I recently put together a 1TB Retrobat external ssd drive to carry around with my laptop as I'd always wanted a Pandoras Box but work away from home a lot so wasn't ideal for me. Using retrobat on my ASUS strix I can play way past PS2 and any arcade games. Love the idea of the PB though.
Just a comment to wish Tim and all his followers a very happy Xmas and a great new year. Cheers for all the help over the year Tim. Still buzzing over the mini PC choice. Ta muchly.. Paul..
Just when I was thinking we need a list you give us a list!!🎉 You mention the pandory versions so much, do you ever plan to make a video on how to upgrade one of the boxes??
Hey there 👋 I mean. Yeah we would mention Pandory because a lot of these boxes are absolute tat without our set of fixes 😂 - We have video guides on how to install pandory for the pg3d, a500 mini, and the pandora box DX. The DX has a bit of customisation you can do afterwards, but it's simply editing the pandory.xml with notepad++ PandoryMax installation is as simple as extracting two files to the libs folder. Instructions are on the GitHub.
We don't recommend the 10th for 15hz unless it's the early V1, and even then, it has its problems (no access to MAME settings, can't import save games, doesn't update). The only "Pandora Box" types we recommend for 15hz are those in this video, which both have their own problems (Pandora X games limited by hardware, DX, annoying with scaling)... Want only the old games running well? X Games, want more options? DX. Outside that, it might be worth looking at the RGB-PI JAMMA. You'd be able to get games running VERY well on your arcade, but the interface is more suited for consoles rather than an arcade system, like the Pandora Boxes are... And you'd need to buy a Pi3 / Pi4. Arpicade is also a similar project.
I thought I'd ask this on a video about Pandora boxes: Any idea if the official Pandora box store (3A games) is making or selling boxes anymore? I was on AliExpress recently, and their store is quite barren now. I know it's around Chinese new year at the moment, but it'd be pretty sad to see the official store close down.
Very nice video ! Congrats ! I've got just one issue. I have a vertical cabinet from the 90's. It runs a 15hz crt monitor inside. Now, you say the king of the air 2 can run 384x224 at 15Khz in CGA mode but if you go to the aliexpress page, it only lists hdmi and vga as output interfaces. There's no mention to cga and the jamma interface definition has no RGB pins associated. Therefore, officially, such support is non existent. I have two questions: 1 - Is cga 15 Khz and crt 15 hz the same thing ? Means, if I connect my cabinet jamma interface to this pandora box, I'll be getting any image ? 2 - Is this video output achieved using the jamma interface ? Thank you very much !
So the KOA2 JAMMA / arcade box has a JAMMA connector, but when you attach it to a 15khz monitor, it will display a horizontal Pandora DX menu. As it's not the same as a "King of Air 2", they can't advertise it to work as such, nor will it work with vertical games without alteration. 1. CGA 15khz is the video signal, a CRT 15khz would be the monitor itself. If you have the pandora box connected to a monitor via the JAMMA connector (and in low resolution), it's likely to need this style of box. If you can't get an image at all, it may be that the monitor is not connected. If you see a distorted signal, you can use the monitor pots, or try holding the options button down at startup changes the video output. 2. Yes.
@@TeamPandory, I really thank you for you input and knowledge about this devices. Knowing my cabinet, 15Khz crt vertically positioned and a simple jamma connection, what would you advise me to buy. A Pandora Box ? Which one ? Something else ? I've got my eyes in this German website claiming to have a vertical sort of box supporting vertical jamma setups but it costs twice a Pandora Box. Please, lecture me. What would you buy ? Thanks again !
Amazing list, top notch boxes. Any chance we can get links to the Alpha 3D Max through an aliexpress vendors? Brazilian subscriber here and Alibaba is not really an option due to high taxes. Thanks!
@@oscaregame5070 In that case, go with the DX and use Pandory to jailbreak and remove the bilinear blur. Next step up would be a mini pc w/ Batocera, which should be great on that monitor.
A little bit better. Only by a little bit though, I mean the only thing that'd change is youd be able to play PS2 emulation and maybe a few more pc games. The N5095 isn't bad at all.
