The GameBoy Arcade Build

[HCFREAK]

Hi again everybody. I was lurking around this forum for far too long. Now it really got me, and I decided to start, building my own first 'arcade' machine. I put the word arcade in quotes, because it wont play any real arcade titles, but original GameBoy Games instead.

This project primarily serves as an exercise for me, for getting to know all the important stuff, when building an arcade – or at least some of it.

As for the design of the build, basically I am using someone elses. I really can not remember from where I got it, since I basically collected and downloaded all the stuff, which looked interesting to me for a few weeks and I didn't put it all in my browser favorites. For all I know, it could be from this forum. Someone was kind enough, to post plans of his design.



So, ok. Here is the first picture I did in foddoschobb. Since then I already did many changes. Probably gonna have to update this sketch.

Basically, inside this thing will be an SNES, halfway disassembled. I will take the upper half off of it, so that it fits better inside (less space). Then there will be a Super GameBoy adapter being inserted into it's slot, so that the upper half sticks out of the controls board. At first I was thinking to use one of those really sweet 'Super GameBoy Commander' joypads. They were never sold in europe, as far as I know, but you can buy them for a relatively good price in ebay, and have em shipped from japan. I would have had kind of a mold, so that you could have placed the controller inside that mold, after you where finished playing.

But, although I like that controller a lot and it really gives you a throwback to those original classic GameBoy controls, somehow the arcade machine didn't seem 'arcady' enough without a real joystick and some buttons. So I decided to scrap the part with the 'Commander joypad' and implement a real arcade joystick and buttons instead. I will have a disassembled super NES controller inside, which will be be soldered (solded?) to the arcade controls. Shouldnt be too hard I think. In addition, I would solder a power switch for on/off, so that you can actually switch the power on or off on the super nintendo.

I am planing to use a 19” TFT screen, which sits right there in the middle. In front of the TFT there will be a plate of acrylic glass ('Plexiglas' in german) on which I am going to place a sticker, so that you have the typical 'Dot Matrix with stereo sound' – stuff and so on, around the screen itself. I am also planning to use a small light indicator for the 'battery' thingy on the left side, so that when you switch the thing on, it also lights up. Just like as if you where using some AAA batteries with it and it shows you how much power you still have.

Of course, when you want to switch to another game, you would physically change it for another gameboy catridge and there you go. I know there are probably enough site where you could get ripped roms and stuff, but I like that idea of retaining some of that originality, by using the real original catridges. I have a nice gameboy collection of my own and I guess I wouldnt be the only one, thinking this way.

As for the side art, I came up with something already much better, than that filler 'gameboy' headline I used in that first sketch there. The best thing is, that my partner is very much a pro, when it comes to artistical stuff. He is kind of wizard with airbrush and nearly everything else, when it comes to painting and so on. So I did this in fodooschobb:



My main goal here was, to stay as faithfully to the original packaging, we had here in europe, when the GB came out. Then I added some of the most iconic figures from several gameboy games and there you go. Of course the screen of the gameboy there will not be showing tetris. Maybe it will just show the 'nintendo' logo, or it will be just blank, I dont know yet for sure. So my partner said, that he can do that, using airbrush. I am pretty excited how something like that would turn out, when done with an airbrush.

Regarding the marquee, I was planning to use a sticker I can put on a piece of acrylic glas. Behind it, I would put some kind of blueish light and leave a little bit of space around the letters of 'GameBoy', so that it could shine through there. Maybe make it more diffuse, so that you are not blinded by the glare or something.

[HCFREAK]

God dayum... ok, I admit, I am not too techno savy, when it comes to posting on forums and stuff. These pics didn't need to be shown in their 100% resolution. Mhm... is there a possibilty to post a preview of those, so that you can see the full resolution, when clicking on them?

[PL1]

These pics didn't need to be shown in their 100% resolution. Mhm... is there a possibilty to post a preview of those, so that you can see the full resolution, when clicking on them?

Scaled down to 300 pixels wide: (width=300)

Code: [Select]

[img width=300]http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=336096;image[/img]

Scaled down to 400 pixels tall: (height=400)

Code: [Select]

[img height=400]http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=336096;image[/img]

Define the size of one axis and the other axis will scale proportionally.   

Click on a scaled-down image to see it full size.


Scott

[Slippyblade]

If you are using the 'Image' button on the msg toolbar then it will post tags.  Go into the [img] tag and change it so it says [img width=xxx] where xxx is how wide you want it displayed.  You can modify your post as well to add the width attribute.

[HCFREAK]

Ahh..... so much better. Thank you guys 

[Slippyblade]

Apparently Scott was typing the same response as me, but much more quickly and with visuals!

