Ultra Game Machine Operation Guide

 

Hi! For our Ultra machine customers, this page is intended to help answer all of your questions about the operation of your new Ace Amusements arcade video multi game machine.

We tried to cover everything about all of our Ultra machines, so there is a lot of info here. Based on the particular machine you ordered, some of the info may apply to your particular machine, and some of it may not.

 

Regardless of the large amount of info here, you will quickly learn that your machine is really very simple and intuitive to operate.

But, if we missed explaining anything, just send us an email with your question. We will answer your question and update this page as quickly as possible.

 

If your machine looks similar to one of these, then you are at the right page:

Click photo for a larger view.  Click again to zoom.  Click browser back to return to this page.

 

Ultra 2500 Cocktail - 

 

Ultra 2500 Upright or USA Top 350 -

 

Multi Williams Multicade -

 

Ultra Compact Loaded Multicade -

 

 

More helpful pages:

1)  Ultra 2500 Cocktail Table Multicade Operation Guide

2)  Ultra Edition 2500-in-1 Multicade

3)  Multi Williams Games List

4)  Freight Packing

5)  Ultra Upright Cabinet

 

 

Ultra Game Machine Operation Guide:

 

Here is a condensed list of steps to start playing games.

1) You can power on the machine to start boot up by plugging the power cord into a wall outlet or power strip (there is no external machine on-off power switch).

2) After powering on the machine, wait about 2 or 3 minutes for the game system to complete boot up.

3) Boot up is complete when the menu screen appears. Then, game play can begin.

4) When you are finished playing games, to end machine use, select Shutdown (the first menu listing).

5) After selecting Shutdown, wait 20-30 seconds after screen is blank, then power off the machine.

6) To re-start machine, wait 20-30 seconds after powering off machine before turning on power to the machine, then follow above steps.

You can use a power strip with an off/on switch to save having to plug/unplug the machine's power cord into a wall outlet.

Refer to the following Operation Guide for a full explanation of all the details.

 

1)  Menu Screen.

After machine power-on and game system boot-up, the image below is what the Menu Screen will look like (depending on your particular game machine).

Get to know and understand the instructions in the bottom section of the Menu Screen before beginning to play a game.

The Menu Screen is also known as the Graphical User Interface (GUI).

Use the player-one controls -  joystick, the A control button - to view sub-categories (see section 19-a below), and start button - to scroll the games list and for all game system commands.

 

Note the following about the Menu Screen:

 

 

1-a.  Top left section shows the name of the games list or games category. The number of games in the list. And, an alpha-numeric listing of the games.

The first listing (when at beginning of list) is the Ultra game system Shutdown command. See section 7 below for more Shutdown info.

When the game title is white highlighted, that game is selected and ready to be launched.

1-b.  Top right section shows the white highlighted game's attract screen.

1-c.  Bottom section shows the instructions and commands to operate the game system:

To Change the game settings, use Player 1 controls.

Use the (Player-1) Joystick Up & Down to scroll through the games list.

Use the (Player-1) Joystick Left & Right to page through the games list.

Use (Player-1) A button to change the game category. (See section 8 below.)

Use (Player-1) Start button to launch selected game.

Hold (Player-1) Start button for 3 secs to exit the game.

Warning always use !SHUTDOWN! before powering off cabinet. (See section 7 below.)

Wait about 15-20 secs for shutdown to complete, then power off. (See section 4 below.)

 

2)  Adding Credits.

 

Keep in mind that all games are not the same, they each accept or recognize credits at various different stages in their boot-up sequence.

 

When you played games in an arcade, all the the games had been powered on for a good while and had completed their individual boot-up sequence. And, most importantly, they were in their attract/accept credits mode. So, you could credit and play a game almost immediately.

 

Most games will receive your credit at any stage, but they may not show or regiaster receipt of the credit until the game reaches a particular point in its boot-up sequence, typically when at the attract screen.

 

If you credit at the beginning of boot-up, the credit may not be recognized, and the game not playable, for a few seconds until the credit is recognized and then shown as received on the screen.