@@bahadirkaplan-k3p not really. If you check the video, there are different boxes for different people - then you have all the clones that make no sense with billions of games.
I wanted to get the dx but i heard that it is pretty similar to the pandora cx that is cheaper, are there many differences in performance? (i want one to install games and play games like super mario 64 or crash bandicoot from ps1 and donkey kong country from the snes) thanks in advance
Similar in performance but we have the jailbreak for the DX, so we can use Pandorydx. If you're wanting n64 games, I'd advise in moving away from pandora boxes and look towards a mini pc with batocera.
@@benjaminfernandez4091 I'd only really get a pandora box for arcade titles... Even if console systems like ps1 and SNES do work, they should be seen as an extra, as it's usual to not be able to change settings or core emulator- if you run into problems. If you need something cheap for consoles, a super console x or similar will fit you better than a pandora box.
@@TeamPandory i actually have a old pc that i can use with batocera and a pandora box games 12 that allows me to use my arcade machine buttons on any windows 10, so I’ll try to see if that works , thank you so much
@@HonestFred It's basically a Pandora Box, that's probably the phrase you need to search for. Also, make sure you made an aliexpress account and have it logged in before you search.
@@HonestFred You need to contact the shop directly in aliexpress. Unsure if they can still sell it openly anymore due to unico selling MVS related products now- and that'll be why you're having a difficult time finding it.
what would be the best for 2&4 player arcade games. must run MK,street fighters, world heros, nba jam, x men, Simpsons and tmnt & 80-90's arcade classics ( bobble bobble etc)
For the price of the Gunmax you're kind of better off just using an old pc. Great for just plug and play though but at those prices I think you're best off with one of the many mini PC's you have featured. Great Video as always though! I trust you're well dude 👍
Do you know how I can either port a single nes game and have it be a single game arcade or a adapter to plug a new cart to play a single game I know most people want to play all games but I'm getting into nes game deving and I want to have my game as a single arcade Also is there any way to clear all games off the Pandora's if you didn't want them
On the DX, it's possible to auto start something if you hide all but one game. But the thing is, it won't autostart a game you added. So... You could rename / overwrite a game that you want to start that's already on the box... That'll work I reckon.
@@TeamPandory how exactly could I do that though since I use nesmaker to make the games and if I flash the game over another game how would that make it auto start to the start scene of the game ?
There are only two major ones. King of air 2, and air attack 3. None of them support CGA, so you won't easily be running that on the astrocity without it being converted
I keep seeing you mention that Pandoras box 10 has naomi and dreamcast support, but it literally come preinstalled with only a couple of games and even they dont run great. Most naomi games are also unplayable due to I/O and dremcast requires a controller because of additional buttons. But main point is that compatibility is very bad, and it feels like a rippoff as I exclusively bought it for that kind of system emulation. Do you perhaps know of a romset that works best?
You'd need to mention the games your having controller / io issues with, but afaik all the lightgun games are a no-go when installing yourself. I think they use the mame 0.206 set, but it could be something newer. The 10th is good as a unit that's a set box. To mess with any settings or add any games it turns into a bit of a mess. Most if not all of added psp games turn into a hot mess, for example. We can't really recommend it for fiddlers, or if you want to change configurations.
@@TeamPandory i have jpac and im having trouble to convert controls to my jamma cabinet do you have the image of the gun max or similar pandory team release for 15 khz?
Hello. Can we add games by USB stick on the Pandora Gun Max ? And it emulates up to what system at most PS1, Dreamcast, Atomiswave, Naomi ? Thank you, for your answers, have a nice day.
This does illustrate the problems with such boxes, deliberate inconsistency with lack of care for the final results. There are also rather too many other vendors badging or describing their products as being of a Pandora variety. A good example of a great concept ruined by consistently poor implementation. As long as people continue to buy them, there is little chance of them changing their ethos.
Unfortunately it's a bit of a minefield, but it's probably better to see "Pandora Box" not as a brand, but an emulation box for arcades. Hopefully this video can point people in the right direction rather than grabbing some clone of a clone of a clone, but you know that cheap stuff sells, especially when it's cheaper than the others. ... Don't get us started on the random videos that are showing up on TH-cam claiming the worst boxes as gold.. if you want the gold, getting a computer is the only way.
