Arcade game rescue: Shinobi

[ifkz]

I have been spending my vacation time bringing up a Shinobi conversion arcade game.  It is not at all collectable, most arcade collectors spend time de-converting Shinobi back to what it was originally.  I am not sure anyone would care, but at least this will help my post count here   I am sure no one on the typical arcade forums would care.

Shinobi was a kit game; take an empty cab, add the kit, and an operator would have a new game to earn on their "route" (laundromats, pizza parlors, even 7-11's back then).  This game was originally a Space Duel color vector...very expensive to make whole again, and very easy to end up under water on the value with a restoration.  I have a few other compatible boards to play in the machine, so I'll have a lot of fun with it as a Shinobi.

It took a G07 monitor that was doing nothing and living underneath my pinball machine.  I gave it a complete get well kit:  a flyback, a cap kit, and a horizontal width coil.  The cab also needed a few essential connectors that had been hacked out:  monitor power and part of the video connector.  The cab is also in need of a new fuse holder (that I found last night), and I'll see what can be done about the dried up sticker goo on the sides (Goo-gone, I think).  I also plan to remake the cracked and beaten up plexi over the control panel.  Oh, and the power cord needs a new end (grounded).

The monitor work took me a day, I was relieved when it did not blow anything at power up and it appears to give me a solid picture.  As soon as I did it, I heard a short storm come in for a few minutes:  it had started raining!  I don't know what that means.  Save an arcade game, get greener grass?

The cab had been without a back door for years and had a lot of mud wasp nests.  My shop vac took care of the dust and nests.

[Gentlegamer]

I had no idea that Shinobi was such a kit. Did it include marquees, too? I always saw full dressed cabinets for Shinobi.

[cjameslv]

Post some pics!

[ifkz]

Sure, I've never seen a boxed kit, but (from looking at cabs) they came with a marquee, paper bezel, stickers, a control panel overlay, a PCB, maybe a harness, and a manual.  I played it a lot back in the day and I loved it, one day they all disappeared.

When I first started getting serious about owning a cab, I happened into a mom and pop game store that had a dead Shinobi for $400.  I almost went for it, being single at the time, but I talked myself out of it.  This cab was considerably cheaper and the sale helped out a local friend (and used parts I had sitting around doing nothing).

The marquee that is on the cab is very faded, so I'll be cutting mine down that was on my wall.  I also put a WTB out for one side of art.  I still need to address some of the electrical issues I noted, so that will be tomorrow.  The cab also needs a quick repaint, so she's not ready for pictures just yet.  Today was removing old tape residue from both sides with orange goo-gone.  I can't say I am too happy afterwards, I hope new paint will cover up some of the imperfections.

[ProfessorProfessorson]

Have you checked the sound on the pcb to see if it has suicided yet? If so you can get it fixed.

[ifkz]

Good question!  What is so unusual here is that this is the only Shinobi PCB I have seen that still has a good Z80 battery module; most are long dead.

I may lose readers here:  Here is another point:  that sound "fix" EPROM file only works 100% on specific sets (on specific ROM boards).  I know this because my first Shinobi set had a dead Z80 module, I bought the EPROM, and had to live with the first boss death 'bong' for years before I finally got a good compatible set.  I think when the game pulled for the death fall from the boss, it went out of range of the digital sample and generated the 'bong.'  I had a Golden Axe PCB that did nearly the same thing, but I digress.

Shot in the dark:  If there are any PCEFX members with a spare side of Shinobi art, please let me know

Today was yard work, so no cab work for me 

[ifkz]

Okay, I had the camera out for an update to another post, here is the cab so far.


One other thing I am going to do:  the original torn and beaten up paper bezel (from Space Duel) was still in the cab, I'll be patching it up and painting it smurf blue to go along with the blue in the control panel.  I think it will look nice.  Another thought:  I am surprised the upper control panel did not end up covered in graffiti.