Arcadization Project - Virtual Boy!

Tighe

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[FINISHED!] Arcadization Project - Virtual Boy! [FINISHED!]

Years ago before I got into this hobby was going to make a MAME (bleh) cabinet from designs I found on the web. The designs were really ugly and I cut the pieces and never finished it because of how ugly it was. So this project kills 2 birds with one stone, using up this material, and making use of an extra Virtual Boy I bought for $5 that was missing the controller and power supply.

Inspiration:
Back in 2001 I portabilized a NES which was fun, but now there really isn't much point as you can now buy portable versions of old consoles. And the Virtual Boy is already "Portable" so to say. The real issue with the Virtual Boy is its crappy stand. Recently, I was at SRW's storage space and saw a Battlezone, which I hadn't seen since back in the day it got me thinking how Battlezone reminds me so much of the Virtual Boy.

It is a work in progress, the influnces for this cabinet design are:

Photos:


  • Battlezone - because of the similarities in controls and display
  • Donkey Kong - Because it is a Nintendo
  • Asteroids - because the amount of "wood" demanded a slanted top.


Design:
The Virtual Boy Unit can be removed just like on the original stand, and the mount system is adjustable so you can set it for your height.

I decided to make it narrow so that the Virtual Boy isn't dwarfed by the cabinet, and so that it doesn't take of precious room for more REAL cabinets.

The cabinet breaks apart into 2 pieces so it can be moved easily, and because there wasn't enough material to make it one piece.

The upper part overhangs the control panel so that you can play comfortably without having to lean forward over the controls.

Controls:
The plans for the control panel are to use 2 top fire joysticks (the top buttons will be L and R) and standard buttons for A,B,Select, and Start. I am thinking I might mount the joysticks in the center and put the buttons on the outside, like battlezone. I just have to be careful about the distance between the 2 joysticks. I am planning on using the HAPP compact top fires.



I really need DogP to finish his NES / SNES Controller Adapter guide so that I can make the interface for the controls, I don't want to hack apart the controller from my complete VB, nor do I want to buy one to destroy it. I guess I would still need connector to plug into the VB, I wonder if there is some other connector that will fit in the plug...

Colors:
I am thinking right now that I will paint or vinyl the cabinet red on the outside, black on the inside (black bottom box too) and put black t-molding on the cabinet. I might reverse it though and have red t-molding. I was thinking of just putting a Nintendo logo on the sides and the marquee having the Virtual Boy logo.

Thanks:
Thanks go to my dad for fabricating the cabinet based on my designs. I already have 5 other projects right now and if it weren't for him this would never see the light of day!
 
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I like this skinny cab for a lot of reasons. Space, space and the fact that it reminds me a little of non-game arcade machines like love testers, strength testers, scales, etc. The only real flaw in my mind is the top heavy look of the protruding marquee. Visually it looks like it's gonna fall forward. Maybe counter that feeling by making the control panel to stick out as far or slightly further. Or add a short pedestal base that sticks out as far.
 
Ha! That's AWESOME. I've come across several dead/gutted Battlezone cabs over the years, which I've wanted to do this to... but have always decided against it (takes too much space).

You might want to reconsider the joysticks though. I can see Start and Select working as buttons on the CP, but since you don't have a free hand, and your head will be looking into the system, I think it'd be difficult to go back and forth. I know some PC joysticks have pinky triggers, or two buttons on top... do they make any arcade-style sticks like that? You'd really only need two buttons. I guess two DOT style sticks would work, though that'd probably look kinda funny.

But yeah... I'll look at the pinouts and post later. I don't know of any connector that works w/ the VB controller besides the VB controller... though you may be able to find bare pins to insert.

BTW, how do you plan on changing out carts?

DogP
 
You're going to go blind playing that thing. I fully blame any eye problems I have now on playing Virtual Boy when I was little. :p
 
This is a cool project. I got to see it in person over the weekend.

Thanks Ben! I had a great time!

