NEW PANDORA BOX: Better than the 10th!? Alpha 3D Max Review [FULL Trackball Support]

[@Retro_Dad]

Looking forward to your upgrade. Thanks for the review.

[@TeamPandory]

Thanks for watching 😁. Will be interesting to see how it's received

[@WickedGamerCollector]

First time I noticed this board was in 2022 in an arcade machine.

[@TeamPandory]

They seem to be listening to the audience too... Will be interesting to see what happens with this one.

[@valentine_puppy]

Killer Instinct 1 and 2 were Midway games that ran on a custom R4600-100MS @ 50MHz CPU which has 3D calculations capability which allowed it to help out with 3D elements while the dual FPGA from Altera on the board did work there too for 3D. They all three made the graphics.

[@Widerspruchsfreiheit]

Nice review, thanks mate.

[@TeamPandory]

Thanks for watching!

[@mr.mattsarcade9282]

Great review, nice job man

[@TeamPandory]

Glad you liked it!

[@lucagil64]

thanks for this review!

[@TeamPandory]

Glad it was helpful!

[@johnboydojo]

I met the original Wipeout team in Liverpool during my student days. Good guys. One programmer though had Possibly the worst dandruff I've ever seen on a human being. I swear it looked like he just came in from the Snow!😂

[@TeamPandory]

White liiiiiiines 🎵 😅 I used to live near Liverpool, and had NO IDEA that all these GREAT software houses were from that area. Completely insane how we find all this out many years down the line

[@johnboydojo]

@@TeamPandory Old Psygnosis which became part of Sony Europe. Lovely building and the lead director's office was insane! Guy had proper pulse rifles from Aliens and loads of other cool stuff! They got hounded by the media for naming it Wipeout. More so for the font, if you look at it I can kind of see why...Whip E Out! Hahaha. They liked the clubs and dance music scene and they knew what they were doing! Nice guys. They were making a Formula 1 game at the time for the then unreleased PlayStation 3 console. They were even playing online against their Japanese counterparts. Pretty funny as they had a large whiteboard with what looked like leaderboards!

[@Retro_Dad]

Now with Pandory, this box is overall better than any other Pandora Box. If you're undecided on one, get this one, you won't regret it.

[@NathanOZlegend]

ill have to buy this!

[@arcaderacer586]

This one looks sweet. Im still Rockin my pandoras box 5 999 game in my SF cab

[@TeamPandory]

Just before our time - But would like to have a look at maybe the Pandora Box 3 I think? TBH this one is actually looking to be one of the best available, and it won't break the bank... Oh and it's not been cloned (yet?)

[@arcaderacer586]

@@TeamPandory the pandora 3 had bad audio on many games,there was also clone of the 3 called a Rocky box and it was not good at all . I think the sound improved on the 4 and 4s

[@TeamPandory]

@@arcaderacer586 I saw a modified version of the 3 on KZbin and it looked fantastic. Maybe the games list was cut down a lot to where all games worked rather well... But heck, they're pretty rare nowadays

[@arcaderacer586]

@@TeamPandory its possible some Of ali sellers may have some of them laying around. During the 3’s heyday there was many many clones and they all looked the same.. I have built and sold over 100 of them over the years using junk donor cabs. The blue elf box was another that was semi popular during that time period. I also still have my gameking 2019 game pcb. It runs from a P4 pc motherboard. Its selling point was it played KI and ki 2 very well

[@super3dcow]

Thank you for this review. I am sad that the better boxes always lack Jamma support. I want something to add to my existing arcade machine that's lacking in games, and has a trackball. I might just have to deal with the 10th v2 edition.

[@TeamPandory]

Yes, if you choose a Pandora Box you certainly need to deal with compromises. BTW: Quick reminder that the 10th does NOT support trackball. Even saying the claims that the DX supports trackball is a stretch.

