Want to buy/build Mortal Kombat series arcade cabinet. Need Pointers!

tineras

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Want to buy/build Mortal Kombat series arcade cabinet. Need Pointers!

Let me start by saying I'm a total newb when it comes to arcade cabinets, but have a decent amount of experience with electronics. This is my first step in the process (ask the experts!) before I start serious research. On to business...

I've been wanting to buy/build an MK arcade machine for a number of years now and I'm finally ready to pull the trigger. I'm a huge fan of the entire MK series (don't care as much about MK4), but also would really like to be able to play Killer Instinct I and II if possible (different buttons, I know). I like the idea of having that actual jamma boards (and don't mind the technical headaches involved there), but also would like the flexibility of playing other games too since my friends and family probably couldn't care less about the MK/KI games. I was wondering what your thoughts are on real hardware vs. MAME vs. a combination of both.

I'm in the very early stages, so I'm guessing the first thing I need to do (after research, of course) is buy a physical cabinet. I would prefer an MKI, MKII or MKIII cabinet if I can find one in decent condition (even if it's gutted), though I don't mind doing work on it and would probably even enjoy the challenge. That's part of the fun! Anyway, before this message spirals out of control, I'll summarize what I'm trying to ask:

*** QUESTIONS ***

*1.* In my situation, do you recommend jamma boards with a switcher, a MAME setup, or a combination of both?
1a.If the setup is MAME, do the controls still feel authentic when compared to the original arcade machine (feel, lag, etc.)?

*2.* What resources do you recommend for a project like this (message boards, hardware/kit suppliers, tips for restoring old machines)?

*3.* Where should I start looking for a physical cabinet? I live in Orlando, FL. I'm willing to take a trip (within reason) to pick something up. Or make some sacrifices on which cabinet I get if I can find one at a good price locally.

*4.* Are there any special button/controls configurations to consider if I want to play additional games?
4a. Should I not get an MK2 cabinet because the control scheme would be insufficient for additional games or can I *easily* modify the control surface to add additional buttons/controls?

*5.* Are there any pitfalls that I should look out for?

****************

I want to get some long term enjoyment out of this project and plan on taking my time. I don't want to just throw something together.

I appreciate any advice you guys might be able to give me.

Thanks
 
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1. Mame for MK1 and MK2 (at least on my computer) is very very close to the arcade. I don't think I could tell the difference in speed, etc. Most people running multi Mk's (with real PCBs seem to use switchers, as opposed to physically swapping out the games one at a time. I would assume this is due to the MK PCBs having soundboards and being somewhat fragile.

Another option is a multi-board with MK's and other games on it. The 1315-in-1 has MK1, MK2, MK3 and Ultimate MK3, in addition to Killer Instinct 1 and 2. This is really a mame board setup that runs off of a JAMMA cab harness and an ATX style computer power supply. This is a good option for someone who doesn't want to hassle with setting up mame.

2. Almost anything you need info wise can be found here. If you were to go with a mame setup, that is where you'd want to use other mame-oriented forums. Any arcade related parts suppliers you will need can be recomended to you here. Just ask us what you are looking for and we can tell you where to get it.

3. You can post a "want to buy" thead here in the appropriate section. You can also scan craigslist in you area as well as ebay deals local to you. Shipping a MK would be pricey.

4. If you aren't looking to play any games with a trackball, a 6 button per player setup will be all you need. The MK3 cab has 6 per player, but the one button is down low in an strange location IMO. You can easily add a 6th button to a MK1 or MK2 cab. This would allow you to play all the fighter games in the event you go with mame or a multi-board.
 
1. MAME sucks and is sinful. You don't want to go to arcade hell do you? If you must use unoriginal hardware get a JAMMA multi at least (I wouldn't but who cares what I would do...)

2. Klov has all the info you need. Check out some of the MK restorations in the restoration section.

3. Look for a cabinet local. Midway cabs were converted A LOT!! Mostly to tekkens and hunting games. They were almost always painted black. The good thing about Midway sideart is that you can usually strip the paint with minimal to no damage to the original sideart. The cabs can be found cheap and may actually be a treasure!

4. On midway cabinets you could actually make multiple control panels and swap them out. The actual top panel with the buttons can be removed fromt he control box with like 5 or 6 screws. So you could have a MK panel and a KI panel. The KI panel would be fine for just about any other JAMMA game.