I like this skinny cab for a lot of reasons. Space, space and the fact that it reminds me a little of non-game arcade machines like love testers, strength testers, scales, etc. The only real flaw in my mind is the top heavy look of the protruding marquee. Visually it looks like it's gonna fall forward. Maybe counter that feeling by making the control panel to stick out as far or slightly further. Or add a short pedestal base that sticks out as far.

Thanks! I didn't want to make it huge. The top was a design choice, didn't want to hit the sticks with my gut! :D It is plenty stable with the particle board weight. I might might a pedestal, but I wanted the Nintendo style base. Believe me this thing isn't going to fall over.

I agree with this.

I probably wouldn't look front heavy if the top was flat, but I just didn't have enough material.

Ha! That's AWESOME. I've come across several dead/gutted Battlezone cabs over the years, which I've wanted to do this to... but have always decided against it (takes too much space).

You might want to reconsider the joysticks though. I can see Start and Select working as buttons on the CP, but since you don't have a free hand, and your head will be looking into the system, I think it'd be difficult to go back and forth. I know some PC joysticks have pinky triggers, or two buttons on top... do they make any arcade-style sticks like that? You'd really only need two buttons. I guess two DOT style sticks would work, though that'd probably look kinda funny.

But yeah... I'll look at the pinouts and post later. I don't know of any connector that works w/ the VB controller besides the VB controller... though you may be able to find bare pins to insert.

BTW, how do you plan on changing out carts?

DogP

I think for the most part the most of the VB games should work with this layout, I will probably add an L and R button on the control panel too for those odd games that need them. Finding a 8 way stick with more than one button becomes expensive very quickly.

There is enough room to swap the carts, it uses the original mounting clamp from the VB so you can also take the VB off and swap carts too.

I thought about just plugging the pins from a NES controller in with out a shell, but I was hoping that maybe you had an extra from the USB mod you made. ;)
 
What games do you imagine playing on that it? I didn't like any of the VB games and I had a good collection since I got them all new for really cheap. I sold it last year for like $300 as a pretty much "like new" collection.
 
What games do you imagine playing on that it? I didn't like any of the VB games and I had a good collection since I got them all new for really cheap. I sold it last year for like $300 as a pretty much "like new" collection.

All of them! I am one of those freaks that loves all the games for it. :D

Sent from my android phone
 
Whoah - nice sale! I remember when new games were selling at EB for $9.99, and a new system was $30...

I played it like 3 times and kept it in the red back 3rd party carry case that came out for it (performance products) When I got it back into the box I was able to get it new-ish with everything down to the very last twist tie. I showed it w/ very nice pics of everything.

Even open boxes only had the top shrink carefully sliced open. The NEWness barely wore off it.

I used "collectors quality" all over my descriptions... seriously I just looked at them and for the 3D effect but never played them. I had everything down to the charge pack also. Paid less than $100 for everything.
 
I played it like 3 times and kept it in the red back 3rd party carry case that came out for it (performance products) When I got it back into the box I was able to get it new-ish with everything down to the very last twist tie. I showed it w/ very nice pics of everything.

Even open boxes only had the top shrink carefully sliced open. The NEWness barely wore off it.

I used "collectors quality" all over my descriptions... seriously I just looked at them and for the 3D effect but never played them. I had everything down to the charge pack also. Paid less than $100 for everything.

I got my complete one from Blockbuster when they were unloading them, I paid $20 and it came in one of those plastic "gun" cases with the foam lining. The case itself is awesome. I have all the games for it except for Teleroboxer. My favorites are Wario, Tennis, Mario Bros, Panic Bomber, Galactic Pinball, and Red Alarm.
 
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So tell me, how thick are the glasses you have to wear now?

-Ian

Haa haa! I just have astigmatism, I didn't even get glasses until I was 26. There is no way the VB could damage that part of my eye! :D I can't play the 3DS at all with the 3D on, gives me a horrible eye ache.
 
Looks cool Tighe. It's unique too.
Also, you could call yourself Jigsaw and strap people into it as a torture device. j/k :p

I always liked the VB, but I have to admit I was a bit ticked after originally spending $179.99 on it and returned it a week later. During the Christmas season of that year and several markdowns later I ended up buying it brand new for $7.50 during our store's 75% off 'Going out of business sale' - 15% employee of course. :) I really enjoyed the system after that.

