Mortal Kombat 9 (Home Console) Arcade Cabinet Build

[MK3FAN]

So I have finally decided to start on what I should have started years ago....a "dedicated" MK9/Home Console MK arcade cabinet. I will be using an actual arcade monitor instead of an LCD with a "fat" PS3 on a shelf behind to the coin door to run the different games. It will be a pretty easy build, assuming I can find a cabinet locally. Otherwise I'll have to build one from scratch and that's something that I don't really want to be forced to do. I'll most likely just rob all the parts/guts from a couple of the MK fight sticks and install them in the cab's control panel instead of hacking the regular PS3 controllers. Stay tuned for updates. Until then, here is a video of the basic monitor setup...(I suggest selecting 1080p)

youtube.com/watch?v=oT3Qz16nN7w

[m1cky69]

Sounds gd. My first build was a nintendo wii console hack and the cabinet build is actually pretty easy.....and cheap. Make out of mdf to keep costs down and then ya can customise it to suit your needs

[mattgold]

For inspiration:


One of my all time favorite builds...

[rablack97]

Buy a Kade man, so you wont have to hack at all, it has a PS3 mode.

I was thinking about doing the same thing, but more or an all time greatest fighting games montage with the PS3.  I've collected a few PS3's and gathered a few internal HDD's so I can load em all up and play at will.

Interested in how many buttons you plan to use, as i remember doesn't mk 9 use all 8 buttons or just 6.



PM Sharpfork if you wanna know more about it.

Following this one....Total MK Fan

[Malenko]

For inspiration:

One of my all time favorite builds...

hate to be negative, but thats a terrible cab.

[mattgold]

For inspiration:

One of my all time favorite builds...

hate to be negative, but thats a terrible cab.

How so?  Just not a fan of the VR Global style?

[rablack97]

Well considering it was probably the first MK9 dedicated cab, scratchbuilt, and autographed by Ed Boon.  I would beg to differ.

That photo does that machine no justice, you need to check out the actual forum thread.  Its a pretty sweet machine.

I've seen hella worse thats for sure.

[mattgold]

Well considering it was probably the first MK9 dedicated cab, scratchbuilt, and autographed by Ed Boon.  I would beg to differ.

That photo does that machine no justice, you need to check out the actual forum thread.  Its a pretty sweet machine.

I've seen hella worse thats for sure.

I agree... That's why I asked if it was just personal preference on the cab style itself.

I'm no old hand and cab building (although, I have a pretty nice project underway) but that MK9 could have definitely fooled me.  =)

In any case, it was posted as inspiration for artwork, color combo, etc rather than cab style.

[pbj]

 

[rablack97]

LOL, i'd expect no less from PBJ.

I guess showcase cabs get no love on the forum. 

[pbj]

90s showcase were fine but are a senseless waste of space in the LCD era.

I've seen those newer things in the wild and didn't like them there, either.  They look like converted Stun Runners or something.

 

[stigzler]

For inspiration:

One of my all time favorite builds...

I like it. Although I wouldn't know whether to sit on it, shoot at it, steer it or just simply use a joystick and buttons.

[rablack97]

I guess i'm more looking at the fact somebody built the thing, no manufactured.

Considering its a scratch build, no it's probably not the most practical object, but it is a nice build.

Compared to today's models, this look like an IBM computer that used to fill up an entire room right?

I do see your point though PBJ......looking forward to seeing what this guy is gonna bring to the table.

[MK3FAN]

Buy a Kade man, so you wont have to hack at all, it has a PS3 mode.

I was thinking about doing the same thing, but more or an all time greatest fighting games montage with the PS3.  I've collected a few PS3's and gathered a few internal HDD's so I can load em all up and play at will.

Interested in how many buttons you plan to use, as i remember doesn't mk 9 use all 8 buttons or just 6.



PM Sharpfork if you wanna know more about it.

Following this one....Total MK Fan

Thanks! I have almost NO knowledge of how that encoder would work. I plan to use the same 6-button layout that has been around since MK3 (7 including the start button. Same as the fight sticks). I am not sure what I will do regarding the "PS3" button or the select button. I was thinking about mounting them on the sides of the control panel for each player. I'll probably just 'stick' with my idea of using a couple used fight sticks and just gutting them. Until I can learn how to hack the PS3 or get myself a different HD like you mentioned, I'll just swap out the discs. I'm easy.

For inspiration:


One of my all time favorite builds...

I saw this a while back. LOVE IT! I don't understand all the dis-like. Hell, it's signed by Ed Boon. All my MK cabs are signed by John Vogel, Richard Divizio, Daniel Pesina, Tony Marquez, John Parrish and Dr. Phillip Ahn. Haven't been able to get Ed to sign anything for me. Maybe he'll sign this one, lol.

Updates for this might be few and far between for the time being. I am in the middle of trying to fix up my house to sell it and buy a new house with a big basement to house my 31 arcade machines (picking up a dedicated Karate Champ tomorrow).

[rablack97]

Kades are simple man, it comes with a free loader, you select PS3 firmware, load it into the minimus and done.  The terminals are wired out to your buttons and jstik, no soldering etc.  You can even customize what buttons go to what switches, so you dont have to unhook anywires once you've installed, it includes all buttons, start select and even the PS button.





Then you just plug one female end from the minimus other end into the PS3 USB port.

Wayyyyyyyy better than a hacked jstick man....