[reptileink]

So, I am a bit confused. You want to use regular joystick and buttons, but yet you are going to use an entire SNES and have to place carts in the control panel to run it? 

Why not just use emulators with Raspberry PI?

Is it an expense thing? I don't see the point of having a bartop arcade build with all the bells and whistles of a cab, and then just have a console that you still have to add carts to? 

[vwalbridge]

So, I am a bit confused. You want to use regular joystick and buttons, but yet you are going to use an entire SNES and have to place carts in the control panel to run it? 

Why not just use emulators with Raspberry PI?

Is it an expense thing? I don't see the point of having a bartop arcade build with all the bells and whistles of a cab, and then just have a console that you still have to add carts to? 

[yotsuya]

So, I am a bit confused. You want to use regular joystick and buttons, but yet you are going to use an entire SNES and have to place carts in the control panel to run it? 

Why not just use emulators with Raspberry PI?

Is it an expense thing? I don't see the point of having a bartop arcade build with all the bells and whistles of a cab, and then just have a console that you still have to add carts to? 

[Slippyblade]

God I loved that movie.  Part of it is my crush on Nicole Kidman, but still a great movie.

[yotsuya]

God I loved that movie.  Part of it is my crush on Nicole Kidman, but still a great movie.

You have one on her, too?

[opt2not]

Some thoughts:

How are you going to connect an SNES to a TFT Screen, and not have it look terrible? Are you using an upscaler device at all?

Do you plan on modifying your Super Gameboy cart so that it runs at the same speed as the original gameboy? There is an underclock mod that has a crystal installed to correct the GameBoy speed since the original Nintendo design was using a division of the SNES clock that gives an approximation of the correct clock speed. This guy's video shows the difference with his mod: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=DEs-LehCyRU#t=166s

Personally, I don't condone sacking perfectly working hardware for projects like this, so hopefully you're using a beat-up SNES for the brains of this machine. Either that or one of those clone systems like a retron on whatnot.

One last thing, having the Super Gameboy protruding out of the CP kinda kills it for me. It makes it obvious that you're running an SNES in there, and from a aesthetic POV it doesn't look very nice. If I were doing this, I'd try to integrate the Super Gameboy into the cabinet so that it looks like just a cart slot.

Good luck with your build!

[vwalbridge]

Some thoughts:

How are you going to connect an SNES to a TFT Screen, and not have it look terrible? Are you using an upscaler device at all?

Do you plan on modifying your Super Gameboy cart so that it runs at the same speed as the original gameboy? There is an underclock mod that has a crystal installed to correct the GameBoy speed since the original Nintendo design was using a division of the SNES clock that gives an approximation of the correct clock speed. This guy's video shows the difference with his mod: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=DEs-LehCyRU#t=166s

Personally, I don't condone sacking perfectly working hardware for projects like this, so hopefully you're using a beat-up SNES for the brains of this machine. Either that or one of those clone systems like a retron on whatnot.

One last thing, having the Super Gameboy protruding out of the CP kinda kills it for me. It makes it obvious that you're running an SNES in there, and from a aesthetic POV it doesn't look very nice. If I were doing this, I'd try to integrate the Super Gameboy into the cabinet so that it looks like just a cart slot.

Good luck with your build!

In all seriousness tho...

If it were me, and I insisted on making a Gameboy arcade machine. Then I would scrap the entire idea of using actual Nintendo hardware inside. Rather I would just use a mame/computer with a good video card.

Why?

Because with programs like RetroArch, you can achieve some absolulty incredible results with the Gameboy Shader for an incredibly authentic feel. (Repeat, a good video card is required as this shader is intense)

More samples:



You can even put the gameboy bezel overlay on the screen.

[HCFREAK]

Thanks for your input guys.

Well, at first, let me maybe try to justify the reason, why I am actually using a real SNES inside the arcade in conjunction with a Super GB cartridge.

I plan on also building another arcade machine, using mame and stuff, but when it comes to gameboy games, I guess I'm just a sucker for the original cartridges. I grew up with  that magical device, which almost felt, like you were holding a portable NES in your hands. Before that, it was only those very primitive LCD games from Tiger, or sometimes those Game&Watch games from Nintendo.

Somehow, and I really do not mean any offence by saying that, I really treasure the idea, of having a game on its original cartridge, because it really is the one I played, when I was a kid. I can't really explain it, but for me, putting in the cartridge and then playing 'that particular' game, then putting in another – it gives those games a more... valuable feel to it, then just scrolling through a list, made of text, and then pushing a button to load it. - Again – no offence to those, who prefer playing it that way. For me, it is the exact same, when it comes to movies. I personally don't care at all, about the physical DVD or Bluray Box sitting in my shelf. All I care about is the movie being on my hard drive. I don't treasure movie posters, or any of that stuff. I guess maybe it is the same way for some people in regards to games. Having the game, but not having a cartridge, not having that physical 'feel' of it.... looking at the packaging... for me, that is like almost half the experience. It somehow multiplies the fun I have with those games by a lot. So,... that just as an explanation why I want to build the machine this way.

