Building my 1st arcade machine

[D-ru15]

Hello all,

I am new to this .. well everything, I am not the best at electronics nor video games but I enjoy the old school arcade games and would love to build one for my basement.  I am sure there are so many people asking "HOW" but instead of searching and searching (like I have been for the past 3 hours) I thought i better ask.

I have a old PC that is literally just collecting dust, and would like to turn that into an actual arcade machine.  I am pretty handy building things of out wood so I do not have any issues with the build but with the guts.

First thing is first:

How do I get these games on my PC,  I am mostly interested in pacman if I can make other games work too then that would be a bonus. I have tried to download a few emulators and add files in the ROM folder but I cannot get anything to work ??

After I get that to work (games on the PC) then my next challenge would then be to make it all work with a joystick/buttons etc (I will purchase a joystick/button unit) but how to I connect it all so it all works together??

I hope this makes sense, basically I am asking how to build my own arcade machine out of an old PC from scratch step by step.  I have found so many tutorials in the past few hours but they all assume you know the basics or you already have things you will need.  I have nothing starting with an old PC that has no gaming programs on it at all.

Thanks so much in advance

[Slippyblade]

The wiki here is a fantastic resource.  But let's see what I can do about your questions. 

First thing, about the emulator.  I assume you downloaded MAME and installed it.  When you put the ROM files into the directory, are you getting any error msgs?  Most folks run into a particular issue right off the bat.  There are several versions of most games, and the fact that you mention Pac-Man makes me think you ran afoul of this.  The original (parent) was actually called PucMan.  The American version is a clone.  So if you DL'd a Pac-Man ROM, it only contained the files that were different than the original.  So for example...

PucMan contains:
  File 1
  File 2
  File 3

the PacMan ROM you DL'd had:
  File 2a (a modified version)
  File 4 ( a new file)

So in order to work you would need either a merged ROM that has all the files or you'd need to have the parent ROM in the directory along with the clone (PacMan) ROM.

Once you get things working on the PC end, you need an encoder.  There are a whole bunch of them available.  Back in the day you would gut a keyboard and hack the controller for you joysticks and buttons.  Nowdays things are MUCH easier.  You have many off the shelf choices.  Devices that you simply wire your controls to them, often using screw terminals, and plug the device into your comp.  The PC then sees the device as either a keyboard device or a gamepad depending on the device.

Some choices:
Groovy Game Gear sells the KeyWiz and the GP-Wiz
Ultimarc sells the I-Pac2
Paradise Arcade has one but I can't recall the name.

There is also the Howler and the Ultimarc Ultimate if you wanted an all in one  soution for controls and LEDs.  Zero Delay and Xin-Mo if you want cheap Chinese.

[PL1]

Welcome aboard, D-ru15.   

To expand on Slippy's post, you also need compatible ROMs and emulator. (matching versions)

If you downloaded a v0.107 ROMset many games won't work with MAME v0.156.

If you're looking to learn the basics, check out the FAQ here.


Scott

[yotsuya]

Hello all,

I am new to this .. well everything, I am not the best at electronics nor video games but I enjoy the old school arcade games and would love to build one for my basement.  I am sure there are so many people asking "HOW" but instead of searching and searching (like I have been for the past 3 hours) I thought i better ask.

I have a old PC that is literally just collecting dust, and would like to turn that into an actual arcade machine.  I am pretty handy building things of out wood so I do not have any issues with the build but with the guts.

First thing is first:

How do I get these games on my PC,  I am mostly interested in pacman if I can make other games work too then that would be a bonus. I have tried to download a few emulators and add files in the ROM folder but I cannot get anything to work ??

After I get that to work (games on the PC) then my next challenge would then be to make it all work with a joystick/buttons etc (I will purchase a joystick/button unit) but how to I connect it all so it all works together??

I hope this makes sense, basically I am asking how to build my own arcade machine out of an old PC from scratch step by step.  I have found so many tutorials in the past few hours but they all assume you know the basics or you already have things you will need.  I have nothing starting with an old PC that has no gaming programs on it at all.

Thanks so much in advance

If you want it to be plug and play, get a Tankstick first. See how you like it. Go from there. 

[D-ru15]

Thank you for all of your help,  I have gotten my mame emulator working for a few of the games I wanted to get.

Before I get ahead of myself, my next question is this:

I would like to build an arcade machine from my PC and monitor.  building the actual machine (box) I dont have an issue with.  Where I am unsure is that I would like to purchase a control panel (joystick and buttons) and connect everything together.  Is this possible? if so then how do I connect the control panel to the PC.   
Where/What control panel should I purchase ? Does it matter what games I want to play before I purchase a control panel?

Also, if there is anything else I should know before I start this project it would be great to know before I run into a problem.

Thank you

[thomas_surles]

Thank you for all of your help,  I have gotten my mame emulator working for a few of the games I wanted to get.

Before I get ahead of myself, my next question is this:

I would like to build an arcade machine from my PC and monitor.  building the actual machine (box) I dont have an issue with.  Where I am unsure is that I would like to purchase a control panel (joystick and buttons) and connect everything together.  Is this possible? if so then how do I connect the control panel to the PC.   
Where/What control panel should I purchase ? Does it matter what games I want to play before I purchase a control panel?

Also, if there is anything else I should know before I start this project it would be great to know before I run into a problem.

Thank you

Well there are pre made control panels out there. Google tank stick.
I bought this kit from ebay for my first build: http://ebay.com/itm/221471126662?_mwBanner=1

It does matter what games you want to play. You have to consider your options.
What do the games require? 1 button? 2 buttons?
Are you going to play street fighter or mortal kombat? (5-6 buttons)
Do you need a trackball?
Will it be 2 player? 4 player?

Just figure out what you will need. The standard around here for a 2 player to play most games is:
2× 8 way joysticks
6 buttons per player
Player 1 & 2 start buttons
Player 1 & 2 coin buttons (or coin mech/ or both)
Optional admin buttons (tab, pause, or whatever)


As for connecting the control panel to the pc. Just get a Usb encoder

[D-ru15]

Thanks for you reply,

I believe I will be playing pacman, super mario, and hopefully a street fighting game (2 person)

I am looking at the X-arcade Dual joystick.  It says USB is included I assume that is the USB encoder that you mentioned that I need to hook up to my PC.

http://shop.xgaming.com/products/x-arcade-dual-joystick-usb-included

If I purchase that unit (above link) will I need anything else to run these games? any other devices?  I am thinking about installing a coin box but it will be fake just there for the look.

The PC and monitor sitting inside a wooden box, will it be ok? not over heat or anything I need to worry about?

[thomas_surles]

Thanks for you reply,

I believe I will be playing pacman, super mario, and hopefully a street fighting game (2 person)

I am looking at the X-arcade Dual joystick.  It says USB is included I assume that is the USB encoder that you mentioned that I need to hook up to my PC.

http://shop.xgaming.com/products/x-arcade-dual-joystick-usb-included

If I purchase that unit (above link) will I need anything else to run these games? any other devices?  I am thinking about installing a coin box but it will be fake just there for the look.

The PC and monitor sitting inside a wooden box, will it be ok? not over heat or anything I need to worry about?

If you get that you will be good. Just plug it straight to your pc. I have never used one but I considered it a while back before building my own.