The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls
Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: kingzombait on March 25, 2012, 04:28:15 pm
-
I've been working on this bartop for a while now. I'm getting close to finishing so I figured I'd share it with you all. I had a hard time deciding the theme for the bartop. Originally I was going to leave it flat black, but I decided to liven it up after all. I thought about making a DK bartop, then an original Gameboy theme. Finally though, I decided on TMNT. I grew up with the turtles, and loved the games. So I figured it was the best way to go.
Sorry for the low rez pics. i used my phone to take them almost 3 years ago. I have no wood working skills so I ordered a bartop flat pack kit from emdkay.net. the build quality was better then I expected, and it was mostly perfect. Though the smoked plexi as cracked during shipping, and the free marquee was printed really dark.
I used a $200 acer aspire revo with 1 gig of ram for the guts since I was on a tight budget, and the atom processor was enough to emulate anything up to N64 which is all I needed.
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/15.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/20.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/22.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/25.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/27.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/28.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/29.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/31.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/34.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/24.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/23.jpg)
(http://s46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/?action=view¤t=MyTmntBartop.mp4)
-
For the Artwork I wanted something I hadn't seen before form the MAME community. So i thought back to the 90's TMNT cartoon, and something that always stood out to me was the huge crush I had on Irma Langinstein. April's clumsy, boy crazy roommate/co-worker. So i figured the best way to go was pinups of Irma, and April for the sideart.
I spent about a month Deviant Art looking for the right artist since I wanted original art. Finally I found him, and commissioned the pieces. He was extremely busy so after9 months of waiting I finally got them last week. The unfortunate part was that he rushed the background make it worthless. I had to go into Photoshop, and carefully cut the BG out. Then there was a major miss understanding. While he drew Irma exactly the way I described the outfit I wanted her to wear (updated with a little attitude). He didn't understand when I said I want Irma with an original Gameboy. I meant I wanted her to be playing it. He thought I meant.... well see for yourself.
After I cutout the background I needed a new background, but couldn't come up with anything to great. So i went with a simple green textured background. Tell me what you think.
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/IrmaLowRez.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/AprilLowRez.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/TheLeftSide.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/TheRightSide.jpg)
-
For the Marquee I was going to keep the free TMNT Marquee I got with the bartop kit, but I didn't think it would match right. So I messed around with some colors, and textures then i used a picture of the Technodrome I found on google. After screwing with it for a time. I think it looks pretty good.
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/TheMarquee.jpg)
-
I also wanted something else, but I wasn't sure what. I looked at some projects on the forums, and saw people using toppers for their arcades. So I bought a doll display box, and a set of Neca TMNT figures. I have to paint the proper colors, but they look nice on top of the bartop the way they are.
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/IMAG0002.jpg)
-
I want to add a background image to the display box, and install led lights wired into the led wiz to glow when the system powers on.
-
The major problem I face is that I don't know what to do for the control panel art. I don't want it to stay plain black, but I don't want to wait a long time to commission another piece. I was just going to paste some artwork i found online but i'm not sure I want to do that.
-
I also wanted something else, but I wasn't sure what. I looked at some projects on the forums, and saw people using toppers for their arcades. So I bought a doll display box, and a set of Neca TMNT figures. I have to paint the proper colors, but they look nice on top of the bartop the way they are.
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/IMAG0002.jpg)
Your progress is going good dude. i love the shape of the bar top. Great theme too.
However... if by ''paint the proper colors'' you mean paint their eye masks different colors- STOP!!
These are original 1984 Eastman & Laird style Turtles. They ALL had red masks. This is how real ninja turtles should look!
Phew... sorry im a bit of a purist when it comes to these guys. ;D
Seriously though, nice work.
-
Your progress is going good dude. i love the shape of the bar top. Great theme too.
However... if by ''paint the proper colors'' you mean paint their eye masks different colors- STOP!!
These are original 1984 Eastman & Laird style Turtles. They ALL had red masks. This is how real ninja turtles should look!
Phew... sorry im a bit of a purist when it comes to these guys. ;D
Seriously though, nice work.
I second that emotion!!! If you want the cartoon colors, get some different action figures, but PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE don't ruin those classic collectibles. I'll give ya $5 for 'em right now..... :laugh2:
-
I also wanted something else, but I wasn't sure what. I looked at some projects on the forums, and saw people using toppers for their arcades. So I bought a doll display box, and a set of Neca TMNT figures. I have to paint the proper colors, but they look nice on top of the bartop the way they are.
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/IMAG0002.jpg)
Your progress is going good dude. i love the shape of the bar top. Great theme too.
However... if by ''paint the proper colors'' you mean paint their eye masks different colors- STOP!!
These are original 1984 Eastman & Laird style Turtles. They ALL had red masks. This is how real ninja turtles should look!
Phew... sorry im a bit of a purist when it comes to these guys. ;D
Seriously though, nice work.
