My advice to beginners

[Malenko]

Sorry, don't really have a desire to make a video that's just recording my desktop while it pretty much stays a static image of Pac-Matt on CrapMAME and Xarcade's trisync monitor webpage as I yammer on for 20 minutes.


So here's my advice to beginners, in no hard order:

Make sure you have room for a cab
Make sure you have the desire to finish the cab
Make sure you have the money and tools to do the job
Make sure your SO is ok with a cab
Figure out the games you're going to actually play
Don't be afraid to ask for help on the forums
decide for yourself what advice to listen to
LCD and CRT are a matter of preference, each have their pros and cons
No shame in starting off by building something small, like a fight stick or bartop
No shame in buying a kit
Do it right the first time
Cutting corners ends up costing much more in the long run
No harm in rescuing a cab to MAME
Building a cab from scratch isnt as easy as you think it is
If you want to make one from scratch, the VigoLix is a great starter design.
*GOOD* custom artwork isnt cheap
Rethink that frankenpanel
Admin buttons are highly over rated
Dont be ashamed of what you made, make a thread here. We love pictures.
Dont angle the player joysticks.





Feel free to add on your beginner advice but try to keep it generalized ie no "hyperspin sucks!" and be gentle with opinated stuff like "you dont care about arcade games if you use an LCD"

[Hoopz]

Finish the build before making it playable.   

[Generic Eric]

We should make some hay out of this.  I herby hereby suggest "Beginners Guide" as a UCA Category for 2015.

[opt2not]

Right on the money here, Mal. 

[yotsuya]

Don't spend $800 on a monitor and artwork and then ask why your $15 Xin-mo knock-off from China doesn't work right. Spend money on good controls. 

[Hoopz]

There was a thread like this years ago.  One of the best lines was essentially telling people to stay out of EE until their build was done. 

[harveybirdman]

Don't get angry because everyone doesn't immediately love what you created.

Don't try to defend angled sticks on P3 and P4 based on how much money you paid for something.

Don't use game specific artwork on a cab whose control panel bares no resemblance whatsoever to said game.

[Malenko]

Don't get angry because everyone doesn't immediately love what you created.

Don't try to defend angled sticks on P3 and P4 based on how much money you paid for something.

Don't use game specific artwork on a cab whose control panel bares no resemblance whatsoever to said game.

the Kaneda trifecta 


maybe a 4th one along the same lines:
Just because you paid more for something doesnt always mean its better, just like paying less for something doesn't always mean its worse.

[yotsuya]

Don't ask "What do you think about _________?" if you're not really looking for feedback about it.

[leapinlew]

My advice:

Read this: http://www.amazon.com/Project-Arcade-Build-Your-Machine/dp/047089153X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1424806772&sr=8-2&keywords=John+St.+Clair+Arcade

Advice #2 is build more, plan less

[Generic Eric]

I thought I had the link in my sig.  Just a mention.

[yotsuya]

My advice:
Advice #2 is build more, plan less

Yes. Yes. A thousand times, yes.

[harveybirdman]

Kaneda, what a tool..... 

Here's another rule, if you start a thread in which you strap on an aircraft carrier framed with 2x4's to a Stargate cab and nail on your T-Molding no amount of "Well, I like it so there" is going to save you from the inevitable onslaught of ridicule.

[Generic Eric]

Kaneda, what a tool..... 

Here's another rule, if you start a thread in which you strap on an aircraft carrier framed with 2x4's to a Stargate cab and nail on your T-Molding no amount of "Well, I like it so there" is going to save you from the inevitable onslaught of ridicule.

What is presented in public is subject to comment.  Invited or not.

[yotsuya]

Here are two rules I've started to put on myself:

1. Don't comment on a guy's first build unless he specially asks for feedback.

2. Don't offer feedback on artwork if it's already been printed.

[Vigo]

Let me just piggyback off of that comment with more advice. If you got an idea for anything you need to commit money and time to produce, don't wait until only after you throw down the cash to ask for opinions. We can't exactly help you change the artwork you just printed for $150 or reshape your 5 foot wide cabinet with that 19" monitor. Nobody here owns a time machine.

[pbj]

My advice?  If it's local, you can afford it, you can transport it, and you're semi-interested - get it.  Particularly if it's a pinball machine.

We are far removed from the cheap, dead games piled up on E-bay with no bidders.

Just like every other rule list you dorks come up with, Malenko's is far too complicated and long.  The subsequent debate over the various points just continues to reinforce every opinion I have of the rest of you.

 

PS: Okay, one more rule.  Don't call your wife "the wife" and don't use "the wife" as your excuse for cowardice.

[harveybirdman]

I don't know Jennifer is pretty scary...

[yotsuya]

Two more good rules:

1) The deal isn't done until the cash has changed hands and the cab is in your home.

And

2) Cash-in-hand is king.

Thanks to PinballJim for those nuggets of wisdom. RIP, PinballJim.

[Malenko]

advice =/= rules

figured yours would be "always offer $20 cash in hand".

I thought my advice was pretty simple and light hearted , actually made an effort to make sure it wasnt complicated. 

[Brian B]

Before buying a cabinet, make sure it will accommodate the monitor you intend to use...common sense advice, but wish I would have taken it myself.

B.

[pbj]

Ah, turns out this is in response to some weird, rambly youtube video that chuffed malenko's butt.  Should have known.

[yotsuya]

Ah, turns out this is in response to some weird, rambly youtube video that chuffed malenko's butt.  Should have known.

You clearly haven't been reading the weird, rambly youtube video creator's other posts.

[opt2not]

Couple more thoughts:

-- With any of these cabinet projects, make decisions that would help you re-sell it later.  Many of times have I seen people half-ass the installation of their hardware, cut corners with the build, or just hacked up harnesses or panels just to make it work for their current situation. But down the line, you may (most likely) want to sell your project, and the more work you can do initially to make it sales-ready the less time and hassle you'll have to deal with later.

-- When Mame'ing up a renovation project, throw nothing out.  Chances are high that there is someone looking for those pieces to restore their projects, and you can make a little bit of coin (or karma) back by selling/giving those parts away.

-- Arcade cabinets are not meant to ferment alcohol in. Just sayin'.

[AzureKnight]

Finish the build before making it playable.   

Amen....

[Vigo]

-- With any of these cabinet projects, make decisions that would help you re-sell it later.  Many of times have I seen people half-ass the installation of their hardware, cut corners with the build, or just hacked up harnesses or panels just to make it work for their current situation. But down the line, you may (most likely) want to sell your project, and the more work you can do initially to make it sales-ready the less time and hassle you'll have to deal with later.