The same can be said for all emulation boards including android tv boxes sold as Super Console X - as many are mediocre. You just gotta sort through the landfill to find the good ones ;-)
I wonder what software runs on the pc version ?? It says that boots on windows first, and it runs great on that low specs machine. I would love to copy the entire hardrive and boot up on a more powerful machine. Ha ha ha 😈😎
We actually tried shifting it to a different system, but it unfortunately refused to load. I have a feeling something like retrobat, launchbox or coinops would be better to run, especially regarding customisation.
Yes, I agree my friend.
Awesome TOP video 🙌
Thanks man. Pew pew 😂
@TeamPandory where can i buy pandora box stuff in Tokyo?
I recently put together a 1TB Retrobat external ssd drive to carry around with my laptop as I'd always wanted a Pandoras Box but work away from home a lot so wasn't ideal for me. Using retrobat on my ASUS strix I can play way past PS2 and any arcade games. Love the idea of the PB though.
Just a comment to wish Tim and all his followers a very happy Xmas and a great new year. Cheers for all the help over the year Tim. Still buzzing over the mini PC choice. Ta muchly.. Paul..
All the best to you too, Paul. Happy Xmas / holidays!
We're still around (keeping busy) and are always in the discord, if you ever needed to chitchat.
Just when I was thinking we need a list you give us a list!!🎉
You mention the pandory versions so much, do you ever plan to make a video on how to upgrade one of the boxes??
Hey there 👋 I mean. Yeah we would mention Pandory because a lot of these boxes are absolute tat without our set of fixes 😂 - We have video guides on how to install pandory for the pg3d, a500 mini, and the pandora box DX. The DX has a bit of customisation you can do afterwards, but it's simply editing the pandory.xml with notepad++
PandoryMax installation is as simple as extracting two files to the libs folder. Instructions are on the GitHub.
"and if you want something more customizable best picking up a MiniPC and using Batocera"
Best line!
Best channel on TH-cam thank you so much
Thankyou!
Sharing is caring 😁
Lmao that dajoho phrase 😂. Noice
Awesome Video. What would you recommend for a 15hz arcade machine? Would you prefer the 10TH ANNIVERSARY or DX? Thanks for the help
We don't recommend the 10th for 15hz unless it's the early V1, and even then, it has its problems (no access to MAME settings, can't import save games, doesn't update).
The only "Pandora Box" types we recommend for 15hz are those in this video, which both have their own problems (Pandora X games limited by hardware, DX, annoying with scaling)... Want only the old games running well? X Games, want more options? DX.
Outside that, it might be worth looking at the RGB-PI JAMMA. You'd be able to get games running VERY well on your arcade, but the interface is more suited for consoles rather than an arcade system, like the Pandora Boxes are... And you'd need to buy a Pi3 / Pi4. Arpicade is also a similar project.
Why not 10th anniversary for jamma crt 15khz??? V1 tested v2 o v3 have a problem??
Do ps1 pbp games work when added on the pbox 10th?
Hello,
Where can you buy the light guns for the Pandora Box 10th Anniversary?
That would interest me.
Aliexpress
Have you guys tested a Mister system? Would be good to get the team Pandory breakdown
Actually.. we do 😂 there's a lot to do and too little time
I thought I'd ask this on a video about Pandora boxes: Any idea if the official Pandora box store (3A games) is making or selling boxes anymore? I was on AliExpress recently, and their store is quite barren now. I know it's around Chinese new year at the moment, but it'd be pretty sad to see the official store close down.
what happened to the pandora box and 3A 3H.... Will they make other Pandoras? When do they come out? Why can't they be found anymore pandora?
I just discovered the store is closed as well. I just wonder if they will ever be improvements or are we stuck with what we already have.
Very nice video ! Congrats !
