Aesthetics for MVS Consolizing?

When you want to build a Neo game library (and you're not a independently wealthy...) MVS carts are definitely the way to go.

The main drawback for me has been the size of having a supergun, MVS board, and controllers all in one place. Consolizing a board is probably my best option, but it feels like there's something missing from the traditional MVS consolized 1-slot boards.

I mean this with no disrespect to the amazing people on this forum that make consolized boards, but when you put a consolized 1-slot next to any other console it looks somewhat non sequitor.

There's a MV-1FZ on my shelf begging to be consolized, and I was wondering if anyone has done custom case designs in addition to the traditional mods?

Having all the right AV I/O is mandatory, but has anyone played around with building a custom case for consolized MVS boards? When I first saw a MV-1FZ it was screaming to be built into a NES-like case. Some of the Saturn case mods look really cool, but there don't seem to be too many of them floating around?



Anyone have suggestions on this design, or would case-modding be a waste of time?

I just sold off my initial consolized one slot (1FZ). which I think turned out very well, but like you said, it was missing that one thing, a nice shell. I was thinking the same thing you are; I have another 1FZ in my closet that I want to consolize, but I want to make it more complete. This one will be for my own use, so I will spend a little more on completing it, rather than making a budget system.

I already have an idea of what I want to do to enclose the whole thing and I will begin the project right after the 1st of the year. Once I get it moving, I will gladly show you what I'm doing. Right now, it's just a thought and I don't want to steer you the wrong way if my idea doesn't work.

Jeff

I have the utmost respect for those who do the neat consolized MVS's and Superguns. Amazing work.

That said, neato shells, shockboxes, IMO, all add up to the same thing.

AES envy.

My AES looks great. No need to spend the vast amounts of time (what's that worth) trying to make a PCB in a shell look presentable.

Cab hardware for cabs. Console hardware to hook up to the TV.

I'm not trying to start a flame war. It just seems to me, when talking MVS and AESthetics it's like Military Intelligence. The two words seem incongruous, and you are striving against the nature and original design of the hardware.

MVS promoters always seem to leave this out when talikng to newbies. You can have a console, and pay through the nose on games (or get a Phantom), or you can get a setup.

A setup.


My 2 cents.

The simple fact is that you'll never be able to get the sort of refined look that you would with an AES shell, so as long as you're not using that as your standard you should be ok.

Personally, I think that my consolized 4-slot looks great. Sure, you can see the PCB and some components of the board are ever-so-slightly exposed, but it just doesn't bother me at all. The entire unit is very well-contained and the wires are well-hidden within the case. It's definitely a more raw look than that of the AES, but to me it's every bit as appealing, and makes an interesting conversation piece.

I can better understand the complaints with the consolized 1-slots though. They look ok, but the wires and the odd shape of the unit aren't exactly easy on the eyes.

galfordo said:

I can better understand the complaints with the consolized 1-slots though. They look ok, but the wires and the odd shape of the unit aren't exactly easy on the eyes.

Click to expand...

1-slots are mainly what I'm looking at. If you're using a 2 to 6 slot, you're already larger than the footprint of a supergun so you wouldn't be saving much space.

Jeff- I'm sure we're all looking forward to seeing what you come up with! Out of curiosity it's not going to be NES-like style is it?

praedicator said:

When you want to build a Neo game library (and you're not a independently wealthy...) MVS carts are definitely the way to go.

The main drawback for me has been the size of having a supergun, MVS board, and controllers all in one place. Consolizing a board is probably my best option, but it feels like there's something missing from the traditional MVS consolized 1-slot boards.

I mean this with no disrespect to the amazing people on this forum that make consolized boards, but when you put a consolized 1-slot next to any other console it looks somewhat non sequitor.

There's a MV-1FZ on my shelf begging to be consolized, and I was wondering if anyone has done custom case designs in addition to the traditional mods?

Having all the right AV I/O is mandatory, but has anyone played around with building a custom case for consolized MVS boards? When I first saw a MV-1FZ it was screaming to be built into a NES-like case. Some of the Saturn case mods look really cool, but there don't seem to be too many of them floating around?

Anyone have suggestions on this design, or would case-modding be a waste of time?

Click to expand...

I like the idea of using the toaster NES since it's horizontal loading, but I haven't really had the time nor the drive to try it. Question is does the slot need to be widened? Could be done relatively easily and also elegantly I think. Should definitely fit in there too, just wonder about how well the slot lines up and if you'd be able to pull it out easily.

I think a really slick thing would be to use a Turbo Grafx 16 as part of a consolized setup where the HuCard slot could be fit with a memory card reader. I know Neo Bob made a "Turbo Gun", but didn't use the Hu slot.

praedicator said:

1-slots are mainly what I'm looking at. If you're using a 2 to 6 slot, you're already larger than the footprint of a supergun so you wouldn't be saving much space.

Click to expand...

You're larger than the footprint of a supergun alone, but probably not larger than the footprint of a supergun + motherboard. Plus, you get the added coolness factor of having the additional slots for games that you never get tired of - like Neo Turf Masters.

There's no contest between the convenience of a 1-slot vs. multi-slot board

This topic was aimed mainly at 1-slot boards since they're smaller and closely resemble the 'typical' console. Condensing the footprint and size to setup and play a 1-slot is what I'm after, but giving it a distinct look instead of a bare PCB.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a PSU to use with a MV-1FZ? Several people use Jameco PSUs, but is there a specific model that people like? More specifically, does anyone have an example or wiring diagram for adapting the PSU pins to a Jamma harness?

praedicator said:

Does anyone have a recommendation for a PSU to use with a MV-1FZ? Several people use Jameco PSUs, but is there a specific model that people like? More specifically, does anyone have an example or wiring diagram for adapting the PSU pins to a Jamma harness?

Click to expand...

Printed right on the PSU there slappy.

And being Bay Area you can drive to Jameco and pick it up.
Preferred model: SC200 (Ault)
Also works: SW300 (Ault)

I've noticed that the SW300 is lower power even though the specs say it is the same. I powers a 1-slot fine.

D-Lite said:

Printed right on the PSU there slappy.

Click to expand...

Thanks for making it painfully obvious that I've never done this before

But really, thank you everyone for pitching in on this. It might not be the best project to do for my first one but you can always rebuild it I guess...

Surely a consolized MVS can't look quite as good as an AES (at least it hasn't yet), but it can be done. I got closed, but it still doesn't look as nice as an AES cart system:

http://www.neo-geo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88505

The two slot and alot of other consolized systems out there are very functional and alot of them look great as well, but I am not too hot on the exposed PCB/jamma connector look that is so common either. Would be nice to see some more options for enclosed consoles too.

That case is sweet as hell Orochi but I gotta say the best casing for an MVS board is a CandyCab. Theres just nothing sweeter than a little jap arcade cabinet.

They dont take up a lot of space either.


Anything less is just a "nintendo" or a "sega" which is what mere mortals see when something is plugged into a television that plays games.

Not sure if I agree on the Candy part (I do like Candy cabs though), but on dedicated arcade cab is the way to play the games for sure. One of these days I'll get a candy or a big red, but I am waiting for a great deal on one...

Well my one slot supergun has a nice little enclosure for it, IMO anyway: