Archon's Turtles In Time Conversaion Project [Archive]

Archon_Turtle

02-08-2011, 12:16 AM

So as you may know, Turtles in Time is really really hard to find. Even harder if you want it in good shape. Klov.com rates the game a 12 out of 100 for rarity (100 being most common).

Anyway, I've wanted a Turtles In Time 4-player upright for a long long time, but have never been able to find one in good enough shape that is close enough to me.

Then today I see this on ebay:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/JNCOPosterboy/The%20Collection/Turtles%20In%20TIme%20Project/CFIfVgmkKGrHqZiIE1Mkf-iRBNUHvlp2w_3.jpg

When suddenly I am reminded that I purchased a working Turtles In Time JAMMA board several years ago:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/JNCOPosterboy/The%20Collection/Turtles%20In%20TIme%20Project/IMG_20110207_220025.jpg

So I swoop down on the Side Art, since complete sets INCLUDING the control panel overlay are few and far between.

On a lark, I then do a quick search for a Turtle in Time marquee. And low and behold there is one for pretty cheap! Swoop!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/JNCOPosterboy/The%20Collection/Turtles%20In%20TIme%20Project/CdhEGg2kKGrHqFl8Ez0SF42BNDCf7h7-w0_12.jpg

"But Archon, you still don't have a cabinet!"

Well friends, the cool thing about all of the 4-Player Konami Titles (TMNT, TMNT:Turtles In Time, The Simpsons, Sunset Riders, G.I. Joe, X-men) is that they ALL use the exact same cabinet.

So I get on the horn with a few distributors I know, and it turns out that there is a guy in Los Angeles proper with a Sunset Riders cabinet. It is currently sight unseen, but I am going to be checking it out in the next couple days. If it is indeed still in a 4-player konami, I'm nabbing that bastard.

Costs so far (will keep this updated):

NOS Side Art + Control Panel Overlay: $300
Marquee: $20
JAMMA Board: $0 (Already had it in the collection)
4-Player Konami Cabinet: $400

Eiko

02-08-2011, 03:32 AM

Oh wow let us know how it goes. Then i will be coming over to your place to play it.

Ninja_Shoe_Repair

02-08-2011, 04:14 AM

you realize you can download a MAME emulator and play it on the computer and it's just the same as the arcade, no change in quality. I have the original TMNT arcade on my handheld Dingoo A320. I'm working on TMNT 2 for it.

I would still have done the same thing though as nothing truly beats having an arcade cabinet to experience the real live thing. Awesome project.

Archon_Turtle

02-08-2011, 06:27 AM

oldmanwinters

02-08-2011, 09:15 AM

Go for it, dude! Nothing beats having a working arcade cabinet in your home!

sdp

02-08-2011, 10:55 AM

Have a mame cabinet. Not the same. The games I really care about I get dedicated cabinets for.

Can you show off your MAME cabinet?
And how is it not the same besides the fact that you are emulating the game? I realize that but any big problems?

discordiatookie

02-08-2011, 02:21 PM

Frickin' great stuff! Good luck to ya, and watch you don't step on them art bits, don't wanna get sucked into the time vortex!

masterturk

02-09-2011, 10:29 AM

sweeeeettttt hope you get it all! I saw 2 turtles in time boards as of late tho they are extremely rare, luck i bought mine when i did few years back.

Master Splinter

02-09-2011, 11:12 AM

This is a very cool project! Hope to see it get completed.

-ms

deadpoolRKO

02-09-2011, 11:22 AM

The games I really care about I get dedicated cabinets for.

how many arcade games with cabinets do you have?

&& Good luck man !

Archon_Turtle

02-10-2011, 05:15 AM

how many arcade games with cabinets do you have?

&& Good luck man !

I had to get rid of a few to make physical space for my wifes things when she moved in, so I'm currently down to 9 (including this one)

deadpoolRKO

02-10-2011, 07:47 AM

dude that's awesome. 9 Arcade systems in your house?? lol. thats sweet

Archon_Turtle

02-10-2011, 02:07 PM

dude that's awesome. 9 Arcade systems in your house?? lol. thats sweet

Not actually in my house. They have a separate space. It's basically a two car garage. Though this one will be in the house with the rest of the turtles collection.

