X-Arcade 360 Street Fighter IV cab

[xmenxmen]

Since the instruction of Street Fighter 4 for the arcade and console, I have been wanting one forever.  Two weeks ago, I finally decided to do some hacking here and there to get an arcade up and running.  Initial idea was figure out how to use my existing mame cabinet.  Scratched that after deciding that it would take too long and really wanted a 2nd machine.

The adventure started with me going to all the stuff I have collected over the years that's arcade related from craiglist.

Here's some parts I have:

actually got a full x-arcade cabinet with dual joystick from someone for $100. 

This thing has been inside my garage in pieces for years now. 

Of course with the cabinet, there's the dual joystick as well.

I am not a big fan of it, but got it for the interface when I initially wanted to hook up my xbox and ps2.

I am a big fan of the Xbox 360, so got that too.
Also pickup a copy of SFIV.

With these things started down the road of build an ultra cheap SF4 arcade. 

So the 1st thing was trying to figure out how to get the 360 to use arcade sticks.  After some reading, that was easily solve by hacking in gamestop madcatz gamepad.

  These are super easy to hack.  common ground with big solder point, what more can you ask for.  and at regular price of only 24.99 each.

The 2nd issue was I needed a display to put into the arcade, but at the same time I didn't want to spend any money right now if I don't want to.  Got a 20in CRT around which would work, but how can SF not run on high def.  Then it cross my mind that I have a spare 20in widescreen lcd. 



now the part is how to get it to work with the 360.  after some looking around, found that they do make a 360 to vga plug.  so off to good old monoprice to grab one.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=108&cp_id=10830&cs_id=1083005&p_id=4010&seq=1&format=2

at the same time also pickup an 3.5mm phone to dual rca able to connect the audio from the vga cable to a pair of cheap computer show speaker. 

[foleykoontz]

Have you put the hacked controllers in there yet? I am easily able to fit one but the second has a lot of trouble because there's not much place to go (the 2nd controller uses the madcatz arcade stick not the controller).

[xmenxmen]

I have actually finished the cabinet.  Just slowly updating the flow here.  Got it all done within about 2 weeks.  Basically I yank all the wires and boards out of the dual stick.  Then replaced all the 6 main buttons for each player with Happ.  Left the 2 black button and the side buttons.  Tried to remove the joystick, but they were a bit tough to remove, so left them for now. 

For the 2 gamepad, if you look at the attach quick stitch, I place one where the original encoder board was.  The 2nd one is on the side toward the upper right.  I ran most of the wires to the middle area.  As for the contoller wires, I had them come out of the button that was in the back. 

Basically I only needed the player button, 6 button for each player, and the 2 side buttons which turns the xbox on and off.

I'll dig around, but I am pretty sure I have a few pictures of it when it was opened. 

[xmenxmen]

pic of one of the hack controller.  funny thing is when I was finishing up, I could not for hell of me find where my glue gun is, so as you can see I use tons of masking tape.  overall, it seems to work and shouldn't be a problem with low electric flow.  Eventually I will fix it when I build a real control panel for it. 



So far, it's gotten a few days of play in it and still works fine.

[xmenxmen]

here's the final product for now.




I drill 3 holes into the control panel and use screw to secure it to the other board.  without that, it would just moved too much.  Right behind the lcd is my little sub that connects to the 2 speaker above.







The initial goal is a working system that I can enjoy.  Ultimately I will be modifying the x-arcade cabinet as I am not too fond of how it looks. 

[mayhem]

Now please take no offence at this. But that is dammed ugly ..................

it looks like some ones taken and full cab and removed half the supporting walls ....

[Franco B]

How are you not meant to take offence at that?

Ok, its not the prettiest thing in its current state but at $100 including the CP thats a damn good deal and a great starting point for a cab.

As the OP said its a working system that he can enjoy and he plans to modify it.

If I was you xmenxmen, I would eventually sell the x-arcade and build a new CP for it. If budget stretches to it maybe install a bigger monitor and a bezel and add a custom marquee.

[mayhem]

Its the first time ive seen one of thouse things to be honist.  Mnd you saying that i never liked x arcade cps either lol ..

The whole idear of the out caes just looks bad. It would take some majour remodeling. were sll allowed our opions and thats just mine. would like to see it made into some thing decent though ...

[RetroGreg]

I like the shape of the cab. it's definately workable and a great starting point to work on as you can.

