Dragon's Lair Fans - Arcade Lifestyle
General Chat => Galaxian Theater => Topic started by: DarthNuno on May 01, 2005, 12:16:25 AM
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...Wednesday, the 27th of april...
... like most of Road Trip, it starts very early...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade1.jpg)
... a little bit cold, and the sky is still dark at 6:41am, but I'm in the state 'RoadTrip', so I'm cool ;-)
For that game, I need a truck !!!
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade2.jpg)
Of course, I cannot do this roadtrip alone, so I call one of my best friend 'Burt'
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade3.jpg)
He's ill, the picture don't show that, but I assure you he's Ill !!! Thanks for him for being there anyway... Burt, you rock :-)
So we start to drive to France ( Remember, I'm from Belgium )
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade4.jpg)
This is the first time I'm driving such truck..
After two hours of driving, a little pause, and I take an other picture of the truck :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade5.jpg)
On the road again... again...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade6.jpg)
Hey, the cops are there...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade7.jpg)
No stress, there no game inside the truck... yet :-)
After 3h30 of driving...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade8.jpg)
... here we are, at Meyenheim near Colmar... 350km from home :twisted:
The seller 'Philippe' is very cool... here's his room :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade9.jpg)
The STARBLADE is there !!! But there is also a Virtua Racing and a Road Drivin' cab
Ok, let's prepare it for loading...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade10.jpg)
... it takes times...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade11.jpg)
Start to load it :roll:
Loud Loud Loud !!!
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade12.jpg)
Loud Loud Loud !!!
All is loaded :P
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade13.jpg)
Arghh, time to pay for it... :cool:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade14.jpg)
Closing the door... and one more StarBlade saved ;-)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade15.jpg)
Argh, now we're hungry
Jesus Christ, a MacDo there... "Abemus Papam"
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade16.jpg)
Well, no wasted times, I've to bring back the truck before 18:00
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade17.jpg)
... We must pay for driving on the french highway :evil:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade18.jpg)
Few hours later, the Belgium border is near... near... near ;-)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade19.jpg)
Well, the real job start here... How to get in this monster into my house ?
Hopefully, I've got some help ;-)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade20.jpg)
...pull of the seat...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade21.jpg)
... the main part... hopefully we're four of us !!!
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade22.jpg)
Yeah, there are wheels ... it helps ;-)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade23.jpg)
How to put in the main part without destroy the border's door ?
There is the key :!
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade24.jpg)
Nice idea, isn't it ? ;-)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade25.jpg)
Showtime... ;-)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade26.jpg)
YEAHH, it's in :P
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade27.jpg)
Good general state; but it need to be washed up
There is the monitor... very loud
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade28.jpg)
Let's put in the seat + fligh yoke...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade29.jpg)
I've no more space in the room, So I pull out the Virtua Fighter
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade30.jpg)
... so loud:roll: :roll: :roll:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade31.jpg)
Ok, the seat now !!!
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade32.jpg)
After unloaded all the 3 pieces :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade33.jpg)
I've to clean it up, then I'll assemble it & PLAY IT :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:
Stay tuned for the preparation :-)
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Nice cabin you got! :D I own a copy for the PLAYSTATION :wink:
Have you played GALAXIAN 3 also? :P
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Nice cabin you got! :D I own a copy for the PLAYSTATION :wink:
Have you played GALAXIAN 3 also? :P
Hey Space Harrier,
It seems we like the same games 8) :wink:
I'm a die hard fan of StarBlade, but also Galaxian 3... :twisted:
At home, with now the full size Starblade arcade game now and also on playstation :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/sony.jpg)
I use to play Galaxian 3 at the Belgium coast (Blankenberg) since more than 12 years from now !!! I go there every 3 or 4 years, and it's still there and runing :wink: HEre's the pictures from the last time, there are 10 month ago :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/G3-1.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/G3-2.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/G3-3.jpg)
Next time, I'll ask if Galaxian3 is for sale :roll: :wink:
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3rd of may
Let's continue to clean up...
