Neo Geo MVS-4 Version 2 Restoration

nesjess

Well-known member

Donor 2011
Joined
Feb 4, 2009
Messages
9,584
Reaction score
530
Location
Castro Valley, California
So I got this dedicated MVS cab from the Fresno Fire Sale and finally got around to working on it. Overall, it's in decent condition. And for once, there's nothing hacked up in the internal wiring.

These MVS machines were in every single arcade (and still some locations today) when I was a kid. I knew I had to have one someday and I just love the versatility of the cabinet and the MVS library. I've grown my cartridge collection a bit, but thinking of eventually throwing a 150-1 in here as well with some other games that aren't in the 150-1 list (ex. Windjammers).

Notes:

- Nice, working 25" WG K7191

- Working 4-slot board. Though, it has issues playing certain games like Metal Slug, Metal Slug 4 and Samurai Shodown IV. It plays all my other games just fine.

- Complete HAPP coin door and mechs. Nasty lock bar holes.

- Cabinet is clean inside, but caked with dust.

- No back panels. Need to cut and paint MDF.

- Lots of CP rust. No CPO or memory card/headphone jacks sticker. Needs full restore.

- Side art damage. I know there's a guy on Neo-Geo.com that sells repro diecut vinyl, but I despise that forum and it's lame rules. LOL.

- Needs light fixture as I'm taking the original light fixture out because I don't want to pay an arm and leg for replacement "bulbs"

Got some work to do!

dsc0264y.jpg
 
Last edited:
I finished restoring the control panel:

- Thanks to djdns, I got a nice original CPO. It took me a long time to find as no one reproduces these original thin plexi CPOs. I also found out that there are different CPOs depending on the version MVS cab where the button holes are laid out differently. So I'm happy I found one.

- It was extremely rusty and I sanded it down. There was some pitting, but not too bad. I then applied Rustoleum 2X Primer and Rustoleum High Performance Black Enamel.

- The CP bolts were rusty as well and I sanded down using the power drill method (putting bolt in the bit slot and sanding against sand paper/block). I painted them black as they were originally. They aren't in the pictures because they were drying at the time.

- Installed standard HAPP Ultimates (I know they aren't as good as Competitions, but you don't need "nice" joysticks for MVS games) and buttons.

- I plan on printing and laminating this (http://hardmvs.com/manuals/Memory Card Sticker.tif) from hardmvs.com to serve as a replacement for the memory card/headphone jacks sticker.

DSC_0691.JPG


DSC_0693.JPG


DSC_0695.JPG


DSC_0701.JPG


DSC_0700.JPG


More pics coming...
 
Last edited:
Looks great thus far. Keep us up to date, I need to get working on my MVS 4 slot and yours will definitely inspire me. When you get a chance, let me know where you got your CP repro'd and what you decide to do about the front and side artwork.
 
Looks great thus far. Keep us up to date, I need to get working on my MVS 4 slot and yours will definitely inspire me. When you get a chance, let me know where you got your CP repro'd and what you decide to do about the front and side artwork.

The CPO is original, not repro. I bought it from a fellow KLOVer. No one makes repros of the original thin plexi. You can buy an adhesive overlay and put plexi over it but that's not "original."

I plan on just trying to touch up the sides and front art with white paint. It will be in a row of games so its not a huge deal for me.
 
Last edited:
Posting this a bit late, but I moved this into the game room just in time for Christmas. It definitely adds character and variety and it's so fitting to have it next to the other JAMMA games I loved as a kid. Minus Championship Sprint, the JAMMA row is almost a splitting image of what my hometown candy shop had at one point when I was a kid. Here are some more pictures.

Nasty lock bar holes:

DSC_0119.JPG


I like lit coin slots:

DSC_0120.JPG


$8 light fixture from Walmart:

DSC_0123.JPG


Plugged into the extra outlet on the PS:

DSC_0122.JPG


Marquee is in fair condition. Need to print and laminate some inserts:

DSC_0118.JPG


More pictures to follow...
 
nice lineup!

I would swap the Nintendo cabs and the MVS for the DD. This way you have it almost chronological left to right!
 
Last edited:
I have the same machine and i for my restore i plan on putting digital picture frames up where the marquee is and cycling artwork since i will be running a multi cart. I think someone on neo-geo did this and it turned out great and with the cost of dig picture frames dropping like crazy it would be a very inexpensive mod.
 
I dunno, that sorta destroys the subtleness of the original marquee and draws a little too much attention to the marquee. It screams "look at me" which isn't very me. Cool idea. Different strokes...

I wish they still made replacement EL panels as I would go for it actually. I like the original but too bad the life on those was so short.
 
Last edited:
I dunno, that sorta destroys the subtleness of the original marquee and draws a little too much attention to the marquee. It screams "look at me" which isn't very me. Cool idea. Differen stroks...

I wish they still made replacement EL panels as I would go for it actually. I like the original but too bad the life on those was so short.

I think this guy will make you something custom for yours if needed.
http://www.glowhut.com/el-strip--el-panel.html
 
I'm going to email them about making replacement kits.
Someone used to do that but no longer does.
 
Back
Top Bottom