[mayhem]

I agree its a starting point to some thing that could equitably be quite "out of this world" how ever as a base frame that is supposed to be in some one's home i think even IKIA would put it in the reject bin.

I had a play with the Tank sticks in the past and once you compare them to the real deal there just is no comparison. There quality of build may be good but that's really is the only thing going for them.

How ever i hope and look forward to seeing the sorts of skills that could turn a monster into a beauty and then ill be impressed beyond disbelief. The work that this will involve in my eye alone will take some good thinking and will be nice to see.

To add some people just don't like to be told that some thing is hideous (this is not the author of this thread) and would rather try to devolve and manipulate the situation into a farce in recompense for there own devious little minds. This only embellishes the fact that they them self have no real agenda except to hope that they can turn a flock if sheep into there declined way of thinking ....

Little things keep little minds happy ......

[xmenxmen]

Now please take no offence at this. But that is dammed ugly ..................

it looks like some ones taken and full cab and removed half the supporting walls ....

I don't get offended that easily....  It's not the prettiest thing around, but I still won't call it ugly.  You seen these ones....

[xmenxmen]

I like the shape of the cab. it's definately workable and a great starting point to work on as you can.

Agree...  it's got potential without too much work for an arcade interface by a console.   

[xmenxmen]

How are you not meant to take offence at that?

Ok, its not the prettiest thing in its current state but at $100 including the CP thats a damn good deal and a great starting point for a cab.

As the OP said its a working system that he can enjoy and he plans to modify it.

If I was you xmenxmen, I would eventually sell the x-arcade and build a new CP for it. If budget stretches to it maybe install a bigger monitor and a bezel and add a custom marquee.

All I got to say is someone got very high expection.  and that's referring to mayhem......

It's going to be tons of fun modifying this sucker so it doesn't look 'ugly'....

The control panel is just there for the time being.  It will be dump once time is available to craft one to replace it.  I am not sure what X-Arcade was thinking, but it's not very comfortable with 2 player playing next to each other. 

Budget is really not a problem, it's just not the right time for me to spend right now.  Ultimately I am looking at this to serve 2 purpose.  An arcade for SF and possibly other fighting games.  The 2nd would possibly be a location for my 360 gaming on my wireless controller.  Arcade wise, it's fine, but for wireless 360, it's a bit awkward with the angle of the monitor. 

[xmenxmen]

I agree its a starting point to some thing that could equitably be quite "out of this world" how ever as a base frame that is supposed to be in some one's home i think even IKIA would put it in the reject bin.

I had a play with the Tank sticks in the past and once you compare them to the real deal there just is no comparison. There quality of build may be good but that's really is the only thing going for them.

How ever i hope and look forward to seeing the sorts of skills that could turn a monster into a beauty and then ill be impressed beyond disbelief. The work that this will involve in my eye alone will take some good thinking and will be nice to see.

To add some people just don't like to be told that some thing is hideous (this is not the author of this thread) and would rather try to devolve and manipulate the situation into a farce in recompense for there own devious little minds. This only embellishes the fact that they them self have no real agenda except to hope that they can turn a flock if sheep into there declined way of thinking ....

Little things keep little minds happy ......

Again, somehow I think you have a very different prespective than most.  During the past weekend with my kids bday, we had close to 100+ people (adult and kids) over and did not heard a single person mentioning this thing looking like crap, lol...... 

But at the same time, I can tell you that there's tons of hardcore SF player that enjoyed it.  Only comments I have was it's a bit tight and the stick is a bit stiff....

[foleykoontz]

I think this will look a million times better if there was a bezel around the monitor and something to cover that big open spot at the bottom.

[Barry Barcrest]

I think this will look a million times better if there was a bezel around the monitor and something to cover that big open spot at the bottom.

I agree...

Personally i think a larger screen and the changes you suggested would make this quite presentable.

[xmenxmen]

brezel, agreed, so give me a few days.  I have the original brezel and plexi, but all that was made for the older crt, so I will need to use something to cut to form the brezel. 

btw, the opening below the control panel, there's actually 2 sliding door which I have already put back on there.  next update, I will have more pics. 

Been a bit busy with the outdoor being warm.  As for the bigger screen, that's got to wait a bit since I am not sure what direction to go yet. 

Again, beside it's okay looks, the machine actually plays pretty good even with the x-arcade sticks, of course it can be better.