Here's the Main STARBLADE marquee :
before :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/clean1.jpg)
after :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/clean2.jpg)
The game came with ugly damaged german sticker, and without door lock & keys :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/clean3.jpg)
I decide to fix that...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/clean4.jpg)
Stay tuned... :roll:
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8th of may
Well, I can resist anymore... I've to play my StarBlade :oops: So I put the cleaning process for l8ter, and decide to assemble all the parts ( monitor + seat ) :P
To fix the monitor is the most thrilling moment... 3 guys are required for this operation (cfr the operators manual ), and I agree it's really heavy :?
Here's the Starblade, partially assembled, but with enough parts to play it :roll: :P
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/star-run1.jpg)
...and the game running :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/star-run2.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/star-run3.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/star-run4.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/star-run5.jpg)
Yeah :twisted: The game is like I remember it in my golden age : S PE C T A C U L A R :wink:
Surround sounds, vibrant seat, giant screen, ... and FUN !!!
Next part is to assemble the remaining parts ( fixing bars, marquee, ... )... and of course PLAYING IT !!! It"s a great game... still great after all these years !!!
... so to be continue...
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... I notice a problem on the flight yoke :? One of the four push buttons doesn't work :oops:
It's not a big problem when you play the game because all the four buttons on the flight yoke have the same fonction -> fire laser :twisted: ...
... but when you go to test mode, the non-working button allows to go back in all the menu, so it's important to fix it :roll:
Ok, let's start to dissassemble the specific part on the flight yoke :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/fixbut1.jpg)
...and discover the 14 years old dust :oops: :roll: ... Oh my good...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/fixbut2.jpg)
... and place all the parts to clean & examine closer :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/fixbut3.jpg)
I can't dissassemble deeper...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/fixbut4.jpg)
Ok, I see the problem : a metal part, very used can't make contact with anoter metallic part :x
Here's the ref of the full switch : OMRON B3G-S
Of course, this 14 years old switch seems to be a discontinued product... So I can't swap my defect one with a new one :evil: :evil: :evil:
I'll continue to search for new one on the web, but I HAVE to fix this one first !!!
I've to place something between the contact and the press button part... Something very small ... :idea: :idea: :idea:
I'll use a part of floppy disk !
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/fixbut5.jpg)
The floppy disk has been destroyed to get this tiny part of plastic :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/fixbut6.jpg)
I fix the tiny piece of plastic on the metal part ( contact ) :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/fixbut7.jpg)
and it's working great !!! :P :P :P :P
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/fixbut8.jpg)
But I'll continue to search for new switchs ...
So... stay tuned :roll:
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9th of May :
Just received the :roll: official :roll: keyring 8) 8) 8)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/keyring.jpg)
... stay tuned :lol:
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Here you have a picture of a miniature version of STARBLADE :D
(http://usi.main.jp/Data/Musium/Garagekit/Starblade_2.jpg)
Here you have some more toys>>http://usi.main.jp/Musium/Garage/USI_Musium_Unchara.html
CHEERS!! :wink:
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Yo Space Harrier, thanks for that GREAT link :P :P :P
I -of course- would like to buy the StarBlade ship miniature 8) 8) 8)
But I don't speak japanese :cry: :cry: :cry:
Any help around here ??? :roll: :roll: :roll: :wink:
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13th of may
Just receive the second metal stem, who maintains the monitor... repaired
:P
It was a little bit bend, but now it's back to normal :D
I can now fix the rest... the main StarBlade marquee :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/montant1.jpg)
Ok, I've to clean up more but... no enough time these days :oops:
It's fully fixed now !!! I can active the Seat Vibration... the monitor won't fall onto my head while playing :roll: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/montant2.jpg)
Stay tuned :wink:
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Hi everyone - DarthNuno was nice enough to post on the board that I post on.