I think this is good advice even if you have zero intent on ever selling your cabinet. If your cab is clean enough of a build that other people would want to buy it, you probably did things right.

[Le Chuck]

I call this the Miyagi approach. 

Step 1) Learn to make a roux
Step 2) Learn to repair a lamp
Step 3) Learn to make a mitered picture frame
Step 4) Learn to replace a bum speaker in a car door panel
Step 5) Learn to write a simple batch file
Step 6) presto-finito you have mastered all the skills necessary to make a fine arcade cabinet that will serve you well for years to come. 

[BorgDog]

I call this the Miyagi approach. 

Step 1) Learn to make a roux
Step 2) Learn to repair a lamp
Step 3) Learn to make a mitered picture frame
Step 4) Learn to replace a bum speaker in a car door panel
Step 5) Learn to write a simple batch file
Step 6) presto-finito you have mastered all the skills necessary to make a fine arcade cabinet that will serve you well for years to come.

Had to look up wtf roux was 

[n3wt0n]

I call this the Miyagi approach. 

Step 1) Learn to make a roux
Step 2) Learn to repair a lamp
Step 3) Learn to make a mitered picture frame
Step 4) Learn to replace a bum speaker in a car door panel
Step 5) Learn to write a simple batch file
Step 6) presto-finito you have mastered all the skills necessary to make a fine arcade cabinet that will serve you well for years to come.

 

[harveybirdman]

Not sure how being able to make gravy translates to arcade building, but it's best not to question Jedi.

[johnrt]

PS: Okay, one more rule.  Don't call your wife "the wife" and don't use "the wife" as your excuse for cowardice.

That's right! Grow a pair! 

Edit: And by pair I mean:

[Le Chuck]

Not sure how being able to make gravy translates to arcade building, but it's best not to question Jedi.

The first rule is the most important for the first rule teaches patients

No wait patients

Patient Lee

My phone's speech to text is retarded

Pastilles

Patio it's

Hey Shell it's

Patience.

[Ond]

 

[Generic Eric]

Not sure how being able to make gravy translates to arcade building, but it's best not to question Jedi.

The first rule is the most important for the first rule teaches patients

No wait patients

Patient Lee

My phone's speech to text is retarded

Pastilles

Patio it's

Hey Shell it's

Patience.

All we need is a little patient.

[harveybirdman]

Ahhh I see now....

Confucius say: Doctor in too much hurry lose patients.

[yotsuya]

I'd hit it.

[shponglefan]

PS: Okay, one more rule.  Don't call your wife "the wife" and don't use "the wife" as your excuse for cowardice.

That's right! Grow a pair! 

Edit: And by pair I mean:

Oh great.  Now I'll probably have to explain this to the IT department.

[Malenko]

Ah, turns out this is in response to some weird, rambly youtube video that chuffed malenko's butt.  Should have known.

I thought chuffed was a good thing? You mean chaffed or chapped?
Either way, not going to take the negative bait. This thread isn't a response to the video, its my way of giving beginners real advice and having the forum pile on the good vibes and useful knowledge. 

[Le Chuck]

I'd hit it.

It's a nurse.  One should never hit health care service providers. 


I'd split it. 

[Generic Eric]

Ah, turns out this is in response to some weird, rambly youtube video that chuffed malenko's butt.  Should have known.

I thought chuffed was a good thing? You mean chaffed or chapped?
Either way, not going to take the negative bait. This thread isn't a response to the video, its my way of giving beginners real advice and having the forum pile on the good vibes and useful knowledge. 

dammit.  I ruined it by making an Axl rose joke

[yotsuya]

Real arcade games didn't have cup holders.

[pbj]

PS: Okay, one more rule.  Don't call your wife "the wife" and don't use "the wife" as your excuse for cowardice.

That's right! Grow a pair! 

Edit: And by pair I mean:

One does not need two testicles to be accountable for your decisions.  Go discriminate against monorchids elsewhere.

I thought chuffed was a good thing? You mean chaffed or chapped?

Your butt has clearly never been properly chuffed.

 

[Vigo]

One more bit of beginner advice.

You can do more than you think, and it can look better than you think, but to get there you need to practice and study more than you think. 

   -- don't be afraid to dive into anything: artwork, electrical, woodworking, monitors, soldering, emulation, but Rome wasn't built in a day.

[ChanceKJ]

This ones more general I guess: Locate the "Search" button on the forums, use it, try different synonyms for your search.

[DeLuSioNal29]

My advice to beginners:  Ignore the Trolls!

[JDFan]

My advice would be to do a bit of research but in the end just build the thing --- Even a CRAPMAME worthy build is better than having no build at all to play on !!! And there is plenty of time to change things and make them better after you have the first unit built and have played on it for awhile to find out what mistakes you made on it 

[nitrogen_widget]

yeah, my experience & that of the majority of divorced men I know is wives don't take kindly to their husbands spontaneously growing a set.
But, on the bright side, they never take any of your crappy furniture they banished to the basement when they moved in so it's like a reset button except you now have a pair and can use the dining room table (after you pick one up at the good will) for what it was really meant for.

Your projects.

I second the more building & less thinking also.
I renovated my house.
I made more progress by just grabbing the tools & doing it as opposed to spending time trying to plan things out.

The reason being I over thought things & because It was my first renovation project i'd find out whatever I planned mostly wound up getting swept up with the saw dust because after I got into something I discovered better ways to do things and the more I did the better I got.

I've even redone a few things I did 12yrs ago because they were my first projects and i could re do them better.

[yotsuya]

My advice to beginners:  Ignore the Trolls!

Do we have trolls here?

[yotsuya]

My advice would be to do a bit of research but in the end just build the thing --- Even a CRAPMAME worthy build is better than having no build at all to play on !!! And there is plenty of time to change things and make them better after you have the first unit built and have played on it for awhile to find out what mistakes you made on it 

To piggy back off of this good piece of advice, I would add "Don't fall in love with your first draft." My Macross cab looks nothing like my original idea, and I attribute that to the great ideas I got from my friends here.

The other piece of advice? Listen to all the feedback you get, evaluate it objectively, but don't feel obligated to use it.

[ChanceKJ]

My advice to beginners:  Ignore the Trolls!

Do we have trolls here?

Possibly. 

[yotsuya]

My advice to beginners:  Ignore the Trolls!

Do we have trolls here?

Possibly. 

The only person I would classify as a troll would be Driverman. Being an opinionated ---uvula--- doesn't make you a troll.

[RoyalScam]

There's been a lot of great advice here, but I think we're getting a bit ahead of ourselves.