LeoNerdo

02-10-2011, 07:42 PM

This is really cool! I can't wait to see your progress with it. I've always wanted the original arcade game cabinet but I've never found one close enough to my house that I could go and pick up.

Archon_Turtle

02-11-2011, 12:51 AM

So the sunset riders cabinet I was looking at fell through, but I found another one today. The guy is asking $400. I'm gonna go check it out tomorrow and I'll jump on it if it's in decent shape. He said the monitor works well, so that's a plus.

If this ends up being the cabinet I use, it'll bring the total to $720. Which is pretty much a steal for a Turtles in Time cabinet.

Archon_Turtle

02-11-2011, 10:20 PM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/JNCOPosterboy/The%20Collection/Turtles%20In%20TIme%20Project/100_4810.jpg

Donor cabinet!

This little guy was converted from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles into some other game at some point, so it is fitting that it should get turned back into a turtles game :-)

25 inch monitor works great. Working JAMMA harness and Power Supply.

Samhain

02-12-2011, 03:34 AM

Sweet Stephen! Look forward to seeing this finished!

Archon_Turtle

02-12-2011, 07:06 AM

Small Update:

Just got done stripping the hardware out of the control panel in prep from the arrival of the new art. There are a lot of hole left from the previous conversion. All of the holes in the picture with the blown out yellowish circle around them will have to be patched before the art goes on.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/JNCOPosterboy/The%20Collection/Turtles%20In%20TIme%20Project/IMG_20110212_045433.jpg

Archon_Turtle

02-15-2011, 04:52 AM

Hi guys,
A little progress report.

After having a hell of a time getting it in the apartment, I stripped one side of the donor cabinet. I just used a hair dryer to soften the glue and pulled. Came right off.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/JNCOPosterboy/The%20Collection/Turtles%20In%20TIme%20Project/181538_10150106184012698_516167697_6141433_7361582 _n.jpg

As luck would have it, the cabinet art also came in the mail today. So with some help from my lovely wife, this is what we got:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/JNCOPosterboy/The%20Collection/Turtles%20In%20TIme%20Project/180416_10150106243362698_516167697_6142033_1491402 _n.jpg

This is was a little trickier than I would have liked, as the art is actually in 3 sections, so it was a little bit of a pain to line up. This is because the images are actually much larger than the cabinet itself (so you have to trim them).

Over all I'm pretty pleased with the progress. :-)

Eiko

02-15-2011, 05:05 AM

Looking good. :tsmile:

Archon_Turtle

02-15-2011, 06:28 AM

Looking good. :tsmile:

Thanks! I'm totally excited about this project now that it is finally taking shape.

papa_smurf73

02-15-2011, 09:00 AM

This is looking great, dude. Keep the pictures and updates coming. :)

Archon_Turtle

02-15-2011, 09:19 PM

Control Panel Time!

After stripping off the generic contact paper overlay that was on the control panel, you can see the damn thing was a mess:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/JNCOPosterboy/The%20Collection/Turtles%20In%20TIme%20Project/180046_10150106690527698_516167697_6148112_3992265 _n.jpg

As I said previously, since starting out as a TMNT cabinet, this game has been through a number of conversions to different games, so there was a large number of holes that just didn't need to be there anymore. After fixing that issue, I put on the new art. While the sticks, buttons, and plexi-glass cover for it won't be in till next week sometime, this is what we have so far!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/JNCOPosterboy/The%20Collection/Turtles%20In%20TIme%20Project/180035_10150106690647698_516167697_6148113_1426576 _n.jpg

Archon_Turtle

02-15-2011, 11:05 PM

Figured I would take a break from the cosmetic restoration and get the hardware stuff done.

When I popped open the cabinet, it was considerably cleaner than I expected it to be:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/JNCOPosterboy/The%20Collection/Turtles%20In%20TIme%20Project/180150_10150106738002698_516167697_6148635_7643438 _n.jpg

Everything seemed to be there, except the board of course, and I had tested the monitor earlier in the day. So it was time to install the board:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/JNCOPosterboy/The%20Collection/Turtles%20In%20TIme%20Project/180995_10150106740662698_516167697_6148642_3660238 _n.jpg

Now I had bought this board "TESTED WORKING" a number of years ago, but had never actually plugged it in myself. But it had just sat in the bubble wrap since then, so I was taking it on good faith that the board still worked.

and...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/JNCOPosterboy/The%20Collection/Turtles%20In%20TIme%20Project/180985_10150106722642698_516167697_6148523_4727300 _n.jpg

So what is left to do?