http://forums.webmagic.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB3&Number=213004&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1#Post231191
I recently got a Starblade in March and here is a pic:
(http://lifefrombeyond.com/gameroompics/SBsideleft.jpg)
There's more pics on my arcade page :
http://www.lifefrombeyond.com/gameroom.html
I have no manual, and the owner didn't know how to disassemble, so it was shipped on a truck from Pennsylvania to Kansas (890 miles/1433.7 Km)
2 pallets longx 1 pallet wide (48inches X 96 inches). We had it dropped off at a lumber business and they forklifted it onto our trailer. We drove it down the street to the garage and 3 of us got it off on one of the coldest March days imagineable. freezing cold wind. fighting big ugly machine. We managed to tip it up, get the pallet out from under it, and use part of the pallet again as the ramp to get it off the trailer. It nearly didn't fit in the garage, touching the garage door coming off the trailer, but we managed to get it off the trailer. I bent one of the stabilizing feet, and broke off another, but we wheeled it in and shut the garage door.
The guy I bought it from said he purchased it from an amusement company for home use 5 years ago for $2100. After years of wear and tear, the yoke was sticking to the right and not playing well, so he sold it on ebay, where I got it for the reserve price of $500 (I bid $512, and the buy it now was set at $1000). Shipping was expensive, but not as much as the vehicle - first quotes wer $1200 for shipping, but I finally found a freight company who did it for $382, and that was below his Buy it Now price, so I still think I got the good deal. total cost, $882.
After playing the game all gimpy (bad yoke, plug it in right off the truck for the old "smoke test"), I decided to take off the yoke and give it a look. It had some cracking on the plastic, but nothing a bit of glue couldn't fix.
(http://lifefrombeyond.com/gameroompics/SByoke01.jpg)
(http://lifefrombeyond.com/gameroompics/SByoke02.jpg)
His kids had managed to knock the teeth away from the bottom pot,making it stay to the right of the screen, and since the teeth were exposed, the teeth had cut through 3 wires.
(http://lifefrombeyond.com/gameroompics/SByokefix02.jpg)
(http://lifefrombeyond.com/gameroompics/SByokefix01.jpg)
I resoldiered the wire, bent the gear support back to where it was in the teeth and realigned the bugger.
(http://lifefrombeyond.com/gameroompics/SByokefix03.jpg)
For the guy to sell it for %25 of what he bought it for 5 years later because he was afraid to do a 3 wire and 1 bolt repair was just silly to me. Bu t I'm glad he did :D
I'm still in need of the monitor top board (my monitor is bare to the sky) and my strobelights need repplaced - the monitor could use a bit of color and brightness tweaking and the coindoor fixed, but other than that - it works and I love it. I'm so glad Darth invited me over to share my story of the Starblade game with you, there is NO INFORMATION ON THIS GAME ON THE NET OR ANYWHERE that I can find. just a couple of lucky guys making their own documentation for the rest of you :).
If anyone ever makes it to the US and Kansas for that matter, look me up, email me and maybe we can play some games. I speak english and nothing else, cuz I'm a dumb american, but that doesn't stop me from hating the prez (not my leader) or having fun playing games!
Keep the arcades open!
Shawn aka Yoalpster
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Hey yoalpster,
Nice to read you here :D :D :D
First of all, I've a good new for you : I've the full StarBlade manual :wink: I'll scan it and post it here for download 8)
Wow, what a story... I still cannot image who to move that HUGE game assembled, like you did :shock: :shock: :shock: Sad you did't take pictures :lol:
StarBlade is not a common game, and in my opinion it'll become a rare game... Unfortunately, it's almost impossible to found spare parts :? I've try to contact Namco America, but no sucess still now :cry:
Hopefully my game works perfecly :P
Your StarBlade seems to have better side art quality than mine, congrats ;-)
The price you paid is approx the same than me... and It really worst it 8)
By the way, do you know other StarBlade private owners ?
