Arcade Boards

Overview

Several arcade systems have been built around the PS2 hardware. While some systems use almost stock PS2 hardware (the Konami Python 2 going as far as cramming an entire unmodified SCPH-50000 console into the arcade chassis), other systems use a more custom approach with later Namco systems being based on entirely custom motherboards.

Sony provided some PS2 chassis specifically for use in arcade systems. These are:

• COH-H30000
  • Based on B-chassis GH-004 together with it's daughterboard (GD-011)
  • Differences compared to normal retail GH-004 boards include (but are not necessariliy limited to):
    • Special MechaCon version (CXP102064-651R)
    • Special SysCon version on the daughterboard (1V86)
    • Special arcade BIOS
    • Missing expansion bay connector
    • Missing one of two CDVD Drive connectors
    • Missing IC205 (digital video encoder)
    • Missing Driver ICs for the CDVD Drive
    • Missing some more small components
    • A special connector is installed on normally unpopulated pads
• COH-H31000
  • Based on C-chassis (GH-006?) together with it's daughterboard (GD-013?)
• COH-H31100
  • Based on C-chassis GH-006 without it's daughterboard (the daughterboard's functionality including SysCon is now provided by another board inside the arcade system)
  • Differences compared to normal retail GH-006 boards include (but are not necessariliy limited to):
    • Special MechaCon version (CXP102064-651R)
    • Special arcade BIOS (A 000 010)
    • Missing expansion bay connector
    • Missing CDVD Drive connector
    • Missing SSBUS controller
    • Missing IC205 (digital video encoder)
    • A special connector is installed on normally unpopulated pads

Arcade systems

Konami Python

Specifications

Note: Based on COH-H31000 (see above).

Known games

• Dog Station
• Dog Station Deluxe
• Hawaiian De Golf / Mocap Golf
• Nice Smash!
• Paintball Mania
• Perfect Pool
• Pool Pocket Fortunes
• World Soccer Winning Eleven Arcade Game Style / Pro Evolution Soccer The Arcade
• World Soccer Winning Eleven Arcade Game Style 2003

Konami Bemani Python

Specifications

Note: Based on COH-H31000 (see above).

Known games

• Dancing Stage Fusion

Konami Python 2

Specifications

• Main CPU: MIPS III R5900-based "Emotion Engine", 64-bit RISC operating at 294.912 MHz, with 128-bit SIMD capabilities
• Sub CPU: MIPS II R3000A IOP with cache at 33.8688 MHz
• System memory: 32 MB 32-bit dual-channel (2x 16-bit) RDRAM (Direct Rambus DRAM) @ 400 MHz, 3.2 GB/s peak bandwidth
• Graphics: "Graphics Synthesizer" operating at 147.456 MHz
• Graphics memory: 4MB eDRAM
• Sound: "SPU1+SPU2"
• Media: CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, Hard Disk Drive

Note: Built around a complete stock Playstation 2 console (Model SCPH-50000 (MB/NH) - Japanese NTSC), with a hard drive and an adaptor board.

Known games

• Thrill Drive 3

Konami Bemani Python 2

Specifications

• Main CPU: MIPS III R5900-based "Emotion Engine", 64-bit RISC operating at 294.912 MHz, with 128-bit SIMD capabilities
• Sub CPU: MIPS II R3000A IOP with cache at 33.8688 MHz
• System memory: 32 MB 32-bit dual-channel (2x 16-bit) RDRAM (Direct Rambus DRAM) @ 400 MHz, 3.2 GB/s peak bandwidth
• Graphics: "Graphics Synthesizer" operating at 147.456 MHz
• Graphics memory: 4MB eDRAM
• Sound: "SPU1+SPU2"
• Media: CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, Hard Disk Drive

Note: Built around a complete stock Playstation 2 console (Model SCPH-50000 (MB/NH) - Japanese NTSC), with a hard drive and an adaptor board.

