Mario Bros. (1983) fans: which multiboard (or ROM) has the closest emulation to PCB?

[1500points]

Mario Bros. (1983) fans: which multiboard (or ROM) has the closest emulation to PCB?

Almost any game you can mention is best on original hardware.

But there are a thousand logistical reasons why everyone can't own every cab they enjoy playing so you accept compromise to have fun.

And also why it is so important to support any local retro arcade keeping the machines alive.

And why we are so happy when a masterfully crafted fpga work of art becomes available.
But no one has the guts to mess with the nintendo or namco bear since they are still making coin op incomes from some of these titles.

 

[OneNine]

I've gotten conflicting info about 2 player support on the 19 in 1 as well - thought it could do it if the cabinet settings were changed but here is what the manual says:

Effect of Cabinet settings:

Upright / 1 Joystick -

Defender - allows two players, alternating, 1 set of controls (normal play).
Joust - allows one player only (not normal two player simultaneous play).
Robotron - allows only 1 joystick and buttons (okay, but not normal 2 joystick play). Robotron game setting change is also required (see manual page 8).
Upright / 2 Joysticks (the usually preferred setting) -

Defender - one player only, no two player alternating play, unless a second set of controls are installed (okay for one player only, but not normal alternating play).
Joust - two players simultaneous (normal play).
Robotron - 2 joysticks, two players alternating (normal play). Robotron game setting change is also required (see manual page 8).

If you set the dips to Upright/2 joysticks, you can play both games simultaneous two player.

 

[trickman]

As far as spot on perfect, the only FPGA I'm aware of is from the NAMCO's DK/DK Jr/Mario Bros machine in 2008ish.
Those do come up for sale every now and then.

Sorry I have to disagree with the spot on perfect statement here (although very close). The Namco remake is reprogrammed to fit into a vertical monitor space. The original is a horizontal monitor game.

 

[LordOfDoubleDee]

Well that's good to know, it's great to hear from someone who actually has it and has made it work, a big plus for the 19 in 1!

 

[1500points]

Sorry I have to disagree with the spot on perfect statement here (although very close). The Namco remake is reprogrammed to fit into a vertical monitor space. The original is a horizontal monitor game.

I have never even seen one in real life.
Besides the vertical orientation, is the fpga a closer rendition than any mame versions?

When I used to play it on 19-1 the way mario skids felt different.

 

[hailrazer]

If you set the dips to Upright/2 joysticks, you can play both games simultaneous two player.

I just found out mine was set on 1 player. So embarrassed.

 

[LordOfDoubleDee]

I just found out mine was set on 1 player. So embarrassed.

It happens

 

[HighScoreSaves]

For the $$$, the 19 in 1 is fine if controls are proper. After all, it's all about the feelings we remember 35 years ago....if any of you are like me, it's getting a but blurry.
The arcade SD is awesome. Very good emulation.
Playing it on some of the Pandora series is fine too, but if you're looking to have thay feeling back, 2 joysticks and 12 buttons kind of kill it. But, then again, you can play some of the other games that we all remember in the same cab.

 

[ChanceKJ]

You know what, i have Original hardware, a 19-in-1, ArcadeSD, and a Pandoras Box all sitting here, I should make a side by side comparison video. Wonder what else i could get the game to play on down here.... hmm.

 

[1500points]

You know what, i have Original hardware, a 19-in-1, ArcadeSD, and a Pandoras Box all sitting here, I should make a side by side comparison video. Wonder what else i could get the game to play on down here.... hmm.

Yeah good idea. Mario bros is a very hot commodity for retro arcade people so surely people will be curious to see it.

 

[trickman]

I have never even seen one in real life.
Besides the vertical orientation, is the fpga a closer rendition than any mame versions?

When I used to play it on 19-1 the way mario skids felt different.

I remember it playing nicely. The sounds are pretty close. The walking/skids sound seems a bit different. The vertical screen throws you off if you're used to a horizontal (Pixel Blast Arcade has an original, so that's what I'm used to playing/seeing/hearing). OG widebody cabs also have that "trademark" loud hum coming through the speakers constantly.