[@RESIDENT-EVIL-Fan-since96]

Hello, For you, is it better than the Pandora Box 10th Anniversary V2 ? Thank you, for your answer, have a nice day.

[@TeamPandory]

Very close! The 10th has a newer mobile-class ARM processor while this has a slightly older but very comparable desktop-class processor, coupled with only running a very minimal linux operating system, compared to the overhead of Android 11 on the 10th. It depends on your use-case. If you need CGA output or two player PSP, the 10th is still the winner. This board however has great potential to be modified and extended in ways the 10th currently cannot be.

[@RESIDENT-EVIL-Fan-since96]

@@TeamPandory Okay, I see that. Thank you.

[@TeknologiInformasiBankLampung]

where i can buy the panel controller like that?

[@NewsRedial]

Does the HDMI output audio to the TV as well as video? So it's $100 on the USA link but only $48 on the Alibaba link?

[@TeamPandory]

HDMI outputs both audio and video. 48$ plus postage from the factory, or if you're in the US there's a reseller for quicker delivery.

[@NewsRedial]

@@TeamPandory I'm in the UK. Looking for a box for MAME & also Amiga games (Where I can use a Qwerty keyboard) but a bit bewildered by all the choices. I installed Batocera on an old laptop after wiping the HD and it works but Batocera has no feature to output the video to my TV and don't want to play on an 11" scuffed up screen :) By the way, great video. Clear and lots of details. What does 'usb controllers only as 3p & 4p' mean? You can't use a usb controller to play solo?

[@TeamPandory]

@@NewsRedial Hey there. So yeah, it's looking likely that we'd be able to play Amiga games on this considering we have access to most the files, but unsure when it comes to the keyboard. For this I'd heavily advise on grabbing a Mini PC - an Intel N100 and you'll have anything from a Gameboy all the way to a PS2 emulated! - Regarding the USB controllers, yeah- we could only use USB controllers as controller 3 or 4. Players 1 and 2 are unfortunately hard-coded to use the pandora box harness.

[@NewsRedial]

Thanks for the speedy reply. I'll look into a Mini PC. What's a 'box harness'?

[@henrikmalmborg]

Is there any light guns which works with Alpha 3D Max?

[@RobertPendell]

This is looking pretty typical on the ports. I take it that this should fit in any of the fully assembled pandora box units even the ones without the cut out?

[@TeamPandory]

Yes, they're in the usual positions. Fits the regular steel boxes no problem.

[@RobertPendell]

@@TeamPandory Thanks for that. I ordered one yesterday when they came back in stock. ;) I'll get the box later.

[@poppypop1441]

Can you just use the pandora and just use wireless and wired joypads to play the games if you don’t have the actual arcade to connect it to? As in using the max box as a stand alone and control the games with a wired or wireless joypad for players 1,2,3,4?

[@TeamPandory]

Afaik all usb controllers will start from player 3.

[@jschmidt96]

Good review. I wonder if the Retro Shooters would work on it.

[@raspberrymintendo2171]

Nice review as usual which of these boxes if any from 10th and up will give us the Dreamcast and Naomi games on CRT arcade? On my 10th box those games disappeared from the list. Thanks

[@TeamPandory]

The 10th COULD do it, but it didn't scale particularly well... And then they removed all the Dreamcast / Naomi titles from the CGA menu. Your only options really are RGB-PI, maybe MISTERCADE... Or PC with that conversion board.

[@Eddylive]

I have an older Pandora's box , is it possible to upgrade it perhaps plug a trackball in and play golden tee or maybe remap the buttons for street fighter. In this video you mentioned plug in a keyboard and hit tab, does that work for all Pandora's?

[@TeamPandory]

Depends on the pandora box, but the only boxes that are compatible with trackball are the DX and the max

[@Eddylive]

Does this come with a trackball? I dont see the option for a trackball

[@TeamPandory]

@@Eddylive There might be an option in their shop. Contact the representative and they should be able to help you out.

