Arcade setups for those who are spacially challenged...

It's not so much the hardware that makes it the worthwhile experience, it's playing the acutal unemulated game from the acutal arcade PCBs, which will always be better than the emulated ones. The pluses about building your own set are numerous - you don't have to sit at your computer chair to play the games, you can play them on arcade-like hardware rather than a keyboard or gamepad, and most of all, if you make it yourself, you can customize your joystick to look and feel exactly the way you want it to.

Also, I thought I heard this before, maybe someone can confirm or deny - will Naomi 2 hardware run Naomi carts and GDs?

Also, GP - a nice VGA monitor might be the best idea if you're trying for this arcade setup, as since some games (mostly vertical shooters like Ikaruga and DoDonPachi, etc) feature a monitor on its side instead of the normal position, and apparently setting a TV like that is a bad thing, but I guess it can be done safely on monitors equipped with a degauss feature. I'm not sure why this is, and I'm sure there are people who could tell you who are far more versed in this than me.

 

from the top of my head this site has some info on putting your tv on its side: http://www.fevereon.com/turnto/vert.html

 

Cool info -- thanks.

Retro: I'm mainly thinking about poorly or unemulated games. But GSL definitely has a point.

 

Oh geez!

YOU CAN PLAY MAME ON A SUPERGUN!

www.ultimarc.com

 

err i havent checkd the link but wasnt the point of getting a supergun...

Ill grab my coat....

 

LOL

yeah, well its easier to have tv out on your pc than use the SG, true.....

 

Sorry to revive an old thread.

I'm still itching for one of these things... no way I'll get it before I move, but I'm trying to plan some stuff out. I do have a couple of questions -- preferably to anyone that owns one of the Uberia Super Guns.

1: Is the standard output downscanned video, or is it actual RGB? IE - would I be better off getting an RGB monitor w/ one of these things. I know it would look better.

2: Does it come with any type of chassis to hold the PCB, or do I have to find something like that on my own. I remember GSL (and other articles) mentioning you don't want your kids around these things, and that they require some care and upkeep to not get dirty.

3: If I went with one of Uberia's, is it worth it to get the Ubergun, w/ the Neo Geo controller ports?

 

RGB is RGB. You can't downscan.... its always the standard for TV/arcade pictures (18khz?). Remeber, an arcade monitor IS in essence a TV without the tuner.

I still say make one yourself is a LOT cheaper.

Most SGs don't come with chassis. The board could be of differing size, so it'd be hard. Get some JAMMA PCB feet or something, and a bit of wood

MVS boards were wired slightly differently for controllers... perhaps it accomodates for this?

 

I'm pretty sure the Uberia Minigun/II/Uber are all wired for MVS from the off, and having 4 buttons is suitable for all jamma (3) except Capcom (and other) 6 button games.

Best email them, but I think going to six buttons with them isnt a problem, probably still need an easy to find kick harness.

I know a lot os satisfied customers using the Uberia models.

 

I got on the geek scene a bit late and never messed w/ RGB stuff. So what about newer machines that are outputting higher? Like a Naomi? These output at close to 640 x 480 (I can dig it up) and from what I can tell, in Japan, come in the same old Blast City cabinets, which have the same monitors (...I think). The Naomi's do have VGA output which comes in handy.

I have no doubt that you're correct. But when you consider "time is money" it's much more expensive (for me, personally). I spend most of my learning time (which isn't much) with development, not hardware. I don't mind digging and learning, but for this, I'd rather just spend the $300 and save myself the headaches.

I totally overlooked that small, glaring fact.. :smt023

Yeah, I should buzz them and get a compatibility list as well, as I don't see one on their site.

Edit by AntiPasta: was bored so I fixed your post :smt043

 

Can't you guys build you're own?? I remember reading a guide on what type of wood to use, how to cut it, etc. You end up saving like $300-$500.

 

The RGB the Uberia outputs is RAW RGB from the game itself, it does absolutely nothing to the video, thats why IMO its crap. Arcade/game RGB is 15.75khz, the resolution is pretty irrelevant. There are 3 standard Arcade resolutions IIRC, it all depends on which game you buy.