Oh and you can just send it off and have it downgraded people do it really cheap these days, just got mine back and am happy with it.

[MK3FAN]

So I'd need two of them, right? One for each player because I don't see enough inputs for two players on just one unit.

[PL1]

Correct.  One KADE miniArcade board per player for PS3.

There's also extended mode for MAME which allows 26 inputs using "impossible" key combinations and some "backward" wiring, but that firmware is for PCs.


Scott

[MK3FAN]

So does the firmware get installed on the PS3 to make it recognize/see the endcoder?

[Malenko]

I guess i'm more looking at the fact somebody built the thing, no manufactured.
Considering its a scratch build, no it's probably not the most practical object, but it is a nice build.
Compared to today's models, this look like an IBM computer that used to fill up an entire room right?
I do see your point though PBJ......looking forward to seeing what this guy is gonna bring to the table.

Its not the build quality I dont like, its the aesthetics. It looks like a stun runner conversion with a giant wing. Ive seen the build thread (I posted in it how I thought the cab wasnt pretty) its just meh to me. In my eyes, an MK9 machine should keep the general look of the first 4 MK arcade cabs. Boon signing it is neat, doesnt make the cab any less ugly *shrugs*

I have a ton of faith in Mike to make a pretty epic MK9 cab 

[pbj]

...sigh...

You don't need a "kade", you need a minimus 16 and you need to download the kade firmware onto it.  The minimus is all of $7 from Amazon.

Its not the build quality I dont like, its the aesthetics. It looks like a stun runner conversion with a giant wing. Ive seen the build thread (I posted in it how I thought the cab wasnt pretty) its just meh to me. In my eyes, an MK9 machine should keep the general look of the first 4 MK arcade cabs. Boon signing it is neat, doesnt make the cab any less ugly *shrugs*

I have a ton of faith in Mike to make a pretty epic MK9 cab 

I agree 100% with the above.

[rablack97]

I guess i'm more looking at the fact somebody built the thing, no manufactured.
Considering its a scratch build, no it's probably not the most practical object, but it is a nice build.
Compared to today's models, this look like an IBM computer that used to fill up an entire room right?
I do see your point though PBJ......looking forward to seeing what this guy is gonna bring to the table.

Its not the build quality I dont like, its the aesthetics. It looks like a stun runner conversion with a giant wing. Ive seen the build thread (I posted in it how I thought the cab wasnt pretty) its just meh to me. In my eyes, an MK9 machine should keep the general look of the first 4 MK arcade cabs. Boon signing it is neat, doesnt make the cab any less ugly *shrugs*

I have a ton of faith in Mike to make a pretty epic MK9 cab 

So an MK9 show cab gets no love, i'll just have to live with that.  I think its a cool cab, could it eventually be an eye sore, of course..

...sigh...

You don't need a "kade", you need a minimus 16 and you need to download the kade firmware onto it.  The minimus is all of $7 from Amazon.

Its not the build quality I dont like, its the aesthetics. It looks like a stun runner conversion with a giant wing. Ive seen the build thread (I posted in it how I thought the cab wasnt pretty) its just meh to me. In my eyes, an MK9 machine should keep the general look of the first 4 MK arcade cabs. Boon signing it is neat, doesnt make the cab any less ugly *shrugs*

I have a ton of faith in Mike to make a pretty epic MK9 cab 

I agree 100% with the above.

Ok that's just bass ackwards, i was swaying him from having to solder up anything.  Yeah you can get a $7.00 minimus and do hack job on that if you want to.  However the kits just make it easier.  If your cutting costs PBJ is correct, although i wouldn't recommend that route.  Getting the kits will make your wiring nice and neat, per the photo.

Yes, you will need 2 of them, once you load the firmware to the Kade/minimus the ps3 will recognize it as a normal ps3 jstik, sorta like playing with the bluetooth stick plugged in charging.

It's up to you though, no right or wrong, i was just exposing a different option, if your lighting up your CP there is also the HOWLER, this will give you an AIO 2plyr and led controller options, also PS3 compatible.



Options man, options...

[PL1]

So does the firmware get installed on the PS3 to make it recognize/see the endcoder?

To be clear, the firmware I was talking about is installed on the KADE using the KADE Loader software.

The KADE becomes a HID keyboard, a HID gamepad, or a PS3 gamepad based on the firmware you install.

The KADE will retain the installed firmwre/settings until you use Loader to program the KADE with different firmware/settings.

Check out the Quick Start guide here for details and a link to the Loader software.

You don't need a "kade", you need a minimus 16 and you need to download the kade firmware onto it.  The minimus is all of $7 from Amazon.

Yes, you can solder wires or 0.1" header pins straight to the Minimus AVR board if you're so inclined or pay for the handy-dandy screw terminals.

Loader will work with a 16k Minimus (AT90USB162) or a 32k Minimus (ATmega32U2) board. (more are being added)

Do you have a link for that $7 board?

The only one I've seen on Amazon is this one. (currently sold out)

i was swaying him from having to solder up anything.  Yeah you can get a $7.00 minimus and do hack job on that if you want to.  However the kits just make it easier.  If your cutting costs PBJ is correct, although i wouldn't recommend that route.  Getting the kits will make your wiring nice and neat, per the photo.

I wouldn't call soldering on a Minimus a hack job, unless you're commenting on someone's lack of soldering skill.   

Given a choice between hacking a gamepad vs. soldering on a Minimus, the Minimus wins every time IMHO.