I'm aware these are the OG TMNT figures. I have a bunch of the original mirage comics. I'm probably not going to actually paint them since im to lazy to match the colors right. The only reason I would color them is because the cabinet is based on the 90's toon, and konami games. Not the mirage comics which had no games. It would be like using Mario Galaxy art on a cab that can only play original mario bros. Which i've seen people do alot and always bothers me a bit. So I understand your purity thing. I'd actually love to find a hacked rom so they all have red. You'd think someone would have done this by now. I know turtles in time had comic mode, but that just changed the turtles skin tone.
-
I second that emotion!!! If you want the cartoon colors, get some different action figures, but PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE don't ruin those classic collectibles. I'll give ya $5 for 'em right now..... :laugh2:
[/quote]
Lol I would have to kill myself i think. I just dropped $80 on these not including shipping from Hong Kong. Mostly for that reason I wont paint them. They were to limited in print to paint.
-
This was the only reason I thought of painting them. They just look great. Warning! Horrible cover of intro song. Turn down your volume.
TMNT Stop Motion Intro (1987) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7oE2iKBMgc#ws)
-
lol. Actually they do look pretty good painted up.
-
Heh. I've seen plenty of TMNTs MAMEd here, but this is the first time I've seen action figures being considered for that treatment!
-
very interesting concept. Can't wait to see that marquee. The side art looks solid nice work
-
April has wonk boobs, just saying... but I really like it!
-
April has wonk boobs, just saying... but I really like it!
LMAO I know! That's the first thing I thought to, but since it took 9 months to get this. I figured i'd let it go. Especially since he told me it would only take a week. If I asked for a fix it would probably take another year. I'd like to think shes not wearing a bra, and just spun around really quick. So the other boob hasn't caught up yet. lol i dunno. :laugh2:
-
I just want you to know that I've been singing "teenage mutant ninja turtles" in my head all day long.
-
I just want you to know that I've been singing "teenage mutant ninja turtles" in my head all day long.
Lol, it's infectious. :puke
-
I'd like to think shes not wearing a bra, and just spun around really quick. So the other boob hasn't caught up yet. lol i dunno. :laugh2:
:laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2:
-
April has wonk boobs, just saying... but I really like it!
LMAO I know! That's the first thing I thought to, but since it took 9 months to get this. I figured i'd let it go. Especially since he told me it would only take a week. If I asked for a fix it would probably take another year. I'd like to think shes not wearing a bra, and just spun around really quick. So the other boob hasn't caught up yet. lol i dunno. :laugh2:
Looks to me like she just has some nice, large, natural bazoongas and they move when her shoulders do...... >:D
-
Ok so i finalized the Control Panel, Kickplate, and the Marquee.
The Marquee. I liked the other one better, but the colors didnt look like they belonged on the cab.
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/TMNTmarqueeL.jpg)
The Control Panel pattern. Easy and to the point. Just a simple turtle shell pattern on green.
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/TMNTkickplate2L.jpg)
The Kickplate. I wanted to have the turtles on the cab without pulling focus from April and Irma. I didn't have time to commission more art. Didn't want to use art I didn't have the right to use. So silhouettes seemed like a good middle ground. I know it's kind of anti climactic, but I hope it will look good when on the cab. Ordered the art prints today so we'll know soon enough.
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/TMNTkickplate1L.jpg)
-
Oh by the way. I decided not to paint the turtles. Theme be damned! Pure they shall remain.
-
I don't think it's anti-climatic at all. Maybe compared to the awesome breasticles adorning the sides but for the theme it's subtle, well executed, and original. I like the turtles in silhouette. If you feel it needs more pop maybe just do all the eye masks in red and leave everything else in shadow so it draws the eye a bit more but I like what you've got here.
-
Nice art! :cheers:
-
I don't think it's anti-climatic at all. Maybe compared to the awesome breasticles adorning the sides but for the theme it's subtle, well executed, and original. I like the turtles in silhouette. If you feel it needs more pop maybe just do all the eye masks in red and leave everything else in shadow so it draws the eye a bit more but I like what you've got here.
Damn that's a good idea! I'll have to edit the art, and send for another print if it looks good. Thanks for the advice :applaud:
-
April has wonk boobs, just saying... but I really like it!
LMAO I know! That's the first thing I thought to, but since it took 9 months to get this. I figured i'd let it go. Especially since he told me it would only take a week. If I asked for a fix it would probably take another year. I'd like to think shes not wearing a bra, and just spun around really quick. So the other boob hasn't caught up yet. lol i dunno. :laugh2:
Looks to me like she just has some nice, large, natural bazoongas and they move when her shoulders do...... >:D
What he said. Even after a second and then third and fourth look, they still look great. Nothing wonky going on with those sweater muffins.
-
No one has used funbags yet? I'm disappointed...
-
Okay so I'm so close to finishing this project. Already I'm thinking of possibly planning another. Something smaller, and using a console to save money. So I went back to add up the cost of this build. To get a rough estimate of what I paid, and what I expect to pay for the new one.