If you want to start somewhere, get Mame running.  Download some of the free roms and learn how to play them.  Familiarize yourself with the keyboard controls, and play a few games with the keyboard.  Get a keyboard encoder.  I can personally recommend a Kade , an I-pac or the GGG encoders. They just work and all have an excellent support base.  Buy a couple of pushbuttons and a Joystick.  Don't go crazy here, just pick up something inexpensive from some of the great vendors we have here.  Knock a few holes in a plywood box install your joystick and buttons and try a game or two with that.  That will get you started, but more importantly, it will get you building.  Once you get the first steps down you'll go a little bigger.  I would imagine the first project, or even the second wouldn't be the final design, but they'll teach you what your final design will be.  Take advice from people here, but in the end it's your's and you're the one who it needs to please.

Regards,
Scam

[lamprey]

My advice to beginners:  Ignore the Trolls!

Do we have trolls here?

Possibly. 

The only person I would classify as a troll would be Driverman. Being an opinionated ---uvula--- doesn't make you a troll.

Maybe it's time for a new term: Asstroll.

[Generic Eric]

My advice to beginners:  Ignore the Trolls!

Do we have trolls here?

Possibly. 

The only person I would classify as a troll would be Driverman. Being an opinionated ---uvula--- doesn't make you a troll.

Maybe it's time for a new term: Asstroll.

---uvula--- Cassarole

[ChanceKJ]

  well, I am unapologetically me.

[yotsuya]

well, I am unapologetically me.

I would never consider you either a troll or an ---uvula---, Chance. Other words might apply, but not those two.

[Cobolisdead]

I have a few tips I have learned in my short time in this hobby that might not have been mentioned yet:

When restoring an old game, sometimes it is better to let it have that survivor look. It might not be worth putting that $200 artwork on a $400 cabinet.
Take a lot of pictures of your work in progress. It will help you as well as others even years down the road.
Things aren't going to work right the first time, and that is okay, just keep working on it.
Wire management is something that needs to be planned out in great detail.
Buy a Multimeter!

[DeLuSioNal29]

well, I am unapologetically me.

I would never consider you either a troll or an ---uvula---, Chance. Other words might apply, but not those two.

+ 1

[DeLuSioNal29]

There's been a lot of great advice here, but I think we're getting a bit ahead of ourselves.

If you want to start somewhere, get Mame running.  Download some of the free roms and learn how to play them.  Familiarize yourself with the keyboard controls, and play a few games with the keyboard.  Get a keyboard encoder.  I can personally recommend a Kade , an I-pac or the GGG encoders. They just work and all have an excellent support base.  Buy a couple of pushbuttons and a Joystick.  Don't go crazy here, just pick up something inexpensive from some of the great vendors we have here.  Knock a few holes in a plywood box install your joystick and buttons and try a game or two with that.  That will get you started, but more importantly, it will get you building.  Once you get the first steps down you'll go a little bigger.  I would imagine the first project, or even the second wouldn't be the final design, but they'll teach you what your final design will be.  Take advice from people here, but in the end it's your's and you're the one who it needs to please.

This here is SOLID advice.  I agree 100%!

DeLuSioNaL29

[ChanceKJ]

well, I am unapologetically me.

I would never consider you either a troll or an ---uvula---, Chance. Other words might apply, but not those two.

+ 1

Now you've peaked my interest.

[yotsuya]

well, I am unapologetically me.

I would never consider you either a troll or an ---uvula---, Chance. Other words might apply, but not those two.

+ 1

Now you've peaked my interest.

I'll tell you at ZapCon. 

[stripe4]

This ones more general I guess: Locate the "Search" button on the forums, use it, try different synonyms for your search.

Better yet, let Google do synonym magic:
Search via Google and add site:forum.arcadecontrols.com to the query.

[behrmr]

There's been a lot of great advice here, but I think we're getting a bit ahead of ourselves.

If you want to start somewhere, get Mame running.  Download some of the free roms and learn how to play them.  Familiarize yourself with the keyboard controls, and play a few games with the keyboard.  Get a keyboard encoder.  I can personally recommend a Kade , an I-pac or the GGG encoders. They just work and all have an excellent support base.  Buy a couple of pushbuttons and a Joystick.  Don't go crazy here, just pick up something inexpensive from some of the great vendors we have here.  Knock a few holes in a plywood box install your joystick and buttons and try a game or two with that.  That will get you started, but more importantly, it will get you building.  Once you get the first steps down you'll go a little bigger.  I would imagine the first project, or even the second wouldn't be the final design, but they'll teach you what your final design will be.  Take advice from people here, but in the end it's your's and you're the one who it needs to please.

This here is SOLID advice.  I agree 100%!

DeLuSioNaL29

This ^^^^^  If you can't get Pac-Man running with a minimal front-end on your PC then STOP!  Don't go buy a cabinet kit, monitor, PC, controls, encoder, ipac, etc etc and then have a pile of parts laying around for 3 yrs because you can't get MAME running on a PC.

[Generic Eric]

This ones more general I guess: Locate the "Search" button on the forums, use it, try different synonyms for your search.

Better yet, let Google do synonym magic:
Search via Google and add site:forum.arcadecontrols.com to the query.

I do this.  Its handy

[Thestoney]

Ouch this is like my personal blog of mistakes I have made , I tend to take the stance of failing doesn't lie with falling down it lies in not getting back up again .... I guess we all make mistakes the limiter is to read as much as you can on this site

[jennifer]

I don't know Jennifer is pretty scary...

   Jennifer is NOT amused... And you may want rethink your position on this.

[Malenko]

Ouch this is like my personal blog of mistakes I have made , I tend to take the stance of failing doesn't lie with falling down it lies in not getting back up again .... I guess we all make mistakes the limiter is to read as much as you can on this site

Bro, Ive learn so much by doing things the wrong way. Never be afraid to fail and always be willing to learn from your mistakes. Try to learn from other people's mistakes too! 

[knightrdrx]

I wish I had buttons at the top of my controls that can be mapped with all emulators.  I used the X-arcade tankstick as my controller. It's nice that I can use the 2 side mouse buttons in some of the emulators.  But I don't think I could possibly manage to have the same key combinations for all emulators for other options such as pause, reset, load, save etc in a place where it is out of the way. I have it set up so i use the side button as a function button with another button. But some emulators like Fusion won't allow you to remap the hotkeys.  IT will be confusing until I somehow create an instruction card.

[danny_galaga]

+1 on 'admin buttons are over rated'. Put a USB port in the back and/or use a wireless keyboard/mouse.

[rvs0002]

EDIT

Post retracted. Sorry if I stepped on any toes. Was just trying to offer help and encouragement.

