Well it is 2024. Virtual pinball has come on leaps and bounds since 2007....... or has it?
I purchased a used ultrapin, not working. I have converted maybe 10 of these already so I did have a plan in my head.
So the cab is pretty good, been looked after. The computer was DOA - someone had plugged it into 230v, Ultrapins stock have a 230-110v transformer inside to step it down for UK/European models.
Something told me to have a look if I could get the original PC going, almost for 'old times sake'.
The games come with a whopping 1gb of DDR2 memory. So I switched this out to 4gb. Also installed a SATA SSD and luckily I have a ghost image on a hard drive. The OS is windows XP embedded and now the whole machine now boots in 30 seconds. Put in some new heatsink compound on the CPU. I thought I could use the motherboard for a Pinbox converison if I didnt keep it.
I had no intention in keeping this machine stock.....
I put the PC In and it booted all fine. The guy had messed with some parts and took out all the speakers, so I threw some in that I had knocking around in the workshop.
Having discovered as well the final update CD that was done by someone on the original team - it now has 15 games instead of 12.
The thing is - out of these 15 games I enjoy 12 of them.
I started off AFM and to my shock it played. What did shock me was the lag, or the lack of it! On a ancient graphic card it ran 3 ball multiballs in AFM without stutter.
The graphics on playfield are actually better than on the 4K At games heap of rubbish. The ultra pin has a 1366 x 720 display in it.
Have replaced the 'translite' lighting with LEDs. I do have the 'ultrapin on steroids' software somewhere, but trying it before I was not a fan.
I now have a choice to make. Do I leave it as it is and keep it 'retro'.....? Or do I put in the PC I have already got waiting for it - with the GTX1050ti 4gb graphic card and 16gb ram, throw in a 1080 playfield monitor, turn the 19" backglass monitor lanscape and fit the ZeDMD I have knocking about in it along with other bits and bobs.
Having enjoyed playing it for a couple of hours today I may still keep it stock..... May even put it on site!
If anyone shows an interest I do not mind posting up some other information about this machine.
I purchased a used ultrapin, not working. I have converted maybe 10 of these already so I did have a plan in my head.
Sold - Ultrapin v8 - Virtual pinball. £2,200.
Really wanted to keep this one, but a long story short - my workshop is going to be closed where I do my living for longer than what was thought - so my jukebox is on ebay and this is on here! Well - this is the final in a long line of Ultrapin machines I have upgraded over the last 3 years. I...
www.pinballinfo.com
Sold - Ultrapin upgraded Mk4 - £2250 - may take trades/swaps
Over the past 10 years I have built a lot of Virtual Pinball machines. I am selling this one on - as I need to build another two that friends want me build and then that is it - no more. This will be ready for collection in a couple of weeks. Just needs some perspex adding and a part for...
www.pinballinfo.com
Sold - ULTRAPIN VISUAL PINBALL HEAVILY UPGRADED
I know I am going to get comments about it being ‘not a real pinball’ but it also gives you the chance on trying out a lot of games before you buy them. Of course it is emulation and only in 2D. The machine has nudge sensors so it reacts the same way to a real game. Also gives you chance to...
www.pinballinfo.com
So the cab is pretty good, been looked after. The computer was DOA - someone had plugged it into 230v, Ultrapins stock have a 230-110v transformer inside to step it down for UK/European models.
Something told me to have a look if I could get the original PC going, almost for 'old times sake'.
The games come with a whopping 1gb of DDR2 memory. So I switched this out to 4gb. Also installed a SATA SSD and luckily I have a ghost image on a hard drive. The OS is windows XP embedded and now the whole machine now boots in 30 seconds. Put in some new heatsink compound on the CPU. I thought I could use the motherboard for a Pinbox converison if I didnt keep it.
I had no intention in keeping this machine stock.....
I put the PC In and it booted all fine. The guy had messed with some parts and took out all the speakers, so I threw some in that I had knocking around in the workshop.
Having discovered as well the final update CD that was done by someone on the original team - it now has 15 games instead of 12.
The thing is - out of these 15 games I enjoy 12 of them.
I started off AFM and to my shock it played. What did shock me was the lag, or the lack of it! On a ancient graphic card it ran 3 ball multiballs in AFM without stutter.
The graphics on playfield are actually better than on the 4K At games heap of rubbish. The ultra pin has a 1366 x 720 display in it.
Have replaced the 'translite' lighting with LEDs. I do have the 'ultrapin on steroids' software somewhere, but trying it before I was not a fan.
I now have a choice to make. Do I leave it as it is and keep it 'retro'.....? Or do I put in the PC I have already got waiting for it - with the GTX1050ti 4gb graphic card and 16gb ram, throw in a 1080 playfield monitor, turn the 19" backglass monitor lanscape and fit the ZeDMD I have knocking about in it along with other bits and bobs.
Having enjoyed playing it for a couple of hours today I may still keep it stock..... May even put it on site!
If anyone shows an interest I do not mind posting up some other information about this machine.
