Considering building a driving cabinet... Could you guys help me out a bit??

[TeamPSI]

I've really been considering building a driving cabinet. I was dead set on playing Cruisin USA and Rush Racing 23 hours out of the day! I've come to realize that I cant run Cruisin USA and even if I found Rush Racing... it probably wouldnt run either.

Could you guys give me a quick list of driving games that would be suitable for a driving cabinet setup? I just dont want to build it if I wont have any fun with it.

Also...
Any opinions on Steering and pedals? I'd rather buy a straight forward setup than hack things together to make them work (somewhat).  I've though about using a usb PC setup but I cant really see a Logitech setup getting me where I need to be. They seem flimsy and just wouldnt give me the REAL arcade feel that I'm looking for. If you have an opinion otherwise, please share.

I loved playing Hard Driving but after I tried to run it I noticed that it seems to have a really intricate control setup (including a clutch). What in the heck would I have to do to make that game work (and be really playable)? Thats about the only other game that I can remember being fond of playing at an arcade. If I cant even play that in my driving cabinet... I might not want to waste any money building it.

Please help me out! Thanks a million!

[original_maxlamer]

On the software side of things, Cruising USA was on N64
And im sure i saw Hard Driving on pc too

So even if you cant use mame, you will be able to use a N64 (or emulate N64) for Crusing USA

I would take a guess that most driving games that play on mame are fairly primitive in comparison to the games you suggested.  That said, explore your other options like Xbox, PSX, ect rather than giving up. Because mame is NOT the only way to get the arcade experience

[BamBam]

On the hardware front, Logiteck makes a variety of different quality controllers.   I have the dis-continued Logitech GP Yellow USB wheel, which has a nice feel with actual rubber on the wheel.  I also have a Logitech MOMO Force Feedback wheel, which is amazing.  I have tried the cheaper Logitech wheels too and found them to be flimsy and light.

John

[TeamPSI]

I would really rather run a pedal setup like this..
http://cgi.ebay.com/San-Francisco-Rush-Rock-2049-Triple-Pedal-Assembly-Mame_W0QQitemZ110027250492QQihZ001QQcategoryZ13718QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item110027250492

And a wheel like this..
http://cgi.ebay.com/1989-LELAND-SUPER-OFF-ROAD-VIDEO-GAME-STEERING-WHEEL_W0QQitemZ270069142089QQihZ017QQcategoryZ13718QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item270069142089

The problem is.... I have no idea of how to interface them. Well they even work? Is there some sort of interface card I can use? Errr... I'm confused already.

[CheffoJeffo]

http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Driving_Controls

Cheers

[shess]

Hey, I've got a steering wheel for sale that is just like the one in the picture.  The difference is that I don't have the blue metal housing.  But you can still make something up or just screw it into a piece of pine/mdf.  The other difference is that I have hacked a mouse to work with the original optics that I'll include with the wheel .  That way it'll work in mame or any other emulator that can use a mouse as the steering wheel (ie. spin the wheel left and the mouse cursor moves left and vice versa).  I'm asking $30 for the wheel and mouse plus shipping.  Let me know if you're interested!

Scott 

[Havok]

Contact divemaster - he is building a driving cab also, and sells all the Happ stuff:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=59882.msg591578#msg591578