XBOX based arcade

[gammelgam]

Here's a quick presentation of my XBOX-based arcade.

The hardware is basically a chipped XBOX with a 130G HD with the popular arcade emulators in their XBOX counterparts: MameoX, KawaX, FbaX. With the latest versions of these emulators, even the larger ROMs are running fine, using virtual memory (the XBOX has only 64M shared CPU/GPU memory).

The interface for the HAPP sticks and buttons are two hacked Logic3 Arcade sticks. I installed a d-sub connector in the bases of the sticks which enables me to remove the Logic3 sticks and use them stand-alone fashion as well.

The control panel with joysticks can be replaced by a dedicated steering wheel control panel. The steering wheel was bought used for 150 sek (about $20) and is actually one of these: http://www.happcontrols.com/driving/50807000e.htm. The interface to the XBOX is a chopped up plastic wheel thingy from Thrustmaster. The wheel was then modified to include the shifting paddles. The paddle itself was machined from aluminium and the microswitches were taken from the Thrustmaster. Two springs make the paddle return to center after shifting. The gas/brake pedals are from the Thrustmaster wheel without any modifications.

The 28" TV are simply put on top of the base without any side panels or covering glass/plexi.

The marquee is made from 2 mm aluminium, bent, shaped, and painted. It stays in place on the TV using double sided tape (heavy duty stuff, really difficult to remove).

The cabinet itself has a door below the subwoofer enabling access to the XBOX.

The machine works extremely well with the arcade simulators. It is much easier to configure the XBOX and the emulator to use the entire TV screen without black borders or excessive overscan.

The artwork is printed on normal photo paper using an on-line digital photo printing service. It was really cheap (700x500 mm costs about 100 sek ($13)). The print is laminated between the MDF and a 2 mm clear PVC. The sad part of the print was that they do differ from the digital original in green areas. Most obvious in the XBOX logo, where the print has a much duller green than I had hoped for.

[gammelgam]

More pics...

[gammelgam]

more pics...

[Acids]

Interesting Idea having the TV open like that.

[gammelgam]

Sorry, no photos from the side or back. But I have the 2nd best thing: 3D CAD models!

The TV simply rests on the inclined surface. It is prevented from sliding off by a small piece of wood in the back. See picture.

Front ends? I don't think that's possible on the XBOX versions of the emulators. I use the defualt ones. Not pretty, but it works.

No website. I think this forum kind of makes the web page overkill.

Anyway, glad you liked it!

[2600]

How's the steering wheel fasten on?

Reminds me a little of those sit down Candy? cabs

[rchadd]

like it!

how does the happs steering wheel compare to standard xbox wheels?

[versapak]

Kind of a cross between a store display and an arcade cabinet.



I really like it.

[gammelgam]

The steering wheel is bolted onto its own control panel board. So to switch from joystick mode to steering wheel mode, I have to remove 4 screws and replace the entire top board. It's kind of a kludge, but it takes only about 2 minutes to do, so I decided to skip the more elaborate solutions...

The Xbox wheels are from plastic and rubber bands. That says it all. Worse quality than PC wheels, but if the cost limit for the design is $50, there's only so much you can do, I guess.

[Bloinkxp]

Wow.
What a nice original looking arcade.

[JamIt]

I dig it.
I assume you'll be building another so you can link the two and race head-to-head
I really dig it.
--JamIt

[SNAAKE]

I dont understand how exactly did you wire a real steering wheel from happcontrols for xbox ?? Explain

That setup looks great though..burnout 3 is da sh!t..I am STILL playing

[Magnet_Eye]

do you have any plans for that? i wanted to build something similar.

it's nice.

[gammelgam]

SNAAKE,

I wired the HAPP wheel to the XBOX by hacking into a Thrustmaster Steering Wheel made for the XBOX. I opened the Thrustmaster and removed all the electronics (PCB, steering potentiometer, and the gear up/down microswitches) Then I removed the potentiometer from the Thrustmaster and mounted it to the HAPP wheel (the second hand Arcade Wheel used a 5 kOhm whereas the XBOX used a 100 kOhm). Then I simply soldered wires to the PCB where the Thrustmaster buttons were. These wires were then connected to the HAPP buttons on the steering wheel control panel.

The gas/brake pedals were not modified at all. I actually bought a second hand Arcade pedal set (also in steel) but it was not ergonomically possible to use while standing up. But I might rebuild it later on. The plastic pedals kind of makes the whole concept seem unbalanced...

Magnet_Eye,

Plans? I have 3D models, but no 2D drawings... I'll see what I can do though... Hang on...

[Redseven80]

How's the steering wheel fasten on?

Reminds me a little of those sit down Candy? cabs

Yeah, first thing I thought, work!

[ras2a]

I didn't notice this thread before, but wow, that's really smart  Nice one.

[SNAAKE]

SNAAKE,

I wired the HAPP wheel to the XBOX by hacking into a Thrustmaster Steering Wheel made for the XBOX. I opened the Thrustmaster and removed all the electronics (PCB, steering potentiometer, and the gear up/down microswitches) Then I removed the potentiometer from the Thrustmaster and mounted it to the HAPP wheel (the second hand Arcade Wheel used a 5 kOhm whereas the XBOX used a 100 kOhm). Then I simply soldered wires to the PCB where the Thrustmaster buttons were. These wires were then connected to the HAPP buttons on the steering wheel control panel.

I think you are the first one hacked a real steering wheel for consoles.I always wondered if it will work and apprently it does !
You should consider writing a detailed guide on "how to wire real arcade steering wheel for xbox(or ps2)" with pictures and all.Anyway the same method should work fine for ps2 steering wheels ? I am thinking ps2 cuz I can have ps2,xbox,dc all together(with converters).