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Darth,
No, Other than you, I know of no other owners - oh, that guy that had the japanese one that posted earlier. That's it.
I'm gona have to move it again, and am debating keeping it together or disassemble it to move. I'm not looking forward to it. :shock:
A copy of the manual would be great! just give me a link to it and I'll download it. I'm sure KLOV would like a copy of it as well,since they don't have it listed, then it would be available for anyone who has a machine.
You're right, I think there might be only 10 or so people that privately own a starblade, and probably only 100 or so arcade owners that have them in their possession, most likely in the back of some dirty warehouse. we are a rare few and I'm proud of that fact. It is "worth" it, like you said. (you actually said worst, which is the opposite of best - but I think the english language sucks too, so don't worry - I understood you
:) )
I gotta go, but I'll be around. I get emails when people post to this thread. Take care, and blast the enemy flagship!
Shawn aka yoalpster
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24th of September 2005 :
The StarBlade dedicated page is now... ONLINE :D
Have a look here : https://www.dragonslairfans.com/outsidethelair/starblade/starblade.htm
:wink:
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An old thing to do...
I fix the marquee problem 8)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/room/withmarquee1.jpg)
... by putting a new neon system... Ok, easy I know :-)
It looks cool now :P 8) 8) 8)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/room/withmarquee2.jpg)
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beautiful game!!!
I am curious to see him
I have the version for 3DO
and I like a lot
http://www.saitek.pl/veetoobee/images/3DO/Starblade.jpg
in to turn for the net I have found this on galaxyan3 :
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/Galaxian3_controller.jpg
http:// http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galaxian3
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;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
BRUNO !!!!
it looks what I have found on an Italian magazine :lol:
http://www.old-computer-mags.com/Magazine/C+VG%20ITA%20N.16/C+VG-16_88.jpg (http://www.old-computer-mags.com/Magazine/C+VG%20ITA%20N.16/C+VG-16_88.jpg)
http://www.old-computer-mags.com/Magazine/C+VG%20ITA%20N.16/C+VG-16_89.jpg (http://www.old-computer-mags.com/Magazine/C+VG%20ITA%20N.16/C+VG-16_89.jpg)
hehehehehe
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Thanks Igor :-* :-* :-*
Arf... too bad I don't understand the Italian :oops: I hope they say StarBlade is a great game at least ? ;D
The article cover the European version of the cabinet.
For information, there are three different versions of Starblade :
1) The American version :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/gameooover/starblade-flyer-up_small.jpg) (The version I own)
2) The European version :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/gameooover/stareuro_small.jpg)
3) ...and a mix between them ? :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/gameooover/hybrid.jpg)
It is maybe the Japanese version ???
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Japanese Version does the same type as a European version.
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'damn it!
Wanted to play few games today and ... black screen!
It's not a monitor problem 'coz I can't hear the game, it looks that the game doesn't boot at all... nothing on screen, no garbage or no sound.
Fortunately I have some spare for that one... I suspect (and hope) a power supply problem but the game is just IMPOSSIBLE to move AT ALL! I need to move it in order to access its back and start to investigate... but as I told ya ... IMPOSSIBLE to move!!! Too much cab' around that should be moved first...and no space for them too!
This one will have to wait' the end of the V3 :-\
But I should be happy... 6 years without any trouble...
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Yeah, I remember that it's pretty crammed. Too bad, it's a great game indeed !
6 trouble free years.....indeed not bad. Let's hope it's just a fuse...
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Yeps! Maybe that game decided to get a revenge on me... I didn't wish it an happy 20 years birthday this year ::) :P
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We setup my Starblade at Ravs last weekend and the pcb has problems now :-(
Lucky I have 4 spare Starblade sets :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:
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Lucky I have 4 spare Starblade sets :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:
Keep them warm... I may ask you one, one day ::)... ;)
What is the problem on your Starblade? Polygons errors, no boot, ... ?