1. One side of side art (I'll probably at least start that tonight)
2. The Marquee (on it's way in the mail)
3. Control Hardware (Probably Next Week sometime)
4. Control Panel Plexi-Glass (End of this week)
5. Minor cabinet cosmetics (spot painting, etc)

Archon_Turtle

02-17-2011, 09:03 AM

Tracked down 4 NOS Wico ball handle joysticks that match the original colors of the Turtles in Time joysticks. A tough task cause Wico has been out of business for a number of years.

Also ordered correctly colored buttons to match.

So everything to complete the cabinet is officially on it's way!

The Fifth Turtle

02-23-2011, 07:34 AM

Sword Slicin' Leo

02-23-2011, 11:55 AM

Seen this on ebay, if anyone is interested and not as handy as Archon.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-TMNT-25-4-Player-Arcade-/110652902265?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c36d4b79

Looks good, but it always makes me weary when they don;t show the game actually TURNED ON....

PizzaPower

02-23-2011, 07:00 PM

hey man thats really neat on what you just brought to life, you got some talent kid :)

HalfcourtGame

02-25-2011, 12:00 PM

Awesome project man. I remember playing the bahjeez outta this game with my brother at the skating rink. Even then I thought it was odd that they used muppet looking turtles for the artwork. Looking good!

Archon_Turtle

04-02-2011, 08:19 AM

Some updates for your eyeballs:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/JNCOPosterboy/The%20Collection/Turtles%20In%20TIme%20Project/100_4891.jpg

NOS WICO sticks. I decided to go with micro switch joysticks as opposed to the stock leaf switch joysticks as they work more reliably.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/JNCOPosterboy/The%20Collection/Turtles%20In%20TIme%20Project/100_4893.jpg

Lexan protective overlay cut and installed. Hardware installed.

Now I just gotta wire the damn thing :-)

Eiko

04-02-2011, 09:03 AM

Wow that is amazing grats to you. :)

CyberCubed

04-02-2011, 11:10 AM

I always wondered why Raph's controller/buttons were in such an awkward place in the cabinet. As a kid I had to stand on the side to play as a Raph..

PizzaPower

04-03-2011, 09:51 AM

lol yea me too, but hey its really coming togather good job!

Archon_Turtle

04-03-2011, 07:49 PM

I always wondered why Raph's controller/buttons were in such an awkward place in the cabinet. As a kid I had to stand on the side to play as a Raph..

Kinda answered your own question. They were placed that way so the first and 4th player would be encouraged to stand off to the sides. Putting all 4 players on the front side would give players no room to move if 4 people were playing.

Ninja_Shoe_Repair

04-04-2011, 03:16 PM

great job with the progress. I cheated and got an original Turtles in Time cabinet (great shape too) for $500. I respect you more for taking the time to make it work. I think I was just lazy ;P

Archon_Turtle

04-04-2011, 04:14 PM

its just a matter of finding one local. They never show up in LA.

Is that what you sold the art for?

Ninja_Shoe_Repair

04-04-2011, 05:34 PM

No, I sold the art for a personal event (great one, too). I now can save money again. I hope that's the last time I have to get rid of any art. I've got a like 5 more rare pieces including an early cover on the line right now.

Archon_Turtle

04-05-2011, 03:14 AM

New progress. She's just about done. A couple little things that i may or may not end up doing (such as new t-molding and cabinet locks). But anyway:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/JNCOPosterboy/The%20Collection/Turtles%20In%20TIme%20Project/100_4923.jpg

Wired the control panel.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/JNCOPosterboy/The%20Collection/Turtles%20In%20TIme%20Project/100_4924.jpg

Since Turtles In Time doesn't have a free play mode, I wired the insert coin leads to mico switches and mounted buttons to the bottom of the panel. So now, to insert coins you just reach under the panel and press the buttons.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/JNCOPosterboy/The%20Collection/Turtles%20In%20TIme%20Project/100_4925.jpg

Here she is in all her glory. Like I said, some minor things to clean up. But other than that she's all done.

Sadly, I'm also waiting on a new main board, because mine decided to crap out this week (that's why shes not running in the photos).