[gammelgam]

Ok, I made some rough 2D drawings. I normally spend my time trying to convince my collegues that 3D is superior to 2D drawings, and try to stay away from drawings (I use 3D instead) as much as possible, but for you I made an exception  (Do not tell anyone...)

And remember, drawings (especially 2D) can contain errors... Use your judgement.

[bioart]

That's a nice cab.  I was wondering also how the wheel is attached.  I'm still looking for the right wheel to use on my Mame cab... (Don't have the space to build a second one, thought it would be nice

Then again, I need to move before I can put a real pinball in place

[Acids]

Ok, I made some rough 2D drawings. I normally spend my time trying to convince my collegues that 3D is superior to 2D drawings, and try to stay away from drawings (I use 3D instead) as much as possible, but for you I made an exception

[gammelgam]

Hmm, yes. The drawing does not show up. But when I click the link (the paper clip icon) I am able to download it. In order to keep details visible, I made the image rather large (some 5000x3000 pixels), maybe that's why the preview does not show.

So try the link. If it still doesn't work let me know.

[Taborious]

Very nice, I was planning a large cab but after looking at this I may be looking at something like it. It looks a little top heavy??? any problems with it wobbling?

2 Questions

1) What windows 3d program are you using and how can I get it.
2) How did you do the marguee, not the artwork but the holder?

[gammelgam]

Taborious,

Top heavy? Perhaps in theory. In practice, it sits steady as a rock.  No problems whatsoever with respect to the mass distribution. Very stable.

My design objective was to minimize footprint and try to keep it "lean looking". That is why the sides are angled slightly, in an attempt to follow the main lines of the TV. That is also why I decided to keep the TV open and not cover it up.

Q1) I use I-DEAS NX.  It is a professional 3D mechanical CAD software (=expensive!!!) .  I used the software at work, but as all other software, it is probably available on the 'net as well...

Q2) The holder is made of 2mm aluminum sheet metal. It was bent and rolled using normal metal working tools. It took about 15 minutes to fabricate. Check the simple drawing.

[the3eyedblindman]

What happ sticks did you use? They would have to be analog right?

[versapak]

What happ sticks did you use?  They would have to be analog right?

Why would they have to be analog?

[the3eyedblindman]

I thought the X Box used analog controls.

[versapak]

Some games do, but I'd guess that the point of building an Xbox arcade is to play the arcade style games in their proper setting, and analog sticks wouldn't be required for the bulk of those.

The modded Xbox has its own ports of the major arcade emu's such as MAME, FBA, u64, etc...

I put an Xbox in my cab, so I could play the current arcade style games like blitz, hitz,  the multitude of fighting games, HoTD III, as well as any other new arcade style games, plus I still have the MAME stuff playable. All the more control demanding console specific stuff gets played in the living room with the regular controller still.




Dunno if any of that made any sense, but basically...

In my case, the arcade cab is to play arcade type games that all pretty much control just fine with the standard digital sticks.

[the3eyedblindman]

Is it possible to hack analog controls so you can play all xbox games with arcade controls?

[gammelgam]

My $0.02 on the issue of Analog joysticks for the XBOX in an Arcade...

1) In order to play all XBOX games you would need three joysticks (two analog and one digital) and 10 analog buttons. Analog joysticks would be difficult, but not impossible. Analog buttons, however, introduce a bigger problem: are such items even possible to buy?. So I would say, leave the advanced games to the standard controller.

2) The arcade games are usually simple controller-wise. One stick and some buttons. Playing, let's say KotOR 2, on an Arcade seems a bit silly.

3) My sticks are all digital. The Logic3 controller I hacked has a switch with three settings: Digital Direction Pad, Left Thumbstick and Right Thumbstick. This switch lets me use the Digital Arcade sticks as any of the three sticks on an XBOX controller, but only one at a time. And of course, when using a digital joystick as an analog, all signals are at their maximum, i.e the character always run, or the car always steer maximum left, and so on.

4) 3D fighters (DoA series, Soul Calibur2...) works *very well* with the arcade, since they use one stick and all buttons in digital mode.

[Hakari]

I have that same xbox stick (logic 3), and i was thinking of hacking it. I have an optical joystick and it needs 5v of power, could i get the 5v from that stick? If so, how? Which wire?

[gammelgam]

Sorry, can't help you. I did all my measurements on a disconnected PCB.

[Wade]

That's pretty sweet.  I have Mame cabs, regular arcade games, and pins.  That game is different and would fit in nicely to my gameroom mix.  A lot of younger adults I know aren't into classic games or pins at all, they are strictly xbox/ps2 etc., and a system like that would bridge the gap.

Nice!

Wade

[woodywood]

I agree. This thing is sweet. I am currently building my 6 year old son a MAME cabinet but I think he would love your x-box cabinet much better. Guess that is one more thing that I am going to have to build. Lucky I have a lot of time on my hands now. Again GREAT cab.

[toolaa]

gammelgam,

I am glad I stumbled onto this post.

I just picked up a Pole Position cab and the exact same Happ wheel you used to make your hack.

[gammelgam]

toolaa ,

Sorry for the late reply -- vacation...

I can't export a dxf file from my CAD software (I-DEAS), but I made a drawing -- just for you! (large gif, you might have to click the link to view)

My paddle was machined from the 3D solid (CNC is wonderful...).

The wheel itself was also modified a bit: sockets for the springs, hole for the shifter fastener, flattened the top where the shifter is resting.

Good luck on your projekt.

[shodokan123]

i'm interested in somthing like this... since well it will fit through my door lol.