Midway Off Road Thunder Operation Manual

							1-7 [ ] 16.  Unlock and open the coin door. Locate the control switches. Press TEST MODE to enter the
Menu System.
[ ] 17.  Select “DISK TESTS” at the Diagnostics Menu. Run all the tests in order to verify correct drive
operation.
[ ] 18.  Select “SW ITCH TESTS” at the Diagnostics Menu. Check to be sure that all control switches
work.
[ ] 19.  Select “SOUND TESTS” at the Diagnostics Menu. Verify operation of each speaker.
[ ] 20.  Select “FORCE FEEDBACK TESTS” at the Diagnostics Menu. Verify the presence of steering
resistance.
[ ] 21.  Select “CALIBRATE CONTROLS” at the Main Menu. Set steering and throttle limits for maximum
accuracy.
[ ] 22.  Select “START THE GAME” at the Main Menu. The system should enter Attract Mode. Open the
coin door and press the SERVICE CREDITS button to allow game play. Press the START button
to begin play. Listen to the audio while playing the game. Note sound irregularities (phase
problems, no low frequencies, mono audio from stereo speakers, etc.). If necessary, check the
wiring harness for internal shorts or strapped connections.
[ ] 23.  Change the volume and make adjustments as necessary. Close and lock all open doors. Tighten
the leveler nuts. Engage the caster locks.
LINKED OPERATION
Equipment Requirements
Linked Mode permits players to compete between networked cabinets in real time. The linking program is
player selectable, so that each cabinet serves player needs.
To achieve linked operation, you must connect cabinets. The factory installs one linking cable in each
cabinet.
 
Coupler
Cabinet
1Cabinet
2
Cabinet Cabinet
34Coupler
Link Two Cabinets with a Coupler
•
 TO LINK TWO CABINETS, 
use a crossover coupler. 
All cabinets contain a crossover coupler to
connect two cabinets together. Use only one coupler between each pair of cabinets. The coupler
employs passive electronics. Passive electronics limit the cable length and number of cabinets that
you can link. Most operations attach linked cabinets, but you can separate cabinets by up to 25 feet.
You can add linked cabinet pairs as necessary. 
						

							1-8
GameNetwork
Hub
12Game Game
3Game
4
Link Up to Four Cabinets with a Hub
 
•
 TO LINK MORE THAN TWO CABINETS, 
use a network hub. Notice that the hub replaces the
coupler between cabinets. Each hub can connect several cabinets. In fact, the hub’s active electronics
permits use of large networks. You can add linked cabinets as necessary. The network hub’s active
circuits also allow you to use long cables. Most operations attach linked cabinets, but you can
separate cabinets by up to 300 feet.
• THE DELUXE LINKING KIT (Model 25735) 
contains a lighted, overhead sign and cabinet connector
brackets.
NOTICE:
 You can’t link more than four cabinets.
Networking Pointers
•
  Protect exposed wiring from player foot traffic, cleaning crews, service personnel, etc. Use approved
conduit or wire channels to support cables. Network modular connectors dont include strain relief.
•
  Keep cables away from heat, moisture and electromagnetic fields. (Avoid neon signs, fluorescent
fixtures, two-way radios, cordless telephones, power circuits, speaker wiring, etc.).
•
  Universal RJ-45 modular plugs arent keyed, numbered, or coded. Clearly mark cabinet network
connections. Otherwise, someone could confuse them with computer or telephone circuits.
•
  The factory supplies network cables with the cabinets. These cables will reach the hub in networks of
four or fewer cabinets.
•
  Use only Category 5, twisted pair cable.
•
  If you want to monitor network activity, you can locate the hub remotely. You can use long cables, if
they satisfy these requirements: (1) Cables must not exceed a length of 328 feet or 100 meters. (2)
Cables must be Category 3 (or higher), 100 ohm, unshielded, twisted pair, communications-grade
wiring. (3) You must not use standard telephone cables. 
						