5. Don't bite off more than you can chew fiancially or time-wise. Try to at least get a working monitor on the deal. Un hacked wiring installed will save you a ton of time. If you find one for sale, ask us for advice on the price. Don't overpay and be patient.
 
4. You shouldn't have any problems with occasional use of other 3 button games. The 2nd Jamma button location is a bit odd, but useable.
 
Midway cabs were converted A LOT!! Mostly to tekkens and hunting games. They were almost always painted black. The good thing about Midway sideart is that you can usually strip the paint with minimal to no damage to the original sideart. The cabs can be found cheap and may actually be a treasure!

That would be awesome. It seems like it's going to be a bit of a challenge to find a suitable cabinet, but maybe I'll get lucky. We do have some local arcade vendors that I need to call.
 
Best of luck, I got my cabinet empty and black, I stripped the paint and got everything back in order, worked out awesome. I am looking forward to seeing some progress. I know some people use a 6 button layout for mk with both middles to block. this way you could run KI as well
 
I know some people use a 6 button layout for mk with both middles to block. this way you could run KI as well

That's probably what I'll end up doing. I like the 6 button layout. I want to think about other games I might like to play though so I can include those inputs if necessary.

Any ideas on what I can expect to spend on an empty cabinet? Or what I *should* be spending?
 
Well if you really feel like driving to NC (not likely) I'll give you a MK2 cab that needs the paint stripped for free. Has a good working monitor and all wiring still. It's set up for MK4 right now. I bought a dedicated MK4 so I don't need it.
 
Well if you really feel like driving to NC (not likely) I'll give you a MK2 cab that needs the paint stripped for free. Has a good working monitor and all wiring still. It's set up for MK4 right now. I bought a dedicated MK4 so I don't need it.

Wow. That's pretty incredible. Do you have any pictures of it? I am on travel for work this week and would need to talk to the wife, but it's not out of the question.

If you don't mind, I'd like your opinion on this too: http://www.davesarcade.com/vids.html. I looks as though he has some MK machines awaiting repair/restoration.

He recently sold an MK2 machine (http://goo.gl/yFtMf) that looks like it was in good condition for $550. Would it be worth buying a working machine and then building around that to add the other JAMMAs and/or mame pc?

EDIT: Also found a guy with both MK2 and KI2 (http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/vgm/2109611232.html). I emailed him to see if he still has them.
 
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Wow. That's pretty incredible. Do you have any pictures of it? I am on travel for work this week and would need to talk to the wife, but it's not out of the question.

My personal opinion is that to do what you want to do (multi-game) I would get a project cab. I can't really condone hacking a nice, working, original cab. There are plenty of members here that will disagree with me. If you want a nice dedicated cab then Dave can probably get you one. You may be able to find one cheaper than from him.

If you get a KI cab and use a JAMMA multi pcb you wouldn't really need to hack anything now that I think about it.

If you want pics of the cab I can get them for you. Its in storage right now. I can tell you that the bottom edges of the cab will need some minor repair because the previous owner removed the feet (idiot). Just let me know. I'll give it to you for free if you want it since you are just getting started and I want to see someone restore it to its MK2 glory.

I didn't want to sell it to some MAME'r so I held onto it.
 
My personal opinion is that to do what you want to do (multi-game) I would get a project cab. I can't really condone hacking a nice, working, original cab. There are plenty of members here that will disagree with me. If you want a nice dedicated cab then Dave can probably get you one. You may be able to find one cheaper than from him.

If you get a KI cab and use a JAMMA multi pcb you wouldn't really need to hack anything now that I think about it.

I see what you mean and I agree. I'll keep looking for a suitable multi-game-friendly cabinet that I can restore and perhaps I can get some dedicated machines at a later date.

If you want pics of the cab I can get them for you. Its in storage right now. I can tell you that the bottom edges of the cab will need some minor repair because the previous owner removed the feet (idiot). Just let me know. I'll give it to you for free if you want it since you are just getting started and I want to see someone restore it to its MK2 glory.

I didn't want to sell it to some MAME'r so I held onto it.

Don't go out of your way to take pictures. I'll have to really think about that kind of trip because it would likely cost me at least $200 just for gas and other expenses. I'll browse around here a bit more and do some more research and see what I come up with.
 
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