Radica Portable TV Light Gun Project

[PatTassium]

I'm tackling a new project, and I expect it to expand my limitations in electronics and programming. I have found a Tiger TV Paintball lightgun game for very cheap, and I want to mod the case and add my Radica as the brains.

What I'd like to do is take an existing ROM, Terminator 2: The Arcade Game for the Genesis, and graphics-swap the sprites and such to make it into a STARSHIP TROOPERS shooting game. If it is possible to use the lightgun components in a newer shell made to look like the Morita Rifles from the film, I'd have a TV light gun all-in-one rifle.

To do this, I'm going to add a Cart Slot to my Radica V.1 GOAC, and construct the programmable cart from raphnet. I'm as yet unsure if I can use the lightgun components from the Tiger TV game, or if I have to gut a Lethal Enforcers Konami gun. I'm hoping at this point it can pin-out.

Let me know what you think! I'm mostly a graphics / fabrication geek, so if someone digs this project and can insert sprites if I can crank 'em out, I'd appreciate it!

[Bibin]

I can insert the sprites if you make sprites that conform to the original game's limitations and dimensions of the sprites, but it won't be a simple job most likely.

[PatTassium]

because of the limitations of the Radica, I'm considering using a Genesis 3 instead.

This is because of the light gun implementation - and it's not clear whether or not I can even wire a conventional sega light gun to the Radica.

That, and some light gun games require a pad for startup, and the gun in the player 2 slot (also, not clear whether the 'menacer' is more compatible or preferable to the Lethal Enforcers gun.)

I'll be shopping around for these items!

Tech question on the menacer (never had one) - does the wireless sensor need to be on the TV, or just in proximity to send the info along to the Genesis?

[Negative_Creep]

The Lethal Enforcers gun doesn't work with Terminator 2.

[PatTassium]

ok, that answers that. I'll be looking for the Menacer instead.

Ok, I'll check out the wiki and see if there's more backwards-compatability with the menacer then with the LE lightgun. If that's the case, I'd rather mod the menacer and see where that takes me.

Now, modding the G3 board into the rifle casing shouldn't be difficult, but I first envisioned the cart slot being where the magazine loads on the rifle (just forward of the butt stock itself), which means I'd have to make a 90 degree angle adaptation for the cart slot. Then again, it may be less of a headache to de-solder the cart slot from the board, extend it with wires, and then mount it in the case where I want it then trying the same with the Radica.

[Negative_Creep]

Well, Terminator 2 does work on the Menacer ofc

[tom61]

PatTassium: You might try hunting down a Radica Menacer gun Plug in Play. You'll have to mod it to accept a cart slot, but it is likely very similar to the Radica Genesis. You might have to brute force the pinout needed, but you seem to be dedicated enough to do that.

Unfortunately, at least in my area, these weren't on sale very long: http://www.radicagames.com/playtv-legends-menacer.php

[PatTassium]

I noticed those...

However, rather then trying to be the guy that figures out those pinouts for what may be a really rough patch, I'm considering this kind of layout in the meantime:




This is just a primitive concept pic so far.


I may use a modded game genie to right-angle the cart slot rather then wire-solder extend the one on the PCB. I may yet use the Radica menacer, depending on what I can find.

[Negative_Creep]

I love that light gun design.