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Polygon errors can you believe! I went through the pcb test and all came back OK.
It could be a dying switcher not giving enough juice to the pcb stack. I'll take a new one and a spare boardset when I go back.
In regards to the cab
Yellow Seat= USA or Namco Ireland built (old Atari Ireland factory).
Purple Metal Seat (Electrocoin UK built)
The one with the different artwork entirely is the Japanese one.
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My boardset developed problems too, would crash every now and then and all inputs would just be frozen. Luckily I had a spare boardset too.
I have sold the Starblade now though, it was in beautiful condition and I spent many days restoring it, gone to a good home where someone has space for it sniff!
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I've got one of these little Geo-swords for sale if it is still interesting. I think I bought them from some japanese seller on ebay a few years ago.
$10?
(http://www.albyhus2.se/_bilder/starblade_geo-sword_ship.jpg)
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Also, regarding your issues with Starblade board, I'd check the PSU first of all, and the connections. Usually, or at least in my US built Starblade, I found that the PSU is a 12 or 15 ampere switcher made in China. Unlike the really nice TDK made PSUs in Cyber Sled and Ridge Racer, it isn't of the same quality.
I think that the polygonizer boards rarely break, and if they do it's due to very clumsy treatment. So check your PSU and power connectors. They must be clean and intact.
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I'm so sad I cannot play one of my favorite game :'(
Last week a I had a day off... It's that day or never! I really want to check what's wrong on the game, but... as previously said, that beast is unmovable, see :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade_repair_1.jpg)
...but men, I'm talking about STARBLADE here, so ... as the flyer says :arrow:
(http://flyers.arcade-museum.com/flyers_video/namco/21004001.jpg)
...let's make space for Starblade!!!
L8ter in the day :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade_repair_2.jpg)
Now I can access it, but I need to moverotate it first...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade_repair_3.jpg)
I've no more room than that!!! Hope It will be enough for accessing all I need... :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade_repair_4.jpg)
The game boards are located inside the metal cage. I can spot the power supply...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade_repair_5.jpg)
...very similar than the one for PC computer, except the fact it has a pot to set the 5v and also dedicated connector...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade_repair_6.jpg)
Strange, the original manual for that Starblade model doesn't mention it. It looks like an adaptation done for 220V/Euro use.
Anyway, as expected following the symptoms (monitor switches 'on' but no activity on screen, no sound, game doesn't credit, nothing on test mode...), that power supply doesn't provide +5, -5 and +12 voltage anymore. So let's try with a brand new generic one...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade_repair_7.jpg)
Hell Yeah :-* :-* :-* :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade_repair_8.jpg)
Any Starblade owner has the reference of the original power supply used by the way? Coz I've not enough room to access it, remove it and check for any reference :-[
But during the wait... hell yeah ... I can play Starblade again :-*
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade_repair_9.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade_repair_10.jpg)
Hey, strobes in action! 8) :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade_repair_11.jpg)
Pictures 'in motion' ...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade_repair_12.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade_repair_13.jpg)
I'm happy! :)
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Nice and easy fix. :D
I have never played this game before, hope I will have the chance soon. :D
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Good to see it wasn't any serious damage. It usually is the PSU, due to the capacitors getting bad.
You should install new fresh, more expensive, caps in your Starblade PSU. The game is worth it. Get some of these 105*C long life jap ones. They cost a little more but are alot better than any of the chinese provided.
Regarding what is an original PSU for Starblade, there isn't. Namco, or Electrocoin basically used what was available at the time and according to Ampere need, i.e. my Starblade PSU was like your replacement there, a black switcher with 12 Amp on its 5Volt if I remember correct.
The Cyber Sleds I've worked on, as well as a Ridge Racer 2, had these larger old TDK PSUs, with fan and replacable fuse, from Japan. Not much more powerful specs than the chinese smaller switchers, but alot larger and robust.
