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| project86:
I know this has been posted probably a million times, but I'm new to the scene and looking for help. I have a budget of around $1,000 although less is better. I have zero woodworking skills, hardly any tools, no dedicated space for a long term project.... so building my own cab is not really an option. I do have computer hardware and software skills, and have used mame on my regular PC. 1) What cab would be the best way to go, keeping in mind I can't build my own? a) UAII pre-built kit for $585 shipped. I'd just have to screw it together, which I can handle. b) Locate a local seller who will sell me a cheap used cab, price=unknown. This could be good if it came with a useable monitor. c) Find someone around here to build it for me, price=unknown. 2) What to use for the "guts" of the system? a) Just use a PC, which I can easily build. b) Use a modded Xbox. I know this works, but not sure how well. c) Use one of those multicart Jamma boards. If it has hundreds of good games, and easily plugs in to a used cab, then that would simplify things. Again, I don't know the story about how well these work. 3) Controls. So many options! a) HotRod stick for $100 b) Xarcade stick, not sure which one would be best c) Slikstik: several options, but the only one in my price range is the fighter at $279. The other option is to get one of their blanks and add my own buttons/etc. This would still be expensive. d) have someone around here make it for me. price=unknown As for the monitor, I was thinking of using my 27" CRT which currently lives in my living room but is being replaced this year by a large flatscreen. If that's too big then I'm sure I can find another cheap TV, or even use my 19" CRT from my bedroom. I welcome any comments, suggestions, etc. Keep in mind what I said about not being able to make my own cab... I'm pretty firm on that. Someday when my son is older it's something we can do together, but right now he is just turning 2. |
| fjl:
1. A If you really don't want to build then go for a pre-built cab. But from what I have seen from the pre-built arcades, they're pretty much crappy in the point of quality and customization. This is why I chose to build my own cab instead of vying for getting a store built or an existing arcade. I was going to get a used MK cabinet and alter it. Not anymore. My cab will be exactly how "I" want it. :applaud: 2. A Multicart Jamma boards will have alot of games but I doubt it will have all the games "I" want. Again, this is about my preference. X-Box? I'd leave the X-Box for whats its for, a home console system. Not an arcade. Although, I would like to connect my Dreamcast to my arcade seeing as how its the only current way I can get Marvel Vs Capcom 2 working on it. 3. I thought the X-arcade was pretty cool but people here have ben putting it down. Or at least that is the view I saw. I'm going with Happs controls. As they are considered as superior to mostly everything else. Expensive to buy directly from them though. I'm going to buy from the re-sellers on this site for a discount. For Joysticks I'm getting the Supers. http://happcontrols.com/joysticks/super_joy.htm And a four way. http://happcontrols.com/joysticks/5060841125r.htm One of their trackballs http://happcontrols.com/trackballs/565600xx2.htm And their competition pushbuttons. http://happcontrols.com/pushbuttons/5896xxl.htm As for the monitor, you have to worry if it will even fit the cabinet. |
| clockwork:
There are some posts in the Project Announcements section of people who've used the UAII kit. You might want to check those. I think a PC is probably easier to setup. You really don't need that powerful a system for MAME. Anything P4+ should do (even a PIII could work), or a decent Athlon may be better. The UAII and most cab designs I believe will hold a 27" CRT, so there should be no worries there. And in my opinion, bigger is better, so use all the TV you can. :) As far as lack of woodworking skills, I have none myself. Saint's Project Arcade book lays it out very simply for a newb like me, though. Tools and workspace you could perhaps borrow or use at a friends or relatives. If not, you could get some cheap starter tools. In fact, for the ~$600 for the UAII you could probably get your tools and materials. I spent a total of about $500 on my tools and I didn't even go for the cheapest. |
| project86:
I agree that the sensible thing to do is spend the money on tools, which I would then be able to use on my cab as well as for many other things. However.... I don't really have any space for storing them, and I certainly don't have space to work on a messy project, since nothing can be left sitting around or my son will try to use it himself! Plus if I buy them, I still have to work through the process of building, which is tough for me. I work 50+ hours a week most of the time, and I want to spend my free time playing video games rather than trying to figure out how to build it. |
| fjl:
I'm building it cause I have the time and I am really looking forward to doing this as a project since I love working with my hands. Plus I love tools and this gives me an excuse to buy them. Like the router for one. Who knows, after this I might get into furniture building. :cheers: Of course the main reason is my love for video games. I loved arcades but grew up poor so rarely got to play them. I could only wish to have an arcade of my own like Street Fighter II. I once even tried building an arcade Control Panel with a used Nintendo joystick. I had bad luck and just ended up breaking it. :hissy: But now that I see where I can get all the parts and help from lots of other people, its time I started on my dream. :lame: |
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