For the Uberia itself, you need a RGB production type monitor, not a VGA computer monitor. You could alternatively get a Micomsoft X-RGB2 while you're still in Japan. Do you know of Game(s) Ark in Akiba? They sell them for little markup. The XRGB is a device that upscans 15.75 RGB to 33.something for use on VGA PC monitors, (thats the type Naomi uses.)

If you're not in Europe theres really no reason to get a Uberia POS, their units ONLY output RGB. If European customers need composite/S-video or the like, they probably stick in a PAL Jrok-like RGB transcoder for nearly $100 more. Their superguns are absolutely not NTSC friendly. If you buy from them and don't plan on playing Neo Geo, you'll also have to rewire it for another controller type, as well as rewire the controller harness to remove the Neo Geo's Jamma "+" extended spec for the fourth button.

Also forgot to mention that they of course use the standard EU SCART connector, which you'd have to hack up for any non-European RGB capable monitor.

If you'd like a US/JPN friendly supergun, you'd need to buy a interesting/unique/_GOOD_ Japanese one off YJ, or buy another crappy and outrageously expensive American one like the MAS SuperNova.

 

I could've swarn that the Uberia one boasted of "TV" output, but after a second look, it definitely doesn't. Thanks for the heads up.

I've been looking through YJ, and on google. I've found tons of boards, but not many super guns. Seems they call it a "control box" but don't differentiate between kinds w/ a JAMMA harness, and ones you stick on cabinet. :Hangman:

This is the best I've been able to come up with.
http://www.try-inc.co.jp/ctrl_box.html
They seem a bit bulky.

EDIT:
http://www.mak-jp.com/ctrbox.html
Here's newer setup. Looks pretty professional, although a bit expensive. About $360 or so for the little box and the conroller. Shipping would be dirt cheap though.

 

Okay, I actually went to mak-jp (the last link in the last post) and checked out their stuff. They've got a sigma set used, that they'll hav efor sale next week that I think I'm going to pick up. It's quite tight, and looks very professional. Best thing, it'll be easy to move.

Some stuff I noticed in the shop:
They had a System24 Crackdown (complete with everything) for 22,000 yen which I thought was a good board, considering the roms and floppy go for that on other sites. I asked about Gain Ground, and he just gave me one of those looks. Apparently the 150,000 yen another store was asking wasn't out of control.

Atomiswave board + Demolition Fist: 44,000 yen -- not bad, no?

IGS board + Demon Front - 22,000 yen

They had some cool collectibles as well, including an OLD SCHOOl Namco Drago Spirit poster in pretty damn good condition. Considering an A4 (basically letter sized) flyer will go for 10,000 yen on YJ, I couldn't imagine the poster being less than 40,000. It wasn't for sale though.

 

If I were you, I'd jump all over that Atomiswave set, as the cheapest I've seen a set and board so far is something like $520, but that's just me.

Let us know with pics what you get! :smt040

 

Heh , sounds like your just pissed about our superior television connections, the Uberias are fine supergun units, particularly among Neo Geo philes in Europe.

 

GSL:
If I could find an affordable Dolphin Blue, I would, but it appears to be in the 60,000 yen area. If it was for the casette AND the board, I'd consider it, as it's a wicked game, and doesn't look like it's getting ported anytime too soon.

I think this Control Box (as our Japaense friends call them) looks way better than either Minigun. Has S-Video out as well, so I can't bitch about that. Just need a 15khz->24khz converter for some boards.

 

Thats true, that they're fine for European Neo philes (without a taste for aesthetics.) My beef with them is that they are extremely minimalist Superguns for outrageous prices. All they contain are connectors, switches, lights and wires. Their most valuable asset is their retail-bought PSU.

And I am a little mad that we don't have RGB on our TVs. Although the ones of us with RGB are more elite, since its a very large feat for us

 

Kyuusaku, that's all a supergun is!!! When will people learn this?

 

GOOD Superguns contain digital video encoders allowing you to fully adjust the scan frequency, adjust brightness/contrast, extract luminince / chrominance for SVHS. They also contain professional grade parts, which while proprietary are very adaptable for more than just the Neo Geo. Some also contain switches for both mono and stereo jamma/"jamma+" boards and a line out converter so that your TV/whatever can amplify the audio. Audio comming straight from a PCB is preamped.

Anyways, you know that the first Supergun (named Supergun, from 1993) contained specifically what I just mentioned? If it sucks more than its namesake, it doesn't deserve the title.