24 replies to this topic

[jweaver]

I have been trying to find the answer to this question, but can't, so I wonder if someone could take a few mins to explain.

I see MPU3, MPU4 and MPU5 mentioned a lot, but I can't actually work out what its referring too.

Clearly MPU5 is newer than MPU4, but what exactly is this? Is it some kind of standardized software (i.e Operating System), or the hardware platform that a machine is based on.

Are ALL machines 'MPU' based, or is this only for some manufacturers? I have seen a mention of "P1" against an Impulse-Gaming machine, but don't know if this is their equivilant of MPU.

What benifits do the news MPU versions offer over the old one?

I hope that this is an easy answer and someone will be willing to shed some light?

I look forwards to your replies

All the best

Jon

[rarnold]

Hi jweaver,

I am by no means an expert, and I'm sure you will get a fuller answer to your questions, but I think it is easiest to think of the MPU3/4/5 as the fruit machines motherboard. For example, my Psycho Cash Beast has an MPU4 board in it. I believe this board then has my particular game plugged into it via Rom chips.

Different manufacturers used different technologies for the 'motherboards', JPM used Impact, Maygay Epoch (I think?), and Barcrest MPU3/4/5. Almost all new machines seem to be MPU5, although please someone else correct me if I'm wrong.

I think the differences between MPU 3,4 and 5 are the functions these boards are able to support, number of lamps, type of reels, LED displays etc. etc.

Hope this helps and we get a more technical explanation as well as I would be interested in a list of the technical differences between MPU4 and 5 specifically.

[skabaz]

the answer above is just about right.

as with every electronic item the technology improves every few years so when you see the terms mpu3,4,or 5,epoch,scorpion 2,4,5 or impact that refers to the motherboard inside the machine.

with a pc you get many different names for the processors and this is the same with the motherboard in fruit machines.

barcrest = mpu3,4 or 5
bellfruit = scorpion 1,2,4 or 5
jpm = impact
maygay = epoch or eclipse(but now they are the same as barcrest)
mazooma & qps = same as bellfruit on their newer machines but they have also used mpu4 and impact on older machines
global = epoch

baz

[rarnold]

Get them roms dumped then as you have a unique machine think you mean MPU5

alth

"oops"

Should have noticed by the big MPU5 sticker on it I guess!

[jweaver]

Cheers all.. Makes perfect sense..

Jon

[jweaver]

Actually.. I am still a little confused.. The comments above say that "Psycho Cash Beast" is MPU5.. And I was under the impressoin that MPU5 can't be emulated.

But I have been playing a 'Psycho Cash Beast' Rom from this very web site.. What am I missing here??

[rarnold]

Ahh, that was just to confuse you!

You are playing a Hybrid layout (HDX) which is not actually Psycho Cash beast but Bangin Away with the graphics of Psycho Cash beast as the two games are similar. There aren't that many of these, but a few have been made to simluate popular games (rather than emulate)

Description from the download:
Psycho Cash Beast HDX with Bangin Away ROMS. Plays perfectly in MPU3/4 Version 8.75, 7 Segment displays do not light in MFME1.1, otherwise plays ok.

[jweaver]

Thank god for that.. I couldn't work out for the life of me why the samples said things like "Bangin Awwwaaayyyy" and "Can I elp you sir" when on the Feature.. I just didn't get how the samples had anything to do with a game entitled "Psycho Cash Beast"!

I guess I had better put PCB back on my shopping list again. I took it off because whilst it looks like a nice game, the sound effects p**sed me off after just a few seconds play

Jon

[prizeguy2005]

I made the mistake of playing bangin away on the emulater before I ever saw a phycho cash beast in the wild. Although a lot of people put the cash beast as there favourite ever fruity bangin away has put me off ever playing this design of game. The £5 10p bangin away was the worst setting in my opinion.

[mrmystery83]

Psycho Cash Beast and Banging Away are both very different in game style trust me although IMO all machines at £5 10p play suck.

alth

Unless you manage to get a jp to repeat on a £5 jp fruity which isn't very often. Even if you do you've usually put a few quid in to get it anyway.

[mrmystery83]

I've seen some poor kids stung for £15 or more not so much as a hold or feature now that sucks.

alth

Yeah poor kids like me lol until i learned my lesson!! I only play them rarely for nostalgia purposes only and not for more than a few quid.

[prizeguy2005]

If I play £5 machines I prefer to play machines which dont round upto the next £ or ones specifically built for the lower jackpot end of the market. I find most barcrests (although good games) just really dont seem suitable for £5 jackpot unless streaking £3-4 board £2-3 offer type of play. Also seen them charge upto £15-20 for a board aswell which is disgusting.

[jweaver]

I have found something which has given me more to be confused about.

I have downloaded the Genesis/MPU5 service manual adn on the front cover is "Red Gaming".

I realise that Red Gaming (and almost every other manufacturer) is part of Barcrest, so is this the manual for ALL MPU5 machines, or just the Red Gaming ones.

What happened? Did "Red Gaming" develope the MPU5 system and BarCrest absorbed it into thier product line, or are there several varients of MPU5?

Jon

[mrmystery83]

I have found something which has given me more to be confused about.

I have downloaded the Genesis/MPU5 service manual adn on the front cover is "Red Gaming".

I realise that Red Gaming (and almost every other manufacturer) is part of Barcrest, so is this the manual for ALL MPU5 machines, or just the Red Gaming ones.

What happened? Did "Red Gaming" develope the MPU5 system and BarCrest absorbed it into thier product line, or are there several varients of MPU5?

Jon

I own the same manual i got it free with my refill key i bought. Which i bought for my Red Gaming That's Magic. But i think the technology is in other machines as well as red gaming ones judging by what i've read. It wouldn't really make sense to create technology just to be used in just a small number of machines.

[skabaz]

the manual is just about the same as barcrest apart from barcrest have some extra error codes and also some of the dip switch settings are different.

if you have a barcrest machine its best to have a barcrest manual.

red gaming were a new company of programmers and designers that set up alongside barcrest but they are now the only company (apart from empire rebuilds)that use the older genesis cabinet with the mpu5 tech.

baz