MAMEd cab vs. real cab

[Felsir]

Something I was wondering now I'm building a cab. I noticed that many people also own a 'real' cab (with hardware arcade boards).

So how does it compare?
Suppose the cabinets were exactly the same, both arcade monitors etc. would you be able to detect the MAME version?

How does the MAME experience compare to a real arcade?

Sometimes I wish I had the space to have more cabs in my gameroom, but since I can play only one at a time I guess it's mainly as a 'collection' or to mimic a arcade-hall. Would you buy the real arcade of a game you particulary like in MAME (given that you can play the game in your custom cab)? Why, because of the artwork/authenticity/collecting/playability?

I was just wondering what you all think ;-)

[paigeoliver]

Ok, since I own TONS.

My real cabinets do tend to be a bit more popular. The artwork on them matches the game, and they are always playing the same title (most of my friends do not know how to switch games on my 5 Mame cabinets, since each one does it differently).

But, in the same cabinet, with the same display and controls, then there should be no difference for all games that are properly emulated.

[Buddabing]

Something I was wondering now I'm building a cab. I noticed that many people also own a 'real' cab (with hardware arcade boards).

So how does it compare?
Suppose the cabinets were exactly the same, both arcade monitors etc. would you be able to detect the MAME version?

How does the MAME experience compare to a real arcade?

Sometimes I wish I had the space to have more cabs in my gameroom, but since I can play only one at a time I guess it's mainly as a 'collection' or to mimic a arcade-hall. Would you buy the real arcade of a game you particulary like in MAME (given that you can play the game in your custom cab)? Why, because of the artwork/authenticity/collecting/playability?

I was just wondering what you all think ;-)

You can still tell an emulator when it boots up and you see all the PC messages. Once it's running, though, you can't tell, unless the emulation is imperfect. The starfield in Galaga, for example, isn't exactly the same as in the arcade.

The only way to make it completely indistinguishable from the original would be to have LinuxBIOS or another way to quickly boot a system. You'd have to specially recompile LinuxBIOS to not print any messages whatsoever, only blank the screen.

Then you would compile a tiny version of MAME with just the one game and run it from a pen drive. Still, the few seconds between power on and emulator start might make it so you can tell the difference between the two.

Knowing what I know now about MAME and arcade games, I would only buy real games that have controls that are difficult to emulate, have unusual control placements, or that don't have good interfaces to PCs. This would include Time Pilot (unusual joystick), and Sinistar(49-way joystick, an 8-way just doesn't work right). I love Galaga, and that's the only real arcade machine I own, but I wouldn't have bought it knowing what I know now about emulators, I would have bought the Tron that was at the same auction. (unusual restrictor plate in the stick)

Buddabing

[Lilwolf]

You don't notice ANY difference... until you get them next to each other.

If the controls are ok that is.

Some games are hard for the kids because they don't know what buttons to press... You have 7 to choose and only 2 are good.  Or now my youngest has problems pressing ANY other then the first... she forgets about them.

So... other then the obvious contols.  If you don't have the original next to it... its hard to see the difference.  

Then... when you do... there are some noticable changes.  Sure the outside obvious stuff.  Then little graphic differences... but most don't effect the game play itself.

Its like the difference between and Ultimate and a Compitition.  The Comps are MUCH better... but only when they are mounted next to each other...  Otherwise you might not even know there is a difference.