[bfauska]

That's not quite the sound bite that all the other parts have been in this thread but you can't hate a guy for taking the thread topic and running with it to contribute a pile of advice only a few posts into his membership. Welcome to the forum. We'll get you posting short useless replies before you know it.

[jennifer]

  I know right?... 

[rvs0002]

I actually typed that up to do my own post when I saw one already existed so I climbed on the back of that one. In retrospect I should have just started my own I guess. It just took me so long to find all the answers like that when I first started that I thought maybe I could help someone else all in one place. Future posts will be edited for brevity!

[ChanceKJ]

  I know right?... 

Totaly.

[danny_galaga]

  I know right?... 

Totaly.

Word.

[vandale]

Real arcade games didn't have cup holders.

Correct, but plenty of awesome candy cabs do....never listen to opinion

[yotsuya]

Good example, but I'll stand by my position that real arcade cabinets don't have cup holders...

[opt2not]

bunch of words

Another member who hasn't shown any examples, giving other members advice...I'm not saying what you have posted is wrong, its just that this thread was created based on another guy who liked to preach more and show nothing for it.

Show us the goods man.

[DietCoke]

Good example, but I'll stand by my position that real arcade cabinets don't have cup holders...

      

[rvs0002]

bunch of words

Another member who hasn't shown any examples, giving other members advice...I'm not saying what you have posted is wrong, its just that this thread was created based on another guy who liked to preach more and show nothing for it.

Show us the goods man.

Goods are posted in the OND Metropolis forum, and I apologize if I came off as "preachy" I certainly didn't mean it that way.  I'll remove my post...probably shouldn't have posted it as a new member.

[DietCoke]

RVS - no way!  That was valuable info - don't be ashamed of your contribution.   And thank you.

[yotsuya]

Good example, but I'll stand by my position that real arcade cabinets don't have cup holders...

      

 

[opt2not]

Goods are posted in the OND Metropolis forum, and I apologize if I came off as "preachy" I certainly didn't mean it that way.  I'll remove my post...probably shouldn't have posted it as a new member.

Aww c'mon, you didn't need to retract your post. A posting or link of what you done would have sufficed. 

How the heck are we supposed to know what you've done if you don't link it? (I don't normally peruse Ond's Metropolis post, so I don't really know what's in there)

Sheesh, give one piece of criticism asking for some credibility, and people get started like cockroaches when the lights come on.

[Malenko]

Goods are posted in the OND Metropolis forum, and I apologize if I came off as "preachy" I certainly didn't mean it that way.  I'll remove my post...probably shouldn't have posted it as a new member.

comments are welcome by all. Anyone can offer up advice, personally I prefer it short and sweet. I can link to a million mistakes I made in my threads as a basis for why I do the things I do the way I do.  The intent of this isn't really to tell new builders what to do, but to show them what not to do and preferably WHY.   

[DietCoke]

Good example, but I'll stand by my position that real arcade cabinets don't have cup holders...

      

 

You didn't need to go to Defcon 1, sir.

[rvs0002]

Goods are posted in the OND Metropolis forum, and I apologize if I came off as "preachy" I certainly didn't mean it that way.  I'll remove my post...probably shouldn't have posted it as a new member.

Aww c'mon, you didn't need to retract your post. A posting or link of what you done would have sufficed. 

How the heck are we supposed to know what you've done if you don't link it? (I don't normally peruse Ond's Metropolis post, so I don't really know what's in there)

Sheesh, give one piece of criticism asking for some credibility, and people get started like cockroaches when the lights come on.

Don't think I can make you happy no matter what so I give up. Don't want to start off in the forum in a pissing match so you win, I am a cockroach. Let's shake hands and move on to something that folks actually want to read.

To DietCoke and Malenko thanks for the encouragement! Being someone that knew absolutely nothing I made a ton of mistakes but what a cool building experience and hobby. Can't believe how many nice people helped get me back on track here. Hope I can do the same eventually!

Be well!

[yotsuya]

You didn't need to go to Defcon 1, sir.

I will freely admit that I am not of the candy cab era. I cut my teeth on the Golden Age. I think Street Fighter II is a great SNES game.

[DietCoke]

I will freely admit that I am not of the candy cab era. I cut my teeth on the Golden Age. I think Street Fighter II is a great SNES game.

I cut mine as well back in the very early 80's.  But I'm a soda junkie and am somewhat practical (as long as it doesn't have to do with budget)... thus, the cupholders   No worries.  I'll just make sure your cupholder is empty when you play on my system!   

 

[Ond]

Goods are posted in the OND Metropolis forum, and I apologize if I came off as "preachy" I certainly didn't mean it that way.  I'll remove my post...probably shouldn't have posted it as a new member.

Aww c'mon, you didn't need to retract your post. A posting or link of what you done would have sufficed. 

How the heck are we supposed to know what you've done if you don't link it? (I don't normally peruse Ond's Metropolis post, so I don't really know what's in there)

Sheesh, give one piece of criticism asking for some credibility, and people get started like cockroaches when the lights come on.

Don't think I can make you happy no matter what so I give up. Don't want to start off in the forum in a pissing match so you win, I am a cockroach. Let's shake hands and move on to something that folks actually want to read.

To DietCoke and Malenko thanks for the encouragement! Being someone that knew absolutely nothing I made a ton of mistakes but what a cool building experience and hobby. Can't believe how many nice people helped get me back on track here. Hope I can do the same eventually!

Be well!

Rather than nuke your post in this thread just edit it up for a more concise 'lessons learned'.  Or if not in this thread - add your learning's to your post in the Metropolis build thread or in your own project thread.  The bottom line is just that veterans here tend to get a bit pissy with very long posts with no (apparent) build examples.  There's always something new to learn for everyone, I forage my way through everything, picking up what I can here and there and largely ignoring the overly emotive stuff.  Thanks for the contribution and welcome to a fun hobby!   

[opt2not]

Don't think I can make you happy no matter what so I give up. Don't want to start off in the forum in a pissing match so you win, I am a cockroach. Let's shake hands and move on to something that folks actually want to read

- I wasn't calling you a cockroach. It was an expression and comparison that you were startled like one after being called out for credibility.

- no pissing match. All I was asking for was proof of your experiences. Many people like to give an opinion of things without actually experiencing them. I was questioning yours.

- by deleting your post, nobody wins.

FWIW, the advice you gave was sound, it was just empty without proven examples.

[yotsuya]

I will freely admit that I am not of the candy cab era. I cut my teeth on the Golden Age. I think Street Fighter II is a great SNES game.

