Need some guidance

[Raz1r]

I used to love going to the arcades when I was little. Now I don't have nearly as many memories as you all, because I'm only 16, but I love the arcade feel. My uncle has a few arcade machines (Tron cocktail, Lethal Enforcers, Galaga cabaret, Track and Field, and my favorite, the NAOMI Power Stone cab) and I've always wanted one. I've bought almost every arcade stick released for every console I own. And Metal Slug is my favorite game btw. How much are MVS machines?

First of all, I'm doing this on a very small budget: $300.

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I don't particularly have too much space in my room, as that is where the cab will most likely go, so I guess I should buy a cabaret machine right? What are some cheap small cabs that I could get at an auction? (I live in Florida, and I go to auctions in Orlando every so often with my uncle.)

I guess there is also the option of making my own, but to be honest I don't think I would have the woodworking skill to do it. I can solder and everything, but I suck with actually building something large.

So which route do I go? Do I try to find a small machine and convert it to something better? (Like buy a NAOMI or MVS system to put inside and add controls?)

Or do I try to build my own and go with MAME? (I've got an old 750mhz Linux machine with 512mb RAM sitting as a watchdog for my home network. It's got a G400 video card too.)

Sorry to ask so many questions, I'm just kind of excited to get into this.

[spacies]

Welcome.

1st up, I would post a wanted add the the B/S/T.

You just never know?!

[LiquidFire]

Buy the Project Arcade book. Hang around here for awhile, listen to answers by some very talented people that are quick to give their help.

If you only have room for one machine, it should be one that will provide as many gaming options as possible inside your budget.

If you won't be building, then find a derelict cabinet you like and make a year-long project of it. Some incredible parts deals show up-if you have time.

Get to know the vendors offerings-Ultimarc, Happ, Groovy, etc....you can't make good decisions without knowledge of what's available.

Don't rush. It has taken me 5 years to decide what my test panel will look like. 

[AcidArmitage]

if your budget is $300... then pretend its actually $200. Because ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- happens and you'll get excited as well 

[vidmouse]

You might try to build or buy your own control panel box
first... more space-conscious and money-conscious than a
full cab, and can take advantage of your existing computer
hardware.

If you buy, probably some of the X-arcades are your best bet.
(uninformed opinion, don't have one myself)

If you build, there are a-plenty of people here that can help
you through it.

I would say either you could definitely do under $300, maybe
under $200 depending on what you want on it (how many
controls and what type)

Downside:  the control is awesome but it's going to "feel" like
a computer still somewhat...

[More Cowbell]

A $300 Mame cab can be done. Look for a super cheap or free cabinet in solid condition and add parts from there. No woodworking necessary. You can get 21" computer monitors for $20 nowadays and a cheap PIII to run it all for $30 or so. Keeping your eyes peeled and asking questions will save you a lot of money.

[Raz1r]

Thanks guys, I think I've figured out what I want to do. I'm going to wait until I find the right size cab, and MAME it until I get an MVS or NAOMI down the road.

[rockin_rick]

Welcome,

I think that the most important thing to make it possible to maintain your budget is to do a lot of research.  Research to get all your decisions made on what your going to do and buy, as the biggest problem you'll run into with a super tight budget is errors.  If you start heading in the wrong direction, or decide half way through that you are going to go a different direction, then budget's shot...  You need to watch for deals, but if it ends up not being something you'll use because you've since changed your direction, then it's not a deal.

I don't know how much you've been researching here, but there is a lot to learn and many decisions to be made.  Since I've started planning, my path has changed several times, and I'm still not sure which to take.

Good luck,
Rick

[rooterman]

If you think you've figured out what you want to do, sit on it for a little while, it will change again. It's best to wait until you are 100% sure about something after sitting on it for a bit, before you fire up those power tools. It's a pain if you change your mind after.

r