Hello! and a Question about DreamHomeArcades

[AICJDR]

Hello everyone!  I'm the new guy in town and I just want to say I am glad I joined this forum.  I have been coming to this website for a while now, but never signed up.  Everyone seems really friendly and helpful so I thought I would give it a whirl.

As of right now I own a 4 player TMNT konami cab and I love it....but I have been wanting to get a MAME cab forever.  I have done a lot of reasearch and basically have come to the conclusion that DREAMHOMEARCADES.com is my best bet.  Does anyone know anything about this website?  Are they easy to deal with?  Do they make quality products?  Is it worth the money?  I have about 2 grand saved up right now for a cab and was wondering what your opinions were.  I know I could build one myself I guess, but I really don't have the time or the motivation to do it.  Has anyone bought from dreamhomearcades??  Any information would be helpful.

Thanks!!

[ArcadeSeeker962]

Welcome to the forum, AICJDR. I looked up that website, and it looks like they do a good job. However, you might want to check online store reviews websites to see if they're reputable. There are kits out their for building a control panel(if you're looking for a two-player set-up). It's called the Mini-Pac, and it can be found at http://www.ultimarc.com/index.html I'm new to this as well, so my advice is limited. Also, if you are a younger guy(like me), you could always build a cabinet out of wood with your father(like I'm doing with mine), or with a friend that's skilled in woodworking. You can also use a PC and a PC Hardrive for your cabinet as well(that's what I'm going to do). Take a look around the forums, see what other people have made, and take bits and pieces of their concepts to make your own concept. If you want a good motivational quote, here's one: "If you stand on the shoulder of giants, you can see farther than they did...". When I was piecing together all of my information, a member known as "Nephast" told me that quote. So you don't have to worry about taking bits and pieces from other people's cabinet to make your own creation. Also, the cabinet-building hobby can be consuming, so be aware of that as well. I hope this information helps. They've been very helpful to me as well. Also, the administrator of this forum(known as "saint") published a book, which I recommend buying for beginners(already bought my copy). The best place to get it from is Amazon.  

[CheffoJeffo]

Welcome!

A review from a BYOACer:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=104375.0

A review on YouTube:

[DaOld Man]

Thats a cool pedestal system.

[kahlid74]

Looks like a pretty nice pedestal.  The video reviewer kind of made it seem like it came with all the games, which wouldn't seem like a smart venture on their part IMO.

[ArcadeSeeker962]

The video reviewer kind of made it seem like it came with all the games, which wouldn't seem like a smart venture on their part IMO.

I do agree with you on the part of having all the games included onto the cabinet wouldn't be a good choice. I'm just going to put all of my favorite games onto me and my father's MAME Cabinet(along with my father's favorites as well).

Also, AICJDR, from taking research myself for building my own MAME cabinet, I would recommend just building one instead of buying a cabinet from Dreamarcades, due to the fact on what route you take for building a MAME cabinet, you could save some money.

[AICJDR]

The video reviewer kind of made it seem like it came with all the games, which wouldn't seem like a smart venture on their part IMO.

I do agree with you on the part of having all the games included onto the cabinet wouldn't be a good choice. I'm just going to put all of my favorite games onto me and my father's MAME Cabinet(along with my father's favorites as well).

Also, AICJDR, from taking research myself for building my own MAME cabinet, I would recommend just building one instead of buying a cabinet from Dreamarcades, due to the fact on what route you take for building a MAME cabinet, you could save some money.

I get saving money and all that but I have like NO CLUE how to build one and have no time at all...with work and school.

[Unstupid]

I dunno... all their machines look pretty ugly to me... maybe it's because they are taking a nice classic design and sticking a god awful monster control panel on it...  I say build your our or look for someone else out there selling kits... I know on the KLOV forums there are a couple guys selling reproductions of actual cabs.  

Seriously... WTF?

I wouldn't even touch that thing just incase that tumor is contagious!  Good luck reaching that coin door!

[spkywlnt73]

It's funny, because I copied my design from that guys website. I even tried reaching out to that guy in an email, saying that I was A big fan of his work, and that I couldn't afford what he was asking for those units, but that I was going to try and build one myself. I thought that maybe he'd email back and give me his blessing on it, but never herd from him! As far as the games are concerned, It does come loaded up with not only the games, but with Hyperspin installed as well. And with out their permission from what I've herd! NOT COOL! If you end up going this route I would highly recommend you sign up Over at Hyperspin and donate for using their frontend. Trust me! It's well worth it! Looking forward to seeing where you go with your project.

[ArcadeSeeker962]

I get saving money and all that but I have like NO CLUE how to build one and have no time at all...with work and school.

I would recommend buying the book that the administrator(saint) published. Also, look around the forums for what's already been made. I'm still new to this, but I still keep on trying. Also, if you do buy the book and think up of a concept for your cabinet, the other members can take a look at it in your artwork and give suggestion. Plus, contact your friends at work or school to see if they can help you out on your concept when you have off from work or school. 

[yotsuya]

I don't think I could endorse DHA after seeing this on their site: 

[ArcadeSeeker962]

I don't think I could endorse DHA after seeing this on their site: 

Neither would I, that setup looks tacky.  That's why I'm choosing to make my own setup(not just for money reasons).

[GregD]

If you don't have the time then you don't have time.   Good luck with everything.   Is there a Buy Your Own Arcade Controls Forum?   Zing!

[CheffoJeffo]

I don't think I could endorse DHA after seeing this on their site: 

Neither would I, that setup looks tacky.  That's why I'm choosing to make my own setup(not just for money reasons).

At least he isn't just bolting an aircraft carrier to a classic ... I give him points for incorporating the panel into a scratch build.

Wouldn't want one in my gameroom, but people have certainly done worse.

And he has some nice looking cabinets that aren't modeled after classics.

[ArcadeSeeker962]

Wouldn't want one in my gameroom, but people have certainly done worse.

And he has some nice looking cabinets that aren't modeled after classics.

I've seen worse too. For example, I've seen some 45-in-1 cabinet(can't remember the exact number) at a mall. I tried playing it, and the controls were terrible. Plus, when I looked it up on Google, other people were saying that the games on it were just samples(meaning they only have a few levels for each game). I didn't look into the website deeply enough, but at least they included an authentic-looking Pinball machine in the back.