ZXSpectrum16k

Craig Cole's Video Gaming & Pinball Blog

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For me it all started with getting a ‘Grandstand Astro Wars’ for xmas 1981, since then I have never stopped playing video games. www.zxspectrum16k.co.uk
  • Godzilla Pinball, installing Flipper Fans and Rumble Motor

    Godzilla Pinball, installing Flipper Fans and Rumble Motor

    Luke and I have been having a blast playing Pinball, and our games are getting better every day and longer sessions. I found some awesome fans from Pinball Monk that help keep the flipper coils cool and retain their power. Luke helped with the installation, from planning where to lay the wires to installing the fans. It worked perfectly; there was no more fade.
    We also decided to add a shaker motor (by PinSound) to enhance our gaming experience with Godzilla, and it was a game-changer! It adds so much excitement to the gameplay without being too distracting. I’m so impressed that I plan to add it to all my machines. I can confirm that it’s an absolute must-have.

    We laughed while watching people play with the Rumble set on high. When Godzilla screams, the Backbox glass makes some crazy loud noises, almost like the house is shaking. After trying out all the settings, Luke and I agreed that regular play with the Rumble set on low is the best option. Overall, I’m thrilled with these upgrades and can’t wait to see what’s next!

  • Modding Millipede PCB (Centipede, Millipede, Super Breakout and Warlords)

    Modding Millipede PCB (Centipede, Millipede, Super Breakout and Warlords)

    One of my all-time favorite games is Centipede, and I recently installed the Super Multipede v2.0 on my Millipede Arcade machine. This upgrade extends the capabilities of the Atari Millipede board, allowing me to play Centipede, Millipede, Super Breakout, and Warlords.

    In addition, it includes a High Score Kit that enhances the high-score features of the games and stores high scores for all of them. The installation process was super easy, and it only took a few minutes to set up and get used to it.

    So happy, bloody love playing these games.

    Details

    Super Multipede v2.0 

    Game List – 

    • Centipede
    • Millipede
    • Super Breakout Double
    • Super Breakout Cavity 
    • Super Breakout Progressive
    • Warlords (single player)
    • Easy install – No soldering, board modifications or special wiring. Plug in and go!
    • Save your scores forever – We use a serial eprom, not failure prone NVRAM or batteries
    • High Score Save – Saves the Top 8 scores! Super Breakout and Warlords save the top 5 scores
    • Has separate score tables – Different high score saving for Centipede, Millipede and Super Breakout with number of lives chosen (SBO saves also with different Game Modes) and Warlords has 1 High Score Table. 
    • ROM Revisions – Uses most current rom revisions
    • Attract Sounds – Hear what you’ve been missing! Set at 25%, 50% or 100% of the attract screen rotation for each game!
    • Freeplay – No more coins or opening up the coin door!
    • Coin Up – Still supports coins if wanted (Warlords only Free Play)
    • Attract Mode – Minimize your screen burn. No more “static” screens!
    • Change DIP settings – Menu driven. No more pulling out your game to get inside to change dip switches!
    • Rom Saver – Original program roms CAN be removed (4 eproms in row 1)
    • Support – Can be used in an Upright or Cocktail cabinet!
    • Backup and Restore – Able to backup high scores and restore them later! Ideal for before and after game room parties!
    • Reset Button – Restart a game without turning the entire game off (Requires to be ENABLED in menu)
    • Choose your game! Centipede, Millipede, Super Breakout and Warlords!
    • HIgh Score Table – Save your top 8 scores with initials (Top 5 on SBO and Warlords)
    • Cocktail or Upright. Flips for cocktail mode on Centipede and Millipede. SBO will play on P1 side, Same as Warlords (single player)
    • Free play or coin/token
    • Separate High Score Tables
    • Attract Sounds that you can set for 25%, 50% or every attract screen! 
    • Coin per credit if not on freeplay
    • Show original Atari logos or the website logo
    • Menus for normal dip settings, custom settings
    • Save all 8 scores, only top score, top 3 scores
    • Backup and restore scores before and after your next party
    • Menu for game select
    • Able to enable or disable the sub menu for settings (now guests cannot get in)
    • “Stealth Mode” – Choose what game the kit boots to! (Game is last game played or from game list)
    • Rom Saver – all original program roms CAN be removed with kit installed (1H – 1M)
  • Exciting Godzilla Pinball Moments with Melv and Mia

    Exciting Godzilla Pinball Moments with Melv and Mia

    On Thursday, Melv came over and played Godzilla pinball. He really enjoyed it, and was especially impressed when he triggered multi-ball – he was shouting with joy! Afterwards, he disappeared for a while into the garage to play on the bandit machine :)
    On Saturday, I went shopping with Mia in Leeds and afterwards, she had a quick go on the Godzilla pinball machine. She had a big smile on her face!