Like you said, options.   


Scott

[rablack97]

Same here, $7.00 minimus is no longer stocked on amazon.

The .1 screw terminals are expensive.

I dunno Scott, I agree with you on minimus wins, I'm also factoring in neatness as well, making the minimus look like a daddy long legs is not my idea of a neat wiring job.

However like i said no right or wrong just options,

Damn PBJ for false advertising, i was poised to go an buy up some AVR's.

[DeLuSioNal29]

Isn't MK9 designed for widescreen monitors?  I have a 4:3 27" arcade monitor and I hate the fact that MK9 is letterboxed!  So much so that I'm actually going to make my next arcade widescreen just for Steam games and such. And then leave my other 4:3 monitor for the classics.

D

[MK3FAN]

Isn't MK9 designed for widescreen monitors?  I have a 4:3 27" arcade monitor and I hate the fact that MK9 is letterboxed!  So much so that I'm actually going to make my next arcade widescreen just for Steam games and such. And then leave my other 4:3 monitor for the classics.

D

The PS3 has an option for 16:9 or 4:3 in the video settings. There's no letterbox ing that I can see when using 4:3. Looks pretty good to me. Refer to the video I posted (around the 7:00 mark).

[MK3FAN]

Quick update with some recap for the fans of the FB page I run ( https://www.facebook.com/yourmkarcadesource ). I ended up just getting 2 of the MK Fight Sticks for a total of $70. That solves my dilemma of how to interface the controls for the cabinet...

[MK3FAN]

Artwork mostly done (still working on a control panel). Opinions?...





CP Front...





CP Sides...





Rough draft for the control panel...

[rablack97]

Control panel 

Marquee     Boring and not very original

Sides    You took 1 photo and chopped it in half....Where did the spear go, and then where did that spear come from.  Whats the leg doing there?

[Malenko]

I like the idea of the marquee, but I'd re arrange the characters maybe a "good versus evil" kinda thing.  I'd also loose the back ground, maybe put a 50% visible Shao Kahn or something.

sides..... that seems to be the defacto standard for the sides. I suppose no other hi res art is available. If you have the hi res files and either send them to me, or tell me where to get them, I'd be happy to make the art fit the sides better. I could edit together a rough draft using what you posted or what I find on line. Just needs some quality time with the magic lasso and the clone stamp.

Control Panel is great. It helps that Scorpion is my favorite character You could easily edit that into A scorp/subbie combo (see attached) I dont like the start button labels though.

[MK3FAN]

Thanks guys! Yeah, that's really the only side art images that are available. I could probably mess around with them and do what Malenko is suggesting. That shouldn't be to hard.

As for the marquee. I'll take your suggestion and see what I can do with it. I have someone working on a better, more custom CPO right now. I'll post it when they are finished.

[MK3FAN]

Marquee     Boring and not very original

How about this for the marquee...?

[Malenko]

way too tired to Photoshop right now, but I was thinking a 50% transparent shao kahn on the left, a 50% Raiden on the right (invader vs protector) on top of that "MORTAL KOMBAT 9" with the dragon logo inside the circle of the 9.

seems like that'd match the flow of the previous arcade games marquees.  If you want I can whip something up tomorrow. Having fun playing as Eyedol?

[Gatsu]

Looking good man. I posted this on your facebook page. Wasn't sure if you saw it yet or not.
How about this for a control panel? I could probably shrink the button area a little more to cover up less of Scorpion. I can adjust it also if you'd prefer the way you had the button layouts. I just found the 8 button template from slagcoin and put that on there.



Love the side art for sure. Maybe for the marquee, just the simple MK logo & dragon. Like the old marquee from MK1.

Also, are you gonna be selling the UMK3 board out of that cab you picked up? If so, how much would you be asking for?

[MK3FAN]

Looking good man. I posted this on your facebook page. Wasn't sure if you saw it yet or not.
How about this for a control panel? I could probably shrink the button area a little more to cover up less of Scorpion. I can adjust it also if you'd prefer the way you had the button layouts. I just found the 8 button template from slagcoin and put that on there.



Love the side art for sure. Maybe for the marquee, just the simple MK logo & dragon. Like the old marquee from MK1.

Also, are you gonna be selling the UMK3 board out of that cab you picked up? If so, how much would you be asking for?

That is awesome!!

Only thing I'd suggest changing is moving two of the buttons down to where the normal "run" button would be for when games like Trilogy and MKAK are being played. Would that be possible? Do you have a high-res scan of that?

As for the UMK3 board, it's already been spoken for. Sorry.

[MK3FAN]

Project cabinet has arrived, ready for gutting and re-configuration. This cabinet was a dedicated MK4 that I converted to an MK3 so I could have all 5 MK cabs (MK1, MK2, MK3, UMK3 and MK4). I was running low on room at the house so I combined MK3 into UMK3 for a 2-in-1 setup and sold this cabinet locally.

A week or so ago, I saw the guy I sold it to was selling it and I decided to buy it back from him. So here it is...






And, based on feedback from Facebook, this is the marquee design I'll be going with. I will be printing both this one and the original just so I can see how they both look compared with the rest of the art on the machine when it's all installed. Still working on a control panel but credit for the marquee goes to Mr. Victor Cabrera...

[MK3FAN]

Quick update. New marquee design....





And I spent a few hours this morning in Photoshop and came up with what I think is a really cool CPO...

