Qbert Bootleg - Adding Speech and Knocker Functionality

Arcade2007

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Donor 4 years: 2022-2025
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Recently picked up a Qbert conversion running a bootleg PCB. The cabinet began life as a Centuri Eagle. After rebuilding the K4600, installing a genuine Qbert glass bezel, replacing the joystick grommet, and attending to a few other minor cosmetics, I began to wonder if the bootleg PCB was capable of speech and knocker operation.

That's when I found this video. I am not sure if this gentleman is on KLOV, but the probability is high. In any case - I want to give him credit for his work - and for inspiring me to mod my bootleg PCB.

Suffice it to say that the results were well worth it - and the overall process was surprisingly straight forward.

I used this solenoid from Adafruit for the knocker - along with a 1N4004 flywheel diode to protect the Darlington lo-side driver.

Attached is a picture of the representative PCB area - along with a pictorial guide detailing which components need to be added.

The one stumbling block is the Votrax SC-01 speech synthesizer chip. Fortunately, I picked one up during a recent out-of-town buy. There are modern emulated versions available - though I cannot speak for their effectiveness and quality.

Thought this information might be useful for anyone looking to add speech and knocker functionality to their bootleg Qbert board.
 

Attachments

  • Speech_Knocker_Mods.pdf
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Sweet. Now figure out a way to add the knocker to Qubes on the JRok!

It'd need a code patch to Qubes to support it, it may need a update to the FPGA code too as I'm pretty sure coin counter 2 ( which is the knocker ) is disabled in Qubes.

Thinking about it.. so have the knocker trigger when the Rat or QubesBert falls off the squares.
 
It'd need a code patch to Qubes to support it, it may need a update to the FPGA code too as I'm pretty sure coin counter 2 ( which is the knocker ) is disabled in Qubes.

Thinking about it.. so have the knocker trigger when the Rat or QubesBert falls off the squares.
Right on. It feels like that feature is just plain missing when I play the game. Just play it once and tell me you don't feel the same way.
 
Right on. It feels like that feature is just plain missing when I play the game. Just play it once and tell me you don't feel the same way.

Ok, I think this is a seriously good idea. I'll look at adding this into an update for the MylFPGA board.
It will need an update to the FPGA code and a patch to the Qubes code. I'll add the game code patch as an option in the game setup so it could be turned on/off.
 
Ok, I think this is a seriously good idea. I'll look at adding this into an update for the MylFPGA board.
It will need an update to the FPGA code and a patch to the Qubes code. I'll add the game code patch as an option in the game setup so it could be turned on/off.
SWEEEET!! So is this something that can be added to our current Mylstar boards? Forgive me if it's obvious but I'm not real savvy with this stuff.
 
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