Co-op Classics conversion project

[JoeStrout]

OK, I am officially launching my "Co-op Classics" project!  This will be a 4-player machine adapted from an empty Gauntlet Legends cabinet, and the focus will be on providing a small number of multiplayer cooperative games, namely:

• Gauntlet II
• Rampage
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
• Simpsons
• Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow over Mystara

The idea is that the boys (who will be 11 and 15 years old by the time this is done) will have friends over, and they can all have fun playing together (without the kids who own the machine stomping all over the kids who have never played before).

Here's the cabinet, shortly after we got it home (er, but after rearranging the button colors the way we want them):


It's not completely empty; the power supply and controls appear to be in good shape.  But there are no electronics, and no screen:


Finally, here's a shot of the inside of the control panel.  The button switches are still detached.  We decided to rewire, so we'll get back to that as soon as some parts arrive.  (And yes, the wiring looks considerably neater in this state than it does when everything is plugged in!)

[JoeStrout]

So here's the plan:

• Controls: keep this hardware, but rearrange the joysticks to match the new color pattern, and add one more button to each position (for playing D&D); then wire everything neatly to a U-HID.
• Cabinet: patch, sand, remove stickers, & repaint.
• Artwork: I'm talking to some artists now about commissioning some "Co-Op Classics" marquis and side art; also need to talk to the spouse about color schemes.
• Display: we'll make do with a 20" 4:3 LCD monitor initially, but later plan to get a 40" TV and mount it vertically (which will take some hacking inside the cabinet, but I think we can do it).
• Computer: still debating between Raspberry Pi and a Mac Mini.  We've gotten MAME working on both; the Mac is much easier to work with, but plays MAME no better than the RPi once it's all set up, so... dunno.

Currently in progress:

• Ordered parts to make U-HID cables from Pololu (we'll have one harness for each player station).
• Ordered Torx security bits so I can remove the CP overlay.
• Starting to look into sticker removal.

[stigzler]

Good renovation. What's this?:

[JoeStrout]

Ah, that's the marquee, which is still lying down flat against the top of the cab.  I need to get a T-27 driver to remove the bolts holding it down, then I can rotate it up and bolt it back into position.



So I guess that's another item for the to-do list, though it should be a pretty trivial one.

[stigzler]

Oh.. rather predictably, I'm gonna have to say:

[reptileink]

Don't forget NBA Jam, NFL Blitz, and of course, X-Men

[JoeStrout]

Don't forget NBA Jam, NFL Blitz, and of course, X-Men

X-Men... YES!  I never played that one much (think it was after my time) but it fits perfectly well with our theme.  I'll have to dope-slap myself for not thinking of it.

NBA and NFL... meh.

[harveybirdman]

Sengoku 3
Knights of the Round
Gaia Crusaders
Double Dragon
Battle Circuit
Captain Commando
Final Fight
Aliens vs Predator
Armored Warriors
B Rap Boys
Crystal of Kings
Golden Axe
Golden Axe RODA
Oriental Legend
Warriors of Fate

If you have new MAME and your computer is fast

The Gladiator Road of the Sword
Knights of Valour series

[JoeStrout]

Sorry, I should have mentioned that I'm only taking games that support at least 3 co-op players (preferably 4 — but I'll make an exception for Rampage!).  EDIT: And, only games I've actually heard of (my machine, I get to define what "classics" means to me ).

I do appreciate the suggestions, though!

[opt2not]

Sorry, I should have mentioned that I'm only taking games that support at least 3 co-op players (preferably 4 — but I'll make an exception for Rampage!).  EDIT: And, only games I've actually heard of (my machine, I get to define what "classics" means to me ).

I do appreciate the suggestions, though!

The Combatribes!  (A pretty deep beat-em-up for it's time)  It supports 3 players and is tough as nails.

[Malenko]

if only someone made a wiki page listing all the 3 and 4 player games...............

[opt2not]

But then how would we pad our post counts? 