I've got just one issue. I have a vertical cabinet from the 90's. It runs a 15hz crt monitor inside. Now, you say the king of the air 2 can run 384x224 at 15Khz in CGA mode but if you go to the aliexpress page, it only lists hdmi and vga as output interfaces. There's no mention to cga and the jamma interface definition has no RGB pins associated. Therefore, officially, such support is non existent. I have two questions:
1 - Is cga 15 Khz and crt 15 hz the same thing ? Means, if I connect my cabinet jamma interface to this pandora box, I'll be getting any image ?
2 - Is this video output achieved using the jamma interface ?
Thank you very much !
So the KOA2 JAMMA / arcade box has a JAMMA connector, but when you attach it to a 15khz monitor, it will display a horizontal Pandora DX menu. As it's not the same as a "King of Air 2", they can't advertise it to work as such, nor will it work with vertical games without alteration.
1. CGA 15khz is the video signal, a CRT 15khz would be the monitor itself. If you have the pandora box connected to a monitor via the JAMMA connector (and in low resolution), it's likely to need this style of box. If you can't get an image at all, it may be that the monitor is not connected. If you see a distorted signal, you can use the monitor pots, or try holding the options button down at startup changes the video output.
2. Yes.
@@TeamPandory, I really thank you for you input and knowledge about this devices. Knowing my cabinet, 15Khz crt vertically positioned and a simple jamma connection, what would you advise me to buy. A Pandora Box ? Which one ? Something else ? I've got my eyes in this German website claiming to have a vertical sort of box supporting vertical jamma setups but it costs twice a Pandora Box. Please, lecture me. What would you buy ?
Thanks again !
I'm a simple man, I see Virtua Cop gameplay, I keep watching
Amazing list, top notch boxes.
Any chance we can get links to the Alpha 3D Max through an aliexpress vendors?
Brazilian subscriber here and Alibaba is not really an option due to high taxes. Thanks!
Unfortunately not. Mr Matt's arcade does redistribution in America though. Maybe send him an email? (Site is in description)
@@TeamPandory cool thx!
Hi Can you please share the link to the joy stick you are using?
Thank you. Which version is the best for jamma with the best audio/video performance?
@@justintheparkenator using the JAMMA out for video, or vga / hdmi ?
@@TeamPandory looking for both a vga version and a crt version
@@TeamPandorylooking for both a vga and separate crt version
How about the 3d pandora pro? Is it same with alpha 3d max?
Hi guys, what is the better pandora box for install the last pandory in a Naomi monitor 29" crt with jamma?
A Naomi monitor... What resolutions does it support, VGA input or not?
@@TeamPandory thanks for the answer, it's a Nanao of Sega with VGA Cable, I think 640*480 and 31khz
@@oscaregame5070 In that case, go with the DX and use Pandory to jailbreak and remove the bilinear blur. Next step up would be a mini pc w/ Batocera, which should be great on that monitor.
@@TeamPandory oh thanks, you say that that monitor could support a mini PC without a ATI card? I'm a beginner in this arcade world
I have the DX with a custom set games from Potatoes Resurrection Project: excellent
Can you share a link to a Jamma version of the Pandoras Box DX?
Dx vaporized ..... Pandora vaporized ... Why
qual a melhor com JAMMA?
Can you connect an x-arcade tankstick to that gunmax pc?
Maybe. I'll give a few controllers a try. Don't have the xarcade though
I wonder how well the pandora mini PC would work if you removed the M2 drive and stuck it in an Intel N100 chipset mini pc? :)
A little bit better. Only by a little bit though, I mean the only thing that'd change is youd be able to play PS2 emulation and maybe a few more pc games.
The N5095 isn't bad at all.
can you say ? what is best amazon pandora box retro console? thanks.
@@bahadirkaplan-k3p not really. If you check the video, there are different boxes for different people - then you have all the clones that make no sense with billions of games.
I wanted to get the dx but i heard that it is pretty similar to the pandora cx that is cheaper, are there many differences in performance? (i want one to install games and play games like super mario 64 or crash bandicoot from ps1 and donkey kong country from the snes) thanks in advance
Similar in performance but we have the jailbreak for the DX, so we can use Pandorydx.
If you're wanting n64 games, I'd advise in moving away from pandora boxes and look towards a mini pc with batocera.
@@TeamPandory maybe i’ll just play n64 on my pc, but for snes and ps1 is it gonna be enough with a dx or cx?
