Been away awhile. Suggestions.

[Piss Ant]

Haven't logged on in years ('07 my my last post), but my Mame computer has finally crapped out on me .  So I need to redo my cabinet.  My newest version of Mame is .77 - so looking for the suggestions on the best front ends as well as any new developments I've missed that are cabinet must do's.  Thanks in advance. 

[equlizer]

Hyperspin seems to be the favorite and they are working on V2 at the moment.  Im currently using Maximus Arcade right now (easy to use)  Are you just wanting to play the oldies or all of the new ones?  Knowing that will determine what type of computer you need.

[Turnarcades]

The great thing is that now it's easier than ever to build a basic machine without having to hack hardware and the software available has been refined a lot over the years. The challenge now comes in making something that stands out, but if you're just wanting a nice personal machine then you can work on anything from a low-powered bar-top running classics up to varied controlled huge designs with top end PCs with modern games in, without breaking to much of a sweat. All you need to do is aim for a certain budget and be creative with dressing the machine up.

[leapinlew]

Hyperspin seems to be the favorite and they are working on V2 at the moment.  Im currently using Maximus Arcade right now (easy to use)  Are you just wanting to play the oldies or all of the new ones?  Knowing that will determine what type of computer you need.

The other front popular front end is Mala. I prefer Mala to hyperspin for ease of setup and that it's less busy than Hyperspin.

[markronz]

Hyperspin seems to be the favorite and they are working on V2 at the moment.  Im currently using Maximus Arcade right now (easy to use)  Are you just wanting to play the oldies or all of the new ones?  Knowing that will determine what type of computer you need.

The other front popular front end is Mala. I prefer Mala to hyperspin for ease of setup and that it's less busy than Hyperspin.

I like Mala too.  Also mala doesn't need such a high powered machine.   With Hyperspin you will probably need something dual core, is my guess, to get it to run smoothly. 

[markronz]

Oh and front ends aside ---

1.  First you need to figure out the types of games you want to play, as others have said.
2.  This will help determine how good of a computer you will need.
3.  It will also help you determine what controls you need.  Could be just joysticks and buttons.  Or else you might want things like a trackball, spinner, flight stick, driving wheel, guns, etc.
4.  The as far as bells and whistles go...  I'm trying to think of what might be new since 2007.  But some extras are:
-  keyboard encoders, instead of hacking keyboards manually. 
-  lighting controls LEDWiz, PACLED -- and the lit up controls to go with them
-  There are now MANY options for joysticks and buttons, but of note the "best" joystick is the U360.  So if you have the cash, you could think about those.

So the skys the limit as far as what you want to spend.  There's just so many options out there for everything now.  So figure out your budget and go from there.

[Gray_Area]

Oh and front ends aside ---

1.  First you need to figure out the types of games you want to play, as others have said.
2.  This will help determine how good of a computer you will need.
3.  It will also help you determine what controls you need.  Could be just joysticks and buttons.  Or else you might want things like a trackball, spinner, flight stick, driving wheel, guns, etc.
4.  The as far as bells and whistles go...  I'm trying to think of what might be new since 2007.  But some extras are:
-  keyboard encoders, instead of hacking keyboards manually. 
-  lighting controls LEDWiz, PACLED -- and the lit up controls to go with them
-  There are now MANY options for joysticks and buttons, but of note the "best" joystick is the U360.  So if you have the cash, you could think about those.

So the skys the limit as far as what you want to spend.  There's just so many options out there for everything now.  So figure out your budget and go from there.

Encoders have been relatively mature since '03 - at last with Ultimarc. (I have an IPAC circa late '03, and it's plenty capable.) More features and some changes were added mainly related to new circumstances. Competition didn't really mature until, say, '05 or 6. Mainly left of that lot is GGG, whose products have also changed in the same manner as Ultimarc's.

Unless he is doing a new build/complete re-build (which I might scratch my head at), and his controls and controller still function, I'd say the first thing he need do is re-familiarize himself with MAME. See whether he even wants to upgrade that, and go from there.

[mgb]

I also really like Mala for a frontend.
As far as Hyperspin goes, I think its a really neat frontend but what it really comes down to is having a simple to follow list of games. I turn my machine on for playing games not watching the frontend.

I assume you will be re-using some of the equipment from your old machine?
What do you currently have that you plan on using?

One thing thats really changed over the years is that alot of guys are now using lcd monitors.