[dmckean]

But then how would we pad our post counts? 

+1 

[Malenko]

http://newwiki.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?title=Multi-Player_Games

[PL1]

Sorry, I should have mentioned that I'm only taking games that support at least 3 co-op players (preferably 4 — but I'll make an exception for Rampage!).  EDIT: And, only games I've actually heard of (my machine, I get to define what "classics" means to me ).

I do appreciate the suggestions, though!

You may want to check out Malenko's Multi-Player Games list here.   


Scott

[JoeStrout]

So, yesterday we managed to get those *@#! c-rings off the bottoms of the joysticks, and cleaned and rearranged them.



So we've got the colors arranged the way we want.  We still need to add a fourth button for each station, for use with D&D.  So I guess ordering four new buttons (and hopefully matching the color and style) is high on my to-do list.  And we have to decide where this fourth button is going to go... as the current three are arranged, I work the top two with my index and middle finger, and the bottom ("Turbo") button with my thumb.  That doesn't lend itself very well to a fourth.  But I think we can make it work; here's the D&D control panel:




So, if we add the 4th button to the right of the "turbo" button, and then shifted up towards the other two, we'll have an approximate diamond quite similar to this.

[Malenko]

So, if we add the 4th button to the right of the "turbo" button, and then shifted up towards the other two, we'll have an approximate diamond quite similar to this.

Just to make you aware , That D&D panel is a konami conversion and not dedicated.

[JoeStrout]

Oh yeah, I wanted to add that there is a ton of space inside this control panel.  You could practically park a truck in there.  Even more practically, I could easily fit the computer (either the Raspberry Pi or the Mac Mini) in there).

So, I think we'll probably do exactly that, with the computer firmly affixed to the bottom of the CP, and ports or cables on the back for power, audio, and video connections.  This way we'll be able to bring in just the CP and plug it into our TV or a monitor and speakers while testing and debugging the software.  This is a big win, because the cabinet itself is in the garage, and I live in Arizona, where the garage is much too hot to actually go into for more than a few seconds.

But yes, I do realize the danger here... that we'll get the CP playable on its own, and never finish the cab.  But we have two things helping to guard against that.  First, we've already promised the relatives that we'll have the cab complete and ready to play when they come visit for Thanksgiving.  Second, I'm documenting our project here in this forum.  So if I don't finish it by November, I expect loud and merciless public mockery!

[Nephasth]

Probably best to completely redo the button layouts.

[Malenko]

Probably best to completely redo the button layouts.

^This. I guess I was being too subtle.   If you try to shoe horn in a layout you'll end up hating it. Make it comfy and I suggest lining up the sticks on a straight line so you can do 2 player smash TV, karate champ, etc

[JoeStrout]

Just to make you aware , That D&D panel is a konami conversion and not dedicated.

DOH!  Then my google-fu is weak, because I'm unable to find a better image.  You don't happen to know where to get a shot of the original D&D CP, do you?

[JoeStrout]

Probably best to completely redo the button layouts.

That's possible but not likely.  It would mean cutting a whole new top board, routing out the joystick mounts and the T-molding groove, etc.  Conceivable, yes, but it would require leveling up my skills and my tools (for example, I don't even own a router) considerably.

I do have a hole saw, however, so I think we're going to just apply that.  If everything else is done and working and we find the button layout suboptimal, then we can make a new board and swap it in.

Since of the games we're going to have on here, I think D&D is the only one that uses more than two buttons (and two of those aren't used very frequently), I suspect it'll be fine.

[Nephasth]

It would mean cutting a whole new top board, routing out the joystick mounts and the T-molding groove, etc.

No. No, it wouldn't.

[Malenko]

http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=7667

[JoeStrout]

We still need to add a fourth button for each station, for use with D&D.  So I guess ordering four new buttons (and hopefully matching the color and style) is high on my to-do list.