							1-9
Wiring the Network
NOTICE: Dont use crossover couplers in a hub installation. Otherwise, your network
won’t operate properly.
[ ] 1.  Raise the leg levelers. Roll the cabinets to their destination. Lower the leg levelers.
[ ] 2.  Verify VGM operation. Make necessary repairs or adjustments before making changes to the
cabinets.
[ ] 3.  Shut down all machines.
[ ] 4.  Place the hub near the center of the linked cabinet array.
[ ] 5.  You’ll find a linking cable coiled up inside each cabinet. Cut the cable tie. Locate the cable’s free
end. Uncoil enough cable to reach the hub through the rear box of the cabinet.
[ ] 6.  Check the other end of the cable. It should attach to an Arcade Computer network jack. You’ll find
this jack in the middle cabinet box.
[ ] 7.  Recoil and retie the remainder of the cable. Repeat the cable connection steps at the other
cabinets.
[ ] 8.  Plug the cabinet linking cables into any of the jacks on the hub rear panel.
[ ] 9.  Plug the hub’s AC power adapter into its jack on the hub.
[ ] 10.  Set the hub front panel switch to the LNK (link) position.
[ ] 11.  Retract excess cable into the cabinet coils so that the cables dont touch the floor. Retracting the
cable keeps it away from cabinet wheels during relocation.
[ ] 12.  Connect the AC Adapter and line cords to AC power. Turn on each of the cabinets. Examine the
screens of all cabinets.
CAUTION: Don’t connect or disconnect cables to the VGM electronics or hub with the
power on. Otherwise, you may damage the electronics and void your warranty.
[ ] 13.  Restart all machines.
[ ] 14.  The cabinets will begin the Power-On Self Test. If the test doesn’t find any errors, each cabinet
enters its Attract Mode automatically.
[ ] 15.  Start up linked cabinets and ensure that each cabinets player controls affect the same vehicle on
all screens. The CPU and hub LEDS will indicate communication activity between the two
cabinets.
[ ] 16.  Close and lock the coin doors. Reinstall and lock the rear cabinet doors. Lower all leg levelers
until wheels lift off of the floor. Then level the cabinets.
Network Software Setup
[ ] 1.  Unlock the coin doors of all cabinets. 
						

							1-10 [ ] 2.  Find the diagnostic switches behind each cabinet’s coin door. Press and hold each cabinet’s
TEST MODE button to enter the Menu System.
[ ] 3.  From each cabinet’s Operator Menu, select the Adjustments Menu.
[ ] 4.  From each cabinet’s Adjustments Menu, select the Linked Play Adjustments Menu.
[ ] 5. LINKED PLAY.
 At each cabinet, set the LINKED PLAY option to YES.
[ ] 6. UNIT ID.
 Each cabinet must have a unique unit ID. Set the option UNIT ID to a separate number
for each cabinet.
[ ] 7. EXIT 
the menu system. If you changed any unit IDs, turn off all machines.
[ ] 8. RESTART ALL CABINETS.
 After the machines reinitialize, they’ll operate in Linked Mode.
[ ] 9. TEST THE SYSTEM. 
Test the network by playing a Linked Mode game on all linked machines. 
						

							Operation          2-1



	
TM




OPERATION
NOTICE: 
The term VGM refers to the video game machine. 
						