 

You can try crediting games at the beginning of boot-up, and if the credit is not recognized when at the attract screen, just credit again.

 

The matter is that each game, while inside one common machine, is still a separate machine with its own original distinct programming and credit recognition method.

 

 

 

3)  Game Play Resource.

 

You may  find the Killer List of Videogames (KLOV) a helpful resource when trying to figure out or remembering how to play a game:

 

Coin Operated Machines - Letter: A - A list of all the machines ever made!

 

 

 

4)  Power.

Your machine requires only normal wall outlet 110 volts AC.

Best practice is to unplug machine from wall outlet (power-off) when not in use.

We install a surge protector in all the machines that we build. A surge protector will help protect all of your machine's electronic components. We are the only ones in the industry that install a surge protector as standard equipment.

Your machine does not have an external power switch, so for convenience, use a power strip (with an on-off power switch) at the wall outlet.

In some machines, such as our cocktail table, you may be able to reach the surge protector power switch through the front access door.

Best practice is to always power off your machine when not in use (see section 7 below).  Continuous operation of the machine will unnecessarily age the electronic components (internally generated heat is the enemy of all electronic components), and possibly exposure your machine to any severe power surges.

 

 

5)  Powered Stereo Sound System.

We are pleased to announce that we offer an important standard feature for all of our arcade video multi game machines - a 50 watt powered stereo speaker system.

 

To our knowledge, we are the only company in the industry that provides as standard equipment a 50 watt powered stereo speaker system with subwoofer.

Read all about it here.

With the conveniently located control pod (that hangs just inside the front access door), you can adjust the sound volume, turn sound on or off, and have a headphones jack port.

 

 

6)  Auxiliary and Control Buttons.

 

We classify the control panel buttons as either Control buttons (for the play of games), or as Auxiliary buttons (for game system commands).

 

Auxiliary buttons (located top left and top right of control panel in this photo):

• credit (green) (see section 2 above),
• sleep (red) (see section 7 below), and
• game select, game launch, game exit, and Player-1 start (white button with one black player icon) (see section 12 below).

 

Control buttons (arranged around the control panel and cabinet sides) (all black buttons in this photo) (see section 19 below):

 

• fire,
• run,
• jump, 
• etc, and
• pinball flippers (sides).

 

 

 

 

7)  Shutdown and Sleep.

 

There are two methods available to properly and safely close the Ultra game system software before powering off the game machine:

 

• Shutdown (a menu command), or
• Sleep (a red auxiliary button command).

 

Never power off the game machine without first closing the software by Shutdown or Sleep.

 

All Ultra game systems feature the Shutdown command (it is the first command on the menu). But, not all Ultra game machines are outfitted with a Sleep button.

 

There is a difference between Shutdown and Sleep:

 

Shutdown -

 

When you menu select to Shutdown the game system, you MUST then wait for 20 to 30 seconds, then you MUST power off the game machine.  

 

Then, in order to start the game system boot-up process, you will power-on the machine.

 

Sleep -

 

When you press the red Sleep button, the game system closes (goes to sleep). You could, but it is not necessary to power off the game machine.

 

You could leave the power to the machine on for as long as you like. But, it is recommended to power-off the machine when it is not in use.

 

Then, when you are ready to play again, if machine power has remained on, press the red Sleep button, the game system wakes up, and the boot-up process commences.

 

 

 

8)  Game Categories.

 

For the Ultra Edition 2500 2-player and the 4-player machines, the master game list (all games list) for each machine is divided into sub-categories of games. The sub-categories are based on the style of game controller and/or the style of game play (game genre).

 

Sub-categories are shorter game lists that are subdivisions of the longer master game list. Sub-categories are useful for quickly accessing a particular genre of games.

 

See section 1-c for category selection method. Select between sub-categories with the Player-1 A control button (see section 19-a below).

 

The Player-1 A button is used to scroll the master list sub-categories.

 

In the 2-player master games list category (around 3000 games), there are eight sub-categories:

1. Stage        
2. Flying        
3. Fighting    
4. Vector       
5. Trackball  
6. Laser         
7. Sport         
8. Classics

For a 4-Player game machine, the game list of the 3-/4-player games is located in the Fighting sub-category.