[@Eddylive]

@@TeamPandory thank you, you guys are amazing, talking to the Alibaba shop now

[@charthers8903]

CRT support? And can it run roms the 10th can’t?

[@teampandorygermany8286]

It has CRT support via VGA but not CGA and it has great potential to run emulators that the 10th cannot, as it already lets you add new libretro cores and doesn't have the overhead of android but instead uses a very minimal linux installation.

[@MichaelLopez-tm8jl]

I have tried four of the controllers you recommended in the pandora 10 video and none of them seem to work😢. (Most recently the Logitech controllers). Do you have a usb controller that will work. With the alpha 3D max?

[@TeamPandory]

Currently USB controllers only work for players 3 and 4. We mentioned it in this video review. Might be worth getting in touch with the devs, perhaps they can send you some new firmware

[@MichaelLopez-tm8jl]

@@TeamPandory I know it only works for players 3 & 4, but I can’t even get controllers to work for those. The direction pads/sticks either don’t work or move characters or a character cannot jump or attack, depending on the game. The usb port doesn’t seem to power any controllers either, so anything that is directly connected via wire is out.

[@truebengalsfan]

Can you connect this to legends ultimate arcade ?

[@TeamPandory]

Sorry, I don't have one... But with the correct cables I think you could repurpose it to work.

[@truebengalsfan]

@@TeamPandorythanks this stuff is all new to me

[@Wick-wayne]

Any one know what controller will work with pandora gbod ex2?

[@game-hardware6373]

My arcade has pandora box 3d PK . Beside the 3d games i prefer playing 2d games. So should i upgrade it to 10th anniversary motherboard or is my pandora 3d PK enough for 2d arcade games? Or is there any other model that i better upgrade to?

[@TeamPandory]

Sorry what is PK?

[@game-hardware6373]

@@TeamPandory when i browse inside menu for the games , top right of the screen it says “ pandora 3d PK” i assume that the model is pandora 3d PK ?

[@alexlevy]

I just ordered one with the Jamma adapter. Do you have an add games walkthrough with regards to adding games in sqllite? Do you have an insert query to run or which tables to add rows?

[@TeamPandory]

It's a bit awkward to do. Will probably make a video about it soon

[@alexlevy]

Thank you! I’ll send a donation to you if you can. Much appreciated :)

[@prestonsmith3137]

Can I use the VGA output to convert to component for a CRT. 240p?

[@TeamPandory]

If you get a decent converter, I don't see why not. Another solution might be the RGB-PI.

[@VladTrajcevski]

Excellent review! Thanks...now "JOHNNYBOUGHTACAAAAAAR!!!"😂

[@yamahaplayer]

Hello. I bought one these arcade boxes online.. Quality of mame, neo games are normal but for systems like Sega mega drive and SNES are terrible. There's a stupid filter and even all the filters are off in system settings the games are not pixelated. Is there another option such as changing emulator settings like connecting to a PC or completely change / install another pandora software??

[@TeamPandory]

That's why we're changing things - kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2TdXqGtetaMoJI

[@ManuelMotion]

Dear Team Pandory, maybe you could help me. I have an old arcade machine from the 90's. I am looking for a jamma Pandora's box just for arcade games. I don't need psp, psx or 3d arcade games (I don't like virtuafighter and that stuff). The most important thing I need is that the arcade games work with the correct aspect ratio, like an old original arcade. Pixel perfect. Crystal clear. You know what I mean? Is there a Pandora's box made especially for me? Thank you!!

[@rushmore3927]

Wonder if the gun kit will be revised with this one? Shame if not.

[@lassmirandadennsiewillja3943]

how do i find out what box i have. Mine seems to be passively cooled and tha 40mm fan is on mounted to the plastic of the cover. Cover is white. i added games with pandory already but want to know if i can jailbreak it and make it my own. Alternatively, is there anyway to have a better peformance by using a computer? Problem there is that you can not turn it on or off by power switching if you want to. And it will always load up windows first and such.

