Snap On Arcade System "credit button" issue

[xer0cool]

Hello,

My father-in-law has a Snap-On arcade gaming system. It runs into this issue where I select a game, it only runs in what appears to be “demo” mode of the game and does not allow me to actually play. The joystick and buttons work normally in the menus, but once a game is launched, I can’t add credits using the credit button.

I opened the cabinet and connected a keyboard, which allowed me to add credits using the “5” key, and the game let me play with the gamepad (not keyboard). I searched through the PinballX folder and reviewed the button configuration files. All of the button mappings appear to be correct, and I even reconfigured each button on the gamepad, but the issue persists—pressing the credit button still has no effect in-game.

For context, I don’t have much experience with arcade software or programming. I’m fairly comfortable with computer hardware and have built several PCs, but my software knowledge is limited. I will be over there this Saturday (02/07/2026) and I will be able to acquire the info that is needed. Thanks.

[Mike_da_Spike]

Hello,

I’m not familiar with a “Snap‑On arcade gaming system” as an official product, so I looked it up.
Is it this type of machine?
 https://www.facebook.com/100057216739003/videos/oh-hell-yeah-snapon-arcade-game-for-my-customers-/367005264200891/

If so, these cabinets are usually custom‑built systems running Windows with a frontend such as PinballX or another launcher, combined with one or more emulators underneath.
That means the issue can come from several layers: the frontend, the emulator, or the input configuration of the game itself.
To troubleshoot this properly, we’ll need the PinballX log files and the PinballX settings file from the machine. These files show how the frontend launches the emulator and whether any input errors occur.

About the credit button issue
You mentioned:
•     The joystick and buttons work normally in the PinballX menus
•     Once a game launches, the credit button stops working
•     Adding credits does work when using a keyboard (“5” key)
•     The gamepad works for gameplay, just not for adding credits
This strongly suggests that:
1.     PinballX is working correctly, since the controls function in the frontend menus.
2.     The emulator is not receiving the credit‑button input from the cabinet’s encoder.
3.     The credit button may be mapped in PinballX, but not mapped inside the emulator itself.

PinballX is only a frontend.
Once a game is launched, the emulator takes over completely.
So the emulator must have the correct input mappings for:
•     Coin / credit
•     Start buttons
•     Player controls
If the emulator is Visual Pinball, the credit button must be configured in VPXs internal input settings, not only in PinballX.

Arcade or Pinball?
You also mentioned PinballX, which is primarily designed for virtual pinball cabinets.
It can be used for arcade cabinets, but:
•     PinballX does not handle the controls of the game itself
•     The emulator must be configured separately
•     Each emulator (MAME, RetroArch, etc.) has its own input system
So it’s important to confirm whether we’re dealing with:
•     An arcade emulator (MAME, RetroArch, etc.)
•     A pinball emulator (Visual Pinball, Future Pinball, etc.)
•     Or a mix of both
This determines where the credit‑button mapping must be fixed.

Recommended next steps
Since you’ll have access to the machine on Saturday, I recommend gathering the following:
1.     PinballX log.txt (after simulate the issue)
2.     PinballX.ini (settings file)
3.     A screenshot of the emulator’s input configuration
4.     Whether the cabinet uses a USB encoder (e.g., Xin‑Mo, Zero Delay, IPAC)
5.     Any other information which could help us to find the cause of your issue  

With that information, it becomes much easier to pinpoint the cause.
If you’re new to PinballX, the “Start to Finish” documentation included with PinballX is very helpful.
It explains how the frontend interacts with emulators and how input devices are handled.

 

[xer0cool]

Thanks for the quick and thorough response! Yes, that’s the same machine from the link you sent.

I’ll be able to grab the pinballx.ini and log.txt files this weekend. I’ve printed out your response and will go through it to see if I can track down some answers for you.

Thanks again—talk soon!

[Mike_da_Spike]

6 hours ago, xer0cool said:

Thanks for the quick and thorough response! Yes, that’s the same machine from the link you sent.

I’ll be able to grab the pinballx.ini and log.txt files this weekend. I’ve printed out your response and will go through it to see if I can track down some answers for you.

Thanks again—talk soon!

Don't forget to most important part : 
 

Quote

the “Start to Finish” documentation included with PinballX is very helpful.
It explains how the frontend interacts with emulators and how input devices are handled.