Steam Games that work well on an arcade cabinet

[BadMouth]

There is a PC games thread stickied in the software forum, but stuff gets buried in older pc games.
I keep buying Steam games because they turn up very cheap on sale, either at Steam or greenmangaming.com
Anyone care to share what fairly modern games they are running?

Here is my list:

Sine Mora works great

Castle Crashers works good, but requires at least 7 buttons and remembering combos for other functions which are covered by other dedicated buttons if using a controller.

Mortal Kombat Komplete works good.  Requires at least 6 buttons.  See thread in Software forum for more info.

Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition works good (I downloaded non-steam version from Capcom).  Requires at least 6 buttons.

Street Fighter X Tekken  I bought it (not on steam), but haven't messed with it much yet.  I assume it works as well as the other fighters.

Nights Into Dreams High res version of the classic Saturn game (also includes the original lower res).  I haven't put it on my cab yet, but imagine it will work great.

Shank 2 Just got this one and haven't put it on the cab yet.  Requires 8 buttons, which is just ridiculous for a side scrolling 2D hack and slash.  There is a separate button to pick up objects instead of just using one of the hack buttons.  I'll figure out a workaround.  I don't have it, but from what I've read, the original Shank only required 6 buttons.

Pac-Man Chapmionship Edition DX+ I pre-ordered, but can't download until it's released.  This is not the multi-player arcade Battle Royale, this is basically a cell phone game.  I did a trial of it on my cell phone and thought it was fun.  Also wanted more games that utilize the widescreen in my cab.

Pinball FX2 The free download includes one table, then you pay for other tables.  I've only played the free table, but I like it.  It has me entertaining the thought of building a digital pin cab again.  The view can be changed so it would work on a virtual pin table, but I doubt it supports anything on the second monitor.

Burger Time Deluxe I installed it, but haven't had time to play it much.  Keys can't be remapped, so I need to make an autohotkey script to do that.  The characters feel really small.

EDIT: Games that looked like they might work, but didn't. (at least not very well)

A Valley Without Wind - requires mouse for inventory mgmt
Showdown Effect - requires mouse for gameplay
Rocketbirds - requires mouse for gameplay
Tidalis - requires mouse, might work with trackball
Trine 2 - requires mouse
Eets Munchies - requires mouse, would be playable with trackball
The Asskickers - requires mouse for menus and between levels
Hell Yeah! - requires mouse for gameplay

Other games I've bought that work well:

Limbo - using x360kb for controls
A Virus Named Tom - using x360kb for controls
Super Meat Boy - remap action keys in .cfg, but still needed ahk script for Enter and Esc
Arson & Plunder - using x360kb

Giana Sisters Twisted Dreams - remap action keys in game, ahk script to map Enter and Esc. x360kb workaround resulted in double input while in menus.  Has a "thanks for playing" screen pop up after exit which needs to be closed with the mouse.  I worked around it with an AHK script, but it wasn't easy.

EDIT:  The batch file I'm using to start steam with my cab without getting any sign in popups:

Code: [Select]

START Steam.exe -login username password -silent(substitute your steam username and password)
I have that in the steam folder and a shortcut to it in the startup folder.
No issues so far, but steam hasn't tried any updates yet.
My front end (Mala) startup is delayed by placing a shortcut in the startup folder instead of choosing the option to have it launch with windows, so that could be another factor.

[Nephasth]

Jamestown if your control setup isn't as jacked up as mine.

[paigeoliver]

VVVVVVVV (The Letter V Six Times) is awesome in a cabinet. It is the only Steam game I have on my Mame cabinet. Well I tried to install Jamestown but my old system wasn't updated enough to run it and I didn't want to install any updates.

[BadMouth]

The King of Fighters XIII
Gonna go ahead and mention this even though it's not out yet, just so people know it will be available.
I doubt it will vary much from the Taito Type X arcade version, but will have much better hardware compatibility and add online play.

[Fursphere]

Shank 2 is ridiculously difficult. to play.  I enjoy it - but damn its hard.  Its basically a quarter eater on a non-quarter platform.

And these damn games are making me considering converting my control panel from keyboard based to gamepad based.  Either with Ultimarc 360s or an A-Pac or something. 

Every emulator supports game pads now that I use - can't say the same for PC games and keyboard controls.