[Gatsu]

Yeah I can adjust the control panel, no probelm, if you still want that layout. I can work on it some tonight at work if you'd like and post it. The PSD file is 200dpi instead of 300 because some of the graphics get a little fuzzy at 300.

Let me know if you still want me to adjust it.

[MK3FAN]

Cool. I'm going to mess around a little more with my design and see what the public say about it. I DO like yours though. I'll let you know. Thanks!

[MK3FAN]

Ok. A few more hours of Photoshop labor later and this is what I have. I am officially going with this for the CPO, so let the naysayers say "nay." The version with the button holes is just for reference. I'll only be printing the one without the holes and decide on a proper layout later. Thoughts? Opinions? All are welcome. Artwork will be taken to the printer tomorrow!







EDIT: Here's one without the character renders if you guys think this looks better...

[Malenko]

without the characters.  If you must have the 2 dragon logos at the top, flip the one on the right.

Not entirely sure you need to have start labelled.

[MK3FAN]

without the characters.  If you must have the 2 dragon logos at the top, flip the one on the right.

Not entirely sure you need to have start labelled.

That's a good point on the dragon. Didn't think of that.

[MK3FAN]

Fixed the right hand dragon so now the left hand and right hand race each other....

[rablack97]

Marquee

CP, without the characters 

Threre's some originality a brewin up in heuh!!!!


Huge Start label for the seeing impaired         

[rablack97]

Looking good man. I posted this on your facebook page. Wasn't sure if you saw it yet or not.
How about this for a control panel? I could probably shrink the button area a little more to cover up less of Scorpion. I can adjust it also if you'd prefer the way you had the button layouts. I just found the 8 button template from slagcoin and put that on there.



Love the side art for sure. Maybe for the marquee, just the simple MK logo & dragon. Like the old marquee from MK1.

Also, are you gonna be selling the UMK3 board out of that cab you picked up? If so, how much would you be asking for?

 

[Gatsu]

Looking good man. I posted this on your facebook page. Wasn't sure if you saw it yet or not.
How about this for a control panel? I could probably shrink the button area a little more to cover up less of Scorpion. I can adjust it also if you'd prefer the way you had the button layouts. I just found the 8 button template from slagcoin and put that on there.



Love the side art for sure. Maybe for the marquee, just the simple MK logo & dragon. Like the old marquee from MK1.

Also, are you gonna be selling the UMK3 board out of that cab you picked up? If so, how much would you be asking for?

 

Sooooo. I take it you don't like it. A little more clarification would be swell. 

[rablack97]

The dragons are turned the wrong way, should be facing each other.

Why diamond plate, this isn't a racing game.  First glance i thought something was run over by a truck.

The controls look like license plates, I'm not following your logic on the theme I guess.

Your starts are way too close to the controls, and you covered up scorpion, which totally took away from that effect.

I do like your start graphic though, better than the white one he's using now, also like Start being on the outside of both buttons , (he currently has them both to the right side...)

[Gatsu]

The dragons are turned the wrong way, should be facing each other.

Why diamond plate, this isn't a racing game.  First glance i thought something was run over by a truck.

The controls look like license plates, I'm not following your logic on the theme I guess.

Your starts are way too close to the controls, and you covered up scorpion, which totally took away from that effect.

I do like your start graphic though, better than the white one he's using now, also like Start being on the outside of both buttons , (he currently has them both to the right side...)

Thanks for the feedback.    I went with the diamond plate because it had a rusted/hardcore look to it. Just thought it looked bad-ass with the blood smeared on it, and it was something in the background other than solid black. Just said Mortal Kombat to me.

The controls are gonna be adjusted to cover up less of scorpion so he is more prominent. I'll try a couple of different things and post them later.

[MK3FAN]

Huge Start label for the seeing impaired         

Better?

[rablack97]

 

K, still not understanding the white labels, match it up with the mortal kombat at the bottom...

its it blends in too much outline it with a white or yellow glow effect....

your killing me smalls!!!!!


As far as the rusted licence plate idea....still    Your gonna have to sell me on that on, no bueno still........

I kinda like where Malenko was going.....have scorpion haalf subzero, left control in flames, right controls in ICe

[MK3FAN]

K, still not understanding the white labels, match it up with the mortal kombat at the bottom...

I have basic skills regarding PS. This is the best I can do. Plus, MK4 just has plain white text for "Start" and I'll be basing the stick/button positions based of it's panel because they are further apart than MK1-MK3 for more shoulder room.

[MK3FAN]

your killing me smalls!!!!!

"He kissed a woman. He kissed her long, and good."

[rablack97]

  I'm sorry did i miss something or are you building and mk4 or mk9 cab....



I'll be damned if the color schemes are just totally in 2 directions.......

Your theme has a darker tone, so the white just doesnt go, are these the button colors your going with, if s0 this would be the only justified reason to keep the white start.

However, its your baby......white starts.....

Photoshop = google is your friend.....glows are super easy to do, right click on the layers you'll find glow in there somewhere, toy with those settings....

[rablack97]

Loves me some MK, but this is just downright horrific.



 

[Gatsu]

Here's version 2.

It's not 100% done, but I was kinda going for a little bit like the mk4 panel with some of the sharp designs around the buttons.

If you want to make your start buttons look like I did, I can send you just the PSD file for my start graphics and you can import them into your control panel file. I just used the lasso tool and traced the letters off of the original cab art and added a metal texture, and gradient overlay.

