Consolized
Encyclopedia
Consolization is the process of modifying an arcade
video game board
for use on a standard television
set. The resulting unit is known as a "consolized" system. The process is a self-contained alternative to using a SuperGun
, a device which allows you to connect a Jamma arcade board to a standard television
.
A popular candidate for consolization is the Neo Geo
MVS system, because it has interchangeable game cartridges. Other arcade systems have followed, including PGM
and Atomiswave
. Theoretically, any arcade
PCB
with RGB output can be consolized.
Typical components used in the process of consolization include:
Video arcade
An amusement arcade or video arcade is a venue where people play arcade games such as video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, merchandisers , or coin-operated billiards or air hockey tables...
video game board
Arcade system board
An arcade system board is a dedicated computer system created for the purpose of running video arcade games. Arcade system boards typically consist of a main system board with any number of supporting boards...
for use on a standard television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
set. The resulting unit is known as a "consolized" system. The process is a self-contained alternative to using a SuperGun
SuperGun
A SuperGun is a device used to play arcade games in lieu of requiring a full arcade cabinet. Arcade games typically are designed to be used in a universal cabinet design. The supergun provides this universal interface in a greatly reduced size, allowing arcade games to be tested or enjoyed without...
, a device which allows you to connect a Jamma arcade board to a standard television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
.
A popular candidate for consolization is the Neo Geo
Neo Geo (console)
The is a cartridge-based arcade and home video game system released on July 1, 1991 by Japanese game company SNK. Being in the Fourth generation of Gaming, it was the first console in the former Neo Geo family, which only lived through the 1990s...
MVS system, because it has interchangeable game cartridges. Other arcade systems have followed, including PGM
PolyGame Master
The PolyGame Master is an arcade system board released in 1997 by the Taiwanese company IGS. The PGM was developed in order to compete with the likes of SNK's Neo Geo MVS system in Taiwan...
and Atomiswave
Atomiswave
The Atomiswave is a custom arcade system board and cabinet from Sammy Corporation. It is based on Sega's NAOMI system board...
. Theoretically, any arcade
Video arcade
An amusement arcade or video arcade is a venue where people play arcade games such as video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, merchandisers , or coin-operated billiards or air hockey tables...
PCB
Arcade system board
An arcade system board is a dedicated computer system created for the purpose of running video arcade games. Arcade system boards typically consist of a main system board with any number of supporting boards...
with RGB output can be consolized.
Typical components used in the process of consolization include:
- ArcadeVideo arcadeAn amusement arcade or video arcade is a venue where people play arcade games such as video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, merchandisers , or coin-operated billiards or air hockey tables...
PCBArcade system boardAn arcade system board is a dedicated computer system created for the purpose of running video arcade games. Arcade system boards typically consist of a main system board with any number of supporting boards...
board. (Often Jamma standard, but not necessarily.) - Video encoder - To convert the arcade board's RGB signal to a standard compatible with a standard televisionTelevisionTelevision is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
, such as NTSCNTSCNTSC, named for the National Television System Committee, is the analog television system that is used in most of North America, most of South America , Burma, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, and some Pacific island nations and territories .Most countries using the NTSC standard, as...
. PALPALPAL, short for Phase Alternating Line, is an analogue television colour encoding system used in broadcast television systems in many countries. Other common analogue television systems are NTSC and SECAM. This page primarily discusses the PAL colour encoding system...
consolizations are typically easier, since the RGB signal can be directly fed into most PALPALPAL, short for Phase Alternating Line, is an analogue television colour encoding system used in broadcast television systems in many countries. Other common analogue television systems are NTSC and SECAM. This page primarily discusses the PAL colour encoding system...
TV's by means such as SCARTSCARTSCART is a French-originated standard and associated 21-pin connector for connecting audio-visual equipment together...
. Popular RGB to NTSCNTSCNTSC, named for the National Television System Committee, is the analog television system that is used in most of North America, most of South America , Burma, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, and some Pacific island nations and territories .Most countries using the NTSC standard, as...
converters are Jrok and Neobitz. - Power supply - Similar to an arcade power supply used to power an arcade cabinetArcade cabinetA video game arcade cabinet, also known as a video arcade machine or video coin-op, is the housing within which a video arcade game's hardware resides. Most cabinets designed since the mid-1980s conform to the JAMMA wiring standard...
or other. - Controllers/controller ports - Often, but not always, made compatible with Neo GeoNeo Geo (console)The is a cartridge-based arcade and home video game system released on July 1, 1991 by Japanese game company SNK. Being in the Fourth generation of Gaming, it was the first console in the former Neo Geo family, which only lived through the 1990s...
joysticks using standard PCPersonal computerA personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
joystickJoystickA joystick is an input device consisting of a stick that pivots on a base and reports its angle or direction to the device it is controlling. Joysticks, also known as 'control columns', are the principal control in the cockpit of many civilian and military aircraft, either as a center stick or...
connectors for simplicity. Some Neo Geo MVS boards have the controller ports built-in so this step isn't necessary.