I cut mine as well back in the very early 80's.  But I'm a soda junkie and am somewhat practical (as long as it doesn't have to do with budget)... thus, the cupholders   No worries.  I'll just make sure your cupholder is empty when you play on my system!   

 

I have a pair of cupholders you can buy from me... the fold-up kind! 

[Rick]

Be well John Spartan!

FTFY.

And Reg's bark are much worse than their bite. It's a forum, so a thick skin is a requirement.

[vandale]

I will freely admit that I am not of the candy cab era. I cut my teeth on the Golden Age. I think Street Fighter II is a great SNES game.

I cut mine as well back in the very early 80's.  But I'm a soda junkie and am somewhat practical (as long as it doesn't have to do with budget)... thus, the cupholders   No worries.  I'll just make sure your cupholder is empty when you play on my system!   

 

I am usually on the skill juice when playing

[edekoning]

No shame in starting off by building something small, like a fight stick or bartop

Nope, but I find starting big is easier: plenty of space for all the components, everything is easily accessible, mistakes are easier to hide/correct, doesn't require as many 'creative' solutions.

[Malenko]

Nope, but I find starting big is easier: plenty of space for all the components, everything is easily accessible, mistakes are easier to hide/correct, doesn't require as many 'creative' solutions.

This was more in terms of answering the space concerns that come with building a full sized cab. Also, financial distress "but I cant afford a full sized cab right now". So it's more of a "Build the panel for the arcade for now, build the rest of the box later" kind of thing.  I agree with your points on the merit of building big 

[Truecade]

After building about a dozen cabinets ranging from cocktails to uprights to vewlix-style, here are my top 10 advice for beginners:

• Know the exact display device you are going to use before designing or building your cabinet.  Build the dimensions of your cabinet to suit the display.  (Nothing worse than a tiny monitor in a big cabinet or not being able to find a monitor that fits!)
• Use the right tools for the right job.  Many aspects of this hobby require specialized tools and your cabinet will turn out much nicer in the end if you can buy/borrow/lease the right tools. 
• Create a table of all the projected costs before starting your cabinet.  Many of the items needed to build a quality cabinet only cost a few bucks, but $10 here and $25 there can add up quickly when you put it all together. 
• Know how much your time is worth and your limitations.  It may be better to have your panels professionally CNC cut or buy a kit if you don't have the time or tools to do the job yourself.  There is no shame in having part of your cabinet build outsourced.  (My personal experience after cutting complicated Vewlix panels out of MDF is that even though I saved a couple hundred bucks I would never do it again due to the mess and time it took...)
• If you have a lot of buttons/joysticks, invest the $20 in a pre-made wiring harness.  Trust me. 
• Minimize the amount of admin buttons on your control panel.  I used to think I needed an admin button for most menu options in MAME, but quickly learned that all I really needed was one (emulator exit/start button). 
• Invest in quality joysticks that will suit the types of games you will mostly play.  For example, if you like fighting games then a set of Sanwas or equivalent would be best. 
• You probably don't need that trackball/spinner.  Unless you are going to be playing a lot of centipede/missile command/tempest/golden tee, then save your money.  (I'm sure others will disagree with me on this one...  )
• For beginners, plan on spending almost as much time setting up the software (MAME, Soft15Khz, front-end, etc.) as you did building the bloody cabinet. 
• I think someone else said it above, but take the time to do things right the first time.  It is easy to rush through your first project, but will take much more of your time to do re-work.

Your first project will most likely not go as planned and when it is done you'll wish you did things differently.  That is okay! 

[rvs0002]

Awesome post Truecade and spot on. Especially number nine. Front ends are a b!+ch for sure. I wasn't sure if I would ever get one working! Thanks for posting.

[mgb]

After building about a dozen cabinets ranging from cocktails to uprights to vewlix-style, here are my top 10 advice for beginners:

• Know the exact display device you are going to use before designing or building your cabinet.  Build the dimensions of your cabinet to suit the display.  (Nothing worse than a tiny monitor in a big cabinet or not being able to find a monitor that fits!)
• Use the right tools for the right job.  Many aspects of this hobby require specialized tools and your cabinet will turn out much nicer in the end if you can buy/borrow/lease the right tools. 
• Create a table of all the projected costs before starting your cabinet.  Many of the items needed to build a quality cabinet only cost a few bucks, but $10 here and $25 there can add up quickly when you put it all together. 
• Know how much your time is worth and your limitations.  It may be better to have your panels professionally CNC cut or buy a kit if you don't have the time or tools to do the job yourself.  There is no shame in having part of your cabinet build outsourced.  (My personal experience after cutting complicated Vewlix panels out of MDF is that even though I saved a couple hundred bucks I would never do it again due to the mess and time it took...)
• If you have a lot of buttons/joysticks, invest the $20 in a pre-made wiring harness.  Trust me. 
• Minimize the amount of admin buttons on your control panel.  I used to think I needed an admin button for most menu options in MAME, but quickly learned that all I really needed was one (emulator exit/start button). 
• Invest in quality joysticks that will suit the types of games you will mostly play.  For example, if you like fighting games then a set of Sanwas or equivalent would be best. 
• You probably don't need that trackball/spinner.  Unless you are going to be playing a lot of centipede/missile command/tempest/golden tee, then save your money.  (I'm sure others will disagree with me on this one...  )
• For beginners, plan on spending almost as much time setting up the software (MAME, Soft15Khz, front-end, etc.) as you did building the bloody cabinet. 
• I think someone else said it above, but take the time to do things right the first time.  It is easy to rush through your first project, but will take much more of your time to do re-work.

Your first project will most likely not go as planned and when it is done you'll wish you did things differently.  That is okay!

very solid advice although I'm not huge on the planning all costs because I'm more the kinda drag it out as the money comes kinda guy.
To see every dollar to be spent up front scares me.

I think another piece of advice is that the cab can be a work in progress.
Not a big ugly half finished thing but there are many tweaks that can come later.
Heck I'm just now settling on the front end pieces I always wanted but never got around to.

[jennifer]

   I would have too agree with Mgb on cost. Games are expensive and a big project can get really ugly, And multiple unfinished projects can be fiscally frightening.... I currently have 13 games in my shop, Every one of them is a money sucking vortex.

[yotsuya]

   I would have too agree with Mgb on cost. Games are expensive and a big project can get really ugly, And multiple unfinished projects can be fiscally frightening.... I currently have 13 games in my shop, Every one of them is a money sucking vortex.

I agree. I don't keep track of how much, nor do I take photos. I've tried both,  and it never works out.

[jennifer]

    Pictures don't work out so well for Jennifer either....