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Oh yes, can I ask you, does your Starblade have a fan inside? Min had this 120x120mm fan blowing air upwards from the PCB space into the mirror compartment.
And, placing the Starblade cabinet, although it is very large/high and suits best in a corner against a wall, it is more practical from service point of view to place it in the middle of the room. Perhaps back to back with another, smaller, cabinet so that you can easily move the smaller cabinet to access the rear of your Starblade.
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Oh yes, can I ask you, does your Starblade have a fan inside? Min had this 120x120mm fan blowing air upwards from the PCB space into the mirror compartment.
Yes, I have the fan. I didn't really spot it because my access from the back was very limited, but impossible not hear it when you plug the game ;D
And, placing the Starblade cabinet, although it is very large/high and suits best in a corner against a wall, it is more practical from service point of view to place it in the middle of the room. Perhaps back to back with another, smaller, cabinet so that you can easily move the smaller cabinet to access the rear of your Starblade.
Well it should not be a problem soon. When my new game room will be ready, I'll put this monster against...his big brother, the Galaxian Theater. 8)
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Aha, new gameroom? Super!
But:
"I'll put this monster against...his big brother, the Galaxian Theater"
The point is really to have Starblade standing against one or two smaller cabinets so that you can move the smaller cab out of the way for easy access to the back of Starblade. You will hardly be moving the G3 theater every time you want service your Starblade.
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In order to celebrate the 'repair' of my beloved StarBlade, I've done a movie that include the complete footage of the game.
Don't paid attention at my game play, I was more concerned about the camera fixed on a tripod, laying on the cockpit chair ... between my to legs ;D I couldn't move too fast, and so not playing as usual. I was almost playing the game via the camera screen...not easy!
Anyway, here the videos :arrow:
First part :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade_hd_1.jpg) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6O7gHJhW6CE)
Second part :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/starblade_hd_2.jpg) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjZRwiRKKdk)
Do not forget to set 'HD' quality on youtube settings!
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Oh yeah. Great video there Nuno! More of that please!!
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I really love Starblade the way it is. But I would be very happy to see some sort of 'expansion' of it. I don't mean any 'evolution' like the "Operation Blue Planet", but rather some alternative missions in its own time and space. Preferably on the original System 21 hardware, using simple flat-shaded polygons, same sounds and layout. It is after all Geosword and we are the gunner.
I only wish namco would have made *more of it*. There is only this mission "operation Starblade", and it takes about .. 10 minutes ? to complete it. That's not enough for me. Ofcourse I am grateful to namco for ever creating this game. It is wonderfully presented and feels awesome to play. Just, I want MORE!
What about "Starblade - Revenge of Red Eye", or "Starblade - The another story", where you would play the same battle but from another gunners perspective! The offensive against Red Eye, just like in Star Wars and the battle against death star, was conducted by many pilots, many ships. Many stories to be told there. Why not show an alternative version of this battle?
And, I think that Starblade (series) must always be presented using flat-shaded polygons, its primitive 3D looks is part of what makes this game so great! I don't want to see any textured polygons with any modern effects or pixel manipulation, or filters. No. Just plain flat-shaded stuff with occasional bitmap overlays for HUD and explosions (which should consist of combined 2D bitmap explosions and 3D polygon scattering). And all in 60 fps.
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Imagine Starblade being upgraded. Imagine returning to the arcade, maybe a year or two later, and there is the Starblade cabinet but with different decals on the sides saying "Starblade - Alphasword".. or something.
Story would be.. "In the aftermath of Red Eye's destruction, the enemy has finished another weapon twice as powerful as Red Eye. .."
And you would be seated in an upgraded version of Geosword, the *Alphasword*, to go after and destroy this new weapon. Guns/lasers would not be shooting from only double cannons at the lower part of your ship, but from all four corners, like the x-wings in Star Wars. The game would hold more space structures, more caves, more deserts and several new enemy targets.