 

[LordOfDoubleDee]

You know what, i have Original hardware, a 19-in-1, ArcadeSD, and a Pandoras Box all sitting here, I should make a side by side comparison video. Wonder what else i could get the game to play on down here.... hmm.

That would be amazing - I would really appreciate it - I set up Mame on my mac and played a little while with the keyboard - another possibility? Do you have an ArPiCade? Love it!

 

[ChanceKJ]

Nothing Pi related at the house i'm afraid.

I might not be able to get to it until next week, We've got most of my CRT's pulled apart and everything's getting capped/inspected/rejuved (if needed), and we're filming a few episodes on a new pin for the channel. But it is a really good idea for an episode...

 

[FrizzleFried]

EDIT: Nevermind... already addressed above.

 

[dungeonmastr]

You know what, i have Original hardware, a 19-in-1, ArcadeSD, and a Pandoras Box all sitting here, I should make a side by side comparison video. Wonder what else i could get the game to play on down here.... hmm.

I'd really love to see this! I've been curious about a 19-in-1 for a while, but my major holdback was how Joust played; since I'd only ever heard that it was one player only, I've been kinda turned off to it. Same with Mario Bros. - if I could see how it played, I'd probably be interested in picking one up.

 

[1500points]

I'd really love to see this! I've been curious about a 19-in-1 for a while, but my major holdback was how Joust played; since I'd only ever heard that it was one player only, I've been kinda turned off to it. Same with Mario Bros. - if I could see how it played, I'd probably be interested in picking one up.

I can speak to Joust at a master level opinion.

MAME struggles with the blitter stuff with WMS hardware.
Old mame is worse than the latest mame, which is now as close as it can get but still inaccurate.

So you take old mame and put it in an underpowered pcb, you end up with an inaccurate experience with control lag. it'll make the player control feel like you are on ice or it is slightly out of control.

Joust is a slower game than its sibling Robotron, so you won't feel it as bad.
The red enemies in joust will feel twitchier and faster than real hardware.
but if you are an advanced skill level player you'll not notice a major issue until you reach the wave 20s. The blue shadow lords that start on wave 16 will give a general player some fits.

Just like Robotron if you are a casual nostalgia player who just wants to play a few waves and listen to the sounds, the 19-1 is a cheap and great little experience.

If you are an actual player or wish to seek some higher waves then for Williams your only choice is a JROK. The 19-1 makes for a great test pcb when you are building a new jamma rig, great guinea pig so it isn't a total waste to buy one as you are learning and advancing in the hobby.

 

[FrizzleFried]

My opinion: The 19-in-1 is garbage to be avoided if you truly appreciate classic arcade games....

Why not get an original PCB set BTW? They're not that hard to find or that terribly expensive (at least they weren't a few years ago when I had a Mario Bros)...

 

[dungeonmastr]

My opinion: The 19-in-1 is garbage to be avoided if you truly appreciate classic arcade games....

Why not get an original PCB set BTW? They're not that hard to find or that terribly expensive (at least they weren't a few years ago when I had a Mario Bros)...

I actually have a Joust! It died back in early 2016, unfortunately.

I hadn't heard of jrok or his Multi-Williams at the time (I was kind of just starting to get back into the hobby after a few year long hiatus), but I've wanted something to fill the gap until I could either get it repaired or buy an FPGA. The 19-in-1 looked like something I could drop in as a stopgap for parties and the like, but was never something I'd hang on to long-term; I've just always been curious about how they play. I should probably just bite the bullet and save up for an FPGA board; most of the input I've received over the last couple of years has been that working on Williams boards sucks.

Just like Robotron if you are a casual nostalgia player who just wants to play a few waves and listen to the sounds, the 19-1 is a cheap and great little experience.

If you are an actual player or wish to seek some higher waves then for Williams your only choice is a JROK. The 19-1 makes for a great test pcb when you are building a new jamma rig, great guinea pig so it isn't a total waste to buy one as you are learning and advancing in the hobby.

Noted! I like to think I'm decent at Joust (the same cannot be said for Robotron at all) so, based on your's and Friz's input, I'll stay the heck away from the 19-in-1 and just save for an FPGA!

 

[FrizzleFried]

Well, you won't be losing a bunch of dough buying one (19-in-1)... so there is always that.