[05SRT4]

The first thing I learned from getting into arcades and this forum is to Not admit that you bought a Tank Stick... 

[edekoning]

The first thing I learned from getting into arcades and this forum is to Not admit that you bought a Tank Stick... 

You bought what

I kid

[mgb]

The first thing I learned from getting into arcades and this forum is to Not admit that you bought a Tank Stick... 

 
But seriously that's not a bad way to start.
I've gotta say though that X Arcades Arcade2TV pedestal is pretty sweet looking.

[pbj]

Why would anyone be ashamed of a tank stick? 

It's a solid product.

 

[Cynicaster]

Lots of great advice here.  I'd add the following: newcomers should decide up front whether authenticity or versatility is more important, because you can't have both.  In other words, do you want to faithfully replicate the original experience of a small number of games, or do you want to sacrifice some of that nuanced authenticity in the name of having a more general purpose gaming rig that can passably play a much broader catalog of titles?

The "right" answer depends 100% on the user.  Me, I'm glad I followed the latter route, because through experience I've learned that there are hundreds of games that I can thoroughly enjoy on my cabinet, even though they originally shipped in boxes that look quite different from mine with controls that feel quite different from mine.

Real arcade games didn't have cup holders.

Which is why people don't tend to put cup-holders on real arcade games.  But a generic cabinet stuffed with a PC that runs emulators is inherently not a real arcade game, so cup-holders are very convenient and make a lot of sense in that case.

 

 

[yotsuya]

I am so over cup holders anymore.  Put them on everything, people!  Hell, add a Little Debbie snack holder and a Porta-Pottie, too. May as well be as comfortable as possible.

Screw authenticity. Yeehaw, let's build us some video game playin' machines!

[ChanceKJ]

One of my very first ideas when I was doing all my planning was to buy a used tankstick and rip it apart for parts. Then I saw Neph and edekoning's builds.

[DietCoke]

Hell, add a Little Debbie snack holder and a Porta-Pottie, too. May as well be as comfortable as possible.

You too?  I'm gonna bedazzle the porta-pottie, let me know if you need any tips on application.

Seriously though, Cynicaster is pretty right in my view.  I originally started with the idea of authenticity, then realized that since it wouldn't *ever* be authentic as it wasn't an original I would be better off going for what would make me happy and cause me to keep using it.  Thus, cupholders. 

As for the tankstick, that's what I started with and it helped spur me to build the cabinet once I realized how much I'd missed the joystick (vs a gamepad).  I'm not particularly impressed with it but can't really trash it considering my skill level!

[Generic Eric]

[Rick]

OMG, my life is complete! Who's set of awesomeness is this???

[Cynicaster]

I am so over cup holders anymore.  Put them on everything, people!  Hell, add a Little Debbie snack holder and a Porta-Pottie, too. May as well be as comfortable as possible.

Screw authenticity. Yeehaw, let's build us some video game playin' machines!

The "screw authenticity" ship has already sailed the moment you opt to build a MAME cabinet rather than acquire a collection of real dedicated cabinets; this is my whole point.  Once you start down the path of emulator box, any guidelines or constraints you choose to impose in the name of righteous authenticity are at best personal preference and at worst completely arbitrary. 

I could stand at my cabinet wearing those 80's 3-stripe Adidas shorts and knee socks, and, relative to my memories, that would amp up the authenticity of the Frogger experience more than removing my cup holders ever would.  But it's 2015 and those shorts are gay, so I'm not going to do that.  After all, the idea isn't to "make pretend" that it's 1982 or that I'm 5 years old... the idea is to play some games and be entertained in doing so.

 

   

 

[pbj]

I could stand at my cabinet wearing those 80's 3-stripe Adidas shorts and knee socks, and, relative to my memories, that would amp up the authenticity of the Frogger experience more than removing my cup holders ever would.  But it's 2015 and those shorts are gay, so I'm not going to do that.  After all, the idea isn't to "make pretend" that it's 1982 or that I'm 5 years old... the idea is to play some games and be entertained in doing so.

If it's 2015, perhaps you should stop using the word "gay" to describe things you dislike as if it's still 1982...?

[jennifer]

      Ya, Jennifer was 5 in 1982....

[JDFan]

OMG, my life is complete! Who's set of awesomeness is this???

SO I would hope it dispenses a beer to the winner each game - so that next game the loser stands a bit better chance of winning !!

[ChanceKJ]

I could stand at my cabinet wearing those 80's 3-stripe Adidas shorts and knee socks, and, relative to my memories, that would amp up the authenticity of the Frogger experience more than removing my cup holders ever would.  But it's 2015 and those shorts are gay, so I'm not going to do that.  After all, the idea isn't to "make pretend" that it's 1982 or that I'm 5 years old... the idea is to play some games and be entertained in doing so.

If it's 2015, perhaps you should stop using the word "gay" to describe things you dislike as if it's still 1982...?

Agreed.

[Slippyblade]

As the father of a gay child (well, just turned 18), thank you PBJ for mentioning that.

[horizon]

      Ya, Jennifer was 5 in 1982....

Horizon was not.  He may not have even been born.

[mgb]

I'm all about pretending it's 1982 again.
Friday night game night with my son, I crank up some Clash and Duran Duran and I'm good to go.
No cup holders though cause that'll cramp my style.
We have a table for that.

[Admiral688]

I am so over cup holders anymore.  Put them on everything, people!  Hell, add a Little Debbie snack holder and a Porta-Pottie, too. May as well be as comfortable as possible.

Screw authenticity. Yeehaw, let's build us some video game playin' machines!

The "screw authenticity" ship has already sailed the moment you opt to build a MAME cabinet rather than acquire a collection of real dedicated cabinets; this is my whole point.  Once you start down the path of emulator box, any guidelines or constraints you choose to impose in the name of righteous authenticity are at best personal preference and at worst completely arbitrary. 

I could stand at my cabinet wearing those 80's 3-stripe Adidas shorts and knee socks, and, relative to my memories, that would amp up the authenticity of the Frogger experience more than removing my cup holders ever would.  But it's 2015 and those shorts are gay, so I'm not going to do that.  After all, the idea isn't to "make pretend" that it's 1982 or that I'm 5 years old... the idea is to play some games and be entertained in doing so.

 

   

 

You can't say that........somewhere in your arcade past you must have played some kind of homebrew operator hooptie which was cobbled together from parts. I know I did.....mostly in 7-11 where games went to die.

[Vigo]

I am so over cup holders anymore.  Put them on everything, people!  Hell, add a Little Debbie snack holder and a Porta-Pottie, too. May as well be as comfortable as possible.