.. damn I must go now.
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I really love Starblade the way it is. But I would be very happy to see some sort of 'expansion' of it. I don't mean any 'evolution' like the "Operation Blue Planet", but rather some alternative missions in its own time and space. Preferably on the original System 21 hardware, using simple flat-shaded polygons, same sounds and layout. It is after all Geosword and we are the gunner.
There was already a fan project : Starblade : Operation Black Noise, see this topic (https://www.dragonslairfans.com/smfor/index.php?topic=312.0). Very promising but never went further than a project/concept stage... :-\
I only wish namco would have made *more of it*. There is only this mission "operation Starblade", and it takes about .. 10 minutes ? to complete it. That's not enough for me. Ofcourse I am grateful to namco for ever creating this game. It is wonderfully presented and feels awesome to play. Just, I want MORE!
Well let's say 20 minutes of game play to be exact (thank to my recent full mission video), 23 minutes if you include the ending sequence/credit/high score entry. ;)
And, I think that Starblade (series) must always be presented using flat-shaded polygons, its primitive 3D looks is part of what makes this game so great! I don't want to see any textured polygons with any modern effects or pixel manipulation, or filters. No. Just plain flat-shaded stuff with occasional bitmap overlays for HUD and explosions (which should consist of combined 2D bitmap explosions and 3D polygon scattering). And all in 60 fps.
I totally agree! No need complex textures or any modern effects... simple shapes like the first Tron movie, old school sounds, and the most important... 60 fps!!!
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Watching your clips there of playing Starblade gives me a real urge to set up my PCB with some controls to play the game myself. I don't have any gun, nor cab to play it in today. But your clips give me such energy to build some preliminary console to be able to play some of my old games currently stored. And especially Starblade.
About "Starblade: Operation Black Noise" fan-project. Yes, I did notice this project as it was on the topic a few years ago. But even though it looked promising it was just that - a fan project. It is a bit like "The Last Starfighter" fan-game on PC. Some very dedicated fans learned to use a game programming language for PC and made a simple game looking like the few clips from the original movie when the game was played. But there is just too much missing for me to be able to feel that it is a good game. As with almost all of the fan-projects, there is just not the skill behind it to impress me, I am sad to say.
I am not idolizing namco or the team behind Starblade, although I do recognize them as very skilled and experienced professionals. And I am very thankful to them that they made Starblade in the first place. It is that kind of competence and that kind of touch the game will need. It can ofcourse be a "fan-project", but it must be made with attention to detail; programwise, designwise, soundwise, controlwise .. I guess it's called "style". I am quite sensitive to that, maybe because I have much respect for the original game.
If there was some way of using perhaps that mjolnir/mame emulator and the orignal Starblade game engine to produce some sort of universe-editor, you could build environments restricted to the hardware, although virtual/emulated, but still create new missions for Starblade to play within the emulator, or even the actual hardware by swapping the ROM ICs.
Anyway, this is what happens when I have too few things to do on a Monday afternoon. I shold learn to program myself really, C++ or some SDK thing.. Sh_t I'm lazy!
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Glad you repaired your Starblade. Its too hot here in the summer to work on mine (its in the garage), but I am thinking about buying another for spare parts:
http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/vgm/3162196209.html
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...I am thinking about buying another for spare parts:
http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/vgm/3162196209.html
That one looks great! Go go go! ;)
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^^^^
The good news is I bought it. The bad new is the person that I had pick it up for me didn't follow my instructions to REMOVE THE REFLECTOR MIRROR!! The entire thing blew out when he got on the freeway of course. It was then left outside in the ran, so all the particle board warped. I managed to salvage all the parts today so I have some extra boards, seat, motor, monitor, strobes, control, etc etc. Still it is one less StarBlade that couldn't be saved. Serial number #422.
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This is very unfortunate, #422 R.I.P.
