The basic components of most arcade games are basically the same: power, processor, input (controls) and output (audio and video.) Our 6-player X-Men is no different, except that some of the components are big and/or customized. We’ll save the controls for tomorrow and look at the rest of the innards today.
- 511 NW Couch St. Portland, OR 97209 (map)
- PHONE: (503) 796-9364
- EMAIL: kontact@groundkontrol.com
- Open Noon-2:30AM Daily
- All Ages Admitted Until 5PM
- 21+ & I.D. Required After 5PM
Author: Anthony
Co-Owner of Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade
Categories: 6 Days Of X-Men
12.19.2009
X-Men, Part Five: Wiring Everything Up
Categories: 6 Days Of X-Men
12.18.2009
X-Men, Part Four: Creating Custom Artwork
Now that we have editable copies of the original art, we set to work adapting it and adding our own creations.
The control panel’s original background, a tiled pattern of tiny X-Men logos, is serviceable but leaves plenty of room for improvement. Deciding that the villains deserve some representation, Isaac drafts a Sentinel mounting a formidable attack on the players:
Categories: 6 Days Of X-Men
12.17.2009
X-Men, Part Three: Restoring The Original Artwork
After searching for suitable artwork online and coming up empty, we decide to capture the artwork on our cabinet and digitally restore it ourselves. We start by trying the flatbed scanning technique outlined in excellent detail at Jeff Rothe’s blog.
Categories: 6 Days Of X-Men
12.15.2009
X-Men, Part Two: Reconstruction
The bulk of the original cabinet’s size comes from its display hardware: Two 25″ monitors, one facing forwards from the back of the cabinet and another facing upwards towards a mirror that superimposes its image alongside the other to create a single widescreen display.
If we somehow found a way to display the two original images (one reflected top-to-bottom) on a modern LCD panel, we could replace the original rear half of the cabinet with a “slimline” version… READ MORE >
Categories: 6 Days Of X-Men
12.14.2009
X-Men, Part One: Heavy Lifting
The story begins with a phone call from the St. Johns neighborhood. “We have a video game in our living room. Would you like to buy it? I have to warn you: it’s pretty big.”
How big? 6-player X-Men big. That’s big enough to:
- Leave enough space in the tiny living room for only a couch, TV and small table;
- Require removing a set of sliding patio doors just to move the game outside;
- Break the patio’s floorboards as we carry each cabinet across them, transforming the moving process into the real-life equivalent of a platform jumping game; and
- Fill the beds of two regular-cab pickup trucks (one truck, two trips.) READ MORE >
The 6 Days of X-Men
It’s been over a year in the making, but we’re just about ready to unveil our restoration of one of the greatest arcade cabinets ever made: The six-player version of Konami’s X-Men.
But first, we’ll tell the story of how it came together, in six daily installments (appropriately enough) starting on Monday, Dec. 14th and culminating on Saturday, Dec. 19th.
Categories: Arcade News
12.07.2009
Four Great Beat-’em-ups and One Great Hunting Game Join The Pack
When you have more beat ‘em up games than the arcade can handle, there’s only one way to settle the score: Street Justice – The Old Town Beat Down, a new custom cabinet that packs the punch of four classic titles:
Bad Dudes Vs. Dragon Ninja (Data East, 1987)
“President Ronnie has been kidnapped by the ninjas. Are you a bad enough dude to rescue Ronnie?” Find out in this classic brawler.
Final Fight (Capcom, 1989)
This game was originally called Street Fighter ’89 and would have been the second game in that series. Its side-scrolling cooperative fighting was ultimately deemed too different from SF‘s competitive tournament style to inherit its title.
Even so, Cody, Guy, Mike Haggar, and many of their opponents appear in later games of the Street Fighter series. Play Final Fight to see how these memorable characters got their start!