Screw authenticity. Yeehaw, let's build us some video game playin' machines!

The "screw authenticity" ship has already sailed the moment you opt to build a MAME cabinet rather than acquire a collection of real dedicated cabinets; this is my whole point.  Once you start down the path of emulator box, any guidelines or constraints you choose to impose in the name of righteous authenticity are at best personal preference and at worst completely arbitrary. 

I could stand at my cabinet wearing those 80's 3-stripe Adidas shorts and knee socks, and, relative to my memories, that would amp up the authenticity of the Frogger experience more than removing my cup holders ever would.  But it's 2015 and those shorts are gay, so I'm not going to do that.  After all, the idea isn't to "make pretend" that it's 1982 or that I'm 5 years old... the idea is to play some games and be entertained in doing so.

The big flaw with that mentality is that arcade cabinets are by far one of the most inconvenient methods to play video games. They are giant wood monoliths designed specifically for 5 minutes intervals of gameplay in a commercial setting and endure being kicked, punched, spilt on and have cigarettes put out on it. If it was only about the games, then most people here would be playing at their desk or couch using a gamepad or fight stick.

We respect trying to be authentic because we don't want to wash away the product. If I were a musician influenced by the band Nirvana, and wanted to write a song to tribute their style, would I throw in rap lyrics about drinking 40s?

I never put cupholders on my cab, and it has nothing to do with wishing it was 1982 nor a self righteous quest for authenticity. A lot of what I built would never be seen in 1982. It is more that I care about look and feel of the cabinet as a piece of art. 

[danny_galaga]

I never put cupholders on my cab, and it has nothing to do with wishing it was 1982 nor a self righteous quest for authenticity. A lot of what I built would never be seen in 1982. It is more that I care about look and feel of the cabinet as a piece of art. 

Nicely put (",)

[Cynicaster]

The big flaw with that mentality is that arcade cabinets are by far one of the most inconvenient methods to play video games. They are giant wood monoliths designed specifically for 5 minutes intervals of gameplay in a commercial setting and endure being kicked, punched, spilt on and have cigarettes put out on it. If it was only about the games, then most people here would be playing at their desk or couch using a gamepad or fight stick.

I'm surprised somebody here would say this, because I couldn't disagree more.  For me, there isn't a more immersive and awesome gaming experience to be had on the planet, than standing (yes, standing, not sitting on a stool) in front of an upright cabinet.  Aside from the glory that is arcade-style buttons and sticks, it's having the screen angled right at your face a few inches away, it's having the speakers (not earbuds) hovering right above your ears (or somehow nearby), it's the rock-solid sturdiness of the "wood monolith" that allows me to put my whole body into a game like Robotron and have the thing not budge, wobble, or tip over.

Since building my first project, I've completely lost the desire to play my old consoles, because after spending so many hours playing on my cabinet and others, sitting on a couch with a d-pad feels downright lame by comparison, and I can't get into it anymore.  If I want to play some retro console games (which I still do from time to time), I pick the ones that work well with arcade controls and play them on my cabinet (another taboo topic, I know, but again... everything I said above applies equally to console games, regardless of the fact that they weren't actually in arcades originally). 

We respect trying to be authentic because we don't want to wash away the product. If I were a musician influenced by the band Nirvana, and wanted to write a song to tribute their style, would I throw in rap lyrics about drinking 40s?

Admittedly a good analogy, but my point is, you can still do an unambiguously Nirvana-like tune without gargling nails before you record and without using a left-handed Fender Mustang played through a Boss DS1 on a pawnshop amp with a ripped speaker cone.... and chances are, if you DID do one, you'd not be following that recipe to a tee; you'd be taking some liberties like, for example, recording into a USB 3.0 PC interface rather than a vintage analog rig, or using a right-handed Ibanez that's not held together with duct tape.  So, as with building personal arcade cabinets, the "non-compliances" are ever-present... and my point is that to get up on a soap box with a bullhorn and try to make newcomers believe that certain arbitrarily-chosen non-compliances are acceptable and others aren't is stupid. Bottom line, no MAME cabinet is a real arcade cabinet, so build something that you can enjoy, that plays the games you want, and that fits into your home and recreational space the way you want.   

I'm making myself seem like I care about cup-holders much more than I actually do--I didn't put any on my last project--but for me, the to-cup-holder-or-not-to-cup-holder discussion exemplifies the irritatingly dogmatic nature of this hobby.   Whenever newcomers express an interest in building something and talk about their ideas, there is always a legion of good-ol-boys lined up around the block to tell them all of the the things they're doing wrong (or are about to do wrong).  Now, to advise against a Pac-Matt control panel is actually good advice because there are practical drawbacks of such an ill-guided mess... but little personal touches like cup-holders are not in that category at all. 

 

[pbj]

I'm surprised somebody here would say this, because I couldn't disagree more.

That's because you're an idiot and wrong.

 

[dkersten]

The first time I had friends over after my arcade was finished, beer got spilled on it.  If I had put cupholders in like I intended in the beginning, that wouldn't have happened. 

The thing everyone seems to be overlooking is the fact that arcade cabinets were designed to be in family friendly establishments, not mancaves where alcohol is typically consumed, and the more it is consumed, the more the games get played. 

I tend to agree that the moment you consider mame, an lcd, modern joysticks and buttons, and even MDF (which was seldom used in cabinets of old), you have thrown out the argument that it isn't original.  While I have never added cupholders (yet), when I first considered building a cab, me and my son browsed this very forum looking for inspiration, and when I saw a cab with cupholders, we high fived at the perfect idea.  This cab was, after all, going in a man cave right next to the kegerator, and would be played by drunken fools at 2 am.  What better idea than to have a place to put their red solo cup than somewhere it won't cause damage?

Then I read posts here and found out it was the opposite of cool, and I succumbed to the peer pressure.  At least I am cool now...  right? 

[Rick]

At least I am cool now...  right?

We're all cool here, buddy. We're all cool. *shifts uncomfortably in seat*

[Generic Eric]

I always thought an cocktail cabinet would be an appropriate place to put a drink.


I also considered a false wall that was 24" x 8" at CP height to be placed in between all of these games I was going to build.  It'd be a place to set drinks, and would also allow people to see the side art.

[pbj]

http://beverageholder.com/allproducts.aspx

[zanna5910]

Wow, everything in here is really great advice, all things I have taken to heart when building or learned of their truths the hard way, but here are some things I didn't really see while skimming thru this.

1. Dont try to make a cab that does EVERYTHING.  My first build, I am guilty of this too.  As much as everyone that comes on and says I want it to do everything, if you make a cab that is a bit more specialized, it will work better in the long run, be easier for people to play, and generally feel more clean looking and be a tighter design.