[BadMouth]

Shank 2 is ridiculously difficult. to play.  I enjoy it - but damn its hard.  Its basically a quarter eater on a non-quarter platform.

And these damn games are making me considering converting my control panel from keyboard based to gamepad based.  Either with Ultimarc 360s or an A-Pac or something. 

Every emulator supports game pads now that I use - can't say the same for PC games and keyboard controls.

My main concern with the U360's is that I'm not sure how well it would work with the virtual xbox360 controller workaround I'm using for most of these games.  If you'd have to use joytokey for it to work, it would bother me having that extra layer in there.  I haven't really researched it though.

I think hacked xbox360 pads would be ideal if you weren't worried about analog.
However, I've been playing Madden '08 for PC and kinda wish I had analog controls like U360's in my cab so I could play it on there. (there is an online Madden '08 PC community where you can download updated rosters)

[Brian74]

Think I can switch between analog and digital with my ps360+ encoders.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 2

[BadMouth]

Think I can switch between analog and digital with my ps360+ encoders.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 2

Pretty sure you can switch between your joystick showing up as the d-pad or analog stick, but the joystick is still digital.
The problem is that analog arcade sticks are crazy expensive.  The  U360 is the only one that can be had for a reasonable price, but it uses it's own interface.

[wp34]

How well does Steam work with a cabinet/front-end?  I tried using it a few years ago (on a Mac) and was not impressed.  I gave up on it but feel like I might be missing out.

[Fursphere]

Shank 2 is ridiculously difficult. to play.  I enjoy it - but damn its hard.  Its basically a quarter eater on a non-quarter platform.

And these damn games are making me considering converting my control panel from keyboard based to gamepad based.  Either with Ultimarc 360s or an A-Pac or something. 

Every emulator supports game pads now that I use - can't say the same for PC games and keyboard controls.

My main concern with the U360's is that I'm not sure how well it would work with the virtual xbox360 controller workaround I'm using for most of these games.  If you'd have to use joytokey for it to work, it would bother me having that extra layer in there.  I haven't really researched it though.

I think hacked xbox360 pads would be ideal if you weren't worried about analog.
However, I've been playing Madden '08 for PC and kinda wish I had analog controls like U360's in my cab so I could play it on there. (there is an online Madden '08 PC community where you can download updated rosters)

The u360s do have an output mode so you could interface them with a standard keyboard encoder like th iPad.  Swap back and forthwith software hooks. 

Although that's an insane amount of money overall.....

[shponglefan]

Giana Sisters - Twisted Dreams seems like it would work on an arcade cabinet.  I've only played it with a gamepad, though.

[BadMouth]

How well does Steam work with a cabinet/front-end?  I tried using it a few years ago (on a Mac) and was not impressed.  I gave up on it but feel like I might be missing out.

You can launch a game from the exe like any other pc game.
There is a pop-up box where it's signing in, but being that it's a PC game, I'm not concerned with that ruining the arcade experience.
There's an annoying pop-up telling you how to access the steam community, but it can be turned off.
I'd also run it in offline mode because there are updates pretty often and it automatically downloads and applies them before the game launches without giving you any chance to decline.

I haven't incorporated them into my front-end yet, so I'm not sure if other issues will creep up then.

[wp34]

Awesome.  I'll give Steam another try.   

How well does Steam work with a cabinet/front-end?  I tried using it a few years ago (on a Mac) and was not impressed.  I gave up on it but feel like I might be missing out.

You can launch a game from the exe like any other pc game.
There is a pop-up box where it's signing in, but being that it's a PC game, I'm not concerned with that ruining the arcade experience.
There's an annoying pop-up telling you how to access the steam community, but it can be turned off.
I'd also run it in offline mode because there are updates pretty often and it automatically downloads and applies them before the game launches without giving you any chance to decline.

I haven't incorporated them into my front-end yet, so I'm not sure if other issues will creep up then.

[kiwasabi]

You might try Mercenary Kings, which is currently on Steam Early Access (it's in public beta basically). It's a Metal Slug/Mega Man style game where you also collect minerals to craft new guns. Unfortunately same-screen co-op is only splitscreen, so you'd have to play this one single player  on a MAME setup. Also, there may be too many buttons on this one for MAME.