Still, I find it strange that the mirror would pop out, like you say it did. You see, the mirror is secured by several of retaining brackets, besides that it is made of flexible material, plastic. So it should withstand any bumps in the road and impacts from sides while in transit, even on its back with mirror weight 'backwards' (cabinet orientationwise). Provided that it was properly secured and mounted from start. Also, I would imagine that if, I say *if* there was a crack already in the plexi it could have been displaced slightly, and thus crumbled during impact.
Damn, now I remember that I had one whole mirror from my Starblade, I gave it away to a friend while cleaning out my storage! And then, as he was cleaning out his storange, about a year ago, he mentioned this mirror asking me if I'd like it back. Ofcourse I said no thanks! And now, when it is needed, it is no longer! Damned!
I'm so ... I have scattered my Starblade all over Sweden. The gun controller went to a guy named Jesper, and the mirror went to Patrik here nearby. But both the items are probably trashed by now. I blame myself.
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Hey DarthNuno, I noticed that when you move something you keep writing 'loud' I think you mean Heavy.
I don't mean to be picky :)
Nic
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This is very unfortunate, #422 R.I.P.
Still, I find it strange that the mirror would pop out, like you say it did. You see, the mirror is secured by several of retaining brackets, besides that it is made of flexible material, plastic. So it should withstand any bumps in the road and impacts from sides while in transit, even on its back with mirror weight 'backwards' (cabinet orientationwise). Provided that it was properly secured and mounted from start. Also, I would imagine that if, I say *if* there was a crack already in the plexi it could have been displaced slightly, and thus crumbled during impact.
It was the fact they had it facing the wind... The sheer amount of force from the wind blowing into it on the open pickup track shattered the dome... They were idiots and not thinking or listening to what I told them to do.
I still have lots of spare parts, mine is currently running in a small arcade in Huntsville Texas, we have the extra parts in storage if anyone needs something let me know.
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Well that is just awesome, Guruguys. Both things actually, that someone can be that idioitic and still maintain a driver's license. And, that your Starblade is out on operating in 2014. That proves what quality game it really is.
If I had a beer in front of me right now I'd drink to you and your Starblade.
Please if you could put up a photo of it here. I'd love to see it.
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Thanks for the cheers! ;)
The arcade is moving to a larger location in a few weeks, once it is at the new location I will be sure to get a few pics of it in action and post it here. Retro arcades seem to be a really good draw locally, there is a game place near downtown Houston that opens twice a month on Friday nights and is always jam packed, and there is the Houston Arcade Preserve which seems to be doing well. I imagine we will see more 'retro' arcade places open up in the coming years. The Arcade mine is in is located in Huntsville Texas about an hour North of Houston. He is opening on the weekends and it has been busy enough for them to get a location twice the size and get more games. Fun times!
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Well... since I extended my game room ( :arrow: V2 and :arrow: V3), I always wanted to move biggest games into the biggest room3!
In addition, what could be a better location for a Starblade than being close to his brother...the Galaxian Theater, yes you named it! ;D
...but, back in 2006, I remember that nightmare to move it there!!! :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/movestarblade1.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/movestarblade2.jpg)
...and I promised myself that I'll never move it again!!! But let's face it, that Starblade is one of the biggest games I own and its current location (V1 room) is the smallest room... I NEED to move it to the biggest one, the V3!
So I have to remove a couple of games from the V3 first ...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/movestarblade7.jpg)
Oh, and I take this opportunity to get back a part I had since a looong time, an almost brand new Starblade 'screen' :-* :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/movestarblade3.jpg)
Although the current one on my Starblade is good, I'll use that new one which is GREAT! Old vs New :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/movestarblade4.jpg)
And after spending an entire afternoon (thanks Stephane for your precious help today :-* ), the Starblade is now up & running inside the Nuno's Lair V3 8) :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/movestarblade5.jpg)
...and the brothers are finally reunited! StarBlade & Galaxian3 togheter in the same room! :)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/starblade/movestarblade6.jpg)
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