							Operation          2-2
GAME OPERATION
STARTING UP
W henever you turn on the machine or restore power, the system executes boot ROM code. The boot
ROM contains self-diagnostic tests. These tests automatically verify and report the condition of the CPU
and other hardware. If the hardware fails a test, the system displays an error message.
Having passed power-up tests, the system enters Attract Mode. Attract Mode consists of typical game
scenes and sounds, alternating with high scores. Attract Mode continues until game play commences.
Players insert currency or tokens to start the game. Each player selects a truck and a course. Play begins
after a countdown period. The game will progress until players quit or exhaust their playtime. At Game-
Over Mode, players may choose to begin again. If players choose not to continue, then the system returns
to Attract Mode.
ARCADE COMPUTER
This game uses an Arcade Computer to control its functions. The Arcade Computer is a customized
personal computer. Housing the Arcade Computer is a PC-like case. Inside, you’ll recognize the
motherboard, plug-in cards, modular power supply, disk drives, etc. Despite these familiar features,
Midway optimized this computer specifically for this game. The Arcade Computer design permits improved
upgradability and service access without sacrificing ruggedness or reliability.
PLAYER CONTROLS
•
 ACCELERATOR. 
The accelerator pedal controls vehicle speed and acceleration.
•
 
•
 BRAKE. 
The brake pedal stops the vehicle, just like a real brake.
•
 
•
 GEARSHIFT. 
The gearshift lever controls the amount of engine torque that reaches the wheels. The
player may choose manual or automatic shift operation. Manual shift operation requires the player to
upshift while accelerating and downshift while decelerating. (This shift has no reverse gear.) Players
select automatic or manual shift trucks before racing. Manual shift trucks allow skilled drivers more
control and faster starts.
•
 NITRO BUTTON. 
The NITRO button is on the end of the shift lever. If the nitro feature is active,
pressing NITRO 
adds a power burst. (The button illuminates when nitro is available.)
•
 START BUTTON
. The START button allows a player to begin or continue play, select courses and
trucks, etc.
 
•
 STEERING WHEEL. 
The steering wheel aims the vehicle and provides course condition feedback.
•
 SLAM CAM. 
The red SLAM CAM 
button displays the cockpit view. The viewpoint is from the driver’s
seat inside the truck.
•
 CRASH CAM. 
The orange CRASH CAM 
button provides a close-up, aerial view of the course. The
viewpoint is from above and behind the truck. A truck camera would see this view.
•
 CHOPPER CAM. 
The yellow CHOPPER CAM button provides a distant aerial view of the course. The
viewpoint is from above and behind the truck. A tracking helichopper camera would see this view. 
						

							Operation          2-3
Player Panel Controls
OPERATOR CONTROLS
CABINET CONTROLS
•
 
DIP Switches on the MagicBus
 Board set some system variables. These DIP switches are for
factory use only. Keep them set at their default value, all off. You can adjust game variables, check
bookkeeping totals and perform diagnostics with diagnostic control switches.
•
 
The Monitor Remote Control 
Board allows you to
 adjust the video display for optimum viewing.
•
 
The Cabinet POWER Switch turns off the game, but does not reset game variables.
•
 
The Computer POWER Switch turns off the computer. It is on the Arcade Computer. During service
procedures, leave this switch on. Use the main power switch to control the power.
DIAGNOSTIC CONTROL SWITCHES
•
 
The SERVICE CREDITS Button allots credits without changing the games bookkeeping total. The
Menu System occasionally assigns a function to SERVICE CREDITS. Check screen directions for
these additional functions.
•
 
The TEST MODE Button causes the game to enter the menu system. To access the Menu System,
press and hold TEST MODE until the Main Menu appears. W ithin the menu system, check screen
directions for additional TEST MODE functions.
•
 
VOLUME DOWN and VOLUME UP Buttons set game sound levels. To make minor volume
changes, press either button briefly. To make major changes, press and hold a button. In the menu
system, VOLUME UP moves the item highlight bar up the menu. VOLUME DOW N moves the item
highlight bar downward. 
						