2. 1 year from the end of the build, you may realize you wish you had done it differently.  Dont be discouraged, you learned a lot.  Either mod your build or start over and build again.

3. Most of the guys building/restoring multiple cabs on this site have great advice that has been learned out of trial and error and failure.  Yea, you see those ultra-amazing, creative, unique cabs and designs now, but all that expertise was forged in experience.  Remember, they fail all the time too and learn from their mistakes just like you do as well.

[Generic Eric]

I've no doubt every vendor makes their best effort to ship out reasonably.  I've learned personally not to order on a Tuesday for a project the following Saturday.  Inadvisable at best.

[Hoopz]

I've no doubt every vendor makes their best effort to ship out reasonably.  I've learned personally not to order on a Tuesday for a project the following Saturday.  Inadvisable at best.

Ultimarc has shipped from the UK to the US in less time for me.  But planning ahead eliminates potential problems like this.

[Generic Eric]

I've no doubt every vendor makes their best effort to ship out reasonably.  I've learned personally not to order on a Tuesday for a project the following Saturday.  Inadvisable at best.

Ultimarc has shipped from the UK to the US in less time for me.  But planning ahead eliminates potential problems like this.

Word
The intended message is plan ahead.  An order may be received in a timely manner.  But if you order the cake 2 days before the wedding, you might not get it.

[Rick]

But if you order the cake 2 days before the wedding, you might not get it.

Words of wisdom, and a powerful euphemism!

[dkersten]

I've no doubt every vendor makes their best effort to ship out reasonably.  I've learned personally not to order on a Tuesday for a project the following Saturday.  Inadvisable at best.

Ultimarc has shipped from the UK to the US in less time for me.  But planning ahead eliminates potential problems like this.

Word
The intended message is plan ahead.  An order may be received in a timely manner.  But if you order the cake 2 days before the wedding, you might not get it.

In a world where we have Amazon Prime and free 2 day shipping, it is hard to get out of the mindset that you can order your stuff a few days before you need it and have it in your hands.  I did my Xmas shopping this year starting on the 15th of Dec, and only two items got delayed to the 23rd and 24th.  Granted, in a few cases I had to pay more to get the Prime shipping, but overall I did really well.

Ultimarc rocks for shipping cost and speed, especially considering how far it has to travel.  Often I get my Ultimarc stuff about the day my stuff from other vendors ships, and even if they ship the same day, for twice as much shipping cost it takes twice as long for a few thousand fewer miles.  Pretty crazy you can order something from London and have it arrive in Montana 3 days later while your package from within the states is still in shipping for another 3-4 days.

All that aside, the advice is solid:  Plan this stuff out many weeks in advance.  Order your parts 2 weeks before you need them at the minimum, longer if you can.  I try to get my orders in a week or two before I even start construction, and even then something shows up wrong and I am waiting for a part before I can move on to the next step. 

[DietCoke]

The big flaw with that mentality is that arcade cabinets are by far one of the most inconvenient methods to play video games. They are giant wood monoliths designed specifically for 5 minutes intervals of gameplay in a commercial setting and endure being kicked, punched, spilt on and have cigarettes put out on it. If it was only about the games, then most people here would be playing at their desk or couch using a gamepad or fight stick.

I completely disagree, nor do I believe that it is a flaw in mentality.  It's simply a different approach based on a different set of goals.  It is more comfortable for me to stand or sit on a stool when it comes to gaming, and it also keeps me from geeking out too much and neglecting my family by playing for hours without realizing it.  As well, I lost a finger about 9 years ago and that makes an arcade panel a hell of a lot more comfortable/usable than a gamepad could ever be.  And, more importantly - that's what I grew up using, unlike a gamepad.  This might be a generational thing, I don't know.  It is what I like, therefore I chose that approach.

I never put cupholders on my cab, and it has nothing to do with wishing it was 1982 nor a self righteous quest for authenticity. A lot of what I built would never be seen in 1982. It is more that I care about look and feel of the cabinet as a piece of art. 

The operative phrase here is "It is more that I care about look and feel".  Mine are recessed and integrated into the cabinet in a way that is safer for the unit in the event of spills.  And I can assure you that it hasn't lost the "piece of art" feeling.  Just gotta do it in a way where they don't announce themselves or get in the way functionally. 

When it comes down to it I'm not shooting for authenticity inasmuch as I'm shooting for something *I like*.  Doesn't mean others have to like it, nor would I try to convince you that it is the best thing since sliced bread.  But it is for me    I think a big source for these arguments comes from people getting defensive about their cabinets as though any of us are authorities.  There are folks here that are authorities on stuff for sure, but a lot just comes down to preference and budget.  The rest is just trying to help where you can and accepting that just because it isn't what you'd do doesn't mean that it isn't perfect for someone else!

[Vigo]

In my comments earlier, I said inconvenient, I never said less enjoyable or a worse experience, and I never said inferior controls which is why I mentioned fight sticks (tabletop arcade controls).  The reason why I addressed convenience is because it is the source of so many pitfalls. If standing in the corner of your basement facing the wall is the most convenient way for you to game, then you are a rare bird. What is convenient about torquing your entire body around to play a game of Robotron? Nothing. But it is the enjoyable way to play. I can personally rack up much better scores on the right dual analog gampad. (BTW, I can torque on a robotron hard enough that If I had a cupholder on it, it would be spilling)

Why do clunky and confusing frankenpanels exist?
Why do we have cabinets that are 6 feet wide built around a $1800 widescreen panel?
Why do some cabs have two rows of admin buttons?
Why do some systems try to cram 30 consoles and 100 gigs of emumovies into it's painfully indirect menu?

They are all measures of convenience, but at expense of experience.

In chef school we were taught that impressive presentation and simple flavor was the key to a fine dish. I think that translates the same to arcade machines. When you are investing so much money and time into a cabinet, why shoot for the "Denny's Grand Slam" of Cabinets? Feature creep is a bad thing. Making something focused on doing its one job right is gonna be cheaper and easier to do, and more rewarding in experience.

[Hoopz]

Dont point out flaws in your builds to others.  Cabinets are like kids;  they have idiosyncrasies but not flaws.  No need to show people things that aren't perfect.

Make sure you have more than enough room for the build itself in the garage or shop.  If you have just enough room to do something, you dont have enough room.  Take the time to make it easier to do.  Saves time in the long run.

[TopJimmyCooks]

skip mame entirely and proceed directly to pinball. 

[jennifer]

skip mame entirely and proceed directly to pinball.

  Well that, And OEM dedicated arcade cabs.