Hard to believe that she started out looking like this:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/JNCOPosterboy/The%20Collection/Turtles%20In%20TIme%20Project/100_4810.jpg

Jester

04-05-2011, 03:33 AM

No, I sold the art for a personal event (great one, too).
Are congradulations in order?

Archon_Turtle

04-08-2011, 02:30 PM

New board came in. Just hooked it up, and it runs great :-)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/JNCOPosterboy/The%20Collection/Turtles%20In%20TIme%20Project/100_4930.jpg

Powder

04-08-2011, 02:38 PM

Wholeheartedly approve, I do!

Master Splinter

04-08-2011, 02:40 PM

Bea-u-ti-ful!

-ms

IamtheNorm

04-08-2011, 02:47 PM

Dude that's awesome

Archon_Turtle

04-08-2011, 03:10 PM

So I guess that about does it for me and this thread. There are some little things that I could do for the cabinet at some point, and I guess if and when I do that stuff, I'll post it here.

Thank you for coming on this adventure with me. It was a lot of work, but well worth the effort.

oldmanwinters

04-08-2011, 07:34 PM

Happy gaming, Stephan!

I hope when you have guests over that you turn off the free play feature and collect lots of quarters from unsuspecting noobs!:lol:

Eiko

04-08-2011, 07:39 PM

Grats to you mate happy gaming. :)

adz

04-08-2011, 08:36 PM

Again Awesome work man, You have inspired me to get working on mine.

But i do hafta say, check out Mikey in the last screen grab. That Foot soldier has one heluva left hook!!!!

Redeemer

04-09-2011, 03:15 PM

New board came in. Just hooked it up, and it runs great :-)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/JNCOPosterboy/The%20Collection/Turtles%20In%20TIme%20Project/100_4930.jpg

And then I jizzed in my pants!!!!!! lol love ur work man. If u need a tester jst let me know ;)

Vegita-San

04-10-2011, 10:26 PM

New progress. S

Not bad. I wish I had the space for a full cabinet build. So first try, I built my podium cabinet. Second try will be a mini sit down cabinet.

For free play on my turtle boards, I just added a third button, but of course, that would have messed up your look if you wanted to keep it true to the original...

Archon_Turtle

04-11-2011, 01:44 AM

For free play on my turtle boards, I just added a third button, but of course, that would have messed up your look if you wanted to keep it true to the original...

Exactly, I love the hidden switches. A new feature while keeping the appearance of being totally stock.

jasonorme666

04-13-2011, 06:31 AM

I hid my credit button in the reject coin slot, it was just a bare microswith but I put one of them 1 player buttons on (in black to stay hidden).

deadpoolRKO

04-13-2011, 07:32 AM

that's so cool man.

SS_Turtle

05-28-2012, 10:58 PM

Awesome build, wish I had the room for this game along with the TMNT pinball machine.

Archon_Turtle

05-29-2012, 06:24 AM

Awesome build, wish I had the room for this game along with the TMNT pinball machine.

Thank You! It was definitely worth the time effort and energy :-)

d_osborn

05-29-2012, 10:40 PM

cool conversion! enjoy! turtles in time is the one that plays "pizza power" during the opening, right?

agreed on the mame setups and computer roms... they just aren't in the same league as an original. i have a ms. pac-man cocktail cab in my office, and much to my mother's chagrin, i grew up with an original tron cabinet in my living room--it's still with me, actually. TMNT 1 is hopefully my next purchase. i'm already preparing for nostalgia overload.

I decided to go with micro switch joysticks as opposed to the stock leaf switch joysticks as they work more reliably.

haters gonna hate. with a little basic maintenance and cleaning, leaf joysticks work VERY well. smooth and silent...

Lampy

05-30-2012, 07:12 AM

Jesus, Archon!!! Your collection is just amazing and now this? i must say... that is one impressive build. and the pride you must feel after completing it must be surreal. i love it.

Archon_Turtle

05-30-2012, 07:15 AM

Jesus, Archon!!! Your collection is just amazing and now this? i must say... that is one impressive build. and the pride you must feel after completing it must be surreal. i love it.

Thanks for the kind words! Yeah I was really excited about finishing this cabinet. I'm really surprised at the amount of traffic this thread is getting now...I finished that cabinet quite some time ago.