What would you do with this (redemption game)?

[Well Fed Games]

OK, at an auction recently I ended up with one of these:



http://www.funindustries.com/funny-ball-amusement.htm

Here's the pertinent info:

It is as tall as an arcade upright, but a bit thinner and less deep. Structurally sound and made of decent plywood.

A 19" TV would fit, I think... very tight. a 19" LCD monitor no problem.

Has a sturdy wheel... that attaches to nothing, originally it manipulated a string that tilted a simple maze as part of dispensing a gumball. Wheel shaft goes all the way to back of machine, and it spins freely endlessly in both directions. Could be removed easily.

Parts-wise, has coin door, glass, power supply, speaker, florescent light, etc.

So, I have a few ideas floating around my brain, but would love some thoughts about what kind of gaming cab this could become.

[yotsuya]

Honestly? I'd keep it as a Fun-E-Ball, but I'd put gumballs in it. I bet it would keep my nephews and nieces occupied!

[Nephasth]

Honestly? I'd keep it as a Fun-E-Ball, but I'd put gumballs in it. I bet it would keep my nephews and nieces occupied!

+1. But it might make for an interesting dual screen juke...

[opt2not]

+2

It would be a shame to convert this.
I'd restore it back to working condition! Good working condition mechanical arcade games are extremely rare.

I recently got to try out an Ice Cold Beer, and man, I want one for the man-cave!  But I can see this being a big hit with the kids.

[yotsuya]

Honestly? I'd keep it as a Fun-E-Ball, but I'd put gumballs in it. I bet it would keep my nephews and nieces occupied!

+1. But it might make for an interesting dual screen juke...

Yeah, I could see making it into a jukebox with that shape.

[mgb]

I would keep as is. Some stuff just needs to not be converted into what its not.

[Well Fed Games]

Hmm. Hadn't thought about a juke, but I am still in game mode I think. Also current games location is near the TV where we have access to a decent soundsystem and streaming Pandora, so not sure if the family would use it enough.

As far as keeping it what it is, I understand the reasoning, but I really have to say there is no "fun" to the game... it is no Ice Cold Beer, just a ball dispenser that has a wheel that makes kids think they have some influence on what happens. I would love to own a good EM or redemption type thing... but this one is getting hacked into something better. "We have the technology. We can make him better than he was. Better...stronger...faster.”

My current thoughts:

1. Put an NES inside, with a Powerpak, like an ultimate mini-playchoice. I have most of the stuff for this, so this would be the cheapest/easiest route.

2. Mini driving cab... possibly a "Dedicated" mini Crazy Taxi, but likely with a CT theme. Would love it to be coin-op, but not sure if I want to go with Demul.

3. Some sort of Pong cab, maybe with a homebrew updated vs. paddle-type game.

4. Multi-emulator "Game Vault" type cab, to play the 2600/7800/5200/NES games I played when younger. Atari 5200 Space Invaders FTW!

So, we'll see. Thanks for all the input!

[yotsuya]

Hmm. Hadn't thought about a juke, but I am still in game mode I think. Also current games location is near the TV where we have access to a decent soundsystem and streaming Pandora, so not sure if the family would use it enough.

As far as keeping it what it is, I understand the reasoning, but I really have to say there is no "fun" to the game... it is no Ice Cold Beer, just a ball dispenser that has a wheel that makes kids think they have some influence on what happens. I would love to own a good EM or redemption type thing... but this one is getting hacked into something better. "We have the technology. We can make him better than he was. Better...stronger...faster.”

My current thoughts:

1. Put an NES inside, with a Powerpak, like an ultimate mini-playchoice. I have most of the stuff for this, so this would be the cheapest/easiest route.

2. Mini driving cab... possibly a "Dedicated" mini Crazy Taxi, but likely with a CT theme. Would love it to be coin-op, but not sure if I want to go with Demul.

3. Some sort of Pong cab, maybe with a homebrew updated vs. paddle-type game.

4. Multi-emulator "Game Vault" type cab, to play the 2600/7800/5200/NES games I played when younger. Atari 5200 Space Invaders FTW!

So, we'll see. Thanks for all the input!

Oh, well if there is no skill involved with the "game", that's a different story. MAME away!!!

I like the idea of a Pong cab. I've toyed with the idea of hacking an old TV Pong unit and turning it into a cab. Depending on design, this could be an awesome "lost prototype" setup. 

[flashiv]

If there is no skill, then +1 for a mini Crazy Taxi cab. 

[Nephasth]

Hey, I thought the lady in the demonstration video exhibitted plenty of skill on this machine!

[dextercf]

Hey, I thought the lady in the demonstration video exhibitted plenty of skill on this machine!

That lady really had skills! 

[Well Fed Games]

Hey, I thought the lady in the demonstration video exhibitted plenty of skill on this machine!

That lady really had skills! 

So glad someone else found humor in that. I imagine she is some secretary who was recruited to be on video, and someone off screen was telling her, "spin the wheel! spin! spin!"

Yeah, I mean, theoretically you can win an extra ball or something, but it is really really basic.