  • Millipede Arcade, YES

    Millipede Arcade, YES

    Centipede is one of my favourite games, and the arcade cabinet has always held a special place in my heart. I remember spending countless hours playing it at both Sunspot and Golden Nugget arcades in Hull City Center. The music is iconic, and I can still hear it blasting out from the speakers.
    I have been wanting to buy a Centipede arcade cabinet for a while, as my MAME Cabinet is great, but without the rollerball, it just doesn’t feel right. Luckily, I managed to find a Millipede cabinet at a great price. Although it needs some work, the monitor, game, and controls are all in good working order. The rollerball could be better, but it’s good enough for now.

    I chose Millipede instead of Centipede because I discovered that I could modify the PCB and allow it to run three additional games – Centipede, Warlords, and Breakout. So, it’s like having a 4-in-1 cabinet.

    Luke is just like me when it comes to gaming. As soon as we booted up the cabinet, we went straight into playing for a high score (and I even managed to get on the scoreboard with my first game). The game is brilliant and addictive, with that “just one more game” feeling.

    I am thrilled to have this cabinet and am looking forward to fixing it up. There will be many gaming battles ahead

    Millipede was released in arcades by Atari, Inc. in 1982. The sequel to 1981’s Centipede, it has more gameplay variety and a wider array of insects than the original.

  • Pinball Machine has entered the building and Kat’s first-ever game on Pinball, Godzilla Premium

    Pinball Machine has entered the building and Kat’s first-ever game on Pinball, Godzilla Premium

    Today, we got our very first pinball machine, and Kats played her first-ever game on any pinball machine. She played amazingly, achieving a multi-ball hero status!

    I have wanted a pinball machine for a long time and a few months ago, I decided the time was right, and we went full-on ‘Get A Pin Mode’ . Luke and I travelled to different places to try out various games. I spent hrs and hrs on forums and YouTube to learn more (some amazing and helpful forums out there) and listened to hrs of podcasts on the subject.
    Now although ‘The Adams Family’ pin is awesome, when I think of Pinball it’s that machine I picture. This time around, I didn’t think that would be a good first pin. However, from the moment we played Godzilla, it felt like the perfect game for us. The rules are varied, the theme is fun, and the shots are great.
    So, we decided to get the new Stern Godzilla Premium. We chose the premium version as I am sure I will have this machine for a while, and the extra features will help keep the game fresh.
    We are really looking forward to modding it out and have already got our eye on a few improvements
    Dave popped around to give it a try, together with Isaac we played for 4 hours non stop, only stopping as it was getting late (Luke was staying at his mum’s, but he is gonna love it)
    #pinball #sternpinball.

  • Exciting Visit to Arcade Club Blackpool, Luke and I

    Exciting Visit to Arcade Club Blackpool, Luke and I

    During our visit to PLAYExpo Blackpool on October 7th, 2023, we decided to check out Arcade Club in Blackpool for the first time. Although we were slightly disappointed to find that some of the pinball machines had some issues, we were impressed with the wide variety of arcade games available and the fact that they were all well-maintained. We had a great time playing the games, and I particularly enjoyed watching Luke play Marble Madness – it was hilarious! We also played Star Wars, which is one of the best arcade games ever made. I even had to help Luke with the proton shot! :-)
    We took lots of pictures/videos of the machines; I loved photos/videos of Luke playing the sit-down version of the STAR Wars game, which is housed in a fantastic cabinet. We had a WHAMTASIC time
    . #ArcadeClubBlackpool #playexpo #arcade #starwars

  • Meeting John Romero at PlayExpoBlackpool 2023: A Doom Fan’s Dream Come True

    Meeting John Romero at PlayExpoBlackpool 2023: A Doom Fan’s Dream Come True

    I picked these Doom, Romero Games, ID Software goodies, All signed, in addition to meeting the Legend John Romero at #PlayExpoBlackpool 2023. I’m looking forward to reading the autobiography of one of my heroes, ‘Masters of Doom’, is still one of my favourite reads. And I can’t wait to try out Sigal, new Megawad for the original Doom. #doom #romero #playexpo

  • PlayExpoBlackpool 2023 with Luke

    PlayExpoBlackpool 2023 with Luke

    Luke and I had an amazing time at PlayExpoBlackpool 2023, despite the early start. The arcade games and pinball machines were in excellent condition and there was a great selection to choose from.

    We had some funny moments too. For instance, Luke played Tron for so long with just one ball that people stopped waiting for him to finish and have a turn. On the other hand, I showed him who was the Hypersports Champ.

    We played Centipede on a machine with a flickering monitor, which was not ideal, but I still enjoyed the sound of the game.

    Although Luke had never played pinball before, he beat me on all the pinball machines, except for the first game on The Adams Family. Moreover, Luke even scored higher than a professional pinball player who joined us to play a game of DR No.

    One of the highlights of our trip was meeting John Romero, who is a legend in the gaming industry. I was star-struck by him, and he was an awesome person to talk to. Interestingly, the only souvenirs I brought back were all DOOM and John Romero-related.

    Overall, we had a great time!
    #playexpo