Known games

• Dance 86.4 Funky Radio Station
• Dance Dance Revolution SuperNOVA / Dancing Stage SuperNOVA
• Dance Dance Revolution SuperNOVA 2 / Dancing Stage SuperNOVA 2
• Drum Mania V
• Drum Mania V2
• Drum Mania V3
• Guitar Freaks V
• Guitar Freaks V2
• Guitar Freaks V3
• Pop'n Music 10
• Pop'n Music 11
• Pop'n Music 12 Iroha
• Pop'n Music 13 Carnival
• Pop'n Music 14 Fever
• Toy's March
• Toy's March 2

Konami Python Satellite Terminal

Known games

• Baseball Heroes 2005
• Battle Climaxx!
• Battle Climaxx! 2
• Monster Gate Online
• Monster Gate Online 2
• R.P.M. Red

Namco System 246

Specifications

• Main CPU: MIPS III R5900-based "Emotion Engine", 64-bit RISC operating at 294.912 MHz (Overclocking to 299 MHz on System 256), with 128-bit SIMD capabilities
• Sub CPU: MIPS II R3000A IOP with cache at 33.8688 MHz
• System memory: 32 MB 32-bit dual-channel (2x 16-bit) RDRAM (Direct Rambus DRAM) @ 400 MHz, 3.2 GB/s peak bandwidth
• Graphics: "Graphics Synthesizer" operating at 147.456 MHz
• Graphics memory: 4MB eDRAM
• Sound: "SPU1+SPU2"
• Security: 8 MB 3.3V NAND FlashROM Security Dongle (basically a PS2 Memory Card with a different MagicGate IC), which the system will actually boot and load more game-specific storage device drivers from
• Media:
  • CD-ROM
  • DVD-ROM
  • Hard Disk Drive

The System 246 exists in 4 main revisions (Source):

• The first variant (System 246 "Driving") is built around the Sony COH-H30000 (see above) and does not have a JAMMA interface
• A second variant (System 246 Rev.A) is still built around the Sony COH-H30000 (see above), but has different Namco boards and a JAMMA interface (except in the "Gun" variant)
• A third variant (System 246 Rev.B) is usually built around the Sony COH-H31100 (see above), although rare cases of it being built around a COH-H30000 are known. It also features a lot of other changes
• A fourth variant (System 246 Rev.C) is based on a fully custom board (similar, but not identical to System 256, and still with separate EE and GS) and comes in a much smaller enclosure

Known games

• By Namco:
  • Alien Sniper
  • Alpine Racer 3
  • Bloody Roar 3
  • Cobra: The Arcade
  • Dragon Chronicles
  • Dragon Chronicles II
  • THE iDOLM@STER
  • Minnade Kitaeru Zennou Training
  • Professional Baseball 2002
  • Ridge Racer V Arcade Battle
  • Samurai Surf X
  • Smash Court Pro Tournament
  • Soul Calibur II
  • Soul Calibur III Arcade Edition
  • Starblade: Operation Blue Planet
  • Taiko no Tatsujin 7
  • Taiko no Tatsujin 8
  • Technic Beat
  • Tekken 4
  • Time Crisis 3
  • Vampire Night
  • Wangan Midnight
  • Wangan Midnight R
• By Capcom:
  • Capcom Fighting All Stars
  • Capcom Fighting Jam
  • Chokosoku Card Racer
  • Fate: Unlimited Codes
  • Gun Survivor 3: Dino Crisis
  • Mobile Suit Gundam SEED: Federation Vs. Z.A.F.T.
  • Mobile Suit Gundam SEED: Federation Vs. Z.A.F.T. II
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Z: AEUG Vs. Titans
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Z: AEUG Vs. Titans DX
  • Pride GP 2003
  • Quiz Mobile Suit Gundam: Tou. Senshi
  • Rockman EXE: Battlechip Stadium
  • Sengoku Basara X
• By Taito:
  • Battle Gear 3
  • Battle Gear 3 Tuned
  • Zoids Infinity
  • Zoids Infinity EX
  • Zoids Infinity EX Plus

Namco System 256

Specifications

• Main CPU: MIPS III R5900-based "Emotion Engine", 64-bit RISC operating at 299 MHz, with 128-bit SIMD capabilities
• Sub CPU: MIPS II R3000A IOP with cache at 33.8688 MHz
• System memory: 64 MB 32-bit dual-channel (2x 16-bit) RDRAM (Direct Rambus DRAM) @ 400 MHz, 3.2 GB/s peak bandwidth
• Graphics: "Graphics Synthesizer" operating at 147.456 MHz
• Graphics memory: 4MB eDRAM
• Sound: "SPU1+SPU2"
• Security: 8 MB 3.3V NAND FlashROM Security Dongle (basically a PS2 Memory Card with a different MagicGate IC), which the system will actually boot and load more game-specific storage device drivers from
• Media:
  • CD-ROM
  • DVD-ROM
  • Hard Disk Drive

