that was a very helpful link/message you posted. Good job!

[MKL]

6-button games (SSFII, etc.) have the first 3 button inputs on the Jamma connector (pins 22, 23, 24 for P1 and Z, a, b for P2). The other 3 are on a secondary connector next to the Jamma one:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/arcadest/files/cps2-front.jpg

Correct pinouts can be found in the manuals:

http://www.arcadeflyers.com/strider/manuals/all_manuals.html

So you need that harness (commonly known as "kick-harness") to wire the additional buttons on your CP. The problem is that it's quite pricey:

http://www.mdgamesales.com/PCBCapcom.htm

They often put it on ebay but again bids start at 20 bucks, which is nothing short of outrageous. Occasionally, other sellers carry it:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3202716406&category=13718 (it's the one to the right).

You can probably get a better deal (as often happens) from Bob Roberts:

http://www.dameon.net/BBBB/plus.html

BUT...the cheapest way to make your own kick-harness has been devised by Sonic1687, a fellow neogeo.com member: he found out that you can use a normal disk drive cable with some minor mods:

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/sonic1687/site/tech.html

Lastly, there is my own alternative: in my CPS-2 console project I installed male DB-15 connectors (as well as video and PSU plugs) in the back of the unit, by the fan:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/arcadest/files/cps2a.jpg
(no pics of my own project sorry, but you get the idea)

I used the Neo Geo home sticks pinout scheme for buttons 1-4 and the remaining pins for the additional buttons (those coming from the kick-connector). All the wiring is internal and therefore much cleaner. In your case you could plug in a PC joystick extension cable, then cut the other end and run the wires to the buttons...

As you can see, you have lots of options to choose from.

Note that some games, like D&D, use 4 buttons per player: in that case the 4th button is on the jamma harness as well (pins c/25). But on the other hand those games have 3rd and 4th players and their inputs go to the kick harness...

[Eddie Lukin]

Thanks a lot, everybody. I appreciate it very much. It seems like it'd be quite the ordeal to do it myself. I'm not much of a DIYer...I really don't have the aptitude for a lot of this stuff.

I'd much rather purchase a kit and have it work right the first time than try to build it myself. If that 20 dollar kick harness is what I need, I'm down!

Thanks again!

[SNAAAKE]

EDIT: wow snaaake i'm so proud of you... that was a very helpful link/message you posted. Good job!

YOU ARE  ?
Good for ya..thanks for the head up .