Xtension Classic Arcade Cocktail Cabinet

[pappascw]

Ive been waffling back and forth on a bartop or a cocktail cabinet..  Anyone have any experience with the Xtension Cocktail cabinet?

Also was kinda set on doing a 60 in 1 JAMMA board but then thought about a PC and MAME.  Probably alot of opinions on that but whats everyones thoughts using this or similar cocktail cabinet?  Will the JAMMA harness allow the cocktail play like it was intended to be done?

Thanks!
Chuck

[dkersten]

I had an xtension upright cab for a while, they aren't horrible but when it comes down to the quality vs price you can build your own for less and end up with better quality.  If you don't mind Ikea style cabinets, they are just fine.  If you don't have the skills or desire to build your own, they are reasonable for the price.  Just don't expect super high quality, it is melamine coated particle board..

[pappascw]

I don't have the time or tools to do my own, would have to find someone to do it and pay them..  If I don't use all the buttons do you just put non working ones in there or are there blanks to cover up the unused holes?

[dkersten]

The uprights use the x-arcade controllers, so I can't answer that directly.  However, for a few dollars you can get the extra buttons and hook them up to whatever encoder you are using, so it wouldn't make sense not to hook them up, especially if you are using a mame pc..

[pappascw]

Should  go MAME PC or JAMMA?  Thats what I'm struggling with now..  ARGHH

[dkersten]

IMHO, I would do a PC.  It gives you the flexibility to set up whatever games you want and to also use any front end you wish to use.  There is a small learning curve, but it is really quite simple when you start to fiddle with it. 

[dkersten]

Oh, and before you dive in completely, I would HIGHLY recommend you start with the software.  Set up mame, get some games, and play.  Then get a front end and get it set up.  Then play with game lists and figure out what you REALLY like to play.  Then get a cheap encoder, a joystick, and a few buttons, make a simple panel and play some games with it.  THEN you can make the decision as to what kind of hardware setup you want.  When it comes down to it, it is all about what you want to play and how you want to play it, the type of hardware you use is totally dependent on that.