Note: Based on a fully custom board around EE+GS

Known games

• Chou Dragonball Z / Super Dragonball Z
• Druaga Online : The Story of Aon
• Gundam Vs Gundam
• Gundam Vs Gundam Next
• Kinnikuman Muscle Grand Prix
• Kinnikuman Muscle Grand Prix 2
• Taiko no Tatsujin 10
• Taiko no Tatsujin 11
• Taiko no Tatsujin 12
• Taiko no Tatsujin 12 More
• Taiko no Tatsujin 13
• Taiko no Tatsujin 14
• Taiko no Tatsujin 9
• Tekken 5
• Tekken 5 Dark Resurrection
• Tekken 5.1
• The Battle of Yu Yu Hakusho: Shitou! Ankoku Bujutsukai!

Namco System Super 256

Specifications

• Main CPU: MIPS III R5900-based "Emotion Engine", 64-bit RISC operating at 299 MHz, with 128-bit SIMD capabilities
• Sub CPU: MIPS II R3000A IOP with cache at 33.8688 MHz
• System memory: 64 MB 32-bit dual-channel (2x 16-bit) RDRAM (Direct Rambus DRAM) @ 400 MHz, 3.2 GB/s peak bandwidth
• Graphics: "Graphics Synthesizer" operating at 147.456 MHz
• Graphics memory: 4MB eDRAM
• Sound: "SPU1+SPU2"
• Security: 8 MB 3.3V NAND FlashROM Security Dongle (basically a PS2 Memory Card with a different MagicGate IC), which the system will actually boot and load more game-specific storage device drivers from
• Media:
  • CD-ROM
  • DVD-ROM
  • Hard Disk Drive

Note: Based on a fully custom board around EE+GS

Note: Namco Super System 256 seems to be the same as regular Namco System 256 but it has the gun board integrated.

Known games

• Time Crisis 4

Namco System 147

Specifications

• Main CPU: MIPS III R5900-based "Emotion Engine", 64-bit RISC operating at 294.912 MHz, with 128-bit SIMD capabilities
• Sub CPU: MIPS II R3000A IOP with cache at 33.8688 MHz
• System memory: 32 MB 32-bit dual-channel (2x 16-bit) RDRAM (Direct Rambus DRAM) @ 400 MHz, 3.2 GB/s peak bandwidth
• Graphics: "Graphics Synthesizer" operating at 147.456 MHz
• Graphics memory: 4MB eDRAM
• Sound: "SPU1+SPU2"
• Media: Onboard NAND flash

Note: Based on a fully custom board around EE+GS. This is an extremely stripped down system; there isn't even a MechaCon (unlike with System 246/256), so this system deviates a lot from standard PS2 architecture. It uses onboard flash storage to store the game software.

Known games

• Medal No Tatsujin
• Medal No Tatsujin 2
• Pac-Man Battle Royale
• Pac-Man's Arcade Party

Namco System 148

Specifications

• Main CPU: MIPS III R5900-based "Emotion Engine", 64-bit RISC operating at 294.912 MHz, with 128-bit SIMD capabilities
• Sub CPU: MIPS II R3000A IOP with cache at 33.8688 MHz
• System memory: 64 MB 32-bit dual-channel (2x 16-bit) RDRAM (Direct Rambus DRAM) @ 400 MHz, 3.2 GB/s peak bandwidth
• Graphics: "Graphics Synthesizer" operating at 147.456 MHz
• Graphics memory: 4MB eDRAM
• Sound: "SPU1+SPU2"
• Media: Onboard NAND flash

Note: Based on a fully custom board around EE+GS. This is an extremely stripped down system; there isn't even a MechaCon (unlike with System 246/256), so this system deviates a lot from standard PS2 architecture. It uses onboard flash storage to store the game software.

Mostly identical to System 147, but RAM has been doubled to 64 MB and a connector has been removed. Boards with a copyright date as late as 2014 exist.

Known games

• Animal Kaiser
• Umimonogata Lucky Marine Theater (海物語ラッキーマリンシアター)