Hori RAP3 Modernization

[Kreuz]

Thought I would share a very simple project I completed recently. While maybe not strictly speaking an arcade project, I made these for use in MAME, MVS, and my HAS supergun, so I think it still counts.

The Hori Real Arcade Pro 3 design was based on the Astro City control panel, and it is probably my favorite arcade stick of all time. Being made in the late 2000s for the PS3, they are however a little long in the tooth and in need of modernization, so I designed this very simple PCB to replace the factory one. I'd been looking for an excuse to learn KiCAD, anyway. It uses the factory Hori USB cable and the original plastic panel which makes for a very clean "no cut, no mod" look which is what I was aiming for.

Works great, obviously. I use it on PC and eventually my HAS/Neo Geo, but it can work with all the current consoles as well. I originally set the silk screen pin labels to match that of the Brook UFB, a popular and semi-standard board, but I have now swapped over to the GP2040-CE in mine. Its an all-around better interface board.

 

[djsheep]

Amazing. I have a black and a white stick too. This will be extremely helpful.

Are you selling these?

 

[Kreuz]

Amazing. I have a black and a white stick too. This will be extremely helpful.

Are you selling these?

Yes, I have some extra boards. Board houses have minimum quantity requirements, so I had to make a few.

 

[Joko3]

I have one of these that I made with the assistance of @alberto1225 (top panel)

Made this specifically for PC Engine and arcade shooting game use.

Brook retro board and JNX turbo adapter are inside. The switch turns button 3 into turbo button 1. The side buttons are mapped to play PC Engine pinball games like Devil’s Crash. It also has a "home" button on the off chance I'd want to plug it into my Switch using a Brook adapter (this is how my wife's retro board equipped stick plugs into the Switch).

I’d show off the inside, but it’s in storage back home.

 

[Mirkvid]

Looking great! I love a Hori RAP. Still have a 2, 3, and 4 that I bought new and use occasionally.

 

[Leander]

I think it's a really interesting project. Thanks a lot for sharing!

I love those controllers (HORI RAP3) as they are really similar to the ASTRO CITY panels. Especially the white one.

I have two controllers (white for Xbox and black for PS3), one of them has a rusty panel and the sticker is a bit inflated. I’d like to fix it and maybe to make a new panel with a new sticker, but I’m not able to find a CAD file (in oder to take it to a local company with laser cutting work). Do you know where I can find a CAD file for this panel? (If it exists)

Thank you very much in advance.

 

[Kreuz]

I think it's a really interesting project. Thanks a lot for sharing!

I love those controllers (HORI RAP3) as they are really similar to the ASTRO CITY panels. Especially the white one.

I have two controllers (white for Xbox and black for PS3), one of them has a rusty panel and the sticker is a bit inflated. I’d like to fix it and maybe to make a new panel with a new sticker, but I’m not able to find a CAD file (in oder to take it to a local company with laser cutting work). Do you know where I can find a CAD file for this panel? (If it exists)

Thank you very much in advance.

I don't think I have ever seen a CAD file for the RAP3 panels. Maybe you could adapt the RAP3 template used for cutting artwork at Focus Attack to develop whatever file is needed for laser cutting metal? Export the PSD to PDF then import the PDF into a CAD program? I don't know.

https://support.focusattack.com/hc/en-us/articles/28126073384091-Hori

Arcade Shock sells replacement RAP3 metal panels, but they don't have any with the turbo panel cutout.

 

[Joko3]

I don't think I have ever seen a CAD file for the RAP3 panels. Maybe you could adapt the RAP3 template used for cutting artwork at Focus Attack to develop whatever file is needed for laser cutting metal? Export the PSD to PDF then import the PDF into a CAD program? I don't know.

https://support.focusattack.com/hc/en-us/articles/28126073384091-Hori

Arcade Shock sells replacement RAP3 metal panels, but they don't have any with the turbo panel cutout.

What Arcade-Shock has aren't replacement panels. They are overlays you stick over the exisiting panel. You peel the old one off and put the new one on. You could cut the overlay and have access to the turbo panel, as it'll still be there on the metal.

You are talking about this right?
https://arcadeshock.com/products/ho...1&_sid=d20e74008&_ss=r&variant=32652937166933

I have another RAP3 with one of these on it. I bought a six button version and later cut out holes for the other two buttons. Just note that you need a SHARP knife to do this along with some patience.

 

[Kreuz]

What Arcade-Shock has aren't replacement panels. They are overlays you stick over the exisiting panel. You peel the old one off and put the new one on. You could cut the overlay and have access to the turbo panel, as it'll still be there on the metal.

You are talking about this right?
https://arcadeshock.com/products/ho...1&_sid=d20e74008&_ss=r&variant=32652937166933

I have another RAP3 with one of these on it. I bought a six button version and later cut out holes for the other two buttons. Just note that you need a SHARP knife to do this along with some patience.

No, these panels:
https://arcadeshock.com/products/hi...7&_sid=98fb692de&_ss=r&variant=31327708905557

 

[Joko3]

^ Never saw those ones before.

I'd still prefer to buy from @alberto1225 no matter what though because he's the man. All of my panels are from him and they are top notch quality. If you need that cutout he might be willing to work with you on making that happen. Send him a message.

 

[Leander]

Thanks a lot for your reply, guys!

A panel from Alberto is a really good option (probably, the best one), but I’d like to try to make my own one. As @Kreuz suggested, maybe using the current panel in order to make some kind of “transfer” in CAD…it could be a good start point (thanks for the idea!)

I’ll keep you updated