QBert Bartop

[TheGameFan]

My wife's birthday is next month and her favorite game is QBert, so I am planning a QBert bartop.

Being in the middle of another project, there is no way it'll be done in time. However, I would like to have it underway and have the artwork to give her on her birthday. That means I need to have the design finalized within the next week or so.

I am planning a vertical layout, using an old 15.4" Celeron laptop that is currently collecting dust. The cab will be just under 20" tall and 15.5" wide, per the current plans. I want to have two 4 way sticks with one mounted diagonally in the middle for QBert and one mounted normally for everything else.

Here is an idea of what I want it to look like:

I can't figure out how to adjust the textures in SketchUp, so the textures are not to scale and off-center.

Here is a better picture of the CPO. (I'm going to round the front edge and have it wrap around):

My wife likes purple, thus the button color. Due to space limitations, I didn't add a 2P button.

The marquee and sideart will be scaled down versions of the original.

[IG-88]

This is going to look sweet! My wife also loves QBert. I may be copying this once you're done!

[TheGameFan]

This is going to look sweet! My wife also loves QBert. I may be copying this once you're done!

I've still got some refining to do on the design.
I'll post plans and the artwork files once it's finalized.

Since I'm using a laptop with a 1" cable between the board and monitor, I'm going to have to get creative when mounting the board. I think it'll be diagonal from the bottom of the monitor to the bottom of the angled piece on the back.

[IG-88]

I got a laptop that will prolly have the exact same prob. Make sure to take lots of pics!

[TheGameFan]

Once I get my other cab painted, I'll make a mock up on this one to determine the best method to mount everything.

The VGA cable is on the left hinge, so I should be able to flip the right side of the monitor up vertically, then spin it around so the motherboard is behind it. Hopefully a 90 degree twist won't affect the cable.

[TheGameFan]

Does anyone have the sideart with a smaller "black box"?
It is the correct shape, but Coily and the bottom cube are actually supposed to extend beyond the black area.

If not, I guess I have several options:
1) Attempt to fix the artwork myself (although I don't have the vectors, so this may be difficult).
2) paint the entire side of the cab black.
3) Print it as-is and trim the vinyl (which I may have to do regardless).

[leapinlew]

Have you considered a single joystick thats switchable? Does the U360 still switch on the fly?

[TheGameFan]

Have you considered a single joystick thats switchable? Does the U360 still switch on the fly?

Reading up on the U360, it sounds pretty interesting. Overall, it would probably actually be cheaper than two sticks and an I-PAC, plus it would give mouse and analog functionality.
I'm still trying to figure out exactly how it switches between maps though.

[Hewskie]

does it automatically through software from what I know, don't own one personally but I think it's pretty easy. If I were to do it all over again, I'd probably use the U360

Hewskie

[TheGameFan]

I'm leaning towards the U360. The other thing that concerns me though, is that it's $60 and for the most part doesn't seem to be user serviceable. I like the simplicity of four switches, a shaft and a handle.

[LeedsFan]

Once the U360 is set up correctly with Ultra-mapper software it will switch on the fly between games and Mala. It's actually a software plug-in specifically for Mala, so I don't know if it would work with other front ends. People here might know more about that... but with Mala it's a piece of cake. You could then go with a standard Q-Bert control panel and have Mala automatically start Q-Bert with the correct joystick mapping on boot up. That's how I have my Donkey Kong bartop set up. Then it's just a case of "escape" to Mala menu and you can pick other games from there as normal.

I have a new project in mind myself and I really wanted to go with Hyperspin for it's flashiness as I would be using a more powerful PC. But I've grown to love the Ultra Mapping software so much that if it cannot be incorporated in Hyperspin then I will still stick with Mala. The U360 would be perfect for you as Q-Bert and Congo Bongo are the only games I know that have standard 4-way joysticks set at 45 degrees. Would save you from having two sticks and then you could make the CP look more "original".

Also what do you mean "user servicable"? You can alter settings and maps withing Ultra Mapper very easily. The stick itself is based on a standard J-Stick so the fittings like shaft, e-clip etc.etc are the same. Just no microswitches.

[TheGameFan]

what do you mean "user servicable"? You can alter settings and maps withing Ultra Mapper very easily. The stick itself is based on a standard J-Stick so the fittings like shaft, e-clip etc.etc are the same. Just no microswitches.

I like the simplicity of the happ sticks and microswitches. I have a SF IV stick with Sanwa parts, so I am familiar with that hardware well though.

[wweumina]

If you are just using MAME you don't need the software. MAME has it's own maps now.

[Blanka]

Just got this one this week:


Marvelous Q-bert tabletop. For VFD games, it's very very close to arcade gameplay!

[TheGameFan]

If you are just using MAME you don't need the software. MAME has it's own maps now.

For this cab, I think that's all I'd be using.

[TheGameFan]

I think I'll be pushing the completion back to either my our anniversary in November or Christmas. I found some other gifts my wife wanted more and my full-sized cab is taking more time than I had anticipated.

That being said, I'll probably still be starting this weekend (at least ordering parts). I'll be going with the U360 after all, so I'll need to redesign my control panel.