Planetarion Forums - So I've decided on my manly/nerdy project for the new year

Xillah · 20 Dec 2002, 21:57

unable to afford an arcade machine i'm going to build myself one.

basiclly it'll involve a 21" tv, lots of mdf, and either an atari or a nes.

setting the controls up wont be to hard with the atari, and assuming i can get one of those beefy nes joysticks a little wiring will get that working fine.

Games wise i want pac-man but I can't remember ever seeing it on the nes. On the otherhand the nes has mario.

what are your opinions on games etc, what would be the better system, are there any other consoles i could try? I thought about the ps1 but i want some old school fun more than anything.

I can get my hands on an atari with 2 joysticks if i like so i could make it with 2 player fun.

PS. I'm not interested in "lol yuoo geek0r pakmin sux0rs and arcad macines is crap!!!11212121335", If i do it right it will be good, if it turns out **** i'll just dismantle it and throw away the wood.

PPS. Yes an emulator would be easier but its just not the same

Xillah

Mirai · 20 Dec 2002, 22:00

Are you going to do the standard Mirrored screen or an up front one?

MrPeach · 20 Dec 2002, 22:02

Sounds good to me

I've always been tempted to buy one as i get an occasional copy of a vending magazine with adverts from companies that sell them.

I used to love Bomber Jack, on the atari, classic arcade game.

Mirai · 20 Dec 2002, 22:04

There's a guy in town that has like 40 of them littering his yard. I'm thinking of backing up my truck one night and making off with a few.

Probably don't work. Oh well, would be a nice project..

SilverSmoke · 20 Dec 2002, 22:09

why using a console, try one of these yahama boards or however they called, those things where lots of great arcadegames where running on. Can't imagine them being very expensive nowadays.

If you stick with a console I certainly would go for a Sega Megadrive, somehow it always felt the most arcadish of all consoles. (with exception of NeoGeo ofcourse)

Xillah · 20 Dec 2002, 23:18

Quote:

Originally posted by Mirai
Are you going to do the standard Mirrored screen or an up front one?

Up front, but i will be using either a perspex or glass covering a few inches infromt of the tv. The mirrored screen wouldnt work in this case - since i'd be using a console the writing would be the correct way round - meaning it would look like a mirror image when reflected rather than the normal way round way round. :/ ( i think i explained that right.)

I was also going to put the 'hatch' to the front, would be a door with a lock on it for when i want to change the games or consoles. I was originally going to put it on the back, but that would cause problems later.

Another thing i wanted to ask was if anyone knew where i could get transfers for the sides of it, i'm talking the big ass stickers they put on the sides of the old ones like pac man or space invaders.

Smugs · 20 Dec 2002, 23:21

Why an Atari/NES whack an XBOX/PS2 in

Xillah · 21 Dec 2002, 10:47

Quote:

Originally posted by Smugs
Why an Atari/NES whack an XBOX/PS2 in

heh, load time.

mbushell · 21 Dec 2002, 10:55

lol yuoo geek0r pakmin sux0rs and arcad macines is crap!!!11212121335

Xillah · 21 Dec 2002, 11:10

Quote:

Originally posted by mbushell
lol yuoo geek0r pakmin sux0rs and arcad macines is crap!!!11212121335

you know you want one

seventh · 21 Dec 2002, 11:38

thats a cool idea, we have old ataris and amigas in our attic, loads of them. i may have to drag them up. we have the original pong up there so that could be interesting

Coffee · 21 Dec 2002, 11:49

you (last time i looked) can buy arcade style controllers/buttons from maplin if you want to be really authentic.

Xillah · 21 Dec 2002, 12:29

Quote:

Originally posted by Coffee
you (last time i looked) can buy arcade style controllers/buttons from maplin if you want to be really authentic.

I could, but its rigging them up to work with the nes/atari

Xillah · 22 Dec 2002, 04:54

Hmm, just had an idea.

I have a screwed pc, needs a new mobo or somthing. I'm thinking that maybe i could rig that up in the cabinet with a verion of mame in the start up folder (I'd just clear everything else of).

Basicly it would boot up and load my arcade emulator up straight away.

A bastardised keyboard would be rigged up for the buttons and controll pad, i could even fit a track ball into the front for old school centipede and it could be set up as a mouse if i need to use windows.

Pros:
I can just download new roms in a few seconds rather than having to change cartridges.
Once its built i dont need to buy games
Plenty of people online who can help me with control config

Cons: £100 for a mobo plus a load more for a big ass moniror (need a 21", may live with a 19" though)

If i do decide to do this I'm gonna rig up one using a nes first, I'll just adapt the cabinet later if i choose to change it. I can get the nes for free (My 16 year old cousin will give me his nes, whether he likes it or not, - its been in his attic for about 8 years fs, what a waste)

One problem is will i be able to rig real arcade buttons and joy sticks to the ness controller. Coffee's post led me to a site that sells the parts pretty cheap.

Ohhhhhh, I also found a pac-man nes cartridge! \o\\o//o/