							Operation          2-4
NOTICE: The 
Attract Mode volume level is separate from the Game Mode volume level.
For greater profits, raise volume levels to add realism and draw attention to this game.
Operator Control Switch Locations
GAME FEATURES
GAME RULES
INSTRUCTIONS
Play instructions appear on the left and right sides of the video monitor.
ONE PLAYER
The player inserts currency or tokens to start the game. Next, the player chooses a truck and course and
presses the START button. The game displays individual statistics periodically, during and after the race.
Additional game information appears on screen as needed.
PLAYER CHOICES
The player can drive any truck on any course. Each truck handles and performs differently. Players learn
which trucks are best for a given course and driving style. Press one of the CAM buttons to select more
trucks.
CONTROLLING A TRUCK
The steering wheel, brake and accelerator control the truck. As in real trucks, the steering wheel directs
the truck. The brake slows or stops the truck, and the accelerator sets speed. A NITRO button on the
gearshift provides an extra burst of power. NITRO flashes to indicate nitro availability. Players must collect
nitro icons along a course by steering directly under the icons. A gauge meters the amount of stored nitro.
INDICATORS
Across the top of the screen, numeric indicators display truck statistics: A ghost image in the upper-left
screen corner indicates shift type, manual or automatic. A meter in the top-left screen corner displays 
						

							Operation          2-5 engine RPM. A top-right gauge measures remaining nitro fuel. At the screen’s top-center, a digital clock
times the current lap in seconds. As appropriate, the screen also flashes CHECKPOINT.
DISPLAYS
The player’s vehicle appears at the center of the screen. The numbers floating above some vehicles
indicate that other humans control them. (These are linked players.) The Arcade Computer controls trucks
without numbers. At the bottom of the screen, another instrument displays relative positions of nearby
trucks. The right side of the screen provides race statistics…
•
  Position per number of trucks (for example, “11
th / 12”)
•
  The number of cars ahead of the player (“9 cars ahead”)
•
 A lap timer for each lap (“0:2:00”)
•
 Score box (only during scored game modes)
GAME ACTION
Action begins after the “three-two-one” countdown. The announcer hollers “Go!” To continue play, the
player must drive past each checkpoint within the time limit. To decrease time between checkpoints,
players must avoid fixed obstacles and other trucks. Ramps allow players to advance more quickly, collect
hovering nitro icons, or avoid obstacles. (Red nitro icons contain more fuel than blue nitro icons.)
Players can change their view of the action by pressing the view buttons. These buttons are on the left
side of the control panel. Game sounds include announcer comments, engine noise, and other effects.
SCORING
Players who set a speed record may enter their initials in the High Score Table. After a player completes a
certain number of courses, he can choose additional courses. (Adjustments determine the number.)
HEAD-TO-HEAD RACING
Networked cabinets offer players linked, head-to-head racing competition. Each player begins the course-
selection process. A join-in message alerts subsequent players to the possibility of a linked race. If players
dont begin their selection process before this message disappears, their races dont link. (Unlinked
players compete in independent races, as usual.) Players may use the solo feature to decline a link.
If other players begin selection during the join-in message, the cabinets communicate over the network.
Each additional cabinet sends out its own packet containing a unique unit ID. In return, each cabinet
receives data from active cabinets. A waiting message indicates that other players are still selecting race
options. Eventually, the last player finishes selecting or the waiting period ends. At this point, all linked
players see the start screen simultaneously.
Latecomers cant participate in an ongoing linked race. They can begin an independent race. The link
automatically terminates when the game is over. Players can then set up another link.
MAINTENANCE
• 
Cabinet and Seat
Use plastic-safe, non-abrasive cleaners to avoid damage. Apply cleaner to a clean cloth or sponge.
Use this to wipe the seat or cabinet. 
Don’t apply cleaner directly to the artwork or cabinet!
• 
Player Controls
Use plastic-safe non-abrasive cleaners to avoid damage. Apply cleaner to a clean cloth or sponge.
Use this to wipe the player controls. Don’t apply the cleaner directly to the controls!
• 
Viewing Glass
To clean the glass, you don’t need to switch off power to the game. Apply a mild glass cleaner to a
clean cloth or sponge. Use this to wipe the viewing glass. Don’t apply the cleaner directly to the glass!
Liquid could drip down into switch or motor circuits and cause erratic game operation. 
						

							Operation          2-6
NOTES