Pac-Man Fever - First Build

[fargo]

My first project.  Complete until I get around to maybe getting some additional artwork created and applied



I don’t have much for WIP pictures, as this build hasn’t been very fluid.  I also don’t have plans or sketches, as I had a base cabinet used for inspiration [inspired by the curves of Epyx’s Aliens cab http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,96465.0.html], and beyond that, I just made it up as I went.

A little background… My arcade build [complete] history…

-   Born 1972:  Places me roughly into what I consider the sweet spot of growing up with the arcade classics as a pre-teen/teen male during the height of arcades.
-   Mid 80’s: Local small town (pop ~450) café rotates 3 arcade games and a pinball for pretty much all of my school years.  Ms Pacman, Mario Bros, Dk Kong Jr were played endlessly.
-   1998: became aware of MAME.  Playing my classic fav’s using arrow keys is second-nature, as that was how I learned to play most games back on my Apple IIC.
-   2007: became aware of ArcadeControls.com and decided immediately that I would build my own machine when I got around to it.
-   2008: bought roughly $800 worth of misc. joysticks/buttons/controllers in anticipation of a build.   The would largely remain in a box for the next seven years.
-   2009: 3 sheets of MDF delivered since I was getting something else delivered anyway.  They would stand in a corner of my garage for a bit.

< 2008 / 2010 – kids.  Time to work on hobbies?  Nope. >

-   2013: Finally get around to cutting MDF down to size and shape for cabinet.  The momentum isn’t sustained.  Pieces sit in a pile for two more years.
-   2015: Oldest son is seven.  Think I better make time to build this thing once and for all.

-   Future: 2nd build for trackball and rotary games.  If/when I get around to it.


Project goal: 2 player, plus dedicated 4-way in the middle, as I like to play classics and wanted it centered with the ability to have buttons active on left or right, depending on the game.

Build includes:
2 x UltraStick-360s
1 x Sanwa JLF, 4 way restrictor
IPac
LedWiz
Red SpectraLite pushbuttons / leaf switches
Spectra Eclipse pushbottons for Select/Exit/Coin/Pause

[fargo]

A few more pics...

[tigernut]

Looks very nice, I like the black paint and red t-moulding, very much like my cabinet.

I'm currently trying to decide on joysticks for my control panel. How do you like the ones you picked?

[vwalbridge]

I like the black paint

That is one heck of a good paint job if that is indeed paint....but is that laminate?

EDIT: I'm also curious about he protruding red square where the coin door would normally be?

[Peabo]

Very clean build, great job!

Are you using the LEDwiz to light buttons needed by the game selected?

[fargo]

Disclaimer - not sure how to quote in order to direct responses, and I'm too tired right now to google it; I'll do better next time.  (maybe)

Are you using the LEDwiz to light buttons needed by the game selected?

Yes.  Exactly - lighting up the buttons used for each game.   Includes the customized option to use the button(s) on the left or right side of the central 4-way for the classics so the player can choose how they want to control, righty/lefty.  Still have to incorporate the CPWizard functionality to display the buttons' functions when game is paused; when i get to it.

That is one heck of a good paint job if that is indeed paint....but is that laminate?

EDIT: I'm also curious about he protruding red square where the coin door would normally be?

It is paint.  Applied using a foam roller.  The protruding red square is just an access, as well as an opportunity for some vinyl graphics.

I'm currently trying to decide on joysticks for my control panel. How do you like the ones you picked?

Love the U-360's.  Jury is still out on the Sanwa.  Throw might be a bit long for the Pac-Man games, which are some of my favs.

[EMDB]

I'm currently trying to decide on joysticks for my control panel. How do you like the ones you picked?

Love the U-360's.  Jury is still out on the Sanwa.  Throw might be a bit long for the Pac-Man games, which are some of my favs.

Why don't you just use the U-360 with an 4-way mapping loaded instead?

[harveybirdman]

What he said ↑

× 1000

[vwalbridge]

What he said ↑

× 1000

Me three.

It's no secret I love the U360. It makes a great 4 way joystick with the proper mapping.