I'd still like to get Space Invaders for it sometime, but it's a little expensive. Tighe, that would be a cool game to leave on display in your VBArcade!

Haa haa! I just have astigmatism, I didn't even get glasses until I was 26. There is no way the VB could damage that part of my eye! :D I can't play the 3DS at all with the 3D on, gives me a horrible eye ache.

As far as the 3DS goes you really have to find the sweet spot. I find the 3D dial at about 50% and holding it about a foot away is perfect for me. I've had a severe astigmatism as well as being legally blind (20/600) in both eyes and I am doing fine with it. :)

It would be cool if Nintendo would release their old VB games through the 3DS's Virtual Console. If they don't do it for this they probably never will!
 
Looks cool Tighe. It's unique too.
Also, you could call yourself Jigsaw and strap people into it as a torture device. j/k :p

I always liked the VB, but I have to admit I was a bit ticked after originally spending $179.99 on it and returned it a week later. During the Christmas season of that year and several markdowns later I ended up buying it brand new for $7.50 during our store's 75% off 'Going out of business sale' - 15% employee of course. :) I really enjoyed the system after that.

I'd still like to get Space Invaders for it sometime, but it's a little expensive. Tighe, that would be a cool game to leave on display in your VBArcade!

As far as the 3DS goes you really have to find the sweet spot. I find the 3D dial at about 50% and holding it about a foot away is perfect for me. I've had a severe astigmatism as well as being legally blind (20/600) in both eyes and I am doing fine with it. :)

It would be cool if Nintendo would release their old VB games through the 3DS's Virtual Console. If they don't do it for this they probably never will!

Thanks! Yah I would be burned if I spent $179.99 on it too. But it does have some fun games. As for Space Invaders, that would have to be a flash cart, the cost is just too high! I wonder what game I would leave in, maybe Red Alarm as it is the most Battlezone like game.



I think that they will hold off a long time before they release Virtual Boy for the 3DS, they don't want to draw that connection. And if they do I doubt it will be download, it will probably be a cart. Maybe a Club Nintendo give away like the Game and Watch.
 
Thanks! Yah I would be burned if I spent $179.99 on it too. But it does have some fun games. As for Space Invaders, that would have to be a flash cart, the cost is just too high! I wonder what game I would leave in, maybe Red Alarm as it is the most Battlezone like game.



I think that they will hold off a long time before they release Virtual Boy for the 3DS, they don't want to draw that connection. And if they do I doubt it will be download, it will probably be a cart. Maybe a Club Nintendo give away like the Game and Watch.

I like Red Alarm. It reminds me a lot of the original StarFox.

Well, they announced GB, GBC, TG16 games coming to the 3DS store so VB downloads wouldn't be unfeasible.

Nintendo Power magazine also has articles on the Virtual Boy all the time so I don't think they are trying to bury it either. I think the 3DS could shed better light on the VB since it was a little ahead of it's time and the 3DS might be easier on the eyes (at least for some of us. :p )
 
I like Red Alarm. It reminds me a lot of the original StarFox.

Well, they announced GB, GBC, TG16 games coming to the 3DS store so VB downloads wouldn't be unfeasible.

Nintendo Power magazine also has articles on the Virtual Boy all the time so I don't think they are trying to bury it either. I think the 3DS could shed better light on the VB since it was a little ahead of it's time and the 3DS might be easier on the eyes (at least for some of us. :p )

Wario and Mario Clash are two great games for it, I love galactic pinball, but I don't think it would be appreciated. I wonder if metroid and zelda was plannedfor the VB.

Sent from my android phone
 
Wario and Mario Clash are two great games for it, I love galactic pinball, but I don't think it would be appreciated. I wonder if metroid and zelda was plannedfor the VB.

Sent from my android phone

I'm sure we would have seen at least one of those if the VB had been a success.
I really wish this came out too...
Super Mario Land VB. A demo was shown at E3 '95
 
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