Would using a console arcade controller work?

[yalborap]

Okay folks, I've been doing some research, and I think I should get a console arcade controller and a console to USB converter. Would this work at all? Keep in mind I'm trying to do the whole mame cabinet thing as cheaply as physically possible.

Also, is there a version of mame(preferably with a GUI of some kind) that can be booted to from a CD?

Thanks in advance.

[Minwah]

Yes, but most of them are pretty platicky IMO.

You'd be better off buying some nice arcade sticks / buttons and a cheap PC pad to hack them to.

I don't see why MAME + any FE couldn't be run from a CD...

[simplygriff]

This is entirely possible.  Granted it's not the cheapest way by any stretch of the imagination.  Hell, it's downright expensive.  But my sticks will be easily removable for console play, work on PC, PS2 and Gamecube, and I didn't have to wire anything up since I'm a bit solder-phobic.  I'm using MAS system's (www.massystems.com) Super Pro Sticks with Playstation1/2 and Gamecube support with a PS2 to USB adapter.  I have everything working perfectly with the exception of not being in a cabinet yet.  It's all sitting on my dining room table as of now.  If you search around a bit here you'll find the link to the best ps2 to USB adapter, the Super Dual Box.  This will allow you to have 2 ps2 controllers hooked up to 1 usb port.  IMHO this is a great way to go but I'm a bit biased.  

[boesiii]

I asked the same question a few weeks ago, if you search for my user name you will find it, but the basic answer was yes there are usb adapters out there.

http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=15;action=display;threadid=20325

But if you are building a mame and are using a keyboard encoder (ex. keywiz or ipac) you can wire up the controllers to it, with some soldering involved.

[old school gamer]

I am currently running MAME off a CD,it works perfectly.