TV or Naomi cabinet?

Well, Ikaruga's been shot down before it lifted, and so here we stand. Now, I know the Naomi setup with Ikaruga is about $2000, and the TV I was looking at was $1400 total, so it wouldn't be much longer to save up and get Ikaruga.

Now, a couple questions: Does anyone know how exactly Naomi kits are set up? As in, can I switch Ikaruga out with other Naomi games, and is it fairly simple to do so, or would it basically be a really expensive game? I've seen plenty of talk for Jamma, but seeing as how Naomi is so expensive I'm guessing not too many are into that part of the scene. Any help on this subject?

that's fuckin tough.

as long as your current TV is bigger than 27 inches, i say get Ikaruga.

Naomi...

Seriously, what besides Ikaruga are you going to play on a Naomi set-up that hasn't already seen release on the DC? Are you taking into consideration that you'll be needing a medium resolution monitor as well? A jamma rig would be a much, much better arcade gaming investment, if you're not already enabled. A nice TV would make for a significantly sounder purchase as well.

I can understand the Ikaruga-lust, but don't be rash and end up doing - or spending - anything that you might soon regret.

Fear not about being rash, I don't actually have the cash yet, so it's not like I'm going to order one tomorrow. I'll need a monitor, and have to look into that, though if I got a Jamma setup I'd want one set aside for that as well (though it's cheaper to begin with anyway).

As for other games, some of these are coming to console for sure, but I'd prefer or just really want the arcade versions:

GGXX
Cosmic Smash
Crackin' DJ (Any impressions for this? I haven't heard much at all. There's also a sequel for the GD-Rom addon, which I'd have anyway for Ikaruga)
Slash Out
Spikers Battle
Zero Gunner 2
GGX (if I can find it cheap)
Mobile Suit Gundam (any impressions for this as well? Looks interesting...)
Shakka to Tambourine
Lupin 3: The Shooting
Street Fighter Zero 3 Upper (if I can find it for comparatively cheap)
Dog Walking (alright, I'm kidding, I wouldn't actually buy this, though I'd love to play it just because it's so screwy-looking)

Yes, it would be easy to switch other Naiomi games in. It would also be easy to switch other Jamma systems in. If you are going for a new TV though, I seriously recommend a Wells Gardner D9200 serries monitor instead if you plan on alot of gaming. You could even hook a DVD player up with the propper adapter through component cables. You just probably couldn't watch TV on it, but broadcast TV is such a crappy signal anyway who cares? Check it out at Wells Gardner's website.

Not all NAOMI games are created equal. I talked with someone that runs arcade machines for a living. And he hates NAOMI set ups. Some of the games run in med res, some in standard, some can do both. And running a med res game on a standard res monitor looks like complete shit.

If I was going to do this, I's get an old Virtua Fighter 1 or 2 machine. Those are med res screens. Then buy the NAOMI system for it.

Also keep in mind that Ikaruga is a GD-ROM only game. And you'll need to buy the GD ROM unit too.

There's quite a bit of false info in this thread. NAOMI 1/2 runs in either high or low resolution, never in medium. You can easily hook it up to any VGA monitor. It's JVS, the new arcade standard, not JAMMA which means that you will need either the Sega or Capcom JAMMA convertor if you intend to run it in some JAMMA compliant device. Some of the games on your list require special controllers such as a light gun for Lupin III and will be a pain to setup, not to mention costly. You can easily switch NAOMI carts out but like the CPS-III, GD-ROM software needs to be loaded up into the system's RAM everytime a game is changed. Also, some of those games are still quite expensive or are never seen for sale in the used market. Ikaruga is a really nice game (just played it a few days ago) but make sure you're aware what you are getting into. You'll need a NAOMI 1/2 motherboard, NAOMI GD unit w/ the appropriate boot ROM and the Ikaruga software.

You can get the full Ikaruga kit at http://www.coinopexpress.com/pcbs.html.