I can't find all the receipts so it's probably off by $30-$60, but my total is $1,076.12, :o
That's not bad considering what some people have put into some of the cabs I've seen here, and it was spread out over a few years. It would have been more if I used a hand built PC.
If I do decide to build another right away. I might be able to come in around $600-$800, or maybe $1040 or more if I went a little extreme. It really depends on the system, and the display i go with. It's hard to decide between making it sensible/cool, and Amazing/awesome. :banghead:
How does this hobby so easily become a way of life/obsession.
Oh gawd! I didn't even consider that I could build a pinball cab this time :dizzy:
Pray for my bank account ;D
-
Ok so I got the Artwork from Gameon a few days ago, but didn't get to do anything with it since I just moved. I finally got around to installing it today. i just have to put it back together and I'm done.
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/P04-15-12_15-232.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/P04-15-12_15-233.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/P04-15-12_15-22.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/P04-15-12_15-221.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/P04-15-12_15-222.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/P04-15-12_15-231.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/P04-15-12_15-23.jpg)
-
WOW!!!! Absolutely love it!!! What a great theme and also the craftsmanship is outstanding! :applaud:
-
WOW!!!! Absolutely love it!!! What a great theme and also the craftsmanship is outstanding! :applaud:
Thank you very much :)
It was a labor of love, and I look forward to making other interesting Cabs in the future. Time and finances permitting.
-
looking good man.....
-
That side art looks great on there, simple but appealing. Very nice work!
-
Man that does look great. I'm always amazed how good artwork can turn a plain black cabinet into an awesome looking arcade game.
My daughter is currently obsessed with The Turtles, so I may have to steal some of your ideas and build a bartop for her. :applaud:
-
Man that does look great. I'm always amazed how good artwork can turn a plain black cabinet into an awesome looking arcade game.
My daughter is currently obsessed with The Turtles, so I may have to steal some of your ideas and build a bartop for her. :applaud:
My daughter used to insist that she was going to marry Raphael when she grew up, that's why she's rocking the sais on my arcade..... :dizzy:
-
Man that does look great. I'm always amazed how good artwork can turn a plain black cabinet into an awesome looking arcade game.
My daughter is currently obsessed with The Turtles, so I may have to steal some of your ideas and build a bartop for her. :applaud:
My daughter used to insist that she was going to marry Raphael when she grew up, that's why she's rocking the sais on my arcade..... :dizzy:
That's impossible because I was going to marry Raphael.
-
:applaud: Love the artwork. Very puttagethah!
-
Man that does look great. I'm always amazed how good artwork can turn a plain black cabinet into an awesome looking arcade game.
My daughter is currently obsessed with The Turtles, so I may have to steal some of your ideas and build a bartop for her. :applaud:
My daughter used to insist that she was going to marry Raphael when she grew up, that's why she's rocking the sais on my arcade..... :dizzy:
That's impossible because I was going to marry Raphael.
whoa........just whoa.......
-
awesome
-
MAN! i'm so jellin right now, do you think it possible to share the artwork? My brother is a MAJOR TMNT fan and would love to pop one of these together for his birthday
-
for me it was always Splinter - total R.I.L.F!
-
Very nice. Great artwork, great design and au-natu-ral boobage. Flying free in the wind! Good stuff!
-
Man that does look great. I'm always amazed how good artwork can turn a plain black cabinet into an awesome looking arcade game.
My daughter is currently obsessed with The Turtles, so I may have to steal some of your ideas and build a bartop for her. :applaud:
My daughter used to insist that she was going to marry Raphael when she grew up, that's why she's rocking the sais on my arcade..... :dizzy:
That's impossible because I was going to marry Raphael.
That's funny. Years ago I had a friend who told me she wanted to marry Mikey. The local K.B.Toys was holding an event. So i did this, and she loved it. disregard how uncomfortable I looked. A small child in line asked his mom why I wanted to marry a turtle, lol.
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/proposal.jpg)
-
Man that does look great. I'm always amazed how good artwork can turn a plain black cabinet into an awesome looking arcade game.
My daughter is currently obsessed with The Turtles, so I may have to steal some of your ideas and build a bartop for her. :applaud:
My daughter used to insist that she was going to marry Raphael when she grew up, that's why she's rocking the sais on my arcade..... :dizzy:
That's impossible because I was going to marry Raphael.
That's funny. Years ago I had a friend who told me she wanted to marry Mikey. The local K.B.Toys was holding an event. So i did this, and she loved it. disregard how uncomfortable I looked. A small child in line asked his mom why I wanted to marry a turtle, lol.
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/redfalcone/proposal.jpg)
Great now everyone thinks I'm crazy for randomly (to them) cackling like a madman in the middle of class. Thanks a bunch...... :banghead: :cheers:
-
kingzombait - you're build has inspired me to theme my first bartop as TMNT cabinet. I'm curious where you got that green background with radial curves and dust speckles? I'd love to use that on my cabinet too. Thanks!