For custom Favorite Games list, it will be located in the Classics sub-category.

 

 

9)  Ultra System SSD.

 

Our exclusive Ultra game system features the latest, state-of-the-art, SATA solid state drive (SSD). Not, the technologically obsolete EIDE mechanical hard disc drive (HDD).

 

 

SSD offers a great advantage over all other drive systems in use today - a much longer lifespan than a mechanical drive.

 

Plus, the SSD is light, easy to handle and to exchange. And, an SSD can be mailed without fear of vibration damage (as with a HDD). 

 

Consequently, when games are added or updated, mailing an updated replacement SSD to you is a simple matter.

 

 

 

10)  MP3 Jukebox.

 

If your machine includes the MP3 Jukebox, your Ultra multicade can become a real life music playing jukebox.

 

All you will need is a USB flash drive memory stick loaded with your favorite tunes.

We will mount a handy USB port to the cabinet just inside the front access door. 

You can easily install your own flash drive loaded with your own music.

Or, we can furnish the flash drive loaded with 392 dance genre pop hits from the 1980's.  We own 1000's of 1980's dance-pop titles.  We provide the music at no cost.  You only pay for the flash drive and our labor.

 

 

11)  Game System Boot-Up.

When you power on your machine, a couple of minutes are required for the Ultra system boot-up.  During boot-up, the monitor screen will be blank, quickly interspersed with various status messages.

When the boot-up process is complete, the Menu Screen will appear (see section 1 above).

 

12)  Selecting, Starting, Exiting Game. 

When at the Menu Screen (see section 1 above):

1.  Use the Player-1 joystick to scroll through menu titles and menu pages. 

2.  When the desired game is located, stop scrolling, the desired game title will be white highlighted.

3.  Then, press the Player-1 start button to launch the game.

4.  Once the game is loaded and ready to be played, credit(s) will need to be added (see section 2 above) before the selected game can be played.

5.  To exit a game and return to the menu screen, press and hold the Player-1 start button for 3 seconds.

 

13)  Routine Maintenance.

Pushbuttons :

Whenever a pushbutton gets sluggish in movement, probably it is dirty.  Spray some Windex into the top of the button. 

If that does not help, you may need to take the button apart and give it a bath. Call us before undertaking this operation.

Joysticks :

Whenever a joystick becomes difficult to move or it does not move smoothly, it likely needs a lube job.  I use WD40 (any heavier lube will make the joystick sluggish). 

Just raise the black washer and spray around the base of the  joystick shaft at the bearing housing.

Drinks :

DO NOT place drinks on the control panel. If a drink, especially a sugar drink, spills into the buttons, or joystick, or trackball, or spinner, you WILL have a BIG maintenance problem ahead.

Scratched Paint :

Ace Amusements Paint Touch-Up Maintenance Kit

Scratched Acrylic :

Ace Amusements Acrylics Maintenance Kit

 

14)  Technical Support.

We consider all of our customers to be part of our extended family.

That is why we provide free lifetime email and phone technical support. If you have a question or need help with a problem, send us an email detailing the issue.

 

15)  High Score Save.

Some original dedicated game machines saved scores, and some did not. 

Your machine does not save high scores. Scores will be lost when you change play to another game and when the machine is powered off. (This is the case with all modern multi game systems.)

If saving a particular score for a particular game is important to you, you might consider continuous machine operation and not changing games in order to keep your score.

 

16)  Coin-Op or Freeplay. 

The Ultra game systems does not feature a freeplay setting. Thus, a green color credit button will be installed on the control panel or other designated cabinet location.

If you ordered a coin-op door for appearance purposes (rather than the standard front access vault door), the coin-op door will not have been enabled to recognize the use of coins for credits and the credit button will still be required.

 

17)  Marquee Backlight.

The fluorescent backlight used in original and modern arcade video games produces heat that will over time discolor and damage the marquee.

