iMAME Arcade Emulator Hits the App Store (For Now)

[EightBySix]

FYI...

iMAME ships with nine "less than stellar" ROMs to play, but apparently can load arbitrary ROMs using a 3rd party utility such as iExplorer without jailbreaking:
It seems that the same method used to get games into iDOS also works in iMAME. Twitter user @mattlukens mentions, "Yep, add a .zip rom to the Docs folder through PhoneView and it works perfect! Just tried Crime Fighters!" He also provided a screenshot. The clock is really ticking now on Apple pulling this down



http://www.macrumors.com/2011/12/21/imame-arcade-emulator-hits-the-app-store-for-now/

[Bender]

just got this!  so glad I don't have to jailbrake my phone for mame!!!

next gotta find a keyboard encoder for the I phone

get it while it's still up....like now....hurry!

[Meph]

The real kicker with this is that iMame is compatable with the iCade.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/retro-gaming/e762/?itm=icade&rkgid=279943036&cpg=oggdgt1&source=google_gadgets&creative=9540425685&adpos=1t2&gclid=CIfs4KPKlq0CFQjd4AodV3fkmg

This app will get pulled quickly so like the OP said, grab it while you can.

[ids]

Not having an iOS device, is the apple store the only legit means to get apps installed?  I guess I could google that, but....
It seems to me that if I wrote an app, i should be able to install it on my own device, as well as give it away, without some corporate overlord getting in the way.  But I could be wrong. 

[BobA]

Got it via iTunes just in case I ever get an ipad or ipod

[DeLuSioNal29]

Anyone figure out how to transfer files over?  The "iExplorer" program mentioned above is bogus.  Here's a review in the App store:

Customer:  Usmcss
"Thought this was the app I needed to work with imame. It's not, that is my fault.  But, the main problem is; the app doesn't work!!!!!

If you were an honorable company, you would fix this or refund everyone's Money!!!!!"

[deadpool18]

Anyone figure out how to transfer files over?  The "iExplorer" program mentioned above is bogus.  Here's a review in the App store:

Customer:  Usmcss
"Thought this was the app I needed to work with imame. It's not, that is my fault.  But, the main problem is; the app doesn't work!!!!!

If you were an honorable company, you would fix this or refund everyone's Money!!!!!"

I downloaded a program called "ifunbox."  I was able to use it to navigate to the documents folder in imame.  I dropped in a bunch of roms (.37B), and they all worked really well with a few minor exceptions.

I can also confirm that it works great with the icade.  Once I set the options to fullscreen with scanlines, everything looked good!

[DeLuSioNal29]

Thanks for the info.  I'll give it a shot.  Glad to hear it works with the iCade.  I saw that in the "options" in iMame, but didn't have a chance to try it out yet.

**EDIT**  "ifunbox" is not coming up in the app store.  I finally figured out that it's a PC program that let's you move files to your iPhone.  Grab it here:  http://dl.i-funbox.com/ifunbox_en.zip


D

[Bender]

I used iexplorer (free and runs on your computer with the ios device attached) opened iphone/apps/imame/documents and dropped a few roms (.37b) in there and was good to go

[Mac Green]

I just downloaded it now when my ipod is fixed ill install it on there

[DeLuSioNal29]

...dropped a few roms (.37b) in there and was good to go

So, now the magic question is, what version of MAME does iMAME run on?  Will .036 roms work?

**EDIT** This port is based on iMAME4ALL which is v0.37b, so the 0.37b roms need to be used.

D

[wp34]

Won't run on my first gen iTouch.   

It probably wouldn't play NFL Blitz anyway.   

[Donkbaca]

Has an option for tv out. Any blue tooth controllers work with this thing?

[deadpool18]

Has an option for tv out. Any blue tooth controllers work with this thing?

It says that the icontrol pad works with it.

[deadpool18]

Thanks for the info.  I'll give it a shot.  Glad to hear it works with the iCade.  I saw that in the "options" in iMame, but didn't have a chance to try it out yet.

