15 replies to this topic

[RJ]

OK, so I guess the bug has bitten me.

After acquiring a dedicated Xevious coin-op last month, I just got an empty cab (Kangaroo) w/ plans to put in a PS2 to play the compilation discs. Im looking for an "X-Arcade"-type controller board that fits the 22" gap where the orig controller board was. What are my options? I've skimmed Ebay, but no dimensions are given for any items I checked.

[RJ]

Anyone w/ an X-arcade dualstick (NOT the tankstick w/ trakball) can you give me the dimensions of the bottom base? I've read 24.25" from their site, but is that the rectangular base or the top plate w/ the sticks/buttons? Looks like the top plate overhangs the edge on each side by an inch or so...

Edited by RJ, Sun Oct 17, 2010 7:19 PM.

[akator]

According to the last page in their brochure, the dual joystick base is 21 7/16" wide and 8 1/8" deep.

[RJ]

Ooooohhhhh, thats GOOD news. Thanks so much for that!!!! That's just what I needed to know.

you get a shoutout/acknowledgement once I finish this cab project. Have you done one yourself? Any other advice/info you can offer?

Edited by RJ, Mon Oct 18, 2010 3:57 PM.

[MitchSchaft]

You must take pictures for us!

[RJ]

Thinking about it doing pics for sure. I'll prob. look around locally for an X-arcade dualstick before ordering direct from the company, though brandnew is probably the way to go.

[akator]

Agreed, please post updates on your progress

Years ago I built a bartop cabinet and put X-Arcade controls into it, then built an improved cabinet a year later. I got rid of them with the intention of building an upright... which still hasn't happened. Until I get that upright built, I've been using an X-Arcade Tankstick plugged into a Acer Aspire Revo 3610 and a HDTV.

I've also owned the dual joystick and trackball models. I had only one leaf switch go bad in the last 6 years, which X-Gaming replaced free of charge.

My only suggestions:
- Cut out your design in cardboard first and assemble the cardboard parts to make sure it looks and fits together how you want.
- Measure not just twice, but at least 3 times before cutting.

[RJ]

Yes I plan to do this right. I readily admit I'm not too great w/ tools or measuring, not much of a handyman around the house & would rather pay someone to do a job, but I feel confident on this. All I have right now is the empty Kangaroo cab & the "kinda-sorta" go ahead on the Daulstick from the wife. But hey, she started all this by getting the Xevious cab, right?

Also, due to my extreme lack of freetime this project could go well into 2011. Im trying to offset the cost of the Dualstick by finding a cost-effective LCD TV (I can go up to 23" diag) & that wont be until after the holidays. & w/ real life interfering (yep, I said it) I dont see myself getting this done too soon- I'll post periodic updates but dont hold your breath week to week.

Edited by RJ, Tue Oct 19, 2010 7:06 AM.

[RJ]

OK, I took some pics of the empty cab/side art but the site isnt letting me upload them; Im following the same procedure I always have...




Error You aren't permitted to upload this kind of file

Edited by RJ, Thu Oct 21, 2010 7:24 PM.

[patbb]

RJ, on Thu Oct 21, 2010 7:22 PM, said:

OK, I took some pics of the empty cab/side art but the site isnt letting me upload them; Im following the same procedure I always have...




Error You aren't permitted to upload this kind of file

Convert to JPG or PNG

[sdamon]

You might want to consider building your own control panel instead of using the X-arcade. I'm not particularly handy either, but I was able to do this and I'm really happy with the results. I was able to use ball-top joysticks, limit the number of buttons (I hate fighting games, so three buttons per player were enough for every game I wanted to play) and add a spinner and trackball where I wanted them, all within the usual space given to an 80's arcade game (as opposed to an X-arcade or some of the huge ass control panels some people bolt onto their MAME cabinets.) Plus, by using the Ultimarc keyboard encoder, I was able to easily hook up the coin slot to actually start up games when quarters were inserted. Just something you might want to consider.... it's not really THAT hard to do.

[RJ]

Heh....thx for the advice (all of which is welcome here) but buying the X-arcade outright would save me more time than making one.

Speaking of which, I went out today searching for a used one locally- no dice. I think my best bet would be to order oline. I did see some TV possibitlities for $200-$250, those'l likely drop after the holidays.

Oh yeah, & I got the "this is going to cost more than the Xevious!" line from the wife. I'll prob. hear that a few times before this is over, besides, she started it!

