Author Topic: I've read all the FAQ's (Read 2179 times)

Wicked · « **on:** July 06, 2006, 03:56:50 pm »

I have read all the FAQ's and I understand that it's not supposed to be discussed, but is there a place to LEGALY download Rom's. There was a guy here that modded Xbox's to run MAME and he had all the system games. Nintendo, NEO-GEO, Sega etc..etc..but, since I'm new I don't exactly know how to go about this. so far this is what I'm trying to do.
I would like to build a 4 person cabinet, and these are my computer specs.

Athlon 64 3000+
1 gig Corsair PC 3200
120 gig WD HDD 8mb cache
Chaintec GeForce 600GT 128mb
Asus Nforce4 Ultra motherboard
Antec 550 power supply
Lite-On dvd writer

The final decision is whether to go with the 36" Sony Wega with DVI, or the Wells-Gardner 33" digital monitor thats coming this fall.

Sorry for the long post but, I want to do this correctly the first time since my wife is letting me invest quite a bit of money and space into this project.

shardian · « **Reply #1 on:** July 06, 2006, 04:18:59 pm »

...
http://www.mame.net/downmisc.html

There are your legal roms...your computer might be a little overkill though.

leapinlew · « **Reply #2 on:** July 06, 2006, 04:53:46 pm »

Quote from: Wicked on July 06, 2006, 03:56:50 pm

Sorry for the long post but, I want to do this correctly the first time since my wife is letting me invest quite a bit of money and space into this project.

2 things

1. You'll need 2-3 times more money than you thought
2. It's easier to get forgiveness than permission

Wicked · « **Reply #3 on:** July 06, 2006, 05:25:13 pm »

Thanks guys. That computer was my gaming computer from 2 years ago. I have since built 2 realy nice computers one an SLI gaming and the other an HTPC. as far as the cost of the project I have a $3000 budget and of course the majority of that is the tv/monitor. My wife felt that was an adequate budget for the project (as do I ) I install car audio on the side, so I already have the wood, lexan and tools on hand. Does anyone have any input on the tv vs. monitor issue?

javeryh · « **Reply #4 on:** July 06, 2006, 05:49:13 pm »

I would use an arcade monitor - I think it just looks better and it's also more authentic. That's just me though.

Wicked · « **Reply #5 on:** July 06, 2006, 06:44:11 pm »

The only reason I was leaning toward the sony was the DVI input and flat crt screen, plus i can get the 36" for the same price as the 33" monitor

Wicked · « **Reply #6 on:** July 06, 2006, 07:27:01 pm »

I just saw the 39" Wells-Gardner monitor, they dont have it listed on their site anymore, does anyone know where I could get one. I know it would blow the budget but I would LOVE to have one!

versapak · « **Reply #7 on:** July 06, 2006, 07:29:51 pm »

Unless you are making a showcase cab, then that sort of monitor size is just ridiculous.

On a standard 4 player cabinet, that is just to much real estate to get your eyes around comfortably.

CheffoJeffo · « **Reply #8 on:** July 06, 2006, 08:53:46 pm »

Quote from: versapak on July 06, 2006, 07:29:51 pm

Unless you are making a showcase cab, then that sort of monitor size is just ridiculous.

On a standard 4 player cabinet, that is just to much real estate to get your eyes around comfortably.

What versa said ... for slow-@$$ games or games where you focus only on parts of the screen, you can get away with the monster monitor up close.

For anything where gameplay covers more than 30% of the screen, monster monitors are tough to get your eyes around (thanks to VP for appropriate phrasing).

All IMPO, but I've got a 33" monitor and if it were in anything but a showcase, I wouldn't be happy with it.

But then, I think putting a 25" monitor in the Galaga reunion machines was a mistake, so go figure.

Cheers.

Wicked · « **Reply #9 on:** July 06, 2006, 09:30:57 pm »

Ok, so that being said, I should go with a 27" or 33", or are u guys saying that the 33" is overkill?

versapak · « **Reply #10 on:** July 06, 2006, 09:36:36 pm »

Go with the 27".

I love me some big screens, but when you are that close to em, there is only so big you should go, and in many cases even a 27" may feel a bit big.

I have a 27" in my 4 player UAII style cab, and I couldn't imagine having anything larger while keeping it comortable to play on.

Wicked · « **Reply #11 on:** July 06, 2006, 09:43:23 pm »

Well 27" it is then, any advice on which Wells-G to get?

Wicked · « **Reply #12 on:** July 06, 2006, 09:52:46 pm »

Is a showcase cab where the monitor unit is seperate from the joystik units, cuz that the type of unit i was thinkin of building.

versapak · « **Reply #13 on:** July 06, 2006, 09:57:45 pm »

Quote from: Wicked on July 06, 2006, 09:52:46 pm

Is a showcase cab where the monitor unit is seperate from the joystik units, cuz that the type of unit i was thinkin of building.

Yep

If that is the type of unit you are thinking of building, then the size of monitor you choose can pretty much be as big as you want, because you can just move the control pedestal back enough to compensate.

Wicked · « **Reply #14 on:** July 06, 2006, 10:02:10 pm »

Is that type of setup worth it?

versapak · « **Reply #15 on:** July 06, 2006, 10:28:12 pm »

Quote from: Wicked on July 06, 2006, 10:02:10 pm

Is that type of setup worth it?

Depends on your tastes.

One isn't necessarily better than the other. They are just different styles.

I peronally have never been much of a fan of the showcase cabs, though there have been a few that I have seen that I did like. They just never gave me that arcade nostalgic feeling I get from my standard cab, but...

It is worth it if that is what you are looking for, and what you pictured having for your very own.

Wicked · « **Reply #16 on:** July 06, 2006, 10:34:19 pm »

The main reason I wanted to build that type of cab, is games like NBA Jam, TMNT, and X Men. Me and my bros used to play those when we were younger, but in retrospect I dont remember very many games that used multple players like that.

versapak · « **Reply #17 on:** July 06, 2006, 10:45:20 pm »

Quote from: Wicked on July 06, 2006, 10:34:19 pm

The main reason I wanted to build that type of cab, is games like NBA Jam, TMNT, and X Men. Me and my bros used to play those when we were younger, but in retrospect I dont remember very many games that used multple players like that.

None of those games that you mention were actually in showcase cabs.

Wicked · « **Reply #18 on:** July 06, 2006, 10:47:32 pm »

May have been custom, but we had a 6 player X-men and a TMNT in showcase cabs, at that time they had the biggest displays I had ever seen.

CheffoJeffo · « **Reply #19 on:** July 06, 2006, 11:17:44 pm »

The answer really depends on what you are going for.

I have a showcase and I love it for what I have in there ... Virtua Tennis 2 and Sports Jam. A golf game (VG,EAG) would be good in there too.

For classics, however, I prefer a more intimate setting, huddled in close to the laid-back monitor. Playing Galaga, Pac-Man or Robotron (yes, I know that Robotron did not have a laid-back monitor, but it is a good example of a game where the experience is different once you back up a few feet) on a showcase will never be the same experience as on a smaller, closer cabinet. It is tough to recreate that "lone saviour of the universe" feeling of Defender when you're four feet from the monitor and people are standing all around you.

If you loved four-player games, then a showcase may be right for you, particularly if you and your friends have expanded since youth. It is bloody hard to fit four guys playing TMNT around a Galaga cabinet.

At the end of the day, it is up to you as to what you want to create or recreate. Think about what you loved about the games you played and build to that.

Cheers.

Wicked · « **Reply #20 on:** July 06, 2006, 11:47:32 pm »

I think I may do a Hybrid of the 2 and, see if I can make it realy nice.


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