**EDIT**  "ifunbox" is not coming up in the app store.  I finally figured out that it's a PC program that let's you move files to your iPhone.  Grab it here:  http://dl.i-funbox.com/ifunbox_en.zip


D

Sorry! I should have been more specific 

[ark_ader]

I have the same app for my Androids.  It runs very well, and finally an app you don't have to mess with your warranty with. 

[Meph]

The iSNES app has WiiMote support so you can use the Nintendo Classic Controller with the WiiMote.  Anyone know if there is a separate app that gives WiiMote support so you can assign keys/functions?  Mame on the Ipad with a Classic controller would be badass!

[Donkbaca]

Trying to find info on a BYO ICade.  The Icade is just a box with a joystick and buttons mated to a bluetooth device. 

What I am thinking would be sweet is to get a blue tooth controller, build your own little control box with a place to dock your phone to a ipod to A/V adapter and you have the most portable Mame device ever.

[BobA]

Trying to find info on a BYO ICade.  The Icade is just a box with a joystick and buttons mated to a bluetooth device. 

What I am thinking would be sweet is to get a blue tooth controller, build your own little control box with a place to dock your phone to a ipod to A/V adapter and you have the most portable Mame device ever.

Lots of bluetooth gamepads that could be moded.

http://www.gizmag.com/gametel-bluetooth-gamepad/20547/
http://www.gizmag.com/icontrolpad-bluetooth-gaming-controller-for-smartphones/20362/
http://gametelcontroller.com/
Search on ebay for bluetooth gamepad (Lots of PS3 ones even a moded xb360 one)

[Donkbaca]

Need a bluetooth gamepad that would work without jailbreaking

[BobA]

Need a bluetooth gamepad that would work without jailbreaking

You could do a bluetooth keyboard hack which is what the icade has in it since it is supported by an ipad without jailbreaking.

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/81-key-slim-portable-rechargeable-bluetooth-wireless-keyboard-black-45253

[Bender]

Need a bluetooth gamepad that would work without jailbreaking

You could do a bluetooth keyboard hack which is what the icade has in it since it is supported by an ipad without jailbreaking.

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/81-key-slim-portable-rechargeable-bluetooth-wireless-keyboard-black-45253

does that mean it's using keyboard strokes for input?
if so could you use a wired keyboard, or a keyboard encoder?

looks like it's already down from itunes

[highlander4]

imame is already gone.  I just tried to download it.

[Havok]

imame is already gone.  I just tried to download it.

And that's why the Android phones will rule...

[ark_ader]

I play mame with my zeemote.

It might work with apple stuff....

[Bender]

looks like the icade uses 2 keystrokes for each button which make a keyboard hack unrealistic

http://gaming.stackexchange.com/questions/24774/can-i-configure-mame-to-work-with-the-icade-joystick-and-its-keyboard-interface

[taylormadelv]

This is an interesting discussion topic. The way I see it, computers, meaning desktops/laptops are a dying breed and all these phone/tablet OS's are very quickly taking over. Phones/tablets have become so fast and powerful that many people that do not need a powerfull workstation can do everything they need on their phone/tablet.
So it is natural for mame to migrate over to Android and hopefully get lots of support and updates as this is the future for all computing in general and of course our favorite application of all, mame.
iOS vs Android is just Mac vs PC, Beta Vs VHS all over again and we ALL know what will win out, always does every time. Apple is a great company that makes superior but way more expensive products and Android looks like the way to go from here. When tablets start getting bigger and cheaper, mame will be a BLAST to run on a touch screen!

[EightBySix]

I'm looking forward to the day when my desktop machine is a keyboard and screen with a slot in the side to take my phone. I can then just pop my phone (computer) out when I'm done, and carry it to the next place. my phone has more than enough computing power for day to day tasks, it's just the interfaces aren't up to it yet.

[ark_ader]

I'm looking forward to a desktop with just one cable.

This is very similar behind my desk



Actually I have four crates of the stuff too.  All needed.

[Donkbaca]

Back on topic. How do we interface a MAME joystick with a non- jail broken iphone

[Space Fractal]

Don't break the rules on this forum. Installous is illegal and it's a hurts to app dev users (myself included). I not seen legal apps used from that.