[@TeamPandory]

If you added games with Pandory, it may be a Pandora3D or clone. Usually a better indicator is the amount of games and whatever games menu you have, but it's difficult to judge what you have exactly from KZbin comments. Come to the discord and share a photo of the board itself, games menu and options screen for a more concise answer.

[@Eddylive]

Is it possoble to ise pandory to add games on yhis board? I am thinking od grabbing it for trackball golden tee

[@TeamPandory]

We've not (yet?) included an easy game installer for this board, but Mr Matt's arcade has made a guide and script so it is possible to add games. Check his KZbin channel out

[@shazmanbound1496]

Does it have the option to implement CRT scan lines filter? Didn't saw it in the whole video..

[@TeamPandory]

Not in the options, no. However, as we have access to retroarch settings, I'm pretty sure we can apply them if needed... With a work around!

[@RenBoado-er9iv]

Good day, my pandora 3d+ sd card is corrupted the unit doesn’t continue after the intro, what will I do, wish you could help. Thank you.

[@TeamPandory]

There are a few pandora 3d+ versions. Does it load up if the microsd is not inserted?

[@RenBoado-er9iv]

@@TeamPandory no it doesn’t load up also even if the sd card is not inserted.

[@TeamPandory]

@@RenBoado-er9iv Do you see an intro video when the microsd isn't in? If there's nothing, then you may have a better chance of fixing this. KZbin is not optimal for helping with problems like this, can you maybe come to our discord where we can diagnose your board a bit better? There are multiple versions of the 3D+, and one that is known to be quite unreliable.

[@RenBoado-er9iv]

The intro is still there even without the microsd. But it only shows the intro.

[@RenBoado-er9iv]

Then if i press the setting button on the pandora it shows the setting.

[@andylovelace4126]

$108 with jamma connector inc postage isn't bad 🙂Time to replace my PB 6 I think

[@Thunaresblaze]

Hello friend! Firstly, I want to thank you for the great work you do in your analysis and testing videos, they really make me want to get a "mini PC". Now I would like to ask for help so I don't spend too much without needing to... I want a Mini PC to use as live streaming for OBS. I will use it to capture and transmit. The N100 seems to be very good for this, but do you think that a lower price can do the job or is just the N100 the best for this function? I want to stream or record my videos in 1080p 60fps. If there are options with lower prices, I'll accept it! I don't want to invest too much, just what is necessary. I want to use the Mini PC to leave my Desktop free to use all its power while I record or broadcast live.

[@PJZombie]

-- Are you going to TEST and Review the Upgraded version 2 of the Alpha 3D MAX? It claims to be faster and has quick boot up times.

[@tw3nz0r]

I take it theres no CHAMMA edge version?

[@JazzTechie]

That older rockchip seems to be holding it back a little bit

[@MohammadDoesIRL]

Why are we STILL getting 720P boxes in 2023!?? 😂

[@TeamPandory]

Because retro games usually don't really need much more. 😅

[@MohammadDoesIRL]

@TeamPandory I be playing at 4K on my 55 inch 🤣😎

[@youaintseenmeok]

I never new you could put these in the cases

[@lestat1uk]

Would the egret II spinner and trackball work on this?

[@TeamPandory]

It might, but we don't have the egret ii mini spinner/trackball to test out 😞

[@andylovelace4126]

Do you have a link to a compatible USB Trackball ?

[@TeamPandory]

Sorry for the delay, let me test with the ones I have, and I'll get back to you.

[@Hiroherotheheroofheroes]

Is this Wi-Fi enabled for updates in the future?

[@TeamPandory]

There is no WiFi on this box. 😂

[@zzsprade1950]

Team Parody, I feel like I am going down the proverbial rabbit hole with all the Pandora Boxes. Following reading your Buy Guide, Latency Videos etc I am still keen to have the ability to use Pandory but Jamma on a 15hz monitor. The 10th v2 version concerns me being so restricted. Which model of the "older" versions would be your recommendation?