@@benjaminfernandez4091 I'd only really get a pandora box for arcade titles... Even if console systems like ps1 and SNES do work, they should be seen as an extra, as it's usual to not be able to change settings or core emulator- if you run into problems.
If you need something cheap for consoles, a super console x or similar will fit you better than a pandora box.
@@TeamPandory i actually have a old pc that i can use with batocera and a pandora box games 12 that allows me to use my arcade machine buttons on any windows 10, so I’ll try to see if that works , thank you so much
Maybe I should try one of these for Nova Blast.
Hell yeah! Might be a perfect match 😊
Hey where did you purchase the neo geo mvs game pad?
You mean the box? Got that from AliExpress years ago. Unsure if they're still on but grabbed it from the yinglucky store
@@TeamPandory thanks for reply. Been searching aliexpress without any luck
@@HonestFred It's basically a Pandora Box, that's probably the phrase you need to search for. Also, make sure you made an aliexpress account and have it logged in before you search.
I was looking specifically for the mvs neo geo two player box. Do you have a link for that?
@@HonestFred You need to contact the shop directly in aliexpress.
Unsure if they can still sell it openly anymore due to unico selling MVS related products now- and that'll be why you're having a difficult time finding it.
Witch one will be best for air bike cops ?
what would be the best for 2&4 player arcade games. must run MK,street fighters, world heros, nba jam, x men, Simpsons and tmnt & 80-90's arcade classics ( bobble bobble etc)
I'm interested in this, too!
Hi I'm trying to buy a Pandora box that allows me to plug in a joystick with buttons using PCB with USB
For the price of the Gunmax you're kind of better off just using an old pc. Great for just plug and play though but at those prices I think you're best off with one of the many mini PC's you have featured. Great Video as always though! I trust you're well dude 👍
Thanks for asking 😊👍 But yeah, things may turn on it's head come next year. Things are happening regarding my day job.. stupid ai took mah jerbs
@@TeamPandory Oh damn dude. Sorry to hear that! A.I sucks. I have a degree in illustration. Lol. Bloody redundant that is now!
@@johnboydojo my degree was useless as soon as I graduated 😂. All good though. I'm a survivor.
@@TeamPandory I feel a song coming on... 😂
@@johnboydojo ... Pink Floyd? ... Or don't let them b*stards drag you down?
Do you know how I can either port a single nes game and have it be a single game arcade or a adapter to plug a new cart to play a single game I know most people want to play all games but I'm getting into nes game deving and I want to have my game as a single arcade
Also is there any way to clear all games off the Pandora's if you didn't want them
On the DX, it's possible to auto start something if you hide all but one game. But the thing is, it won't autostart a game you added.
So... You could rename / overwrite a game that you want to start that's already on the box... That'll work I reckon.
@@TeamPandory how exactly could I do that though since I use nesmaker to make the games and if I flash the game over another game how would that make it auto start to the start scene of the game ?
@@wardogdauwdd3020 can nes maker create ROM files that run on nes emulators ?
@@TeamPandory if I remember correctly it make roms for flashing comparable carts
@@wardogdauwdd3020 If you want, I can test one out for you if you like. Come to our discord (in video description) and we can give it a shot . ;-)
Anyone try the supretro Pandora box ?? Better cpu gpu with trackball .. im try find more information
I Want Buy a Sega Astro City. What is the best Pandora Box for Vertical shmups?
There are only two major ones. King of air 2, and air attack 3. None of them support CGA, so you won't easily be running that on the astrocity without it being converted
Better looking at a pi solution with converter for this I think like arpicade, or even the mistercade.
@@TeamPandory okay, will Buy i need a Pi. Which converter will i Need for This?
@@undeadlight5221 rgb-pi is decent. You'll need the JAMMA one for an original astrocity
I keep seeing you mention that Pandoras box 10 has naomi and dreamcast support, but it literally come preinstalled with only a couple of games and even they dont run great. Most naomi games are also unplayable due to I/O and dremcast requires a controller because of additional buttons.