It would be a pain setting it up and since Ikaruga is vertical, you'll have to tilt your monitor to the side. Also you must make custom connectors for controllers. If you go that way then just buy a cabinet and convert it and add a high rez monitor. It is much easier to do than the home setup. I would suggest waiting for it to hit a console. Who knows maybe some obscure developer will take the code off Treasure's hands and make a port from it. Although I must say that Treasure are idiots for not releasing at least a limited quantity of a game which they have in finished form, expecially when DC outsells the X-Box in Japan.


seen

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Shou-sama
There's quite a bit of false info in this thread. NAOMI 1/2 runs in either high or low resolution, never in medium. You can easily hook it up to any VGA monitor. It's JVS, the new arcade standard, not JAMMA which means that you will need either the Sega or Capcom JAMMA convertor if you intend to run it in some JAMMA compliant device. Some of the games on your list require special controllers such as a light gun for Lupin III and will be a pain to setup, not to mention costly. You can easily switch NAOMI carts out but like the CPS-III, GD-ROM software needs to be loaded up into the system's RAM everytime a game is changed. Also, some of those games are still quite expensive or are never seen for sale in the used market. Ikaruga is a really nice game (just played it a few days ago) but make sure you're aware what you are getting into. You'll need a NAOMI 1/2 motherboard, NAOMI GD unit w/ the appropriate boot ROM and the Ikaruga software.

---

As usual, you come here to set us straight on all matters coin op. Thanks!. :)

I was under the impression that NAOMI was medium res or low res. Guess I need to listen to my sources a little closer. And that shoots down my idea with the VF to NAOMI conversion. :(

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Shou-sama
There's quite a bit of false info in this thread. NAOMI 1/2 runs in either high or low resolution, never in medium. You can easily hook it up to any VGA monitor. It's JVS, the new arcade standard, not JAMMA which means that you will need either the Sega or Capcom JAMMA convertor if you intend to run it in some JAMMA compliant device.

---

Heh, I actually hadn't expected any way to hook up Jamma at all, so knowing there's a convertor is kinda nice.

Quote:

---

Some of the games on your list require special controllers such as a light gun for Lupin III and will be a pain to setup, not to mention costly.

---

Aren't the special controllers included if I buy a full kit? HotD comes with the guns in the kit...

Quote:

---

You can easily switch NAOMI carts out but like the CPS-III, GD-ROM software needs to be loaded up into the system's RAM everytime a game is changed. Also, some of those games are still quite expensive or are never seen for sale in the used market. Ikaruga is a really nice game (just played it a few days ago) but make sure you're aware what you are getting into.

---

Is switching the info tough to do or is it just something that's quick and painless but must be done?

Quote:

---

You'll need a NAOMI 1/2 motherboard, NAOMI GD unit w/ the appropriate boot ROM and the Ikaruga software.

---

Yeah, knew about all that. Can someone list exactly what comes with the kits? I know a bit about it, but finding Naomi info is a bit tough...

Quote:

---

Originally posted by seen
It would be a pain setting it up and since Ikaruga is vertical, you'll have to tilt your monitor to the side.

---

Heh, I already do that everytime I play a vertical shooter on my computer and can turn the screen right (Mame supports that, which I'm very thankful for). Kind of a pain, but I know whenever I do that I'm planning on playing the game for quite some time.

Quote:

---

Also you must make custom connectors for controllers. If you go that way then just buy a cabinet and convert it and add a high rez monitor. It is much easier to do than the home setup.

---

Hrm, I guess if I end up pulling this off it'd be time to start practicing soldering now, huh?

I'd like to buy a cabinet and convert it, I'm actually thinking of picking up one or two from the local Wal-Mart if possible (was also debating asking if I might be able to buy one of their MVS cabs off them), otherwise there's another kinda local arcade I could check out for cabs. I'd feel wierd trying to make this setup work in the living room or really anywhere outside a cab. :)

Thank you both very, very much for the info. I was actually kind of hoping that you (Shou-sama) was still hanging around, as I know you're quite knowledgable, and seen is as helpful as always!