[@TeamPandory]

For CGA? I'd just stick with a real neogeo MVS w/ banana cart and pick n mix. ... but for a pandora box, the pandora X games is great. Very limited when it comes to power, but it's everything you need in an Astrocity

[@zzsprade1950]

@@TeamPandory Many thanks for the direction. It is appreciated.

[@zzsprade1950]

@@TeamPandory I am looking into a few solutions and trying to follow your buying guide. Bang for buck - any recommendations beside the X. I am thinking of different solutions for the $s, but keen to dip my toe with a Pandora / installing Pandory. To answer your question I am still confirming input on this newly acquired cab, but likely will be CGA.

[@TeamPandory]

​@@zzsprade1950the thing is, the buying guide mostly applies to vga and hdmi. CGA is a bit of a different ballgame that I'll come back to pretty soon. Advice I mentioned earlier here stands though. If you need more power, then RGBpi, arpicade, etc.

[@doughnut_panda]

1That's nice and all but no Polybius?!

[@uselessgamer234]

So does this have the fames market store?

[@TeamPandory]

Nope. Currently there are no pandora boxes with functioning "game stores"

[@uselessgamer234]

@TeamPandory sorry I actually mean the game market from pandora games 3d/plus ones

[@TeamPandory]

Yes. That's what we meant. The games 3d market used to work (poorly), and even then most games were already on the microsd

[@xopher314]

Can you run Naomi games on 15khz monitors with this?

[@TeamPandory]

15khz is not supported. Only VGA / hdmi

[@xopher314]

@@TeamPandory Will keep DMing Aliexpress sellers to see if they have any back stock of the PB 10th Anniversary v1 then. God this is so frustrating.

[@TeamPandory]

@@xopher314 The V1 is okay, but the blur filter goes too far when on 15khz CGA. RGB-PI may be a better option.

[@xopher314]

@@TeamPandory Not for my budget and time. Need a simple plug and play solution for a fleet of Blast City cabinets.

[@TeamPandory]

@@xopher314 if you don't care about Naomi, I'd definitely recommend the pandora X games. Dirt cheap, JAMMA edge, amazing video output without the blur. CPS neogeo arcade games only

[@kynamvu436]

how i could buy this item from asia. i need support thanks anyone who answer it

[@TeamPandory]

The alibaba link is in the description

[@lemnouartazamoucht2294]

I bought it and I regret a lot of 3d games without music

[@TeamPandory]

Are you meaning the PS1 games? You should be able to switch those out with full music versions.

[@andrewwiggins1398]

Is segasonic on there

[@TeamPandory]

No it's not, I wish it was tho. Maybe they'll add it in the future ?

[@srvuk]

RK3288 processor with 1Gb RAM at $100. Not for me. Whenever I see Pandoras box I think of Patrick Swayze from Ghost. "Second verse, same as the first".

[@mobile-oc]

😊

[@JFML1974]

Worse than Pandora box th10? Just the very slow start

[@yugo77100]

55sec pour démarrer c'est juste pas possible. meme si je ne connais pas les pandorax box ( je suis plutôt pc, rpi ) je trouve ca bloquant. bravo pour la prez

[@TeamPandory]

Il charge tout depuis la microsd. Peut-être avec une microSD plus rapide, ou si un fichier cache est créé, il peut démarrer plus rapidement, mais dans une grande salle d'arcade, je ne pense pas que le temps de démarrage soit un gros problème.

[@PJZombie]

Just replace the boot video for a shorter one and you will shorten the time to startup.

[@gabedel9456]

I dont like the GUI

[@danmclaughlin1221]

Nice review but still won't buy one. Raspberry pi 5 is way better

[@Hydro-Ponik]

No lightgun games... No good.

[@TeamPandory]

The pandora gunmax has lightgun games. Uses the same system and five dollars up.