But main point is that compatibility is very bad, and it feels like a rippoff as I exclusively bought it for that kind of system emulation. Do you perhaps know of a romset that works best?
You'd need to mention the games your having controller / io issues with, but afaik all the lightgun games are a no-go when installing yourself. I think they use the mame 0.206 set, but it could be something newer.
The 10th is good as a unit that's a set box. To mess with any settings or add any games it turns into a bit of a mess.
Most if not all of added psp games turn into a hot mess, for example.
We can't really recommend it for fiddlers, or if you want to change configurations.
How much latency we get ? in Pandora 10th
th-cam.com/video/OQ1C5iv8fB4/w-d-xo.htmlfeature=shared
lol bees hahahah 7:17
판도라박스10주년 앞으로 업데이트 될 가능성이 있나요?
그것은 최대 3A입니다. 불행하게도 우리는 이 시스템을 너무 많은 보안으로 잠그기로 결정했기 때문에 이 시스템을 제어할 수 없습니다.
Can we burn the software of gun max to a pc and run it?
I don't see why not. Then again, you could run any frontend. Retrobat, teknoparrot, launchbox, there are a LOT of options for pc users.
@@TeamPandory i have jpac and im having trouble to convert controls to my jamma cabinet do you have the image of the gun max or similar pandory team release for 15 khz?
Hello. Can we add games by USB stick on the Pandora Gun Max ?
And it emulates up to what system at most PS1, Dreamcast, Atomiswave, Naomi ?
Thank you, for your answers, have a nice day.
You can, but it's still a bit of a work around. Check out th-cam.com/video/s2K-51--MaM/w-d-xo.htmlfeature=shared
@@TeamPandory That's good, but I talked about the Pandora Gun Max and not the Alpha Max 3D.
@@RESIDENT-EVIL-Fan-since96 There are two gunmax systems, one on PC and one on a similar board to the Alpha Max 3D. Do you mea the PC version?
@@TeamPandory Yes, the PC version, this is that.
Any new update about Pandora Box pls . Make a video
There's nothing new worth mentioning. This video is still relevant for 2024.
This does illustrate the problems with such boxes, deliberate inconsistency with lack of care for the final results.
There are also rather too many other vendors badging or describing their products as being of a Pandora variety.
A good example of a great concept ruined by consistently poor implementation. As long as people continue to buy them, there is little chance of them changing their ethos.
Unfortunately it's a bit of a minefield, but it's probably better to see "Pandora Box" not as a brand, but an emulation box for arcades.
Hopefully this video can point people in the right direction rather than grabbing some clone of a clone of a clone, but you know that cheap stuff sells, especially when it's cheaper than the others.
... Don't get us started on the random videos that are showing up on TH-cam claiming the worst boxes as gold.. if you want the gold, getting a computer is the only way.
The same can be said for all emulation boards including android tv boxes sold as Super Console X - as many are mediocre. You just gotta sort through the landfill to find the good ones ;-)
@@electroarcade you can say the same about laptops... I've seen the worst pile of garbage from the largest companies in the world.
I wonder what software runs on the pc version ??
It says that boots on windows first, and it runs great on that low specs machine.
I would love to copy the entire hardrive and boot up on a more powerful machine.
Ha ha ha 😈😎
We actually tried shifting it to a different system, but it unfortunately refused to load. I have a feeling something like retrobat, launchbox or coinops would be better to run, especially regarding customisation.
Pandora 3d ex 2 is the best for Dreamcast Naomi
If you jailbreak and use flycast perhaps.
Button remapping puts the gun max gameboard ahead.
Brazil first here😂
using a minipc and turn it on/off vie power is probably not that funny for a long time?
You mean turning it off at the mains ? No. You want to either shut down or put it into sleep mode.
The gunmax pc shuts down when you push the button.
but i cant find it anywhere:)
it wont be the bestof 2024
Does the Alpha 3D Max Arcade work as fine with a jamma adapter? Generally for all non-jamma boxes?
Thank you for your reviews...
It should work okay, for controls that is. Power and VGA / hdmi will need to be separate I think.
I've been told by the manufacturer that it's not worth it. They recommend just getting one of their prebuilt kits. Shipping is expensive in that case.