So, we have upgraded to LED lighting, which is brighter, cooler, and the correct color of light. LED lighting will not damage the marquee, it is the perfect illumination.

If you do not want marquee illumination in your room, simply unplug the LED fixture from the machine's internal surge protector.

 

18)  Cabinet Base.

We offer choice of poly wheels (good on all level floor types), steel leg levelers (good on concrete and uneven stone), or wooden pads (good on carpet).

To prevent the wheels from rolling, use furniture cups available at any hardware store.

To level a machine with leg levelers, screw or unscrew the appropriate leveler and lock it into place by tightening the nut.

 

 

19)  Game Controllers.

 

19-a.  Control button identifiers.

 

Whether a joystick is matched with one control button, or three, or six, this is the control button identifier:

 

Top row, left to right = A, B, C.  

 

Bottom row, left to right = D, E, F.

 

19-b.  Photo of a typical two-player and of a typical four-player control panel:

 

 

 

 

 

 

19-c.  Trackball typically located control panel  front center for games like Centipede, Missile Command, and Golden Tee Golf.

 

19-d.  Player controls stations:

 

Left of trackball are the player-one controls. Left of player-one are the player-three controls.

 

Right of trackball are the player-two controls. Right of player-two are the player-four controls.

 

19-e.  Button-top 8-way joystick for player-one. Can be used for all joystick games. Together with the spinner, required for play of Tron.

 

19-f.  Spinner is the round knob located above the player-two controls. It is used for games like Arkanoid, Tempest, Tron (with button top joystick or flight stick), and Ikari Warriors (with flight stick).

 

19-g.  Classic 4-way joystick and 3 control buttons located above and left of the trackball. Used for some Classic games when you prefer 4-way joystick action rather than 8-way.

 

19-h.  Defender 2-way joystick and reverse button setup is typically located top left area of the control panel above the player-one joystick. The  joystick-button setup (together with the appropriate player-one control buttons) is required for play of games like Defender and Stargate.

 

19-i.  Q*bert diagonal joystick is typically located top left area of the control panel above the player-one joystick. The diagonal joystick is required for play of games like Q*bert and Congo Bongo.

 

19-j.  Flight stick with trigger and thumb button (together with the spinner) is required play of games like Ikari Warriors and Heavy Barrel.

 

19-k.  Pinball flipper buttons are located one at each side of the control panel. For play of video pinball games such as Pinball Action.

 

Once Pinball Action is loaded, to start the game, launch the pinball by pressing player-one control button B (or C).

 

 

20)  Laser Disc Games.

 

This guide is applicable to the 12 Laser Disc games found in the Laser Disc sub-category of the Ultra game system. And, is not applicable to the separate 16 game Laser Disc game system.

 

Laser Disc games have their Credit and Start buttons mapped a bit different than other games.

 

The Laser Disc games sub-category is found same as for other game categories - by pressing the Player-1 "A" button to scroll game categories.

 

Use the Player-1 Start button for selecting, loading, and exiting a Laser Disc game same as for all other games.

 

 

20-a.  As for all games, press Player-1 Start button to load a Laser Disc game. Some games load quickly, some very slowly - from 1 to 40 seconds.

 

20-b.  Some require 2 (not just 1) credits to play. So, if 1 credit will not start a game, try 2 credits.

 

20-c.  After selecting a game, and after it has loaded completely (1 to several seconds), press the green credit button or the Player-1 "F" button for credits.

 

1x credit for most games, 2x credits for others.

 

20-d.  After game loaded and credited, press Player-1 start button to start game.

 

20-e.  The Player-1 "A" and "B" and "C" buttons are the typical action/play buttons. Example - fire, sword, etc.

 

20-f.  Player-1 six control buttons are situated to the right of the Player-1 joystick:

 

Top row, left to right = A, B, C.  

 

Bottom row, left to right = D, E, F.

 

20-g.  All games are single player only. 

 

20-h.  Press Player-1 Start button to skip a "problem notice" screen and proceed to game play.

 

20-i.  For games with a heads-up display (ex. Dragon's Lair), the display can be turned off/on by pressing Player-1 "D" button.