Anyway icade send a key when pulled, and again when you release it. So a normal Bluetooth keyboard would not work, since I see it's a problem to send the relaeased key, which is unnormal (but required for iPad, due how it's work).

Imame works nice for my iPad 1 and works nice with icade too, litlle except its might have few ms delay in some(?) games (which can been annoying in imame, but not seen that issue in other games). Tested few roms, some can slowdown, other works excellent and some did work at all (due romset I have).

But imame is now removed (as excepted), but I did got it and tested. It's based on v0.37b5 with extra games from other version... Same version seen on other game consoles.

Ps. iPad is not jailbreaked.

[Bender]

Back on topic. How do we interface a MAME joystick with a non- jail broken iphone

Seems like it's just the icade and the icontrolpad for now, the gametel is not out yet (and who knows, icontrolpad has some legal issues with gametel so we may never see it)
I wish they were a bit cheaper so I could hack one but $60-80 is a bit much to F- around with

[DeLuSioNal29]

Space Fractal is right.  The iCade has a proprietary bluetooth interface.  I own one, and I'm in the process of writing a review on it with pics.  (coming soon).  One of my pet peeves is it's not compatible with any other bluetooth device, due to the encoder sending two keyboard presses for each button pressed.  Once when you first press it, and once where you let go of it.  I've tried Atari's greatest hits (comes with iCade) on the wireless bluetooth keyboard and it's doesn't work, unless you press two of the keys noted below.  It makes it impossible to play wirelessly unless you have the icade controller:  by design of course.

So a hack is... out of the question.  HOWEVER, that said, I am able to successfully, plug in my iPad using the external HDMI interface and the iCade.  So I'm able to plug my iPad into the TV, sit back on the couch and coffee table and play wireless MAME games on my HDTV set (and it's portable).  :-)

For those interested:  Here's a link to the Developers Kit for the iCade where you can read up on it.  Below is an excerpt from the keymapping portion.

http://www.ionaudio.com/downloads/iCade_Dev_Resource_v1.3.pdf

DeLuSioNaL29

[Space Fractal]

The Reading for that design is due limit of iOS: It's somewhere only support INKEY$ command.

Easy to implement into a game by dev throught.

so no hack without mod te input system this time.

[ark_ader]

It appears that there is a driver for the Zeemote for IOS.

Is there a reason you guys cannot hack that?

[Bender]

It appears that there is a driver for the Zeemote for IOS.

Is there a reason you guys cannot hack that?

2 reasons

1: It looks like an analog control, analog is notoriously hard to hack and most of the mame games I want to use are digital
2: I believe as of now you need to jailbreak your iphone to get it to work

looks like a nice small portable device, maybe in the future it will be an option

[DeLuSioNal29]

OK, finally did some testing.  The iPad2 version works great using the digital out accessory (HDMI).  It auto formats it to 4:3 even on a widescreen HDTV.

As you can see in the pics below, I simply connected it to the TV and then sat back and played it wirelessly via bluetooth (using the iCade).  Worked perfectly.




Was thinking that I could even take it further and buy an extra iCade ($100) and leave it un-assembled, using only the control panel portion.  No need to even build a box for it, since it's self contained!  Instant portable controller for the iPad!  However, I did take it apart to take a peek at the encoder and innards.  You could always build another box around it if you are so inclined.









DeLuSioNaL29

[Mario]

imame is already gone.  I just tried to download it.

   I should have downloaded it when I first saw this thread.

Can someone post the app file from their iTunes folder for us to download? Don't know if it will work, but I want to try to install it into iTunes myself. Thanks.

Mario

[highlander4]

imame is already gone.  I just tried to download it.

   I should have downloaded it when I first saw this thread.

Can someone post the app file from their iTunes folder for us to download? Don't know if it will work, but I want to try to install it into iTunes myself. Thanks.

Mario

I'm with Mario

[BobA]

D29 Nice disassembly of the ipad great pictures and layout.