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LAI Mortal Kombat 2 project


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FIGHT! :062:

 

Hey everyone on AA, first up you're all legends for the help you've given me so far in this project, I thought i'd start compiling this project into a thread so you can see the progress so far. I have posted another couple of threads asking about the purchase of the cabinet and some CRT issues but this will be the thread I take to completion!

 

I picked up this LAI cabinet that I've had my eye on since i was 10 (i'm 36!) so it's a dream come true. It has a working UMK3 board in it, but had an MK1 control panel with a Tekken marquee. It also had Capcom Bowling in it at some stage apparently.

It was in relatively good nick, with some bumps and dents in the laminate.

 

The image on the screen was bright and crisp with no discolouration.

 

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At the shop, just waiting to be taken home.

 

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This is the worst of the damage.

 

So my plan is to turn it into a restored Mortal Kombat 2 machine, running a Pi3 mounted to a RaspberryJamma board from @dee2eR and printed artwork to bring it back to the original MK2 cabinet look. The machine will boot into MK2 automatically but you can quit that and access the ArPiCade menu for more games!

 

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Stripping it down, cleaning, and getting ready to install the Pi!

 

Big props to Ben from https://www.1upgamingandarcade.com.au/ who has helped me with the install and a new control panel with custom artwork and new buttons (i'm keeping the original LAI sticks for now). He has wired up the cabinet so i can still use the original UMK3 board just by swapping the JAMMA harness around.

 

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In the middle of wiring in the Pi!

 

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Setting up the new wiring loom for the Pi

 

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Out with the old, in with the new (yes i'm keeping the original CP as a museum piece!)

I've taken some liberties with the MK2 CP buttons, and I modified the artwork and added my own logo and some blood splats, might be not be everyones taste but i love it! I'm still undecided with the light up buttons, I may end up swapping them out for a more original, less tacky look but they're cool for now.

 

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And here it is so far!

 

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I've done the sanding and filling of the dents in the laminate, removed the old t-molding and am now just waiting for the artwork and new t-molding to be applied!

 

I will update this thread as more progress is made! Happy to answer any questions or take on any suggestions or critics!

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  • 2 weeks later...
Love it! Looks awesome mate, love the artwork on these cabs. I’m not keen on the light up buttons but that’s just me.

I’m hanging for an MK comp one day, keep missing all the good ones up in brissy

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Aussie Arcade

 

Thanks! I used to stand in awe at the artwork on these cabinets, so intimidating for a small kid!

Never entered a comp and not sure we get those here in SA, would love to meet some top players though if i got the chance!

 

I'm not sold on the light up buttons either to be honest, my arcade guy had them lying around and i asked if i could try them out for a while. Otherwise I have the original LAI buttons that came with the cab I might put back in.

 

Really happy with how this came out, i can't stop looking at it!

The bog and sand came up way better than I thought for my first go restoring laminate, it's not perfect but i'm happy with it, i didn't take any pics of that part for whatever reason!

 

I still have some weird monitor interference (see here: https://www.aussiearcade.com/showthread.php/101686-Can-anyone-diagnose-my-CRT-image) but other than that the image is bright and sharp.

 

I'm so stoked to finally have my own LAI MK2 cab, thanks to everyone here for answering any questions i had, cheers!

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

Here's a few more finished pics for all who are interested!

 

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Edited by zer0entity
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  • 6 months later...
  • 3 months later...
A real nice restore here. Was wondering what size was the replacement t-moulding you used? I'm currently restoring a LAI Simpsons cab & I've trouble sourcing the correct t-moulding for it.

 

Mate i'm sorry I never replied to your question. It is just standard red 3/4 inch t-molding. I can't remember which site i got it from but any good Aussie arcade parts store online should help if you never managed to find anything!

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