small computer

[capt awesome]

Hello,
My brother is interested in an arcade like the typical mame cabinet but his wife won't allow such a large machine in the house.  I was thinking I could just build a control panel with a small computer in it, he could set this on his coffee table or the like and run it off his tv.  This way he gets the joystick and button feel as well as all the games and interface i have but minimal space.  The problem I have is getting a computer small enough yet still powerful enough to go inside his panel.  I was looking at a raspberry pi but is that powerful enough for something like NES Genesis SNES and early mame games ie up to mid 90s games?  Any other mini computer suggestions if the pi is not fast enough?

[keilmillerjr]

Yep. Raspberry pi 2 is out now. I haven't tested mine yet, but it will be able to emulate what you want.

[ChanceKJ]

Buy a used Intel NUC on eBay if you don't mind pre-owned, or build yourself a new one.

I put one in a Super Nintendo Advantage controller (link in my sig). Thats pretty small.

Maybe a used old MacMini and bootcamp it to run windows?

[Generic Eric]

You seem like a cool brother to do this, but I think you'll have to bring him if he can get online.  That way can get through  the wife layer directly.

Have you seen the vigolix? Is that an option?   How about a weecade?

But really, if the NUC or raspi aren't enough you can try one of those hdmi gumstick  808's. 

Here is another thing to consider.  Just get a pc, put it in the entertainment center and use a bluetooth controller like the 8 bitty. Give it some thought; If your not playing arcade games, you probably don't need arcade controls. 

[paigeoliver]

Hello,
My brother is interested in an arcade like the typical mame cabinet but his wife won't allow such a large machine in the house.  I was thinking I could just build a control panel with a small computer in it, he could set this on his coffee table or the like and run it off his tv.  This way he gets the joystick and button feel as well as all the games and interface i have but minimal space.  The problem I have is getting a computer small enough yet still powerful enough to go inside his panel.  I was looking at a raspberry pi but is that powerful enough for something like NES Genesis SNES and early mame games ie up to mid 90s games?  Any other mini computer suggestions if the pi is not fast enough?

The average arcade game is the size of an end table. 2 feet wide and 2 1/2 feet deep. A cabaret will only be about 20 inches by 20". If his wife "Won't allow" such a thing in the house then I think he has bigger problems than arcade controls. Some potted plants have larger footprints.

A used netbook will run rings around a pi and can handle pretty much everything with mame .55 and older versions of console emulators, and that would be my suggestion for something small.

Although if I had to play games on my tv with a loose panel flopping around and a selfish wife then I would just get an xarcade and be done with it. Sure they suck, but it isn't like she is going to let him play it anyway.

[MTPPC]

Hello,
My brother is interested in an arcade like the typical mame cabinet but his wife won't allow such a large machine in the house.  I was thinking I could just build a control panel with a small computer in it, he could set this on his coffee table or the like and run it off his tv.  This way he gets the joystick and button feel as well as all the games and interface i have but minimal space.  The problem I have is getting a computer small enough yet still powerful enough to go inside his panel.  I was looking at a raspberry pi but is that powerful enough for something like NES Genesis SNES and early mame games ie up to mid 90s games?  Any other mini computer suggestions if the pi is not fast enough?

The average arcade game is the size of an end table. 2 feet wide and 2 1/2 feet deep. A cabaret will only be about 20 inches by 20". If his wife "Won't allow" such a thing in the house then I think he has bigger problems than arcade controls. Some potted plants have larger footprints.

A used netbook will run rings around a pi and can handle pretty much everything with mame .55 and older versions of console emulators, and that would be my suggestion for something small.

Although if I had to play games on my tv with a loose panel flopping around and a selfish wife then I would just get an xarcade and be done with it. Sure they suck, but it isn't like she is going to let him play it anyway.

It's not about the game. It's about CONTROL!

[nitrogen_widget]

Hello,
My brother is interested in an arcade like the typical mame cabinet but his wife won't allow such a large machine in the house.  I was thinking I could just build a control panel with a small computer in it, he could set this on his coffee table or the like and run it off his tv.  This way he gets the joystick and button feel as well as all the games and interface i have but minimal space.  The problem I have is getting a computer small enough yet still powerful enough to go inside his panel.  I was looking at a raspberry pi but is that powerful enough for something like NES Genesis SNES and early mame games ie up to mid 90s games?  Any other mini computer suggestions if the pi is not fast enough?

yeah,
This has bad idea written all over it.
Why not build one for yourself and have him just hang out with you at your place?

I lived the "not allowed" life once.
In a house I had before I even met her.
in the end, i kept the house.
Not the her.

I wouldn't get involved and would let him make these types of decisions.
The suggestion he come here himself sounds good though.