But again, I am the last person to argue over this. If you are content with using emulators, then that is totally fine with me, no problem there. As a matter of fact, as I mentioned, I also wonna build a machine, that uses emulators. But the one with the gameboy stuff.... that's how I like it best I guess.

So.... in regards to the technical stuff: I am using a RGB to HDMI converter. This converter luckily gets rid of all those pesky low quality cinch 'problems'. IT really makes the signal from the SNES look impressively good. Having the HDMI signal, I am then plugging a HDMI to VGA cable in between. This way I'll have the best possible picture on that VGA TFT screen, using the original hardware.

I watched that video, with the different clock speeds like a long time ago, funny that I saw it again now    But that is no problem for me. The difference is so minor, I doubt anyone would notice it, not having played those old gameboy games in 20 years or more, and then gets to play them again.

And yes, the SNES I'm gonna use is pretty beat up.. so the perfect candidate for this... technically it's totally working and fine.

I have to admit, that, from a design standpoint, having the super gb kind of prodrute out of the controls board is not yet really optimal. Maybe I can find a better solution for that.

I gotta admit though, that those pics, especially with the gameboy bezel around them, look really nice

[yotsuya]

Thanks for your input guys.

Well, at first, let me maybe try to justify the reason, why I am actually using a real SNES inside the arcade in conjunction with a Super GB cartridge.

I plan on also building another arcade machine, using mame and stuff, but when it comes to gameboy games, I guess I'm just a sucker for the original cartridges. I grew up with  that magical device, which almost felt, like you were holding a portable NES in your hands. Before that, it was only those very primitive LCD games from Tiger, or sometimes those Game&Watch games from Nintendo.

Somehow, and I really do not mean any offence by saying that, I really treasure the idea, of having a game on its original cartridge, because it really is the one I played, when I was a kid. I can't really explain it, but for me, putting in the cartridge and then playing 'that particular' game, then putting in another – it gives those games a more... valuable feel to it, then just scrolling through a list, made of text, and then pushing a button to load it. - Again – no offence to those, who prefer playing it that way. For me, it is the exact same, when it comes to movies. I personally don't care at all, about the physical DVD or Bluray Box sitting in my shelf. All I care about is the movie being on my hard drive. I don't treasure movie posters, or any of that stuff. I guess maybe it is the same way for some people in regards to games. Having the game, but not having a cartridge, not having that physical 'feel' of it.... looking at the packaging... for me, that is like almost half the experience. It somehow multiplies the fun I have with those games by a lot. So,... that just as an explanation why I want to build the machine this way.

But again, I am the last person to argue over this. If you are content with using emulators, then that is totally fine with me, no problem there. As a matter of fact, as I mentioned, I also wonna build a machine, that uses emulators. But the one with the gameboy stuff.... that's how I like it best I guess.

So.... in regards to the technical stuff: I am using a RGB to HDMI converter. This converter luckily gets rid of all those pesky low quality cinch 'problems'. IT really makes the signal from the SNES look impressively good. Having the HDMI signal, I am then plugging a HDMI to VGA cable in between. This way I'll have the best possible picture on that VGA TFT screen, using the original hardware.

I watched that video, with the different clock speeds like a long time ago, funny that I saw it again now    But that is no problem for me. The difference is so minor, I doubt anyone would notice it, not having played those old gameboy games in 20 years or more, and then gets to play them again.

And yes, the SNES I'm gonna use is pretty beat up.. so the perfect candidate for this... technically it's totally working and fine.

I have to admit, that, from a design standpoint, having the super gb kind of prodrute out of the controls board is not yet really optimal. Maybe I can find a better solution for that.

I gotta admit though, that those pics, especially with the gameboy bezel around them, look really nice

I hear you, and I understand what you are say, I really do. However, I don't think you'll be happy playing those games on arcade controls. Note that I didn't say you CAN'T play them, I just don't think you'll be happy with the compromise. Sure, it's just 4 directions and 2 buttons, but if the physical need to use the cartridge is a big deal to you, I think ultimately losing the feel of the controller in your hands will be a deal-breaker as well. Take SNES games... I love 'em, I put them on my cab, I technically had enough buttons to map them all.... and I hated, hated, HATED the way it played. It's not the same.

Just stuff to comsider. It's your project, good luck. 

[opt2not]

Luckily it's an "exercise" project, so this should be a good learning process. 