Or if you want me to use the image you did for the background, and mix in what I did, shoot me a link to the photo you used. I can't seem to find it.

Or just tell me to knock it off. lol. Whatever you prefer.

[ChanceKJ]

Are those round metal pineapples? I'm confused. 

Simplify. Just leave Scorp, the "Mortal Kombat" and maybe a smaller "start" for each. Get rid off all the button surrounds, and all the logos. In fact I'd move the "Mortal Kombat" to the top and Scorpio down a bit.  Think simple like pbj did with the art on his turtles pedestal. Very simple, not a lot of tacky photoshop tricks or extras.

[rablack97]

Are those round metal pineapples? I'm confused. 

Simplify. Just leave Scorp, the "Mortal Kombat" and maybe a smaller "start" for each. Get rid off all the button surrounds, and all the logos. In fact I'd move the "Mortal Kombat" to the top and Scorpio down a bit.  Think simple like pbj did with the art on his turtles pedestal. Very simple, not a lot of tacky photoshop tricks or extras.

+1 on the pineapples, those look like bullet holes.  Now scorpion looks like he's been shot to death.....

The start button to me still looks too low, too close to the players button, if i recall start pauses on the PS3, so i see alot of accidental pause taps during game play.

Man you're adding elements to that panel that are un-needed, if you just have to have something go with a transparent blood drips around the jstiks and the buttons.

Tha main problem is the button layout, everything is crsushed together  due to the 8 buttons, so less is better in this case, more background / transpararency stuff needs to be done in stead of foreground cover-ups.

oh yeah almost forgot....    with an additional  to get you thinking about slashes, martial arts, swords, shurikens etc......Your insistent on making this this a racing first person shooter....

P.S.  Your starts are once again sweet, hope he follow your tut on adding those....

[Malenko]

I like the basic scorpion art the best, drop the "Mortal Kombat" and definitely lose the start labels. Stop flip flopping

[rablack97]

Yes I agree.

Take your current image...lose buttons and jstik surrounds, push your start button up, like you did here, but use your current starts.

Mortal kombat can stay if you move your layouts up a bit for seperation.  otherwise nuke that too...

[Gatsu]

okay guys. after dissing my magical sharp pineapples of death and busting on my diamond plates. Here is the final revision of the control panel. 100% pure martial arts awesome-sauce. Only thing that would make it better is some blue lighting. 

I worked really hard on this so go easy.

Also, there are 3 ninjas hidden in the image. If you guess where they all are, I'll give you a cookie. And the nether realm logo doesn't count.

[pbj]

That looks pretty good.  I'd probably toss some kind of outline around the letters and maybe shift the MORTAL KOMBAT a little bit.  Your best design yet, though.

[emphatic]

Also, there are 3 ninjas hidden in the image. If you guess where they all are, I'll give you a cookie. And the nether realm logo doesn't count.

Are they the black bits behind the logo? 

[Generic Eric]

I don't think you need Mortal Kombat on the CP; that is what the marquee is for.  I don't think you need the Netherrealm logo either, but it would be cool on the back panel by your game ID plate on the back.

[rablack97]

Man,

I like it, just not for an MK Machine.....when i think MK i dont think Dojo and bamboo.

Im not trying to be ugly, but i dont know why you insist on cluttering up design with un-needed graphics.....swords and green bamboo

Take the logo, and the mortal kombat off, and you'd never know this is an MK9 cab, it would look like some generic knockoff of martial arts game.

This is the best one i think........with the changes recommended prior (facing the dragons right, using your current starts, and removing the button labels)



Remove the Mortal Kombat, replace it with a "9" or an 'IV", Like below, but more in scorpions Neck/Chest Cavity.




If you make the 9 right you could put something coo` in the oval portion of the number....like the netherealm logo etc.

I would take the swords, out, , this keeps your linear flow of the design in tact.  You have alot or horizontal and vertical lines, then you mixed in the crossed swords, which makes them visually seem out of place.

If i had to use them i would of put them underneath each player controls blades facing each other, 9 in the middle, used a blood font and had mortal dripping from one blade and kombat dripping from the other

But that's just me 

[Malenko]

I don't think you need Mortal Kombat on the CP; that is what the marquee is for.

MK1 and MKII had the name Mortal Kombat name on the bottom of the CPs, MK3 put the logo there instead, and MK4 kinda put the dragon logo in the middle with a 4 that turned into a sword

[Gatsu]

That last design was joke. I didn't actually put it together as a candidate to be used. It was more or less to be silly and go over the top. I guess the joke just wasn't funny. ah well.

@ emphatic - no. they are not. 

[rablack97]

Ok then back to my normal reply......

 

[MK3FAN]

Spent some time today working on the cab. Got the MK3 art stripped off, problem areas sanded and painted the cab with a gloss black to ensure maximum new side art adhesion. You'll notice that the top half of the left hand side art is bubbling and not sticking very well. That's because of two reasons. 1) It's from GOG. 2) Before I applied it, I tried removing the MK4 side art and it proved to be so much trouble, that I abandoned it and the MK3 side art didn't stick to the bare wood at all. That's why I'm painting the cabinet this time before applying the new MK9 side art. Anyway, here are the pics. Stay tuned. The art should be ready in a few days....