This is a tough call considering some of the NAOMI games did not get DC ports, but I'd go with the television. Chances are that Ikaruga will hit a system sooner or later.

If you really want Slash Out, Lupin 3: The Shooting, or Spikers Battle also, then go for the NAOMI.

I must have changed a great deal in the past year, because Id say that you would have to be nuts to spend $2000 on a Naomi cabinet. I would never spend that amount of money on that cabinet, especially if I needed to save up for it. If I was wealthy, then okay, whatever.

I just think you can get so much more than a TV for $2000 of you gaming dollars. Especially since a regular ol' NTSC tellevision is not the best way to play your games, especially the older stuff. I say reach for the stars and get that Naomi. Then spend the extra $100 to get an MVS. You know you want it.:) Or get a nice RGB monitor and an MVS, or get carts and disks 'til they come out of your ears, or......

Not the TV.

First things being first, could someone please go back and delete that link to coinopexpress? Please noone ever buy anything from them. You'll only cry about it later. The Buy Rite of the coinop industry.

Second, in this day and age Ikaruga should be nowhere near two grand. If memory serves (and it does sometimes :) you should be able to find your way into it(sans cabinet) for a little over $1000.

Third item on my list is that Federation vs. Zeon. Great game, get it if possible. All action, all kickass.

Last but not least, thanks for the tip Chibi_Nappa. The Wells Gardner site made my friggin week dude! That 33" beast is calling my name. Unfortunately my wallet overheard and ran the other way!

Pa

Think really hard and long about this....

Naomi? That is a HUGE investment.... Just Ikaruga alone is a lot of cash... Not to mention all the other stuff you'll need...

And other games? Crackin' DJ? All those others.... man, that is a lot of trouble (and money)...

All of this stuff isn't easy to come across, either... And remember shipping costs... And you have to be willing to learn all that techincal stuff...

Skip it.


TV

Yeah, that 33 inch beast scared off my wallet as well. I ended up getting the 27 inch version. Still, it is the single best game display alternative I have ever used, and is absolutly beautiful. There is just the hassle of re-doing connections and re-adjusting the picture when changing consoles and video modes. You get used to it though, and the benefits far outweigh the extra adjusting I have to do (45 seconds worth for a new console). No adjusting at all between games on the same console either.

Well I've only seen a few movies & pics of the machine and game so what I offer isn't too substantial (and probably simplistic). Sega's tagline to the game runs along the sides of calling itself "No Simulation - it's the Real Deal!!" or something along those lines, which I can respect since actual DJing seems to be based upon the simple concept that C'DJ offers.

Anyways, from what I could tell:
1) Take a Beatmania IIDX Arcade machine.
2) Make the screen non HDTV, take out the floor plate.
3) Take out the 14 keys and replace it with a slider (which sets as volume control between the two turntables)
4) Place motors on the turntables so that they spin during play (just like real turntables!! w0w!)
5) Make it 1P only

Congrats, you've got Crackin'DJ. Like most games it probably all rides or fails on the music, and I'd really like to play the game at least once before going around saying it looks simplistic, but to me it does at this point...

Dog$: Thank you, it's harder to find info on that game then it should be.

As it is, I'm actually leaning towards learning about building a Naomi setup now, as the TV portion seems to have taken out of my hands. In an impulse purchase that funnily enough resulted from the fact that my city seems to be completely sold out of Hunter: The Reckoning, I ended up coming home with the 32" HD flatscreen (@$1200).

And so begins my search for some good information...

When ya gotta' buy something, ya gotta' buy something. :D

I waited a while to post since Mode pretty much said exactly what I'd say. Screw the Naomi and get a nice sit-down Japanese cabinet from Arcade-Infinity. I think you'll find a lot more to love with a Jamma cabinet than a Naomi in the long run. Then use the extra $1400.00 for a ton of great PCB's.