So.... in regards to the technical stuff: I am using a RGB to HDMI converter. This converter luckily gets rid of all those pesky low quality cinch 'problems'. IT really makes the signal from the SNES look impressively good. Having the HDMI signal, I am then plugging a HDMI to VGA cable in between. This way I'll have the best possible picture on that VGA TFT screen, using the original hardware.

Wait, so you're going from SNES RGB --> HDMI --> VGA...   (I'm assuming you're coming from a SCART connection?)

This will definitely introduce some visual issues since you're taking an analog signal, converting it to digital, then back to analog. And there will be noticable lag.

Just go from RGB straight to VGA!  There are plenty of cheap RGB to VGA scalers out there, like the Gonbes CGA/EGA/YUV to VGA that can do this for you.  All you need to worry about it getting a separate sync signal out of the SNES.  There are really easy sync separator circuits you can put together if you know a little bit about soldering.
Check this thread out on the Shmups forum:  http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=35423  they're using the Gonbes for this kind of set-up, and it looks pretty damn cheap to get going.

Also, I'd advise you to read these two resources for an understanding of video modes and scaling:
http://scanlines.hazard-city.de/
http://retrorgb.com/

Good luck with this, it's definitely an interesting one. 

[reptileink]

Thanks for your input guys.

Well, at first, let me maybe try to justify the reason, why I am actually using a real SNES inside the arcade in conjunction with a Super GB cartridge.

I plan on also building another arcade machine, using mame and stuff, but when it comes to gameboy games, I guess I'm just a sucker for the original cartridges. I grew up with  that magical device, which almost felt, like you were holding a portable NES in your hands. Before that, it was only those very primitive LCD games from Tiger, or sometimes those Game&Watch games from Nintendo.

Somehow, and I really do not mean any offence by saying that, I really treasure the idea, of having a game on its original cartridge, because it really is the one I played, when I was a kid. I can't really explain it, but for me, putting in the cartridge and then playing 'that particular' game, then putting in another – it gives those games a more... valuable feel to it, then just scrolling through a list, made of text, and then pushing a button to load it. - Again – no offence to those, who prefer playing it that way. For me, it is the exact same, when it comes to movies. I personally don't care at all, about the physical DVD or Bluray Box sitting in my shelf. All I care about is the movie being on my hard drive. I don't treasure movie posters, or any of that stuff. I guess maybe it is the same way for some people in regards to games. Having the game, but not having a cartridge, not having that physical 'feel' of it.... looking at the packaging... for me, that is like almost half the experience. It somehow multiplies the fun I have with those games by a lot. So,... that just as an explanation why I want to build the machine this way.

But again, I am the last person to argue over this. If you are content with using emulators, then that is totally fine with me, no problem there. As a matter of fact, as I mentioned, I also wonna build a machine, that uses emulators. But the one with the gameboy stuff.... that's how I like it best I guess.

So.... in regards to the technical stuff: I am using a RGB to HDMI converter. This converter luckily gets rid of all those pesky low quality cinch 'problems'. IT really makes the signal from the SNES look impressively good. Having the HDMI signal, I am then plugging a HDMI to VGA cable in between. This way I'll have the best possible picture on that VGA TFT screen, using the original hardware.

I watched that video, with the different clock speeds like a long time ago, funny that I saw it again now    But that is no problem for me. The difference is so minor, I doubt anyone would notice it, not having played those old gameboy games in 20 years or more, and then gets to play them again.

And yes, the SNES I'm gonna use is pretty beat up.. so the perfect candidate for this... technically it's totally working and fine.

I have to admit, that, from a design standpoint, having the super gb kind of prodrute out of the controls board is not yet really optimal. Maybe I can find a better solution for that.

I gotta admit though, that those pics, especially with the gameboy bezel around them, look really nice

I hear what you are saying, but let me throw out this sentence:

You are making a stationary version of a portable game that you fondly refer to as a "portable nintendo in your hands".

Why not just use the Gameboy? If (and when) you ever went to the arcade (based on your age), did you get to hold the arcade cabinet in your hands, or admire the box art? No, you plunked in a quarter and started playing ONE game.

Listen, I have ALL the love for console games. When you can play Donkey Kong on Nintendo 24 hours straight with no quarters needed, it was a kid's dream! The whole point of making an arcade is to not have to keep putting carts in. I hear you on the "feels" of having a console and cart collection (keeping boxes was big with me), but how often do you take those boxes down and longingly stare at them, read the manuals, etc? How often do you run your hands through a bin of Gameboy carts to physically touch them? Probably never. You pop a game in and play.

It seems you are set on your design. If you are going to keep it that way, I would suggest maybe placing the port on the side of the machine versus smack dab in the middle of your control panel.