[DeLuSioNal29]

Now an even better excuse not to make it a dedicated MK9 cab.  You can have both on there instead.

http://www.gamespot.com/mortal-kombat-x/

D

[rablack97]

Now an even better excuse not to make it a dedicated MK9 cab.  You can have both on there instead.

http://www.gamespot.com/mortal-kombat-x/

D

That's just wrong....I thought i was done gaming 

[MK3FAN]

Got the artwork from the print shop today. 2 problems. They only printed 1 control panel side and they printed the marquee on vinyl instead of a translite material so I will have to wait until Monday for those but that's ok. I installed the vinyl print of the marquee just to show how it looks. I have dismantled the control panel and I need to drill/cut some new lexan before installing the control panel overlay art because it will have a new layout for the start buttons as well as the additional buttons needed. Here are the pics. Almost done...

[Generic Eric]

Do you have any opinions on MK X?

[MK3FAN]

Do you have any opinions on MK X?

Not yet. Looks more like an Injustice sequel than an MK sequel. I'll wait until I can play it to judge it.

[Gatsu]

  aw man. looks really awesome so far. All the artwork turned out really nice looking.

[MK3FAN]

Working on the control panel right now. In the mean time, I spent a few minutes after work tonight coming up with this...

[Gatsu]

Digging that MK9 logo. 

Looking really good.

[MK3FAN]

Control panel build is complete! Opinions? Still need to wire it all up...

[Gatsu]

I like the art choice. The button layout looks a little uncomfortable though. Definitely let us know how it works.

[MK3FAN]

Well gang, only a few things left and this project will be D-O-N-E! I am waiting for the correct marquee (my print shop printed the marquee on vinyl instead of a translite), the other control panel side art print (my print shop only printed one), a 12V power supply for the coin door lights and a cooling fan for the PS3. Video of the machine in action and details of how it's all hooked up and operating are coming soon. Stay tuned and thanks a lot for following along with this project!!

[Gatsu]

  sweeeeet.

now we need some video. hehe

[MK3FAN]

After careful consideration and some game play...I've made a mistake by adding the L2 button to the control panel. Turns out the L2 button is for "Tag" and since this is not a 4-Player setup, there's no need for it. I am going to redo the control panel, reprint the CPO and get rid of the L2. I can't get rid of R1. R2 is "Block" and R1 is "Throw." R1 has to stay. I'll get it fixed soon. Until then, I'll put a button plug in the L2 spot.

[Gatsu]

You can also throw using square + X, so you can eliminate the throw button if you wanted.

Flipping your characters stance can be done with the X + O

And tagging doesn't mean you have 4 different players, there is a mode where you have a team of 2 characters to flip between like Marvel vs. Capcom. So leave the tag button in there. you can actually use it.

[MK3FAN]

You can also throw using square + X, so you can eliminate the throw button if you wanted.

Flipping your characters stance can be done with the X + O

And tagging doesn't mean you have 4 different players, there is a mode where you have a team of 2 characters to flip between like Marvel vs. Capcom. So leave the tag button in there. you can actually use it.

Oh! Thanks.

[Gatsu]

No problem. I wondered how they got the official arcade sticks down to 6 buttons and decided to look up the basic controls for the PS3.

[MK3FAN]

I'll probably keep the R1 button because it will allow me to play the other MK games more easily. L2 is going away.

[MK3FAN]

Ugh. 9 hours of Photoshop labor (I'm just learning how to use it). Stayed up all night and completed a full move/fatality list for all 32 characters for the MK9 cab. Here are some pics. Opinions?

[ChanceKJ]

That's a great idea... Well unless you have younger siblings with faster fingers, then it gives away your trump cards with the "cheap" repetitive moves that always manages to kick their ass.  Ahh Cyrax, so many post game fights and hissy fits.

I would do two things:
1. Clean up the overall spacing. To do this make the characters a TINY bit smaller. You would be able to select their layers for each all at once and resize them all at the same time. Then turn on the rulers and drag some horizontal and vertical guide lines from the rulers. That many characters and groups of text will take time, but cleaning it up will also go miles for how sharp it looks in the end. Be a perfectionist. Also make sure all the text boxes are justified the same way. With the characters images all being cut off on the left, I would left justify the move lists and line the text along the images for each. Then build a grid of lines from the rule and space them out. Also play around with where each is on the overall box. You should be able to get an equal number down each side that fills each side properly and clean. The horizontal and verticals guides should help with this too. Try Turing "snap to line" off and on depending on how you space them. You'll have more control overall.

2. Add the names of each character under their picture. Give each name a simple style change. Make them all bold, or underlined. Just simple so it stands out from the moves. You could put the names above the images, but it would be a personal preference.

[rablack97]

Ok now that is nice........I might hit you up on the photoshop files for that if you release 

Great work in photoshop man....awesome work.

[Malenko]

if you send me the PSD file I can clean it up a bit. Of course its been 2 months and I havent finished the KI move list one, freekin Eyedol.

[rablack97]

Yeah i'd left justify your text...

[MK3FAN]

Thanks guys. I'll see if I can't make some improvements on it after work tonight based on suggestions. After nearly 9 hours and staying up all night to achieve what you see now, I just wanted to get it finished and go to bed. Once I start something, I like to just work on it until it's finshed. The next hard part is the testing of EVERY move to make sure I have them all correct. I saved everything step by step so if there are any mistakes, I can go right to the individual file and fix it without having to re-do everything.