Actually, me-of-15-minutes-ago is an idiot.  Me-of-now realized that I should instead just move the existing "start" buttons down into the play area, and then get new start buttons, which don't necessarily need to match — in fact I've just ordered these ones, which light up:



I like this idea because not all these games support four players (I'm looking at you, Rampage).  So, hopefully, when the game is selected in the main menu, I can light up the "start" buttons that are actually functional, and turn off the one that is not.  This will provide a nice cue for the new kids.

[JoeStrout]

It would mean cutting a whole new top board, routing out the joystick mounts and the T-molding groove, etc.

No. No, it wouldn't.

Care to elaborate?

[yotsuya]

Oh yeah, I wanted to add that there is a ton of space inside this control panel.  You could practically park a truck in there.  Even more practically, I could easily fit the computer (either the Raspberry Pi or the Mac Mini) in there).

So, I think we'll probably do exactly that, with the computer firmly affixed to the bottom of the CP, and ports or cables on the back for power, audio, and video connections.  This way we'll be able to bring in just the CP and plug it into our TV or a monitor and speakers while testing and debugging the software.  This is a big win, because the cabinet itself is in the garage, and I live in Arizona, where the garage is much too hot to actually go into for more than a few seconds.

But yes, I do realize the danger here... that we'll get the CP playable on its own, and never finish the cab.  But we have two things helping to guard against that.  First, we've already promised the relatives that we'll have the cab complete and ready to play when they come visit for Thanksgiving.  Second, I'm documenting our project here in this forum.  So if I don't finish it by November, I expect loud and merciless public mockery!

You live here in AZ? Didn't know that.

[Vigo]

It would mean cutting a whole new top board, routing out the joystick mounts and the T-molding groove, etc.

No. No, it wouldn't.

Care to elaborate?

I believe he is suggesting you just fill the button holes with bondo or some other brand hard wood fill, let it harden and drill new holes. Worth the effort.


Oh, and be sure to include Trog. 

[Nephasth]

  Vigo

[Malenko]

plug em with dowel rods , then level with Bondo 

[DeLuSioNal29]

Or just remove the top of the CP, trace it (including joystick holes) , cut a fresh piece out of MDF and put the buttons where you want them to go.  Then you can sell the CP top (which looks to be in good shape).

D

[Malenko]

Or just remove the top of the CP, trace it (including joystick holes) , cut a fresh piece out of MDF and put the buttons where you want them to go.  Then you can sell the CP top (which looks to be in good shape).

D

Not an option, he said no routing joystick bases or tmolding slots.

[DeLuSioNal29]

Wait a sec. Are you planning to use the existing 49-way joys?!?

[stigzler]

49-way. How does that even work!? It does even work mathematically!

[Malenko]

Finally, here's a shot of the inside of the control panel.  The button switches are still detached.  We decided to rewire, so we'll get back to that as soon as some parts arrive.  (And yes, the wiring looks considerably neater in this state than it does when everything is plugged in!)

I think its safe to say they were replaced with 8 ways

[JoeStrout]

Wait a sec. Are you planning to use the existing 49-way joys?!?

Not sure what you're talking about there.  These joysticks are 8-way, with 4 microswitches each (I think you can just make 'em out in the picture at the start of the thread, with the CP opened up).

I don't know whether these are the original arcade joysticks... I suspect not.  But they seem to be decent.  A little clicky for my tastes, but I know a lot of people like it that way, so I'm willing to give it a try.  (I figure it's like weird noises in your car engine: just crank up the music until you can't hear it anymore!)

[Vigo]

49-way. How does that even work!? It does even work mathematically!

In memoriam of the 50th way:

[Nephasth]

49-way. How does that even work!? It does even work mathematically!

Since you can't be bothered to use google...

[Malenko]

Since you can't be bothered to use google...

I always thought they should be called 48ways since dead center doesnt actually go a "way"

[Vigo]

Since you can't be bothered to use google...

I always thought they should be called 48ways since dead center doesnt actually go a "way"

Right, we don't have 5 way or 9 way joysticks.