8 replies to this topic

[Canuck]

I was wondering if there is anywhere to learn how to convert a coin-op arcade game to have a atari 2600 system built into it?

[BeerGnome]

I've givin this a bit of thought myself..

for one thing.. I would do it as a 2600 in a coin op cabinet..
the screen can be just a television set of course..
I would then modify a couple of Sega Arcade controllers for the sticks.. and then gut some paddles for those games.. two sticks.. four dials on the controll pannel.. then you attach toggel switches so you can turn the sticks off .. and the paddles on.. and visa versa..
next thing you do is go on over to the Portable VCS site over at clasic gaming .com and learn how to relocate the cart port..

this I would relocate right in the middle of the controller panel
I would also relocate all the switches to the control panel as well

decorating the coin op cabinet.. nothing but wood grain and a BIG ASS fuji!

[Nukey Shay]

...unless he's referring to hacking an arcade machine to be able to play both the original game and an Atari2600 console (via toggle switch). I don't believe that is possible, since pretty much all arcade machines have dedicated hardware of one sort or another. Though you could do what you mentioned (in fact, quite a number of people have changed their console to be a faux-upright or cocktail cabinet).

[Canuck]

I've heard of people having their 2600 systems in an upright cabinet of a arcade coin-ops but don't really know wear to begin to look. I wonder if I should just get a shell of an arcade and work from there, or get a whole complete system and start there Any sites to refer me too?

[Nukey Shay]

Pretty much the same way you would create a cabinet for a Mame machine...some links can be had here:
http://www.arcadecon..._cabinets.shtml

[Cassidy Nolen]

I would suggest the use of a Romscanner so you do not have to deal with the cart issue. Or, get a menu driven multicart. Do you want to add "coin" play, or is it ok to be set in free play? If its free play, go get an arcade cab (easy enough to find...come get a Super Mario cabinet from me for 20 bucks...) and pop in a 19 inch tv. If you want to go the other route, that will be a bit tougher but do-able....

I would make some sort of coin switch that was hooked to a timer, say a 555 with a variable resistor. Then, as the coin trips the timer, have it set to ground all the switch connections for the 2600. In this way, you could "control" the 2600 for a period of time, say 5 minutes for a quarter...kind of like the Nintendo cabs used to do.

Cassidy

[Nukey Shay]

Nooo! Not a timer-driven quarter-eater! Those suck.

[jim]

I did this with a gutted cocktail cabinet and a NES system. I used a 13" RGB composite monitor. I took the NES board out and mounted it in the cabinet. Used a board/cable out of a NES controller and hooked it up to the original cocktail joystick and buttons. You could do the same thing in a UR cabinet using a 19" TV. Remove the board from the 2600 and mount it in the cabinet near the coin door. You could open the coin door to change game carts. Remove the switches from the board and mount them on the CP by running a cable from the board to the switches. Mount a couple joysticks and a track ball in the CP and you are ready to play.

[Canuck]

Great advice I'll give it a shot. If all goes well I'll posted some pictures of the project. Wish me luck.