From the looks of the list of games you are looking to play could they not all be done on a single PC? Instead of using the PS3 and PS4 for the fighting games, why not download, SF5, MKX, etc and setup a Steam system that you can launch from a front end like Hyperspin?
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It's funny since I've been down this path before with others, but it's the way you said it. I had myself so convinced with my concept up until a few days ago, but reading your post had some major impact. There were purists out there who told me consoles where meant for the couch, but most of the games I play are fighting games and, IMO, are meant for an arcade cabinet. I thought a multi-system arcade cabinet was such a cool idea. It would allow me to play modern fighting games in my own arcade cabinet! And I would have all the retro games on the Retropie. I knew it was going to be a challenge and I was up for it, but I've gone through a number of iterations of the equipment (KVMs, Brooks PCBs, different gamepads) and I never got exactly what I wanted, and was disheartening. In my last post I was content with a working concept and was about to add switches and extra buttons to my already big panel, I was actually in a good place with my idea.
But now I'm in a better place since after much thinking I'm going to scrap the multi-system and go modern PC! One system to rule them all! Arroyo, I knew there were PC ports of fighting games but didn't give it that much thought and you're right! All my favorites are there, Street Fighter 5, Marvel Vs Capcom Infinite, Mortal Kombat X, Injustice, even Tekken 7 and Killer Instinct, etc. Plus some of the retro-games that were a little slow on the Retropie (Marvel Vs Capcom 2, Mortal Kombat sound issues), that will go a way with a PC. And all of that weight trying to manage the multi-system controls has been lifted off my shoulders.
Before I made my final decision (it wasn't easy) I made this pros/cons list:
Arcade Cabinet: PS4/PS3/Retropie vs PC Pros & Cons
PS4/PS3/Retropie Pros:
1. Systems already purchased.
2. Games already purchased.
3. PS4 and PS3 games run stable (built for console)
4. Multiplayer with PSN friends online (PS4)
5. RetroPie images and themes already made and are awesome!
6. Never been done before! Can set a new trend if accomplished!
PS4/PS3/Retropie Cons:
1. Won’t be able to play modern fighting games when PS5 is released. Not very future proof.
2. Much to do when switching systems (changing control input + video input) not user friendly.
3. Many input components means more points of failure.
4. Some RetroPie games are slow, need beefier machine for some emulation.
5. Never been done before! So not much guidance.
PC Pros:
1. One system makes inputs (controls AND video) much simpler to manage.
2. It’s been done before, much guidance out there since not specialized.
3. Less room for error, and errors can be controlled better.
4. A modern PC can run most if not all emulation.
5. For fighting games (genre of choice), PC is almost always supported.
6. Future proof since controls won’t change, just upgrade PC hardware every 5 or so years to keep up with newer games.
PC Cons:
1. Must purchase PC
2. Must re-purchase games (fighting games mostly) previously owned on PS3 and PS4.
3. Have to sell some equipment purchased for multi-console project (HDMI KVM, xtra gamepads, usb hub, Brooks board) (already done!)
So major update! I'm going to spec out my machine (haven't built a PC from scratch since 2003) so I have a lot of research to do. But I'm also going to do a few Sketchup Tutorials to also work on the cabinet design.
Thanks to your post Arroyo for making me think rationally about this, and thanks to all those you warned me before, and to those few who even supported my earlier idea. On with the show!