The other would be Sacred Citadel which is a decent beat-em-up. That one would definitely be a good candidate.

Also, I think others mentioned it already, but the Rayman games would be good. At least the newest (Rayman Legends) has 4-player same-screen co-op I believe.

[Fursphere]

The other would be Sacred Citadel which is a decent beat-em-up. That one would definitely be a good candidate.

So I went to look this game up on Steam - and turns out I already own it?  It must have come with a Humble Bundle pack or something.   lol

I have waaaaaaaay too many games

[Fursphere]

"The Showdown Effect" Looks like it could be cabinet friendly.

And you can get it (and more) for $1 right now!

https://www.humblebundle.com/weekly

[StragoRx]

How well does Steam work with a cabinet/front-end?  I tried using it a few years ago (on a Mac) and was not impressed.  I gave up on it but feel like I might be missing out.

Check out the new (ish) Steam "Big Picture". It's very stylish and compatible with a joystick/controller.

And Rogue Legacy should be a good arcade like game.

[dkssprs]

I think that this is a nice topic to be mentioned in here. (oups i forgot to paste the link)

"Official" list for PC Games On Cab
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,88060.0.html

[ZeroPoint]

- - -

  Ys Origin

and

  Ys: The Oath in Felghana

- - -

[ark_ader]

Grand Theft Auto San Andreas.  Works very well.

[BadMouth]

"The Showdown Effect" Looks like it could be cabinet friendly.

And you can get it (and more) for $1 right now!

https://www.humblebundle.com/weekly

I bought it.  The shooting doesn't work like a normal run and gun.  You have to use the mouse to aim at the guy.
If the crosshairs aren't over him, the shot misses.  Only messed around with it a couple minutes.
Will post again if there is some other mode of play that works. 

[kiwasabi]

And Rogue Legacy should be a good arcade like game.

Oh yeah I forgot about this one. It only has maximum 4 buttons, but you really only use 2 regularly (jump and attack). This game was really great, I got a good 20 hours out of it or so. Definitely recommend it.

[Fursphere]

"The Showdown Effect" Looks like it could be cabinet friendly.

And you can get it (and more) for $1 right now!

https://www.humblebundle.com/weekly

I bought it.  The shooting doesn't work like a normal run and gun.  You have to use the mouse to aim at the guy.
If the crosshairs aren't over him, the shot misses.  Only messed around with it a couple minutes.
Will post again if there is some other mode of play that works. 

Doh!  That sounds like Trine.... which would be a great 2D platformer if it wasn't for the weird mouse interface.   

[Unstupid]

Just want to follow this thread, as I'm currently building a new gaming/mame pc for my next cab.  Steam games will be an integral part of the game list.

[DeLuSioNal29]

It would be great if when you guys list games that you can include the aspect ratio supported.  I still have a 4:3 arcade monitor and although I plan in the future to build a Widescreen Pedestal cab, it would be awesome if I knew if the game worked on both.

D

[Cynicaster]

Pac-Man Chapmionship Edition DX+ I pre-ordered, but can't download until it's released.  This is not the multi-player arcade Battle Royale, this is basically a cell phone game.  I did a trial of it on my cell phone and thought it was fun.  Also wanted more games that utilize the widescreen in my cab.

I’d buy a whole new PC for my cabinet just to have this game be playable.  I love it on PS3, and I’ve always wanted to try it with arcade controls rather than the stupid dual shock controller. 

Do Steam games generally allow you to custom-map controls to a keyboard?  If not, I guess I’m out of luck, as I use an I-Pac. 

[DeLuSioNal29]

It should work.  If for some reason it defaults to the Xbox controller, you can always use the Xinput hack to get it to work.

DeLuSioNaL29

[BadMouth]

Do Steam games generally allow you to custom-map controls to a keyboard?  If not, I guess I’m out of luck, as I use an I-Pac.

It depends on the game, but like DeLuSioNal29 said, most new games default to an xbox360 controller.
In almost all the games I mentioned, I'm using the virtual xbox360 controllers from this thread: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,96377.0.html

Most of the games can remap in game controls, but sometimes menu navigation can't be remapped.  A lot of them use Space Bar or Enter.  Since the games are centered around xbox360 controllers, the menus are also designed to be navigated with the buttons on that controller.  So it's easier just to use the virtual xbox360 controller than map the keyboard buttons in the game.  Once you have it set up, you can just copy and paste the drivers and x360kb.ini file from one game folder to the other.  Sometimes you have to remap the keyboard controls in a game to unused keys to prevent them from registering double.

