Gaplus in a Galaga Cabinet???

[Tighe]

I go to all the trouble of finding a Gaplus board for you, and then you tease me with your Galaga? You sir, have besmirched my dignity for the last time.

LOL, if you watch later you will see Gaplus too! BTW thanks for finding that for me!

 

[RadArcade]

I run a Gaplus board in my Galaga every year at CAX. I did what others suggested. I used a converted Ms. Pac control panel with a Midway stick. I use the standard Midway cp plug, but for Gaplus I added two additional wires for up and down at the edge connector. Those two wires have a molex connector that can connect to the additional wires coming from the joystick.

Does that make sense?

 

[pmichelsen]

Damn, it's a good thing that board worked right out of the box otherwise I would have been in hot water!

 

[Tighe]

I run a Gaplus board in my Galaga every year at CAX. I did what others suggested. I used a converted Ms. Pac control panel with a Midway stick. I use the standard Midway cp plug, but for Gaplus I added two additional wires for up and down at the edge connector. Those two wires have a molex connector that can connect to the additional wires coming from the joystick.

Does that make sense?

Makes total sense, I just don't know if I want to be swapping control panels. I am going to tray everything else (non-damaging) first before I resort to panel swapping.

 

[CrazyKongFan]

OK, so if a Gaplus board can work in a Galaga cab, can the reverse be done? (I would think so). I assume Galaga will just ignore the up/down directions? Wouldn't mind having another PCB to play in my cab

 

[Tighe]

Damn, it's a good thing that board worked right out of the box otherwise I would have been in hot water!

LOL, so you weren't sure? Can I take my feedbackj back? Really, thanks for the board! I am very happy! WOO HOO!

OK, so if a Gaplus board can work in a Galaga cab, can the reverse be done? (I would think so). I assume Galaga will just ignore the up/down directions? Wouldn't mind having another PCB to play in my cab

Yes they are the same, you can plug a Galaga right in. Same with Dig Dug and a couple others. Maybe Super pac too, not sure.

 

[Black Matrix]

Hey,
For what its worth, I have played a Gaplus in a Galaga cab for quite some time. Not only does it work, I think it works better than one with the up and down. It seems to me that the game auto detects whether you are using up and down controls and adjusts accordingly. That being said, I also know that that sounds like total bs so I don't blame you for not believing me. As for the backwards stages, there not that hard to get through. You simply have to be on the same side the floor sweepers come in on when they enter from the side. Follow them across the screen and they will sweep back off the same side they came in. Then the second wave comes from the opposite side and you reverse your sweep back to the other side. I think 3 sweeps are the norm. After you live past them, you pretty much have the level beat. On the next backwards level, the sweepers come in from the side opposite of first sweeper on stage 1. Hope that makes sense.

On a side note I have played my galaga so much that I have enough vertical movement to use the up an down on my joysticks now. In fact, you can convert your Galaga CP with just the addition of a couple wires to the PCB edge connector. But I think someone already mentioned that. Anyways, happy gaming. Gaplus is a great game.

 

[Tighe]

Hey,
For what its worth, I have played a Gaplus in a Galaga cab for quite some time. Not only does it work, I think it works better than one with the up and down. It seems to me that the game auto detects whether you are using up and down controls and adjusts accordingly. That being said, I also know that that sounds like total bs so I don't blame you for not believing me. As for the backwards stages, there not that hard to get through. You simply have to be on the same side the floor sweepers come in on when they enter from the side. Follow them across the screen and they will sweep back off the same side they came in. Then the second wave comes from the opposite side and you reverse your sweep back to the other side. I think 3 sweeps are the norm. After you live past them, you pretty much have the level beat. On the next backwards level, the sweepers come in from the side opposite of first sweeper on stage 1. Hope that makes sense.

On a side note I have played my galaga so much that I have enough vertical movement to use the up an down on my joysticks now. In fact, you can convert your Galaga CP with just the addition of a couple wires to the PCB edge connector. But I think someone already mentioned that. Anyways, happy gaming. Gaplus is a great game.

Thanks for the TIP! I am glad to know I don't have to convert. I think I will jut put it in a easier setting.

 

[CrazyKongFan]

Yes they are the same, you can plug a Galaga right in. Same with Dig Dug and a couple others. Maybe Super pac too, not sure.

I think you have to have the Namco versions of those though. I believe Atari Dig Dug is different, and I know the Midway version of Super Pac is different (it doesn't use an edge connector, it use several headers/pins). My cabinet adapter is also labeled Bosconian, so I assume that would work too (with a monitor rotation). I wonder if Mappy would also work?

 

[Tighe]

I have come up with the best solution!

I think that we all know that this is the best chioce. Just picked it up yesterday. It was so filthy, just did an initial cleaning, It still need more cleaning.

It is in great shape, but the marquee disintregrated, and it needs new t-molding.
Other things I could do is replace the Control Panel overlay, and put in a switching power supply.

Here are the photos:

 

[Tighe]

Marquee

Here is the poor marquee, the artwork is very brittle and turns to dust, there is no saving it. Is there a good scan of a Gaplus Marquee?

Also the bezel is contructed the same way, and I am sure will have the same thing happen, it is only a matter of time. What is the best way of re-enforcing the bezel art? I think I heard someone saying clear packing tape. Anyone got an opinion?

 

[CrazyKongFan]

Krylon triple-thick is what the pinball guys use on the backglasses. You'd probably need to mask off the viewing area, not sure if it dries clear or not. Cab itself looks pretty good too. I see your t-molding looks just like mine...cracked every couple inches. Luckily my bezel has no flaking at all (but is missing the instruction cards, and painted black to hide the open spot). Mine also has a different CPO, but is similar to that one and is in pretty good shape (so I'm leaving it for now). My marquee has a vertical slit in the paint, but so far hasn't really flaked off anywhere else. Congrats on the pick up!

 

[Tighe]

Krylon triple-thick is what the pinball guys use on the backglasses. You'd probably need to mask off the viewing area, not sure if it dries clear or not. Cab itself looks pretty good too. I see your t-molding looks just like mine...cracked every couple inches. Luckily my bezel has no flaking at all (but is missing the instruction cards, and painted black to hide the open spot). Mine also has a different CPO, but is similar to that one and is in pretty good shape (so I'm leaving it for now). My marquee has a vertical slit in the paint, but so far hasn't really flaked off anywhere else. Congrats on the pick up!

The thing about using paint that has me worried is that this artwork is more like a decal than painted on like a pinball machine or even my Galaga. It is very cheap, and I am afraid that paint won't hold it on. The bezel isn't faking either, but in a couple places it is separated (come unglued) from the glass.

My instruction cards don't look so great, I wonder if there is a good scan of those too.

I just tucked it in my Midway wall, I have two other Midway cabs, I think I might move the Baby Pac to where the Mortal Kombat is.

 

[Ghostnuke]

Nice!

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[Tighe]

Nice!

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LOL! Thanks!