[Crazy Climber]

RJ, on Fri Oct 22, 2010 12:26 PM, said:

Heh....thx for the advice (all of which is welcome here) but buying the X-arcade outright would save me more time than making one.

Speaking of which, I went out today searching for a used one locally- no dice. I think my best bet would be to order oline. I did see some TV possibitlities for $200-$250, those'l likely drop after the holidays.

Oh yeah, & I got the "this is going to cost more than the Xevious!" line from the wife. I'll prob. hear that a few times before this is over, besides, she started it!

Hey RJ
before you drop $400 on a TV and an x-arcade stick you might want to just go with an already finished one, here is one on CL for $400 and it includes the monitor/x-arcade/MAME ready CPU/etc..
http://minneapolis.c...2020838739.html
I do understand that building it is half the fun but you mentioned building stuff is not really your favorite thing to do, just a thought?

[RJ]

Thx CC but as you can see I just got back into the project & replying here. I ordered the X-arcade dualstick a few wks back & it arrived in 2 days But the site was misleading, it said it included a "USB/PS2 cable" which I misunderstood was a PlayStation2 cable that I needed. So I had to order the 5-in-1 adapter (PS/PS2/Wii/GC/DC) which works great.

The weather warmed up here & I finally sized the Dualstick in its place on the empty cab & good news is it fits like f-cking GLOVE! All I had to do was install a wood crosspiece/brace across the front to support the Dualstick base. Removed the coin mechanism but cleaned/left in the red plastic coin slots for asthetics. The coin box compartment should make a good shelf for the PS2.

Now researching flatscreen TVs, hope to go looking, maybe purchase tomorrow!


If this site ever lets me post pics I'll be glad to do so.

Edited by RJ, Fri Apr 8, 2011 9:06 PM.

[keilbaca]

Depends on how much of a look you are going for...

If you want a great looking idea, get yourself a VGA to S-Video adapter, and get a tube tv from Goodwill.

I've done this in one of my mame cabs and it looks *very* close to a real arcade monitor, as close as you are going to get without getting a 60 in 1 jamma board, or an ArcadeVGA video card.

That's how I play now until I have room for a new cab... I kept the adapter, and it looks great on my tube TV.

Edited by keilbaca, Thu Apr 14, 2011 12:42 PM.

[RJ]

Well I put a 19" flat screen Magnavox in it (researched first) & I have to say it all worked out nice. The wood that held the original monitor keeps it in place & it's attached at the top. The darkened (smoked?) glass is opaque enough not to make a bezel to surround the monitor. Got a piece of black posterboard, folded it over 2x & it fits right in the marquee space. I stuck a plastic "VIDEO GAMES" sign to it & I guess Im done except to affix brackets to the crosspiece, my kids have a tendency to "overuse" the controls &, since the Dualstick isnt actually attached but resting in place, I dont want the whole assembly to come crashing down even thought the Dualstick is advertised as "BUILT LIKE A FRIGGIN' TANK!"

Overall this was an easy project, only because I was lucky enough that everything fit right in place w/ a minimum of doing. & I didnt have to "build" or make anything, it was only a matter of installing the various parts (TV, PS2, Dualstick, wood crosspiece, marquee, etc.)

The only thing I really regret is the original glass that came w/ the cabinet is scratched up in the center, right over the TV screen. I didnt look closely when I bought the cab, & when I got it home I began polishing the glass panel. I grabbed an old shirt & didnt notice it had a button on the collar as I used it. Im not sure the button did that much/any damage, & the scratching actually looks deliberate, not accidental, & it's all on 1 side, not both as IIRC I wiped both sides. Oh yes, & I couldve got a larger TV, but I didnt want to pay too much & the next size up was out of my range.

But yeah, w/ all the PS2 compilations I have, there's over 100 games I can play almost just like the good old days again! Spent lots of time w/ arcade Asteroids on Atari Anthology & Neo Turf Masters golf on the SNK disc. You can configure the sticks to work for Robotron, but some of the driving games (RoadBlasters, Battlezone, Vindicators) dont work. I even hooked up Guitar Hero & Rock Band for a few songs. Cant wait to see the neighbor kids come running once the weather warms up, to see how games SHOULD be played.

Edited by RJ, Sat Apr 16, 2011 5:36 PM.