[Ginsu Victim]

"Thomas Was Alone" seems like it would be cab friendly.

[Generic Eric]

Super Puzzle Platformer seems like it would work well.
Super Hexagon
Super Meatboy
The misadventures Of PJ winterbottom.  (It was $0.5 a few years back.)
Lumines, but I don't think the keys are configurable.
Don't take my word for it though.  No MAME Cab as of yet

[kiwasabi]

Super House of Dead Ninjas would be a great one. I've only played the flash game and love it. The Steam version is only a slightly expanded game.

I've been playing a game called Race The Sun that's kind of like Star Fox or something. I really enjoy it, very Zen experience. It's not a Steam game yet, but it's a $10 download. You can play the free flash version here:

http://www.kongregate.com/games/flippfly/race-the-sun

And another great game that's actually freeware is called Boson-X. It just came out last week actually, and it's an awesome arcade game. That one only uses the arrow keys.

http://www.boson-x.com/

[BadMouth]

Heads up on the current Humble Bundle.  It has a few games that look like they'd work on a cab, but they don't really. 

A Valley Without Wind requires a mouse for inventory management.  I haven't figured out how many buttons it uses, as it doesn't give you the option to remap them.

Tidalis has key bindings, but they stopped working for me once I used the mouse.
Pretty sure the menus aren't navigable without a mouse anyway. 

[kuehnau]

There's a PC version of Mr. Driller that might be pretty rad.

[BadMouth]

Just picked up Hell Yeah! and extras at greenmangaming for $5.30 (use promo code: GMG20-8MUTY-M21VN)
http://www.greenmangaming.com/s/us/en/pc/games/action/hell-yeah-collection/
Steam says it requires DX10 which means it won't work on XP.

Looks like it could be cab friendly, but I haven't installed or tested it yet.
I will update this post when I do.

[opt2not]

Super Puzzle Platformer Deluxe (cool puzzle game with a platforming twist.
http://store.steampowered.com/app/238530

Hammerwatch (cool update to the old Gauntlet style games)
http://store.steampowered.com/app/239070

Pac-man Championship Edition DX+  is now on steam
http://store.steampowered.com/app/236450

La-Mulana (platformer -- Indiana Jones inspired. Tough as nails!)
http://store.steampowered.com/app/230700

Teleglitch (top down shooter style)  - I haven't tried this yet, but it looks like it could work on a cab.
http://store.steampowered.com/app/234390

[ron310]

Divekick is a lot of fun

[kuehnau]

Super Puzzle Platformer Deluxe (cool puzzle game with a platforming twist.
http://store.steampowered.com/app/238530

Hammerwatch (cool update to the old Gauntlet style games)
http://store.steampowered.com/app/239070

Pac-man Championship Edition DX+  is now on steam
http://store.steampowered.com/app/236450

La-Mulana (platformer -- Indiana Jones inspired. Tough as nails!)
http://store.steampowered.com/app/230700

Teleglitch (top down shooter style)  - I haven't tried this yet, but it looks like it could work on a cab.
http://store.steampowered.com/app/234390

La-Mulana looks great using SweetFX to add some scanlines in.

[Connorsdad]

http://ethervapor.com/screenshots looks very good, purchased but not played yet.

http://alltynex.com/ also looks very good.

[BadMouth]

Super Meatboy

On sale at GreenManGaming for $4.08 after 20% discount code: GMG20-8MUTY-M21VN
http://www.greenmangaming.com/s/us/en/pc/games/action/super-meat-boy/




EDIT:
They also have Arson & Plunder for $1.36 after discount.  The pics look good, the gameplay vids on youtube don't, but it's only $1.36
Looks like it would work on a cab, but I haven't tested yet.
http://www.greenmangaming.com/s/us/en/pc/games/action/arson-and-plunder/

If using the discount code multiple times during the same day, clear your cookies or go into private mode on your browser.

[Fursphere]

Volgarr the Viking

http://store.steampowered.com/app/247240/

Looks a lot like the classic Rastan games.  Would probably play well on a cabinet.