Ninja Gaiden (Tecmo, 1988)
Players of the NES version will quickly realize that the original arcade game is different from the platformer they remember. Even so, it’s a great game in its own right. Bonus: The first person who finds the GK-themed easter egg hidden in the game wins a free GK coozie! UPDATE: We’re upping the ante – if you take a picture of the GK-themed easter egg, we’ll throw in a free GK t-shirt, too!
Two Crude (Nihon Bussan / AV Japan, 1990)
Genesis players may remember this obscure but worthy title as Two Crude Dudes. Brawl through post-apocalyptic New York City fighting mutants, punks, werewolves, and “psycho Santas.”
Two Crude enhances the beat-’em-up format by adding a “Grab” button to the standard Kick/Punch combo, enabling you to pick up almost anything in the environment– streetlights, garbage cans, enemies, even your partner(!)– and throw it as a weapon. Action-hero catchphrases and “crude” humor keep things lively. “Pump it up…stay cool!”
Big Game + Big Gun = Big Fun
Big Buck Hunter (Incredible Technologies, 2000)
Explore the four corners of the USA meeting exotic, interesting wildlife and KILLING THEM ALL in the first installment of this popular hunting title.
Prove you’re a hunter for all seasons by shooting in night, early morning, fog and snow conditions. Bonus rounds like Turkey Hunt, Skeet, Windmill Mania, and Barnyard Bonus add a shooting gallery feel.
12.01.2009
“Rock Band Tuesdays” Celebrates 2-Year Anniversary with Mario Speedwagon Reunion
Mario Speedwagon rocking out on the Ground Kontrol stage.
On November 20, 2007, the original Rock Band was released and Ground Kontrol began Rock Band Tuesdays, a full-band karaoke experience where anyone can be a virtual rock star.
Two years, over 1,000 new songs, and many local and national news stories later, we’re celebrating the second anniversary of Rock Band Tuesdays with a reunion tribute for Mario Speedwagon, the “house band” that traveled cross-country this past summer as a semi-finalist in the Total Rock, Total Rewards competition.
Rock onstage tonight with original Mario Speedwagon members Debbie Day-Glo, SomeGuy, Joseph Hendrix and MC Destructo as they prepare for a live appearance on the Famous Mysterious Actor show!
Tonight (Tuesday, Dec. 1st)
What: Rock Band Tuesdays at Ground Kontrol
When: Tonight and every Tuesday, 8PM-1:30AM
Where: Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade, 511 NW Couch St. (map)
Tomorrow Night (Wednesday, Dec. 2nd)
What: The Famous Mysterious Actor Show feat. Mario Speedwagon
When: Wednesday Dec. 2nd, 9PM-11:30PM
Where: Curious Comedy Theater, 5225 NE MLK Blvd. (map)
11.03.2009
LEGO Rock Band Debut; Video Games Live Ticket Giveaway – Tuesday November 3
LEGO Rock Band released today and you can play it tonight at Rock Band Tuesdays, our weekly full-band karaoke show. Rock out as a minifig in the LEGO world of colorful blocks, vehicles, and fantastic creatures. The 45 new songs and new gameplay modes are a blast to play!
To top it off, we’ll give away four tickets to this weekend’s Video Games Live concerts! These fell into MC Destructo’s lap today and, since the shows don’t mention Metallica, he’ll give them to four lucky Rock Band players in a random drawing during tonight’s show. Just sign up for any song to receive a raffle ticket!
Experience a full orchestra and choir accompanied by synchronized video, lighting, special effects, crowd interactivity and live action!
For details, visit the Oregon Symphony: Video Games Live page.
Categories: Arcade News
09.28.2009
Tales Of The Arabian Nights: Your Wish Is Granted!
We’re rolling out the carpet for another pinball hit with a multicolored LED installation you’ll find only at Ground Kontrol! In ancient Baghdad, a beautiful princess is imprisoned by an evil Genie. With the enchanted Scimitar, the Magic Lamp and faithful Jinn, you must battle the Genie to rescue her. Travel alongside Sinbad and Ali-Baba as you experience the incredible adventures hidden within the Tales Of The Arabian Nights!