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To MAME or not to MAME? And if so, how?
U2Edge:
Before I get started, let me just say I've read these forums for hours (but am now just able to post with the new users bug being fixed) and bought the Project Arcade book. I just wanted everything in one nice location. I'm pretty sure about most of the stuff, but I want to be absolutely sure before I start tearing into my cabinet.
That being said...
I have a dedicated 4-player NBA Jam cabinet. I bought a v.3 NBA Jam TE PCB and was able to flip flop to it and play it as well. Eventually, I will want to play the v.1 as it has additional hidden characters. I'll probably also want to be able to play other games and/or use the jukebox function in GameEx that I bought for my PC. So yeah, I'm thinking I'll want to MAME it. Is it horrible to MAME a dedicated cabinet? Of course, I'd want to keep it as clean and simple as possible. I can't play any Mortal Kombat/Street Fighter-type games that require more than three buttons and since I have an 8-way joystick, unless I lock 'em into 4-player mode, 4-way games would be a little harder to play. But I'm sure there's enough games out there that might pique my interest...
I understand the basics on MAME'ing and converting with J-Pacs, etc...but let me be sure.
- I would use a J-Pac and an I-Pac 2. I would then have to cut the wires from the wiring harness from players 3 and 4, PREFERABLY put the ends into a molex male connector and then run wires from the I-Pac 2 into a female molex connector and join 'em, correct?
- I would have to disconnect the arcade power cord from the wall, correct? If so, what powers the arcade monitor? I'd also have to find a new way to power the marquee and/or the coin door lights as well, right?
- I assume the NBA Jam monitor runs at 15 Khz. So an ArcadeVGA card would suit me, right? Would this also work well (resolution-wise) if I wanted to use the jukebox feature in GameEX?
Does that sound like what I'd need to do the conversion? J-Pac + I-Pac2 + Arcade VGA + power hacks? I've got a stacked PC (Windows Media Center Edition 2005 Pentium 4D 2.8GHz, 1 GB Ram, 250GB HD) and bought a 2.1 external speaker setup for sound and a remote and receiver for jumping around in the jukebox mode, etc.
Would you MAME it? Does it sound like I have the basic grasp on converting it? I feel like I've done a lot of research, I just want to make sure that it'd be worth it and that I'm 100% sure before I starting throwing out some cash and cutting up wires.
Thanks for all of your help!
lloydcom:
Considering the hardware requirements to play NBA Jam is high, I would keep the original game in the cabinet and if the cab is Jamma, just install a Jamma adaptor and a Jpac. That way if you want to sell the cab, you can with the original board in and make more money.
Sounds like you have a nice project on your hands.
Let us know how you get on.
U2Edge:
The requirements to play NBA Jam are high on MAME, but the CPU I have can easily handle it...it is a P4D 2.8Ghz with a gig of ram. I plan on keeping the PCB for possible future resale, but if I want to MAME it in the meantime, what would you recommend? A J-Pac will give me players 1 and 2, but if I want to play a 4-player game in MAME, won't I need an I-Pac2 as well? Or is that what you meant by "Jamma adaptor"?
P.S. The cabinet is within JAMMA specs (4-player, three buttons each plus start button).
Thanks!
CheffoJeffo:
--- Quote from: U2Edge on December 07, 2006, 07:15:30 pm ---The requirements to play NBA Jam are high on MAME, but the CPU I have can easily handle it...it is a P4D 2.8Ghz with a gig of ram. I plan on keeping the PCB for possible future resale, but if I want to MAME it in the meantime, what would you recommend? A J-Pac will give me players 1 and 2, but if I want to play a 4-player game in MAME, won't I need an I-Pac2 as well? Or is that what you meant by "Jamma adaptor"?
P.S. The cabinet is within JAMMA specs (4-player, three buttons each plus start button).
Thanks!
--- End quote ---
JAMMA is 2 player, 3 buttons, so you will need an additional encoder.
I see no real crime in MAMEing something like NBAJam, although I am somewhat surprised to see people condoning the modification of original equipment as it could lead to piracy! Might want to check with Midway to see what they think ! :laugh2:
Cheers
U2Edge:
--- Quote from: CheffoJeffo on December 07, 2006, 10:25:29 pm ---
--- Quote from: U2Edge on December 07, 2006, 07:15:30 pm ---The requirements to play NBA Jam are high on MAME, but the CPU I have can easily handle it...it is a P4D 2.8Ghz with a gig of ram. I plan on keeping the PCB for possible future resale, but if I want to MAME it in the meantime, what would you recommend? A J-Pac will give me players 1 and 2, but if I want to play a 4-player game in MAME, won't I need an I-Pac2 as well? Or is that what you meant by "Jamma adaptor"?
P.S. The cabinet is within JAMMA specs (4-player, three buttons each plus start button).
Thanks!
--- End quote ---
JAMMA is 2 player, 3 buttons, so you will need an additional encoder.
--- End quote ---
Yep, brain fart on my part. But earlier I said I would need a J-Pac AND an I-Pac2 (for players 3 and 4).
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