[eds1275]

This forum is great. I like the sense of community and everyone helping each other out. Even the dog-piling when someone rotates p3's joystick is fun.

[MK3FAN]

After considering some of (not all) the sage-like advice of ChanceKJ, here is what I have. Doing "Left Justify" and all that stuff is a bit beyond me. I'm totally happy with this as it is. I plan on taking it to get printed tomorrow. I shrunk the characters a bit, added their names underneath and (somewhat) centered them over their move sets. Here are the pics. Again, opinions are welcome...

[Malenko]

looks significantly better 

[MK3FAN]

Took some final pictures before putting the cabinet in the game row. Installed a fan to keep the PS3 cool, a 12vdc power supply to run the coin door lights and today I picked up a new control panel overlay print to re-do the control panel. I'm deleting the unnecessary L1 button. I dropped off the bezel art to the printer today so that will go on soon. Here are the pictures. Thanks for your interest...

[emphatic]

Wow, that's some collection you have.

[rablack97]

Turned out nice man, good job and love that collection...

[marioxb]

Looks great! I think it would be cool to have Scorpion's spear wrap around the front, behind where you have the instructions now, and reconnect on the Sub-Zero side.

[MK3FAN]

Thanks guys. Yeah Mario, that would be kinda cool.

[Gatsu]

Looks really good. I think we need to see some video of it in action. 

[MKKhanzo]

AWESOME!!!

MK3FAN where did you get so high res images for the side art?

Also you should now do MKDA, MKD and MKA dedicated cabs! 

[MK3FAN]

AWESOME!!!

MK3FAN where did you get so high res images for the side art?

Also you should now do MKDA, MKD and MKA dedicated cabs! 

Thanks!

I got the files emailed to me from the following site. I had to pay for them, which was fine with me, but I am NOT allowed to share them because they are the "intellectual property" of the guys that run the site. I cleaned them up a little and added the dragon logo to the top corners because as you can see from the site, they are missing...

http://www.mk-arcade-restore.be

I can play Deadly Alliance, Deception, MK vs. DC, Shaolin Monks, Armageddon and even Injustice on this cabinet so I don't plan on doing anymore. Hell, even MKX will be released on PS3, so that will be playable as well.

[pbj]

I got the files emailed to me from the following site. I had to pay for them, which was fine with me, but I am NOT allowed to share them because they are the "intellectual property" of the guys that run the site. I cleaned them up a little and added the dragon logo to the top corners because as you can see from the site, they are missing...

http://www.mk-arcade-restore.be

LOL WUT

 

They stole that artwork straight from the MK9 posters and slapped it on a Midway cabinet template.

Still, looks nice, but c'mon.

[yotsuya]

I remember that dude. I think we ran him off because someone dared to point out that his Pac-Man art wasn't accurate.

[MK3FAN]

I got the files emailed to me from the following site. I had to pay for them, which was fine with me, but I am NOT allowed to share them because they are the "intellectual property" of the guys that run the site. I cleaned them up a little and added the dragon logo to the top corners because as you can see from the site, they are missing...

http://www.mk-arcade-restore.be

LOL WUT

 

They stole that artwork straight from the MK9 posters and slapped it on a Midway cabinet template.

Still, looks nice, but c'mon.

Yeah, I know. I was laughing a bit too but I didn't really care. I wanted the files and didn't mind paying for them because I had very limited PS skills. I was able to do all the other artwork (control panel, cp sides, cp front, marquee, etc) but not the side art. I probably could if I was willing to try and wait a little longer but I didn't want this project to take forever. I'm cool with it. The other files they have that I mentioned above were so generic, there's no way I was going to use them. The side art was all I was after.

[Generic Eric]

I got the files emailed to me from the following site. I had to pay for them, which was fine with me, but I am NOT allowed to share them because they are the "intellectual property" of the guys that run the site. I cleaned them up a little and added the dragon logo to the top corners because as you can see from the site, they are missing...

http://www.mk-arcade-restore.be

LOL WUT

 

They stole that artwork straight from the MK9 posters and slapped it on a Midway cabinet template.

Still, looks nice, but c'mon.

Yeah, I know. I was laughing a bit too but I didn't really care. I wanted the files and didn't mind paying for them because I had very limited PS skills. I was able to do all the other artwork (control panel, cp sides, cp front, marquee, etc) but not the side art. I probably could if I was willing to try and wait a little longer but I didn't want this project to take forever. I'm cool with it. The other files they have that I mentioned above were so generic, there's no way I was going to use them. The side art was all I was after.

Are we talking double digits or $$$

[MK3FAN]

I got the files emailed to me from the following site. I had to pay for them, which was fine with me, but I am NOT allowed to share them because they are the "intellectual property" of the guys that run the site. I cleaned them up a little and added the dragon logo to the top corners because as you can see from the site, they are missing...

http://www.mk-arcade-restore.be

LOL WUT

 

They stole that artwork straight from the MK9 posters and slapped it on a Midway cabinet template.

Still, looks nice, but c'mon.

Yeah, I know. I was laughing a bit too but I didn't really care. I wanted the files and didn't mind paying for them because I had very limited PS skills. I was able to do all the other artwork (control panel, cp sides, cp front, marquee, etc) but not the side art. I probably could if I was willing to try and wait a little longer but I didn't want this project to take forever. I'm cool with it. The other files they have that I mentioned above were so generic, there's no way I was going to use them. The side art was all I was after.

Are we talking double digits or $$$

I choose not to answer this question as the answer may incriminate me.

[pbj]

[MK3FAN]

Just got off the phone with the burn unit. I have an appointment in the morning.

[MK3FAN]

I got the bezel today...

[rablack97]

very nice man, should be fun to play.......

[MK3FAN]

OK Gang. Sorry for the hold up on live video of the MK9 cab but I've had problems with the controls. The MK Fight Sticks that I gutted for the project work perfectly for PS3 games but not for the PS2 games. I did this project not just for MK9, but I wanted to play all the other home console MK games on the cabinet as well.

When I load a PS2 game, all the controls get disconnected, as is the norm, then it prompts me to "Press the PS Button." When I do, nothing happens. The Fight Sticks are not compatible with the PS2 games because the firmware on the PS3 won't let them communicate when the PS2 game is loaded. Crap.

When I use a wireless PS3 controller, it connects and works fine. Same goes for a PS2 controller. I have an adapter that converts the PS2 controller to USB so I can plug it in and use it on the PS3. That also works fine. So I decided to hack a PS2 controller for the P2 side and a wireless PS3 controller (hooked up via USB) for the P1 side so I can have a "PS" button because without that, I'd have to reset the system to play a different game due to not being able to access the "Quit Game" feature.

That all being said, I have successfully hacked the PS2 and PS3 controllers. I hooked them both up and they work perfectly for all PS2 and PS3 games Woo Hoo! I will be re-doing the control panel in the morning to delete the "L2" buttons and adding a "Select" button where the P2 "PS" button is now because the only way to exit any of the "MK Arcade Kollection" games is to press "Select."

Stay tuned. For now, here are some teaser pics of the hacked controllers. The first two are the PS2. The second 2 are the PS3...

[Gatsu]

Ah man. Sucks that the arcade sticks didn't work out for you. But at least you were able to get the controllers hacked and working.

[rablack97]

You asked what left justifed means look at your MK4 cab in your photo....thats left justified.

[MK3FAN]

Ok. Here's the live video of the machine in action, explaining how it works and all. (skip to 2:30). This is geared towards my Youtube subs more than you guys here, so just keep that in mind. Opinions are welcome, good or bad. Thanks....(I'd recommend choosing the 1080p option)

[MK3FAN]

With the completion of this project and how it turned out, I'm thinking of trying my hand at this game next...

[rablack97]

you know if you leave the ps3 in standby mode, all you have to do is press the playstation button and it will power on the ps3.  No need to press power on the console.

just make sure the main power is on the ps3 and hit the PS button....

You should just have to flip that top switch which will give the PS3 power, then just tap your ps button, if you time it right, by the time your monitor comes on, the ps3 will have booted as well.

The more i think about it, did you try using a switched outlet strip....

Plug your ps3 into the master outlet (blue), and the plugs into your controlled outlets(white).  If it works like it does with a PC, when you hit the PS button to turn on the Playstation it will trigger the other peripherals to come on at the same time.  Also when you shut down the ps3, all other peripherals will shut down as well...

[ChanceKJ]

With the completion of this project and how it turned out, I'm thinking of trying my hand at this game next...

Sorry, I know it's personal opinion and all, but there is SO much potential with that base artwork. Like your "Start" labels. Try matching the typeface from "gods among us" for those labels. Not even the font, but the spacing and the texture and blending effects as well. You've got a great eye for base art, anything you add to it, buttons, labels, logos etc would be best (in my opinion) to complement the art.  I get the feeling your seeing some major inspiration for your projects based off art you're finding. Almost like it's the excuse to pull the trigger on a project because you found something that just jumps out, like the side art on the MK cab, this DC control panel, etc. If you haven't seen it already maybe watch the documentary called "Helvetica". Might trigger some thoughts and get some conversations in your head going about font design and layout.

[MK3FAN]

With the completion of this project and how it turned out, I'm thinking of trying my hand at this game next...

Sorry, I know it's personal opinion and all, but there is SO much potential with that base artwork. Like your "Start" labels. Try matching the typeface from "gods among us" for those labels. Not even the font, but the spacing and the texture and blending effects as well. You've got a great eye for base art, anything you add to it, buttons, labels, logos etc would be best (in my opinion) to complement the art.  I get the feeling your seeing some major inspiration for your projects based off art you're finding. Almost like it's the excuse to pull the trigger on a project because you found something that just jumps out, like the side art on the MK cab, this DC control panel, etc. If you haven't seen it already maybe watch the documentary called "Helvetica". Might trigger some thoughts and get some conversations in your head going about font design and layout.

Thanks! I'm just learning how to use PS so I'm not up on all the possibilities/abilities of it yet. I really did try to match the START text but I couldn't find anything really close. These are just rough drafts and I'm still working on them.

[ChanceKJ]

Hey man, no worries.

I've been working with Photoshop since at least 1998, I've owned a design business and I still think I'm ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---. Mind you I am overly critical of my own work.

Seriously, watch Helvetica. It's crazy.  Couple other things if you didn't already know about them: DaFont.com, WhatTheFont (the app), and Bert Monroy. Try watching some of the early episodes of his show "Pixel Perfect". 

A good artist with a pencil with impress, but a good layout artist will trick you every time.

[monkeychunkuk]

ive been trying to do my own /mk cab im still not sure about the marquee






Oh and I've lined up my buttons but still no final control panel except this fun one